Brats

Powak

How long do you boil brats in beer before grilling? I'm just throwing Em in beer today, no peppers, onions or spices. I've done that recipe and it's killer.

EggMcMic

I typically go about 20 minutes. I have started doing it backwards though and I 'sear' them first, not super hot, but a direct cook to put a little color on the outside and then I put them in a foil pan on the grill (indirect) with beer (and usually pepper and onions) to finish the cooking. I find this way I have to worry about timing less and they are ready in 15 minutes or in an hour, whenever I am ready to eat.

Powak

Also if you boiled em first, would you brown em close to the coals or raised at the felt?

EggMcMic

Personally I go by the felt. I find it is a little more forgiving when the grease (aka. flavor) drips and flares up. 

kl8ton

https://youtu.be/lkfGx8uZTjs

Kent8621

try smoking them without beer, great taste and best way to enjoy brats.

Powak

EggMcMic said:

Personally I go by the felt. I find it is a little more forgiving when the grease (aka. flavor) drips and flares up. 

Came out killer. Boiled for 20 then grilled at the felt for 5 a side.

Powak

Powak

Kent8621 said:

try smoking them without beer, great taste and best way to enjoy brats.

Kent8621 said:

try smoking them without beer, great taste and best way to enjoy brats.

Done em that way many times. Come out amazing. 

1voyager

Powak said:

Kent8621 said:

try smoking them without beer, great taste and best way to enjoy brats.

Done em that way many times. Come out amazing. 

That's the way I do it. Johnsonville Original Brats low and slow until they sizzle and squirt. I reserve the beer myself. 

Kent8621

Sauté the onions with a hint of cayenne pepper and you will be the talk of the town.

Powak

Kent8621 said:

Sauté the onions with a hint of cayenne pepper and you will be the talk of the town.

MMMM!

EggMcMic

Glad it worked out. They look good to me!

StillH2OEgger

Lots of ways to skin a cat, but I've just never found any reason to boil brats.

JohnnyTarheel

I never boil... but my favorite is to simmer it in foil pan with hard apple cider for about 20 to 30 minutes....then direct to brown .....  

havertyj

Those brats look good! Call me crazy, but until just recently, I was not a huge fan of brats. My wife loves brats, but I preferred a hotdog over them any day. The past year or so, I gave them another try and enjoyed the taste. Might have to try brags on BGE. Looks like a lot of good suggestions on how to cook them too.

SmokeyPitt

FWIW I like to grill them first and then put them finish in a pan with lots of onions, some butter, and a little liquid. You only need enough liquid to cover 1/2 the onions and the brats rest on top. As the onions cook down they release more liquid and it goes to a braise, but the brats are not submerged. I think this maintains more flavor in the brat because it isn't getting boiled out, and the casings have more pop. 

shtgunal3

I never boil either. Most times I just go raised direct until done. Occasionally I like to brown them good and then into an iron skillet of sourkraut and back on the egg until done.

Yours look great

Stuss

love to see em squirt…...

Powak

SmokeyPitt said:

FWIW I like to grill them first and then put them finish in a pan with lots of onions, some butter, and a little liquid. You only need enough liquid to cover 1/2 the onions and the brats rest on top. As the onions cook down they release more liquid and it goes to a braise, but the brats are not submerged. I think this maintains more flavor in the brat because it isn't getting boiled out, and the casings have more pop. 

I've got to try that.  I've done them the other way that is suggested on the package where they are braised with A little beer in the pan and then a lid put on and cooked for a while. They seem to come out even more flavorful when not boiled.