Propane vs Natural Gas (vs Charcoal) BBQ
07-21-2005, 12:45 PM
#1
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Propane vs Natural Gas (vs Charcoal) BBQ
Any thoughts on which is a better option? Natural Gas seems like the obvious choice but I have no idea if there are downsides to it.
This is the one I have been looking at getting.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3387572
This is the one I have been looking at getting.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3387572
07-21-2005, 12:49 PM
#4
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by badboy
What are you looking to use the grill for? Will you get heavy use out of the grill?
07-21-2005, 12:58 PM
#6
Administrator Alumnus
Originally Posted by fdl
Any thoughts on which is a better option? Natural Gas seems like the obvious choice but I have no idea if there are downsides to it.
This is the one I have been looking at getting.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3387572
This is the one I have been looking at getting.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3387572
For that kind of $$$, you can do better than a Weber. Check into Vermont Castings or Modern Home Products.
It's silly to spend $650 on a Weber.
07-21-2005, 12:59 PM
#7
Safety Car
What I meant to say was, what kind of food will you be using on the grill?
Is it strictly for bbq purposes? Cause if it is, then my first choice would be a coal grill.
Nothing comes close to the flavor you get when using a coal grill. You can go with either natural gas or propane, although for convenience sake, you will benefit from getting a permanent natural gas hookup, so no messing around with refilling propane tanks.
Is it strictly for bbq purposes? Cause if it is, then my first choice would be a coal grill.
Nothing comes close to the flavor you get when using a coal grill. You can go with either natural gas or propane, although for convenience sake, you will benefit from getting a permanent natural gas hookup, so no messing around with refilling propane tanks.
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07-21-2005, 01:01 PM
#8
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Scrib
For that kind of $$$, you can do better than a Weber. Check into Vermont Castings or Modern Home Products.
It's silly to spend $650 on a Weber.
It's silly to spend $650 on a Weber.
I thought weber's were the best in the midrange grills? all the reviews have been great
07-21-2005, 01:03 PM
#9
Moderator Alumnus
I would go with Natural Gas due to the fact it is a lot cheaper and more convenient (it is a pain in the ass to run out of Propane in the middle of cooking 
)
)
07-21-2005, 01:16 PM
#14
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by fdl
Isnt it a pain to use frequently?
As long as you have some patience. Give yourself 15-20 minutes to start the flame and off you go. But there definently not for everyone.
fdl, check out the BBQ warehouse at Weston and Langstaff. It will at least give you some ideas. Home Hardware was having a Vermont Castings sale last week as well. $1500 gets you a very nice grill.
07-21-2005, 01:17 PM
#15
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by soopa
can't you just pu charcoal briquettes in a gas grill for flavor? that's what i've always done, tastes same as plain charcoal to me.
07-21-2005, 01:18 PM
#16
Administrator Alumnus
Originally Posted by fdl
I thought weber's were the best in the midrange grills? all the reviews have been great
meh... best maybe because everyone has one, but there are better grills out there for the money. You are paying for the weber name at that price, that's for sure.
Shop around and look at some other grills. It's not like Weber is a bad grill. There are just other alternatives out there at that price point.
07-21-2005, 01:18 PM
#17
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by soopa
can't you just pu charcoal briquettes in a gas grill for flavor? that's what i've always done, tastes same as plain charcoal to me.
I've always wondered why nobody did that. Must be a reason
07-21-2005, 01:18 PM
#18
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by dom
As long as you have some patience. Give yourself 15-20 minutes to start the flame and off you go. But there definently not for everyone.
fdl, check out the BBQ warehouse at Weston and Langstaff. It will at least give you some ideas. Home Hardware was having a Vermont Castings sale last week as well. $1500 gets you a very nice grill.
fdl, check out the BBQ warehouse at Weston and Langstaff. It will at least give you some ideas. Home Hardware was having a Vermont Castings sale last week as well. $1500 gets you a very nice grill.
Ya, i'm going to check out the warehouse. I'm in no hurry and am hoping to get a good end of season deal.
07-21-2005, 01:20 PM
#19
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by Scrib
meh... best maybe because everyone has one, but there are better grills out there for the money. You are paying for the weber name at that price, that's for sure.
Shop around and look at some other grills. It's not like Weber is a bad grill. There are just other alternatives out there at that price point.
Shop around and look at some other grills. It's not like Weber is a bad grill. There are just other alternatives out there at that price point.
Scrib, don't forget its $650 CAD. EDIT: No its not
Actually a good price compared to what else is available around here.
and fdl, go for the NG. Less headaches.
07-21-2005, 01:21 PM
#20
The Creator
Originally Posted by dom
I've always wondered why nobody did that. Must be a reason
but the higher end grills, most of them have a low flame and briquette holders over the flame.
the briquettes not only add flavor but help hold the heat and distribute it evenly when working with a low flame.
to the best of my knowledge at least.
in any case, it seems alot easier then a charcoal grill to me. especially when you're talking grilling in the winter, etc.
07-21-2005, 01:23 PM
#21
Moderator Alumnus
Originally Posted by dom
I've always wondered why nobody did that. Must be a reason
You can, but you shouldn't.
http://bbq.about.com/od/grillsfaq/f/f071204b.htm
07-21-2005, 01:24 PM
#22
Moderator Alumnus
Originally Posted by fdl
Ya, i'm going to check out the warehouse. I'm in no hurry and am hoping to get a good end of season deal.
I don't know if you have a Costco or Sam's Club up there, but they have some good deals on stainless steel grills.
07-21-2005, 01:26 PM
#23
The Creator
Silver, I think we're talking two different things here.
Yes, you shouldnt straight up load your gas grille with charcoal.
I'm saying they make bricks, designed for gas grilles, that have charcoal flavor/smoke, but don't burn.
Yes, you shouldnt straight up load your gas grille with charcoal.
I'm saying they make bricks, designed for gas grilles, that have charcoal flavor/smoke, but don't burn.
07-21-2005, 01:26 PM
#24
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Silver™
I don't know if you have a Costco or Sam's Club up there, but they have some good deals on stainless steel grills.
ya we have both. I will check em out for sure.
07-21-2005, 01:30 PM
#25
The Creator
The taste argument
Though some barbeque fans swear they can’t tell the difference between food cooked on gas grills and food cooked on charcoal, the charcoal purists insist otherwise. According to them, the flavor that is infused from the smoke of charcoal briquettes or wood coals is what distinguishes an outdoor feast from a standard kitchen meal.
In an effort to address the taste issue, some gas grill manufacturers have built models that add ceramic flavor bars. These bars catch grease drippings and vaporize them into smoke that infuses more flavor into what’s being cooked. A popular brand that uses this flavor bar feature is the Weber® Genesis® series.
So who’s the winner in this category? The jury is still out on this argument, and it probably always will be. Taste is such an individual decision; you may just have to try both grills and see for yourself.
Though some barbeque fans swear they can’t tell the difference between food cooked on gas grills and food cooked on charcoal, the charcoal purists insist otherwise. According to them, the flavor that is infused from the smoke of charcoal briquettes or wood coals is what distinguishes an outdoor feast from a standard kitchen meal.
In an effort to address the taste issue, some gas grill manufacturers have built models that add ceramic flavor bars. These bars catch grease drippings and vaporize them into smoke that infuses more flavor into what’s being cooked. A popular brand that uses this flavor bar feature is the Weber® Genesis® series.
So who’s the winner in this category? The jury is still out on this argument, and it probably always will be. Taste is such an individual decision; you may just have to try both grills and see for yourself.
07-21-2005, 01:32 PM
#26
The Creator
That's not exclusively what I was saying, as my moms old grill had something rather different. It was literally like little charcoal bricks, that sat over the fire, and gave a very "charcoal" flavor to the food. They just didnt burn off like charcoal. They werent ceramic I think because they were rather brittle.
07-21-2005, 01:34 PM
#28
Moderator Alumnus
Originally Posted by soopa
Silver, I think we're talking two different things here.
Yes, you shouldnt straight up load your gas grille with charcoal.
I'm saying they make bricks, designed for gas grilles, that have charcoal flavor/smoke, but don't burn.
Yes, you shouldnt straight up load your gas grille with charcoal.
I'm saying they make bricks, designed for gas grilles, that have charcoal flavor/smoke, but don't burn.
OK, things like wood chips are fine.
Charcoal briquets are things to avoid though.
07-21-2005, 01:34 PM
#29
Administrator Alumnus
My on Sams/Costco grills.
Avoid them.
They do not use quality burners in their grills. Nor is the customer service there when you need to get replacement parts.
The same can be said for Jen-Air grills sold at Lowes. Made by a Chinese company who outsourced their customer service arm. That service went belly up.
I know Costco stands behind their products 100% and will take anything back on return... But I don't like the idea of returning a heavy grill.
on Sams/Costco grills.Avoid them.
They do not use quality burners in their grills. Nor is the customer service there when you need to get replacement parts.
The same can be said for Jen-Air grills sold at Lowes. Made by a Chinese company who outsourced their customer service arm. That service went belly up.
I know Costco stands behind their products 100% and will take anything back on return... But I don't like the idea of returning a heavy grill.
07-21-2005, 01:35 PM
#30
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by fdl
ya we have both. I will check em out for sure.
Meh, Costco's grilles didn't impress me much. Go to a Home Hardware. You won't look back after seeing those Vermont Castings.
I've always wondered about those Crappy Tire Centro's as well. Have you looked at them?
07-21-2005, 01:35 PM
#31
The Creator
dom, did you read the quoted bit about the flavor/smoke bars?
you can get the "charcoal smoke" in gas grills. i know only because my mom has always done this, and it works. i can't taste the diff between her old grill and a charcoal grill.
but yeah her new, gas only (no flavor bricks) grill doesnt add as much taste to food as the old or a charcoal would.
you can get the "charcoal smoke" in gas grills. i know only because my mom has always done this, and it works. i can't taste the diff between her old grill and a charcoal grill.
but yeah her new, gas only (no flavor bricks) grill doesnt add as much taste to food as the old or a charcoal would.
07-21-2005, 01:35 PM
#32
Administrator Alumnus
It's a mod convention in here...
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07-21-2005, 01:36 PM
#33
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
There is a definatley a difference in taste between a charcoal grill and gas grill. One is not neccesarily better than the other, but you cant deny there is a difference.
07-21-2005, 01:41 PM
#35
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by soopa
dom, did you read the quoted bit about the flavor/smoke bars?
you can get the "charcoal smoke" in gas grills. i know only because my mom has always done this, and it works. i can't taste the diff between her old grill and a charcoal grill.
but yeah her new, gas only (no flavor bricks) grill doesnt add as much taste to food as the old or a charcoal would.
you can get the "charcoal smoke" in gas grills. i know only because my mom has always done this, and it works. i can't taste the diff between her old grill and a charcoal grill.
but yeah her new, gas only (no flavor bricks) grill doesnt add as much taste to food as the old or a charcoal would.
I was thinking plain old ceramic. I don't think I've ever tried the flavour bars. Interesting.
07-21-2005, 01:43 PM
#36
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by dom
I was thinking plain old ceramic. I don't think I've ever tried the flavour bars. Interesting.
07-21-2005, 02:20 PM
#37
The Creator
Originally Posted by fdl
Well, the articles suggests that its simply just through vapourising the dripping grease back up towards the meat. Seems simple enough. Gotta try it.
I'm sure it depends on what you get...
07-21-2005, 02:26 PM
#38
Safety Car
Originally Posted by Scrib
It's a mod convention in here...
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 7 (7 members and 0 guests)
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3/37 posts are not mods
07-21-2005, 02:53 PM
#39
Got da Internet Goin Nutz
As an old school Texan I ONLY use wood or charcoal. But I only "grill" burgers, hot dogs, and steaks. Usually when I am bar-b-quing something I am "smoking" brisket, ribs, chicken, pork, etc. It doesn't seem like a gas grill can smoke. If you are "grilling" on a regular basis (ie more than once a week) then gas just might be the way to go. Bar b quing with charcoal/wood takes much more time.
07-21-2005, 02:57 PM
#40
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Originally Posted by soopa
fdl, yes, see the bit about the smoke/flavor bars. the smoke is where charcoal gets its flavor, and you CAN recreate it on gas grills.
as for the thread title, i can't get NG at my house so its propane or charcoal, ive have both kinds of grills but find myself using the gas mostly because of how quick it is ready to use (we grill 3 plus times a week in the summer and 2-3 in the winter), but i will say that steaks over charcoal do taste better.