Why do people in North America not cook beef using firewood/coal and prefer natural gas?

Question

I live in Argentina (known for having the best beef in the world) and I can tell you it is a lot better when you use hard wood or even coal to cook it.
Propane or electricity does not give the real taste beef requires.

Answer 1

I live in North America (massachusetts) and I USE NATURAL HARDWOOD to grill with! slowly, not fast, I don't like my beef burned... You are absolutely right, no flavor in propane or electricity.. many people are lazy. Many see their neighbors use the propane grill and have to do it too. Coal does not work for me, it makes me nervous (the chemicals, ) There are some of us purists left, I assure you.
I"ve never had the chance to have Argentinian beef, would love to try it sometime. hmmm. how about this afternoon/?? can you fly me some!

Answer 2

There is less clean-up with gas and you do not have to wait for the coals to get hot and white. Also, in the USA, we tend to use a fire starter made from Fossil fuels (Match lite) and you can usually taste the fuel residue in the coals. We Americans are lazy and don't care about real quality and the time and energy it takes to do something right! Currently, the best beef in the world is coming from Japan, with beef getting 500-600 days in feed-lots to fatten up on corn and beer mash as compared to about 30 days here in the USA on corn alone.

Answer 3

That's what I have heard, but we live in the city and can't build a fire for safety reasons. I have been in the woods and cooked beef on a campfire using maple and pecan wood and the beef was so juicy and tender I could cut it with a fork. I'm sure if we had a choice we would cook it that way all the time, but we don't. Next time you bite into a big juicy steak...please think of me!!! I envy you.

Answer 4

Mostly because it is a matter of convenience. We tend to like things that are quick and easy, whereas building a proper fire to cook our meat takes more time. Also, in many cities and towns there are "burn" laws that prevent people from building fires for safety reasons so often the only way that we can cook beef is through the use of natural gas or propane.

Answer 5

well im a fan of the Weber grill as are many of my friends we have gas grills too and we use them occasionally but nothing beats the taste of charcoal,the food always taste better,and the food takes on the flavor of the coals and or wood i love my Weber always have and always will.and i live in north America! and waiting for the coals to heat up is the best part time used to sit back have a beer and talk with family and friends,

Answer 6

We know this but sometimes there are city ordinances and laws against building a fire or even using a grill so then the best you can do is the gas or electric
We do not live in an area like that ourselves though and always use good hardwoods

Answer 7

I have a Ducane propane grill that has a feature that allows me to add smoking chips while I cook my beef. A handful of Hickory chips in there while grilling makes my stake taste real fine. But I know you die hard charcoal fans won’t budge. But, I would dare you to tell me one of mine taste bad.

Answer 8

we use hard wood and start the fire with either twigs form the yard or my husband cutsslivers of fire wood. People never fail to comment on the taste difference. We are educating people one BBQ at a time.

Answer 9

true but a gas barbeque heats up faster that coals. thats about the only reason people switch to gas. i personally like to use charcoal to cook meat when not cooking it on the stove.

Answer 10

Usted está muy equivocado. Los norteamericanos tenemos una tradición muy larga de asar carne lentamente sobre las ascuas de maderas nobles. Eche un vistazo a este grupo de aficionados de barbacoa:

http://tvwbb.infopop.cc/eve

Un saludo,

Ekdog