Outdoor Grilling: What are you using?

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
The time has come for me to finally be in the market again for a new grill. Had to get rid of the old one a year ago when I moved and no it's time to replace it.

I have been doing the pro/cons for gas vs. charcoal and . . well it never ends. Really looking at getting one of those combo ones (even if it means I have to wait a bit).

What are you all using?
 

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
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Got it as a house warming gift. Basic charcoal grill. I love the taste of the charcoal flavor, though I am still learning on how to be a grill master. The only thing I don't like is constantly buying charcoal and that it takes more time and prep to get a good fire. Growing up, my dad always had a propane grill, so it was nice to just open a valve, hit a button, and have the fire going. Grilling didn't take much forethought or planning.

Sometimes I feel like it isn't worth grilling if it is just for my fiance and myself...unless I am grilling enough burgers or steaks for a week of good lunches. I hate toasting all the charcoal for 2 steaks. Sometimes if we are just cooking small things (a burger each, etc) I will just throw them in a pan on the stove instead...I save the grilling for a weekend with friends or when I plan ahead a little more.

Negative of the basic style grill is not having a built in table to put plates on etc while loading up the grill and taking the steaks off. You can always build a table surround, which is what I plan to do eventually:

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obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
Sometimes I feel like it isn't worth grilling if it is just for my fiance and myself...unless I am grilling enough burgers or steaks for a week of good lunches. I hate toasting all the charcoal for 2 steaks. Sometimes if we are just cooking small things (a burger each, etc) I will just throw them in a pan on the stove instead...I save the grilling for a weekend with friends or when I plan ahead a little more.

This is part of the reason I started looking at those combo grills. You have the ease of use and clean up with the propane. But the flavor of the charcoal on a nice steak - you can't beat that.
 

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
The other great thing about a combo is that getting the charcoal lit off takes no time at all. I was using a gas grill for the reasons stated above, it's just my wife and I and it is way easier to use gas rather than torch a whole bag of charcoal for two burgers or a few pieces of chicken.

One thing a lot of the gas pits have now is searing elements. These are great for flash searing steaks (beef or tuna) and leaving the inside rare. Something to consider. Definitely something I want on my next grill after using it at a friend's house to make perfect tuna steaks.
 

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
This is part of the reason I started looking at those combo grills. You have the ease of use and clean up with the propane. But the flavor of the charcoal on a nice steak - you can't beat that.

One thing I will say...as I have gotten better at actually making and keeping the fire hot, I have been able to use less charcoal, and reduce prep time. Plus, if you buy giant bags of plain char coal (not the light in bag type of thing, or easy light, etc), it is much cheaper. Clean up still kinda sucks though

Not to mention, there is just something completely manly about maintaining a raging fire in a charcoal grill and seeing people stare as they are clearly impressed by your primal instincts
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
Not to mention, there is just something completely manly about maintaining a raging fire in a charcoal grill and seeing people stare as they are clearly impressed by your primal instincts

"Yeah, sup, just out here, cooking my dinner with fire, it's cool, you can watch me do man things" lol

Anyone had the pleasure of using one of those infrared ones? My ex a few back's dad had one. Man, I swear it cooked things in like no time. By the time most grills were warmed up I was eating my burger it seemed.
 

idratherbe

Skid Plates
Location
North Shore, MA
Weber, Weber, Weber. Expensive? Yes but worth every penny. I have a Weber Spirit (gas) and the Smokey Joe (charcoal) and they are top quality. Gas is the fast weekday way to grill and Charcoal is the perfect lazy weekend sitting by the fire way to go.

After you get those squared away, get yourself a smoker for even more fun.
 

Timrich

Super Duper Moderator
Founding Member
Location
Central FL
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My set up, it's a chargrill gas grill on the left and the smaller section on the right is an add on smoker/charcoal grill. I haven't actually smoked anything on it but I can attest that the gas grill works well. It had good reviews online. Its well built and seems to go easy on the propane.

Sent from over there...
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
My set up, it's a chargrill gas grill on the left and the smaller section on the right is an add on smoker/charcoal grill. I haven't actually smoked anything on it but I can attest that the gas grill works well. It had good reviews online. Its well built and seems to go easy on the propane.

Sent from over there...

Ahhh! Good to see this one being used and having a reference. I looked at this and a similar one recently.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent

This is me. Charcoal for life!

The only way I'd go another way is the charcoal grill w/ the gas igniter. Just because it gets it up and running quicker.

I use my grill every chance I get. Even if its just me and the wife. Actually cooling meat over real fire is where it's at.
 

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
So from what I gather here - I should get a charcoal grill. Yeah, gas is easier and such but nothing beats that flavor of the charcoal

Charcoal all the way. I was disappointed when I got the charcoal Weber as a house warming gift, because I wanted to get a big propane grill. Boy was I wrong there. Even with having to buy charcoal and get the fire going, I grill at least once a week.

To make the fire easier...grab a chimney starter or a BBQ dragon. Buy charcoal in bulk, and it really is no trouble. Once you get good at making a charcoal fire, it really isn't bad at all.

http://www.bbqdragon.com/

I honestly like the "challenge" of getting the fire going and adjusting cooking temperature based on air vents instead of pressing a button and turning a knob. I don't think I will ever go to a Propane grill.

Plus...the Weber charcoal grills have a lot of accessories to make it more versatile. For instance, you can buy a smoker kit to convert the kettle into a smoker if you want that functionality:

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obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
That Dragon thing is pretty nifty, nice! I won' lie, I have used a hair dryer on the cool setting before to help out with starting a grill once. To my defense it was raining out and I REALLY needed a burger in my life at that moment.
 

rokdaddy

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
New Mexico
That Dragon thing is pretty nifty, nice! I won' lie, I have used a hair dryer on the cool setting before to help out with starting a grill once. To my defense it was raining out and I REALLY needed a burger in my life at that moment.

The Looftlighter is the coolest charcoal/fire fire starter that I've tried... I use mine at least once a week. The Dragon requires starter fluid (yuk) but the Looftlighter has its own internal heater coils. It's kinda like a hair dryer on steroids. It took me a while to get past the price point but once I bought one, I'll never use anything else (as long as I have a 110v outlet available). It works really well on our wood burning stove too.

The guy in the video is using a kinda rookie technique... once you get a feel for it it works much faster than this.


[video=youtube;UfIBmJYBbtM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfIBmJYBbtM[/video]
 
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robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
I know it has been a while in this thread, but thought I would share what I enjoyed for the 4th...

For the first time, I attempted slow smoking some pork ribs on my Weber Kettle. I didn't get a fancy smoking attachment or anything...just piled coals on one side, filled the grill with three disposable water pans to add moisture and try to block some direct heat, and adjusted vents to try and keep temperature around 225-250. Threw some hickory chips on top of the coals, and let it coast.

I let them cook for around 5 hours. Every 45 minutes to an hour I dropped a few charcoal briquettes into the pile through the side of the grate, and added another handful of wood chips. The new coals lit up, wood chips smoked up, and it was good to coast for another hour. I seasoned them with a dry rub before putting them on the grill, and brushed some sauce on them and let the wet sauce caramelize on the grill for the last 15 minutes.

It was awesome...especially since by the time it was done I had 5 hours of beverages consumed, and....:d
 

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obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
I had been thinking of doing something along those lines, seriously been researching exactly how to smoke meat - never done it before.
(insert snickers, laugh it up, ha. ha. ha.)
 

N.Y.X.

Bought an X
Location
Denver, CO
I got this one 2 years ago for my birthday while my folks were out visiting. I have ran about 10 tanks through it, taken the cast iron grates camping with me and have only had a cover on it; seems to be working out great!! Only a couple hot spots that I work around, but no big deal! Pictured here (excuse the mess, just got done putting up the gate in the background):
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http://www.sears.com/kenmore-4-burner-lp-mocha-gas-grill-w/p-07123679000P?prdNo=11
 

KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
I guess I already need to update my grill status in this thread, haha. I'm keeping my 22" Weber for when we want the flavor of charcoal or have the time to wait for it to be ready, but I brought this Kenmore home today:

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Last week a coworker told me about how he's downsizing and will be giving his old grill to his neighbor for scrap metal. Turns out it doesn't need anything, it all works 100%! Best part, it was free. I even asked him twice if he wanted anything for it, his final answer was "I want you to come take it away Saturday morning". Works for me!

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
 

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
I had been thinking of doing something along those lines, seriously been researching exactly how to smoke meat - never done it before.
(insert snickers, laugh it up, ha. ha. ha.)

http://www.amazingribs.com/

Incredible website and explains a LOT about charcoal grilling and smoking. Awesome.

http://www.amazon.com/SMOKENATOR-10...TF8&qid=1405870837&sr=8-1&keywords=smokenator

You can also get a smoking attachment like above if you like to pay money. Reviews all say that it is awesome....but my water pan method worked pretty good for the meager cost of 3 bucks for 3 disposable pans.



You can also use some landscaping bricks to create a wall to shield the coals so the meat is not directly heated. Also, a hinged grate makes it easy to drop more coals and wood chunks. This is not my set up, but someone posted it on amazingribs

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robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
Well...this may not be the best thread for showing off tasty grill treats since the original poster actually asked a question...

but I grilled some lamb ribs this past weekend, and I tell you, they were pretty awesomely cooked. Lamb ribs by nature are a fatty cut of meat, so they weren't as meaty as I had hoped...but they had a great flavor. Seasoned with ground mustard, salt, and pepper for several hours. Kept the grill cool by using the water pan method, and cooked them for about an hour and a half at 250 F. Started them off with a handful of hickory wood chips, and let them keep on going for the next 90 minutes.

I have a dual thermometer set up so I can monitor the temp on the cool side of the grill, and also on the hot side. Makes it great for getting an awesome reverse sear by slow cooking at 250 F for a while, then drop them onto the hot side (450 F +) for the last few minutes to get the high heat grill marks.

On a side note, the BBQ Dragon charcoal fire starter does not require lighter fluid. You can use it with lighter fluid, but I use a propane torch to light the charcoal directly, and just put the BBQ Dragon fan on the coals to get the fire going in no time. I like the BBQ Dragon since it is battery powered, and it can be used on a camp fire, my outdoor fireplace, or a charcoal grill.

Surely I am not the only one on here that takes photos of your grilling master pieces?! Anyone else?!
 

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TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
All the talk about food, I went looking for a food thread. A little thread revival is in order I think!

I have a Weber 22" basic kettle that I would LOVE to upgrade to the Performer with the built in table. I also have a vertical smoker that the brand name is missing from but it works so good. I call it my cheater smoker because of the water pan to control the temps. I use it a lot! I have a Oklahoma Joe Highland but don't use it very much because it is so HUNGRY and requires constant feeding. Hard to do things in the garage while it's going. Pretty much a drink beer and smoke food day when it's lit!
 

Tay-Lo

I'm the king of junk food!
Location
Upstate SC
I started with a weber 22" kettle grill then upgraded to an Oklahoma joes combo charcoal smoker/propane......i love this thing so much.

Also I use a sous vide for most of my steaks and pork chops now......chops so tender and juicy you can cut them with a plastic knife in 1 pass and no real pressure.

When the gf moved in she brought her walmart charcoal grill and a vertical smoker that was for her ex but they split before she gave it to him.....its been unused but in the elements.
 

LBX

Bought an X
Location
Long Beach, CA
I have a Char-Griller barrel style charcoal grill and a Masterbuilt 30 electric
Smoker. Thinking of smoking some ribs on Saturday. I’ll have to post up some pictures of the goods when they are done.
 
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