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The Grill: Is Gas or Charcoal Better?

June 13, 2009

Brand your steaks with Bite Me Dad or traditional Rare/Medium/Well. Just $26.05 each at BachelorsHome.net

Brand your steaks with "Bite Me" "Dad" or traditional "Rare, Medium,Well." Just $26.05 each

Which is better, gas or charcoal for grilling? I like ‘em both: they produce great-tasting results and have about the same flare-up issues. But I have to say gas is by far the easiest to start, control and clean, before and after use.

I only use charcoal if I have to – it’s a hassle cleaning out the old ashes (messy), filling a chimney and lighting it half an hour before cooking, never knowing the temperature of the grill. Charcoal’s more expensive in the long run ($5/meal vs. $.20/meal), since you end up buying charcoal more often than refilling a gas tank. Sure, I think food tastes good cooked over charcoal, but recently Consumer Reports testers said gas-grilled food had a “cleaner” taste, and I can’t really disagree.

Outstanding 13-piece Barbeque Tool Set at BachelorsHome.net

Outstanding 13-piece Barbeque Tool Set at BachelorsHome.net

Give me a gas grill any day. Come home from work, enjoy the quick start-up (500-degrees in five minutes), get a nice, even heat across the entire surface or, if desired, make warm spots and hot spots for better control. Or, opt for indirect grilling or slow cooking at low temperatures. Then, of course you also have that nice little rack to keep food warm while the rest of the meal cooks.

If you’re going to buy a gas grill, I don’t think you need one with that additional side burner – I’ve never missed having one, and hey, you’re grilling, not sautéing. And, have the store assemble and deliver it; while a bit more expensive, you’re paying to avoid a bunch of headaches and worries about safety.

Finally, to get the most out of your grill, plunk down a few pesos for a decent cookbook. I like REAL GRILLING, by Jamie Purviance, which has great, easy-to-follow recipes for rubs and cool dishes like Jerk Chicken. Now, on to your next finger-lickin’ good date! — Jake Nesbitt

And a note from The Crew of BachelorsHome: We’ve got special gear for your grilling adventures:
Western Steak Brands: Distinguish your barbeque with these branding irons. A ‘Rare’, ‘Medium’ and ‘Well’ Steak Brand all wrapped up in a red western bandana and placed in a branded wooden gift box.  And just to keep the mood light, BachelorsHome.net is also stocking individual brands that say “Bite Me”  “Rockin’ Dad” “Circle Star” and “Longhorn.”  Check ‘em out.

Weber Hybrid Grill: The first hybrid gas grill that can act as both a full-functioning backyard grill and a portable gas grill. A 280 square-inch porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grate lets you grill up to 10 king-size strip steaks or 15 burgers and brats at the same time.  Rust-proof cast aluminum lids and bottoms. Plus a porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grate. Everywhere you look, the Q has quality written all over it, unlike those other inferior grills that end up looking like an old car after one season.  Just $209 from BachelorsHome.net



Filed under: "Crib Notes" — Tags: — Jake Nesbitt @ 6:00 am

1 Comment »

  1. Great post! One of Weber’s newly published videos from their Weber Grill Master Series covers exactly that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBC3×4eTEDQ&feature=related

    Comment by Erik — July 13, 2009 @ 1:29 pm

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