Can't get my steaks right

ColAngus · May 2014

I've had my BGE for 5 months now. I've mastered pork and chicken, but I'm running into problems with steaks (mainly filets and rib-eyes).

At first I was over cooking, but now I've got that under control. The issue I have is the taste.

On my old Weber Genesis 310, I cooked the best filet (according to the old lady). EVOO, kosher salt, and pepper.

I use the same recipe on the BGE, but the steaks taste like the lump charcoal- not steak. I cook them at 500-600 for a couple minutes each side until the internal temp hits 125 degrees. I take them off and let them sit for a few minutes... by then the IT is 130 degrees.

My wife says they still taste awesome, but I'm my hardest critic.

Any suggestions?

buzd504 · May 2014

What kind of lump are you using? How long are you letting the egg settle on temp before putting the meat on (do the VoC's burn off?) ? Are you using any wood?

Serial Griller · May 2014

LIke Buzd says. Let your egg temp stabilize. Make sure there is no smoke coming out of the dome. If not you will get a nasty charcoal taste. The exhaust coming out of the dome should be almost clear before starting to cook.

Don't use Kingsford briquettes. They have fillers and binders.Use lump charcoal like Green egg or Royal oak.

You can check out a ton of charcoal reviews at www.nakedwhiz.com

gdenby · May 2014

Unless you are cooking w. some crazy expensive charcoal like Japanese binchotan, all lump will emit some wood smoke flavor. For myself, that taste is double plus better than just S & P. But to me, having not cooked over propane for decades, a high temp sear doesn't add much flavor. High temp cooks should blow off as much smoke flavor as is depositied.

But, after 5 months, if you haven't done a cleansing burn, you are likely to be adding some smell from all of the last 5 months. If you have done some greasy cooks, such as skin on chicken, the Egg inside gets coated w. grease and smoke. When you fire the Egg up, all that turns to vapor. And so onto whatever is being cooked.

Hope this helps.

Ladeback69 · May 2014

Everyone is correct in letting the egg stabilize. I let mine go at least 20 to 30 minutes and I take my egg to 700 to cook my steaks. I sear 2 minutes a side, close the top and bottom and let it set for 2 minutes for rear and 4 for medium. They come out great every time. Know I like the y will will have a little taste of the lump, because that is your heat source. Propane doesn't have a taste and I had missed that tell I got the egg. I can still taste the flavor of the meat too.

KennyLee · May 2014

Did filets on the Egg last night so it's still fresh in my mind. I light the lump and let it go for a good 15 minutes or so until it's burning clean and the fire is going good. Then I throw a few chunks of mesquite on and let that go for another five minutes or so. Did mine about 550* for 3-4 minutes a side, then shut the Egg most of the way down and leave them on for another 3 minutes. The time varies, but these were really thick. They turned out med rare with a hint of mesquite flavor and really no lump flavor.

I am using Rockwood currently too which doesn't have as much lump taste in my experience.

smokesniffer · May 2014

Ladeback69 said:

Everyone is correct in letting the egg stabilize. I let mine go at least 20 to 30 minutes and I take my egg to 700 to cook my steaks. I sear 2 minutes a side, close the top and bottom and let it set for 2 minutes for rear and 4 for medium. They come out great every time. Know I like the y will will have a little taste of the lump, because that is your heat source. Propane doesn't have a taste and I had missed that tell I got the egg. I can still taste the flavor of the meat too.

@Ladeback69 thanks for the tip, going to try that next time.

cazzy · May 2014

Lose the EVOO. If you want to add fat to your steak, add butter after you pull them off .

gdenby · May 2014

cazzy said:

Lose the EVOO. If you want to add fat to your steak, add butter after you pull them off .

+1
Yes, after I thought about it more, I realized that the EVOO would be likely to hold more smoke, and make the taste stronger.

Ktim · May 2014

Great topic. I have been cooking on my egg for 3 months now and have not tried steaks.But thanks to the question and answers on here I am going to cook a nice ribeye today. I am going to try Ladeback69`s technique. Thanks!

saluki2007 · May 2014

gdenby said:

cazzy said:

Lose the EVOO. If you want to add fat to your steak, add butter after you pull them off .

+1
Yes, after I thought about it more, I realized that the EVOO would be likely to hold more smoke, and make the taste stronger.

I'm not sure if EVOO will hold more smoke or not, but I do know it has a low smoking temp. You are burning the EVOO and that might be giving you the bad taste.

tarheelmatt · May 2014

Usually for all grilling and cooking I use canola oil due to the higher smoke point over EVOO.

stlcharcoal · May 2014

Definitely lose the oil ON the steak. After you brush off your grill off, use a folded up paper towel with canola oil to wipe the grate down. I do this 2-3 times if cooking something that is prone to stick (salmon, shrimp, etc.) Either way, all that oil soaks in or burns off so it doesn't taint the meat.

Big_Green_Craig · May 2014

If you are cooking them on high heat, EVOO will burn and smoke. You should use another type of oil that is more tolerant of heat like canola.

Acn · May 2014

The smoke point comments are on point. I think refined Avocado Oil has the highest smoke point, but that is still only like 500-525 degrees. If you're going higher than that, do what cazzy mentioned and top with butter or use an APL board sauce, which is basically just EVOO and chopped fresh herbs on the board your steak rests and is sliced on.

fishlessman · May 2014

lose the oil and lose the pepper, burnt pepper taste like charcoal on the grill. salt only, then pepper after the sear. then try some different methods, trex, hot tub, reverse sear. trex is a high temp 750 degree sear with a 20 minute or more rest off the grill, and then back on at roasting temps below 400. hot tub is in a ziplock in the sink in hot water for an hour then a simple sear. thin steaks 1.25 inches and under i hot tub, thicker steaks i like trexed

stlcharcoal · May 2014

Acn said:

The smoke point comments are on point. I think refined Avocado Oil has the highest smoke point, but that is still only like 500-525 degrees.

LOL.....I just saw that yesterday at Costco. Never seen it before and thought, "what is so special about avocado oil?!?!?!?"

Big_Green_Craig · May 2014

This chart might be helpful

SenecaTheYounger · May 2014

The only time to consider oil on a steak is when pan searing, becaus it will transfer heat by direct contact.

In open air (on a steak, and betwen the steak and the radiant energy of the coals) it becomes an insulator though. It also burns, as others have said, and will become bitter.

GATraveller · May 2014

Try hemp oil. It'll taste like crap but you won't care.

NPHuskerFL · May 2014

Was pondering this EVOO idea of causing poor flavor. But, I only use it all the time when I CI pan sear and then finish with a sliver of unsalted sweet cream butter. On a CI grid for reverse sear I've done naked, EVOO and a lite coat of unsalted cream butter. But, have never had a taste issue. And I always coat my Spatchcock with EVOO and then spice. I understand it's 2 completely different types of meat but, if it were the EVOO causing the taste issue I would think it would be a consistent fail. Steaks I CI pan sear somewhere around 650℉+ and same on CI grid reverse sear. Spatchcock is usually raised grid 375℉-425℉. Seems like this could be a creosote issue and/or the lump is just Smokey. OR perhaps it is low quality EVOO (there is such a thing). Just my 2¢ and only speaking for what has worked for me.

cazzy · May 2014

Guys...Don't over think it. You don't need any oil on your steak...canola, hemp, evoo or whatever.

Go without next time and you won't notice a difference. Add butter post or a board dressing like @ACN suggested and you will elevate your steak.

NPHuskerFL · May 2014

cazzy said:
Guys...Don't over think it. You don't need any oil on your steak...canola, hemp, evoo or whatever.

Go without next time and you won't notice a difference. Add butter post or a board dressing like @ACN suggested and you will elevate your steak.

I completely agree @cazzy steak doesn't need to be complicated whatsoever. In fact I prefer naked with a little kosher salt and coarse black pepper and finish off with a touch of butter. But, the original post seemed to be saying his steaks were tasting like the lump and not steak. And to me that seems like a creosote and/or just smokey lump issue vs seasoning issue.

Fred19Flintstone · May 2014

I think Cazzy's advice is solid. Your avatar makes me laugh! That SNL skit is hilarious!

Angus1978 · May 2014

as another "angus" on the forum (also a Col)

I agree, it's the EVOO adding to the nasty flavor...too much nasty smoke, not the good.

Fred19Flintstone · May 2014

Wife: "I've invited Col. Angus to supper."
Husband: "I'll bet you have!"

plumbfir01 · May 2014

So what do i use for blackening mahi? what kind of oil?

Ladeback69 · May 2014

plumbfir01 said:

So what do i use for blackening mahi? what kind of oil?

From what I remember it was more about what seasonings you put on it to blacken it then to oil. Its been awhile since did anything blackened.

plumbfir01 · May 2014

ok i was just wondering. used evoo light... seasonings came out great. it didnt go as perfect as the past. i didnt let skillet get hot enough..

Foghorn · May 2014

plumbfir01 said:
So what do i use for blackening mahi? what kind of oil?

I use melted butter (not margarine). Works great on fish and blackened beef (tenderloin sliders)

Cowdogs · May 2014

plumbfir01 said:

So what do i use for blackening mahi? what kind of oil?

Butter if your are doing it authentically. The flavor of browned butter is part of the recipe.

http://www.gonola.com/2012/05/06/gonola-recipes-at-home-blackened-redfish.html

Can't get my steaks right

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