How can gas grilling possible taste as good as charcoal?

Question

Especially when you use no lighter fluid and throw on some big chunks of apple wood for smoke. Come on, you could do gas in your house over a gas cook top! What's the difference?

Answer 1

That's why they call it charcoal BBQ.
Gas grills were brought on later for lazy bums like me.

I still like a medium rare steak done on a hot bed of charcoal. Nothing can equal that.

Answer 2

You are right. Charcoal is capable of imparting much more flavor, due to using different charcoals, woods, smoking, etc.

However, it's also easier to get crappy flavor from charcoal. You mentioned lighter fluid for one. Also crappy cheap off-brand charcoal briquets. As Hank Hill would say, "Taste the food, not the fuel."

Gas is sort of a middle of the road approach. You can add some wood smoke using aluminum foil pouches or little wood boxes you put on the burner, but it's easier to cook overall, and easier to control the heat.

My preference is to use gas for small jobs or for portability, and then charcoal when doing larger meals or meals where I want to add more flavor.

Answer 3

First of all you shouldn't be using charcoal; mesquite or any fruit wood is better. When you go to a steak house what do they use? Mesquite wood! It gets extremely hot and sears the meat.

Most people use gas grills out of laziness or convenience. its exactly what you do indoors on a grill; it doesn't illicit any flavor and most chefs and great home cooks dont' use gas. It doesnt' get as hot as you'd like and there is no taste that is created.

Answer 4

While I do prefer charcoal, I use it very little because it is very time consuming and tricky to get your temp just right. I do disagree with bigrob's comments about the "taste" of propane. I grill out several times a week and sell lots of grilled beef and chicken through my catering business - there is no "taste" associated with propane. If I could only have one type of grill it would be a propane grill. BTW, I really like my smoker better (but it too is propane powered).

Answer 5

I love grilling with various real woods as opposed to charcoal briquettes- that's real grilling. I love hickory, cherry, apple, oak and plum on special occasions.

Answer 6

It can't possibly taste as good! - But I prefer pieces of freshly cut hickory for the smoked flavor.

Answer 7

good question. i agree. charcoal is the 2nd best way to cook your barbecue. but the number one way is over an open outdoor WOOD fire.

Answer 8

Gas grilling will NEVER EVER EVER taste as good as charcoal.

Ever.

Answer 9

My friend Hand Strickland who sells Propane in Texas says clean burning, odorless gas is great. you can also get some mesquite permanent briquettes for your grill.

Answer 10

It doesn't