Poll: Gas or Charcoal

[Pitmaster]

which one and why?

[Roscoe]

Roscoe has been known to use both. Gas is easier, and when you want to throw something on and get it grilled up real quick, it's great. But charcoal is lots of fun and gives a great taste. Almost like smokin' if you do it right!

[Chef Boy]

I voted for gas. Mostly for the convenience, but I think I've figured out some ways to make the food taste good too.

Come-on guys, you have to VOTE in a poll. LOL So far, it's 1 to nothing in favor of gas!

CB

[Roscoe]

Never let it be said that Roscoe doesn't take a stand: let's face it, when you want to grill, you go for the GAS!

[Zman]

Guys,

Ok, I have been waiting for some reason to post and now this ones got my blood going.
How can anyone say gas is better than charcoal? Any bar-b-que- connessour knows that charcoal has by far a better flavor & taste. Sure gas is quicker, but its for lazy, undedicated grill masters. There's only one way to get the smokey chared & seared infused bar-b-que favor and thats through charcoal.

Gas is for wimps and wives. Does anyone have the guts to tell me what they have cooked on a grill thats better that if they cooked it with charcoal? I dont think you can!

Ask yourself, What would "John Wayne" prefer.

Lets not sugercoat here, tell it like it is!!!!!

Zman

[Chef Boy]

Hi Zman - interesting (and provocotive) post ... Reminds me of my favorite show on Food TV "Grillin' and Chillin'" (sadly, no longer on the air). "You cain't cook wit no gas Bobby!"

How can anyone say gas is better than charcoal?

I don't see where anyone said gas is "better".

Any bar-b-que- connessour knows that charcoal has by far a better flavor & taste.

I'd think most "connessours" would say wood is best. I don't believe that BBQ is done on charcoal. Grilling is done on charcoal, BBQ is done on wood. After all, doesn't charcoal taste like, well, charcoal?

Sure gas is quicker, but its for lazy, undedicated grill masters.

OK now MY blood is boiling. I may be undedicated, but I'm NOT lazy. Well, OK, I am lazy. But, I digress. I live in CA, where we can grill almost any day or night of the year. So, I use the grill a lot for meals after work. The last thing I'm thinking about when I get home from work is how much fun it will be to clean the old coals out of the grill, or getting a new pile of coals to light. I want to "set it and forget it" (as one famous chef has said).

Gas is for wimps and wives.

:confused:

Does anyone have the guts to tell me what they have cooked on a grill thats better that if they cooked it with charcoal? I dont think you can!

I can't say that I've done any side-by-side tests. Maybe that's an upcoming project for Roscoe. But, I will invite you to stop by my house some Saturday or Sunday and we'll grill up some tri-tip, or maybe a couple of fat NY steaks. Or, I'll throw a piece of meat on my rotisserie and light the infrared burner (don't have those on no charcoal grill!). We won't know if what we eat is "better" than charcoal or not (the Bourbon won't help our confusion any), but I think you will walk away satisfied.

Ask yourself, What would "John Wayne" prefer.

Now, why would I want to do that? I'm more of a Bobby Flay guy myself.

Lets not sugercoat here, tell it like it is!!!!!

I tried. Thank you very much.

CB

[Zman]

Chef Boy,

Thanks for the hospitality of your invite & good sense of humor, but now back to the question at hand.

Originally posted by Chef Boy, "I voted for gas".

Later quoted by chef boy.

I don't see where anyone said gas is "better".

Hmm, a bit inconsistant? I'd figure a vote meant you believe it was better tasting, or
is it only better on weekdays, or when you have the time to wash the coals
out?

The last thing I'm thinking about when I get home from work is how much fun it will be to clean the old coals out of the grill, or getting a new pile of coals to light.

I actually just got done washing & preping my charcoal grill, wow, even in comparably hot and significantly higher humidity Miami vs Cali, it only took 5 minutes. I respect you for your honesty about being sometimes lazy.

For me I grill, wth charcoal on weekends when I really want to cook, wifey does the gas grill during the week, or I may step in if necessary.

As for Smokin, was that posed in the original question? Is smokin considered actually grilling? Personally, I'd say no. I believe smokin is smokin, not at all grilling.
Booby Flay with Jack McDavid was probably his best show. But why in 5 seasons of Throwdown, has he only won 1 or 2 grilling events, even that was for hot dogs. Is Booby really best on the grill?

This weekend, break out a bottle of Makers Mark, and fire up the charcal grill and your gas grill, throw on one each of your Fat NY steaks, and tell us the difference. Sounds like you've never done this before. You might even change your vote.

[Chef Boy]

Zman, my friend. The original question was, simply "Gas or Charcoal?". The OP didn't ask, which is "better", and I inferred the question to be "which do you prefer?" So, when I "voted for gas", it wasn't a blanket endorsement of gas as "better", and my complete (unabridged) quote regarding the rationale for my vote was:

I voted for gas. Mostly for the convenience, but I think I've figured out some ways to make the food taste good too.

Hardly inconsistent and, seemingly, pretty clear.

I may just do that side-by-side test for you. Now that I know that it only takes 5 minutes to setup and get hot coals, it shouldn't be too hard. Even for a wimp. LOL If I can't get to the test this weekend, I'll be sure to get to the Maker's Mark part :D

CB

[Zman]

Pitmaster,

Poll: Gas or Charcoal

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
which one and why?

Your poll question, would you be asking, as chef boy references, which one do you prefer for clean up purposes for cooking in easy fashion, which is faster for convenience due to working late hours, sometimes we all get lazy and just want the easy way to cook the best grilled foods?

For me, when I grill, I want the best product possible, and quality of taste and satisfying those around me who indulge in my tasty creations. All in all, the best tasting food, which charcoal offers and gas does not!!!!!

Beng a true grill enthusiast at heart, nothing else matters when it comes to grilling, other than the final product, TASTE! I can deal wih all other factors involved, I JUST WANT CHARCOAL FLAVOR ON ALL MY BARBQUE, BECAUSE THE REST (GAS) IS ONLY 2ND BEST!!!!

A true pitmaster would surely be referencing in my opinion that question pertaining to the quality and taste of the barbque produced. Please, clarify your initial request?

Gas, in my opinion was created for those who truely do not love and who may be missing the true essence of what charcoal grilling offers, and grilling for the sake of convenience as Chef boy has conveyed.

Whats your take?

[Zman]

Never let it be said that Roscoe doesn't take a stand: let's face it, when you want to grill, you go for the GAS!

Roscoe,

Please explain? How can it be that you, of whom I admire with many great creations of food delicacy is in favor of GAS?

I have a hard time believing this!!!

[Pitmaster]

smokin' is not grilling, for smokin' you need wood, period. While I prefer charcoal for grilling and the flavor it adds there are times IMO when a gas grill will do a fine job. There may even be times when it could be superior, a delicate food or veggies that do not improve from the smoke. I have seen Roscoe cook some pretty good stuff on gas. My best food has come from the coal, Just wondering what works for you?
Pit

[Roscoe]

Hey ZMan, glad to have you back, and I'll testify from personal experience that you're no slouch at the grill. And I'll admit that you can only get that charcoal flavor from a charcoal grill. And if lighting charcoal and waiting until it's ready to grill wasn't such a pain, I'd probably go for it. But on a regular basis, when you just want to grill up something good and you don't have the time and/or the inclination to mess with the charcoal, and you've got the skills to make it taste good on your own, without the carcinogenics, then I'm with Chef boy here, I go for the gas. A well seasoned gas grill, maybe some wood chips for flavor, a few bourbon and lemonades, how can you go wrong? Besides, anyone ever blow up their charcoal grill? Singe their eyebrows on a charcoal grill that wouldn't start, but then did, like you can do on a gas grill? I don't think so. Where's the danger in that? When you're Cookin' With Roscoe you know something could blow up at any time. That's what I call livin' on the edge - with Roscoe.

[Chef Boy]

Besides, anyone ever blow up their charcoal grill? Singe their eyebrows on a charcoal grill that wouldn't start, but then did, like you can do on a gas grill?

Um, well, I have. I used to use a LOT of lighter fluid :eek:

I don't know, we have some pretty rabid proponents on both sides of this question. The "gas guys" are touting convienence, while the "charcoal guys" claim vastly improved flavor.

I've been using a gas grill for many years. But, I have used charcoal grills too, many times over many years (I may be a "wimp" now, but I wasn't always so). I am not convinced that foods cooked over coals - especially foods that cook quickly, say under a half an hour or so - benefit all that much from added flavor.

I'll stand by my challenge and welcome all Roscoe forum readers to a throwdown. My house. Bring your own bourbon.

CB

[Roscoe]

Be careful what you wish for.

[Pitmaster]

I smell ROAD TRIP

[mont86]

Have both, but enjoy charcoal flavor more.