Gas Barbeque v Charcoal Barbeque - General Discussion

SueK · 24-04-2006, 06:57

I currently have an old charcoal BBQ which needs replacing. I was thinking about getting a gas BBQ but am concerned that you wont get the same smoked BBQ flavour when its cooked using gas. Does anyone have gas BBQ and do you feel that the flavour of the food is the same whether its cooked using gas or charcoal?

trash80 · 24-04-2006, 07:06

well my gas bbq had charcoals too which were also heated up and the flavour of the food was good

its all rusted away now though

Astaroth · 24-04-2006, 07:07

I am a charcoal fan personally - I know all the gas fans here will say that you do get the same smoky flavour and how much easier they are (this bit I have to conceed but personaly I like the building the fire, have a few beers as it heats up bit) but to me they just dont get the same flavour as good old charcoal does.

PamelaL · 24-04-2006, 08:10

I believe I might be in a position to answer this question.

Gas BBQs are better, quicker to cook the food and easier to clean. Charcoal ones are lovely as well but it's best to buy an expensive charcoal BBQ like a Weber http://www.weber.com/bbq/ on which you can cook your Christmas turkey if you so choose. My dad does, every Christmas, and it's fantastic. I appreciate though that it's probably too cold to stand outside here at Christmas charcoaling a turkey on your whizz bang Weber BBQ.

SueK · 24-04-2006, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by PamelaL

I believe I might be in a position to answer this question.

Gas BBQs are better, quicker to cook the food and easier to clean. Charcoal ones are lovely as well but it's best to buy an expensive charcoal BBQ like a Weber http://www.weber.com/bbq/ on which you can cook your Christmas turkey if you so choose. My dad does, every Christmas, and it's fantastic. I appreciate though that it's probably too cold to stand outside here at Christmas charcoaling a turkey on your whizz bang Weber BBQ.

Thanks, so you are saying that you have used both and the best way to go would be an expensive charcoal BBQ as opposed to a gas one? I like the sound of the quicker and easier gas ones but not at the expense of the food not tasting so good.

jaccob · 24-04-2006, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astaroth

I am a charcoal fan personally - I know all the gas fans here will say that you do get the same smoky flavour and how much easier they are (this bit I have to conceed but personaly I like the building the fire, have a few beers as it heats up bit) but to me they just dont get the same flavour as good old charcoal does.

My thoughts exactly, maybe its the old "man make fire" prinicple.
Ive used both types of bar-b-qs before and the charcol one wins hands down, the gas ones are too controlled, i might as well cook the food in my kitchen cooker.

SueK · 24-04-2006, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaccob

My thoughts exactly, maybe its the old "man make fire" prinicple.
Ive used both types of bar-b-qs before and the charcol one wins hands down, the gas ones are too controlled, i might as well cook the food in my kitchen cooker.

Thank you, I think you've made my mind up for me. Gas ones are controlled and I do so love the taste of charcoal BBQ'd food. As in most households my husband is in charge of the BBQ cooking (although I do all other cooking). He always complains about how long it takes but maybe I have been missing that secret ingredient to make it better for him - beer!!!

PamelaL · 24-04-2006, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by SueK

Thanks, so you are saying that you have used both and the best way to go would be an expensive charcoal BBQ as opposed to a gas one? I like the sound of the quicker and easier gas ones but not at the expense of the food not tasting so good.

I just think both are equally as good. Where I come from most people have both kinds and sometimes have both on the go. Gas barbies are great, quick and easy to clean but you can't beat the old charcoal BBQ, it smells great and depending on what kind of charcoal beads you use the food tastes beautiful.

24-04-2006, 08:46

Gas BBQs rule. You use hickory chips for the smoked affect.

trash80 · 24-04-2006, 08:46

whatever you do don't do what my parents' neighbours do. they have a charcoal barby but seem a bit impatient waiting for it to light so they squirt paraffin on it. the food must stink of paraffin after it... the garden certainly does

kragbell · 24-04-2006, 09:02

I 'upgraded' (no offense to the charcoalies) to a gas bbq last year and haven't looked back.

It's fast & easily controlled.

The bbq has volcanic rocks which get hot-hot-hot. As the meat is cooking fat drips on the rocks, vapourises and adds that bbq flavour you're after.

As an earlier poster said, you simply add the appropriate woodchips for extra smokey flavour (Hickory, Mesquite).

Happy cooking

Weeksy · 24-04-2006, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by PamelaL

I believe I might be in a position to answer this question.

Gas BBQs are better, quicker to cook the food and easier to clean. Charcoal ones are lovely as well but it's best to buy an expensive charcoal BBQ like a Weber http://www.weber.com/bbq/ on which you can cook your Christmas turkey if you so choose. My dad does, every Christmas, and it's fantastic. I appreciate though that it's probably too cold to stand outside here at Christmas charcoaling a turkey on your whizz bang Weber BBQ.

Wow! That sounds so cool!

I reckon we should do a "DS goes Down-under" vacation thing, we could film it!

Hathor · 24-04-2006, 11:33

The charcoal barbie brigade are all luddites

Astaroth · 24-04-2006, 11:48

Or pyromanicas - I know which one I am

Fibber McGee · 24-04-2006, 14:54

Another vote for gas here - much more convenient and better flavour (I don't think charcoal smells that great). As others have said, you can add woodchips for even better results.

CMH1967 · 06-06-2007, 13:41

Hi, I purchased a gas barbecue, lava rocks etc.. at the weekend . Now i thought the process was a case of the gas heating up the lava rocks for cooking in a barbecue style. This appears not to be the case as the barbecue comes with a "flame diffuser" plate that does not leave any room for the rocks. Cooking over the flame diffuser just does not seem to be as much fun. My questions are, has anyone removed one of these diffusers and used the rocks instead, not sure how that will react with the burner. Can the rocks and diffuser be used together. Regards Chris

El Guapo · 06-06-2007, 13:45

Gas BBQ's are for pussies! Only a real man can use a charcoal BBQ! lol I can see the appeal for both to be honest. But it is fun getting the coals burning nicely. A sense of achievement and all that!

occasional post · 06-06-2007, 14:30

Gas? Charcoal? whats wrong with a bonfire and and upturned dustbin lid?

or is that just me?

larrysrabbit · 06-06-2007, 14:33

I don't like gas BBQs. Not the same taste as with proper ones. I remember a friend and I made a BBQ using an old metal Singer sewing machine stand and some chicken wire. Dead simple.

larrysrabbit · 06-06-2007, 14:34

You can make a BBQ using an metal oven rack and some bricks. Gas BBQ lovers lack imagination.

Elliebee · 06-06-2007, 14:37

I have both. The gas one is redundant and sits in the Garage.

Charcoal is most definitely better.

24-04-2006, 06:57	#1
SueK Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 275	Gas Barbeque v Charcoal Barbeque I currently have an old charcoal BBQ which needs replacing. I was thinking about getting a gas BBQ but am concerned that you wont get the same smoked BBQ flavour when its cooked using gas. Does anyone have gas BBQ and do you feel that the flavour of the food is the same whether its cooked using gas or charcoal?

24-04-2006, 07:06	#2
trash80 Banned User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: B'ham / Metro Manila Services: Telewest TV, Phone & BB, DAB Posts: 20,752	well my gas bbq had charcoals too which were also heated up and the flavour of the food was good its all rusted away now though

24-04-2006, 07:07	#3
Astaroth Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Services: Sky+, Demon ADSL, Denon AVR 2805, Panny TX32PD30, Mission Elegant Posts: 3,423	I am a charcoal fan personally - I know all the gas fans here will say that you do get the same smoky flavour and how much easier they are (this bit I have to conceed but personaly I like the building the fire, have a few beers as it heats up bit) but to me they just dont get the same flavour as good old charcoal does.

24-04-2006, 08:10	#4
PamelaL Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Worcestershire Posts: 55,222	I believe I might be in a position to answer this question. Gas BBQs are better, quicker to cook the food and easier to clean. Charcoal ones are lovely as well but it's best to buy an expensive charcoal BBQ like a Weber http://www.weber.com/bbq/ on which you can cook your Christmas turkey if you so choose. My dad does, every Christmas, and it's fantastic. I appreciate though that it's probably too cold to stand outside here at Christmas charcoaling a turkey on your whizz bang Weber BBQ.

24-04-2006, 08:46	#9
Barry Scott Posts: n/a	Gas BBQs rule. You use hickory chips for the smoked affect.

24-04-2006, 09:02	#11
kragbell Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Liverpool Services: Freeview, Hummy 9200, AOL Posts: 243	I 'upgraded' (no offense to the charcoalies) to a gas bbq last year and haven't looked back. It's fast & easily controlled. The bbq has volcanic rocks which get hot-hot-hot. As the meat is cooking fat drips on the rocks, vapourises and adds that bbq flavour you're after. As an earlier poster said, you simply add the appropriate woodchips for extra smokey flavour (Hickory, Mesquite). Happy cooking

24-04-2006, 11:33	#13
Hathor Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Babylon and Ting Services: I reject your reality, and substitute my own! Posts: 8,945	The charcoal barbie brigade are all luddites

24-04-2006, 11:48	#14
Astaroth Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Services: Sky+, Demon ADSL, Denon AVR 2805, Panny TX32PD30, Mission Elegant Posts: 3,423	Or pyromanicas - I know which one I am

24-04-2006, 14:54	#15
Fibber McGee Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 650	Another vote for gas here - much more convenient and better flavour (I don't think charcoal smells that great). As others have said, you can add woodchips for even better results.

06-06-2007, 13:41	#16
CMH1967 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 90	Hi, I purchased a gas barbecue, lava rocks etc.. at the weekend . Now i thought the process was a case of the gas heating up the lava rocks for cooking in a barbecue style. This appears not to be the case as the barbecue comes with a "flame diffuser" plate that does not leave any room for the rocks. Cooking over the flame diffuser just does not seem to be as much fun. My questions are, has anyone removed one of these diffusers and used the rocks instead, not sure how that will react with the burner. Can the rocks and diffuser be used together. Regards Chris

06-06-2007, 13:45	#17
El Guapo Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South East Services: Sky+, Talk & Broadband Posts: 3,155	Gas BBQ's are for pussies! Only a real man can use a charcoal BBQ! lol I can see the appeal for both to be honest. But it is fun getting the coals burning nicely. A sense of achievement and all that!

06-06-2007, 14:30	#18
occasional post Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: here again! Posts: 3,261	Gas? Charcoal? whats wrong with a bonfire and and upturned dustbin lid? or is that just me?

06-06-2007, 14:33	#19
larrysrabbit Banned User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hiding!!!!! Posts: 4,657	I don't like gas BBQs. Not the same taste as with proper ones. I remember a friend and I made a BBQ using an old metal Singer sewing machine stand and some chicken wire. Dead simple.

06-06-2007, 14:34	#20
larrysrabbit Banned User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hiding!!!!! Posts: 4,657	You can make a BBQ using an metal oven rack and some bricks. Gas BBQ lovers lack imagination.

06-06-2007, 14:37	#21
Elliebee Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cliff top, by the Sea Posts: 5,389	I have both. The gas one is redundant and sits in the Garage. Charcoal is most definitely better.