Goodbye charcoal, hello gas?

Sleipnir

Sleipnir

Not who you think I am
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So I'm tired of cooking over charcoal to the point that I don't do it very much. I hate the dust, the ash, the wait for it to get ready. My wife hates petroleum starters and I cannot use newsprint to start anymore because there are no newspapers. Bitch and moan.

I'm thinking to buy a gas grill. There are only two of us so I don't need a monster grill. Don't need a side burner. Just a basic cooking grill.

What do I need to know? I've been reading online, but I unfortunately have begun not to trust what I read online. Everyone seems to have a $$$ angle on the internet.

I'm willing to entertain different opinions and advice.
 
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Sleipnir said:
So I'm tired of cooking over charcoal to the point that I don't do it very much. I hate the dust, the ash, the wait for it to get ready. My wife hates petroleum starters and I cannot use newsprint to start anymore because there are no newspapers. Bitch and moan.

I'm thinking to buy a gas grill. There are only two of us so I don't need a monster grill. Don't need a side burner. Just a basic cooking grill.

What do I need to know? I've been reading online, but I unfortunately have begun not to trust what I read online. Everyone seems to have a $$$ angle on the internet.

I'm willing to entertain different opinions and advice.
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Sounds like you just need an electric charcoal starter to me. Should run you maybe $30. You’re welcome.

Oh, and use good hardwood charcoal not that briquet crap.
 
Pellet grill is an option, but I never found the flavor to be any better than gas.

I bought a Napoleon gas grill a year ago and won’t ever go back. Flavor, searing, fast start, flat top inside etc.
 
Watch out for the cheapies that come with crap for a gas regulator. A lot depends upon whether you intend to use LPG bottles or connect to your homes LP NAT GAS header.
 
Brandon1 said:
Pellet grill is an option, but I never found the flavor to be any better than gas.

I bought a Napoleon gas grill a year ago and won’t ever go back. Flavor, searing, fast start, flat top inside etc.
Click to expand...

Napoleon Grills are based in Canada. Are you on the wrong forum? 🤣
 
Sleipnir said:
So I'm tired of cooking over charcoal to the point that I don't do it very much. I hate the dust, the ash, the wait for it to get ready. My wife hates petroleum starters and I cannot use newsprint to start anymore because there are no newspapers. Bitch and moan.

I'm thinking to buy a gas grill. There are only two of us so I don't need a monster grill. Don't need a side burner. Just a basic cooking grill.

What do I need to know? I've been reading online, but I unfortunately have begun not to trust what I read online. Everyone seems to have a $$$ angle on the internet.

I'm willing to entertain different opinions and advice.
Click to expand...

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I was a charcoal snob for a while. Had to be because of budget constraints and I refused to buy a junker gas grill.

Then I bought a lightly used Weber gas.

Yeah, I’m good now. Don’t need the charcoal.
 
I have an old CookOn gas grill that I picked up at Barbecues Galore, about 20yrs ago… still going strong. Also have a smaller Weber gas grill that I use for when cooking for two or smaller meals and it works great and has had plenty of use. Not sure if it’s an option, but a smaller Blackstone may be a good fit and it would provide some versatility for a variety of meals.
 
Sounds like a lyric.

Goodbye charcoal, hello gas.

I’ve come to shout at my own ass.

Because the flavor of the Smokey meat

I’ll replace with the smell of nasty feet.
 
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There are cubes to help start the chimney. I prefer the taste of charcoal. I have a gas grill that rarely gets used. Brother in law has a pellet and doesn’t taste any different then gas.
 
I like my Weber gas grill for a quick weeknight dinner, but nothing replaces the Weber kettle.
I use those tumbleweed starters.
 
I also use both. There's nothing gained by waiting for charcoal if all you're doing is charring a burger. When I do use charcoal I don't like accellerants either. I start it with a propane torch.
 
Catfish said:
I also use both. There's nothing gained by waiting for charcoal if all you're doing is charring a burger. When I do use charcoal I don't like accellerants either. I start it with a propane torch.
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So true. Just depends on what and how you cook.
 
For folks that are adverse to lighter fluid / accelerants, you may want to try out the Weber Performer Deluxe. It has a propane ignition system, to get the charcoal started quickly. I love mine. Just make sure you have a spare propane canister on hand.

Weber 22 in. Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill Black - Ace Hardware

With a push of a button, the coals are lit, and the essence of BBQ fills the air. The Performer® Deluxe charcoal grill performs from beginning to end. Light coals with the Touch-N-Go gas ignition, prep food on the large work table, and know that cleanup will be easy with the One-Touch™ cleaning...
www.acehardware.com www.acehardware.com
 
There are several variations on this lighter for sale on amazon from $20-$40:

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I've used a chimney starter for years. Easy to preload and have ready to dump in your grill. I've also found I use much less charcoal using the chimney than lighting the charcoal in the grill with a torch.

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Bull Durham said:
@Sleipnir
Two paper towels drizzled with cooking oil placed under a charcoal chimney.
Windproof, tasteless, and easy enough for anyone.
You’re welcome.
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Same, but different. Cook some bacon on two papertowel in the microwave. Put the bacon grease towel in the chimney starter and ignite. Enjoy crispy bacon while the coals get hot.
 
Personally, I didn't see a lot of difference between cooking over gas and cooking inside on a frying pan taste wise. But,, cooking over a large gas grill will feed a bunch of people easily. I have a large charcoal grill and did have a large gas grill and the taste difference was completely different as you already know. Back when I had the kids and needed to cook up a bunch of burgers, I used the gas grill cause it was easier and kids dont care what it tastes like. I discovered lump charcoal years and years ago, that lights easy, tastes better then charcoal briquettes and has little ash but it is pricey. Now that the kids are gone, I threw away the gas grill and now make my own lump charcoal from Pecan wood. I grill out about 2 times a week and find my own lump charcoal easy to light, tastes great and now is cheap to use.
 
there is always these

Gravity Series®

Masterbuilt® Gravity Series® Charcoal Grill + Smokers. The next evolution in charcoal grilling and smoking is here. Smoke and sear capability. WiFi Bluetooth connectivity. The GravityFed™ Charcoal Hopper holds up to 15 hours of fuel and the DigitalFan™ Control maintains desired temperature. Set...
www.masterbuilt.com www.masterbuilt.com
 
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