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Article on Charcoal versus Gas from Serious Eats

BGE Large and MiniMax, Napolean 500.  Obsessed with rotisserie.  


Comments

  • Looks like he was using briquettes if those are his photos and not stock photos.  America's Test Kitchen always goes with briquettes too.  :anguished: 
  • Mosca
    Mosca Posts: 456
    Pretty straightforward and accurate, IMO. Probably should have one of each. Let me tell Mrs Mosca.
  • Some points made are why I still have my gasser. Home from work and in a hurry? Fire up the gasser and throw some burgers on. It will be done before I could even get the Egg up to speed. If I have time, the Egg will always be my go-to cooker, though. The gasser makes a good side-kick as a warming oven.
    Living the good life smoking and joking
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    Some points made are why I still have my gasser. Home from work and in a hurry? Fire up the gasser and throw some burgers on. It will be done before I could even get the Egg up to speed. If I have time, the Egg will always be my go-to cooker, though. The gasser makes a good side-kick as a warming oven.
    Have heard that if you use Rockwood, you can cook in only 5 minutes on the egg.....amazing stuff. hahaha  
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 20,935
    Interesting "opinion" based article, even though he claims they are "facts".

    Don't tell your problems to people.  80% of people don't care and 20% are glad you have them.


  • Theophan
    Theophan Posts: 2,654
    There's no question that gas is quick and easy, and even though I feel like I can taste a smoky charcoal-ey flavor even on burgers and steaks, I reluctantly admit it's possible that I wouldn't really be able to tell the difference between gas and charcoal.

    But practically anything else, BIG difference in flavor.  To me the bottom line is that I liked my old Weber kettle, but never loved it, liked my old Weber gas grill, but never loved it, was always frustrated in one way or another with them, ... but I LOVE my Big Green Eggs!  I love grilling and smoking on them, I love the food I cook, and I'm just a lot happier, I have more fun, I'm more satisfied than I ever was on gas or a regular kettle grill.

    I'm sorry the author of that article didn't seem to consider that BGEs are so different from a regular kettle grill that it makes his article incomplete and misleading.  Tell the truth, the WHOLE truth, and nothing but the truth!  :) 
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    Keep smokin' that green son, enjoy the high while it lasts B)
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

  • Ladeback69
    Ladeback69 Posts: 4,484
    I had a Broil King grill like in the article for almost 20 years and made decent food on it, but was tired of it and now enjoy the Egg more.  Don't think I will be getting one soon, but would like the Blackstone Griddle.
    XL, WSM, Coleman Road Trip Gas Grill

    Kansas City, Mo.
  • Yeah if I buy anything gas again, I'll be getting a Blackstone Griddle. That seems pretty legit.
    Firing up the BGE in Covington, GA

  • gdenby
    gdenby Posts: 6,239
    I've had good use from much of Kenji's tests and recommendations. Alas, this comparison boils down to "What's most convenient?"

    He mentions cooking in California. Where I live, searing or slo-Q  isn't possible for maybe 4 months w/o charcoal.

    So I differ. Convenience is not as important as year round Eggcellent flavor.

  • Jstroke
    Jstroke Posts: 2,605
    I will admit there are times when the thought of turning and burning something quick sounds convenient but then I remember all the frustration I had in the cold or when there is a strong breeze and then I give a blast with the weed burner. Life is good and other than an occasional clean out life is very convenient. Lighting gas is convenient. The rest of it is a pia. And my lump doesn't evaporate out of the bag if I don't roll it up.
    Columbus, Ohio--A Gasser filled with Matchlight and an Ugly Drum.
  • I cooked costco burgers the other day on the egg. 6 burgers, took me about 15 mins from starting the egg to pulling the burgers off. Now I am using Rockwood and I have the looftlighter. So I did ramp it up with it. Then made another peach cobbler because I didn't want to waste heat LOL
    Jacksonville, FL
  • ads75
    ads75 Posts: 391
    Ideally, I would like to get a gas grill again if I have the room (small townhouse deck). But not before I get another BGE (currently have a LBGE and a mini).
    Large BGE, Mini BGE
    Morgantown, PA
  • Mikee
    Mikee Posts: 897
    I cooked costco burgers the other day on the egg. 6 burgers, took me about 15 mins from starting the egg to pulling the burgers off. Now I am using Rockwood and I have the looftlighter.
    I use RO and it takes well under 15 minutes using a chimney starter to cook burgers. I'm not sure if your long cook times are related to looftlighter or RW.
  • Monty77
    Monty77 Posts: 667
    Who wants to rush this process, I like to get at least two beers down before the egg even gets to temp.  I'll take my eggs any day, gassers have their purpose, just not one of my needs anymore  ;)
    Large BGE 2011, XL BGE 2015, Mini Max 2015, and member of the "North of the Border Smokin Squad" Canadian Outdoor Chef from London, Ontario, Canada

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/monty77/

  • Mikee said:
    I cooked costco burgers the other day on the egg. 6 burgers, took me about 15 mins from starting the egg to pulling the burgers off. Now I am using Rockwood and I have the looftlighter.
    I use RO and it takes well under 15 minutes using a chimney starter to cook burgers. I'm not sure if your long cook times are related to looftlighter or RW.
    I think you missed from start to finish.... That was to me eating said burger of 15 minutes!
    Jacksonville, FL
  • Mikee
    Mikee Posts: 897
    golfguyjosh You must be like me. I never take pictures of the cook because it already down the hatch. Cook and eat!
  • Good read...different tools for different folks.