I don't think beef tastes as good if it is roasted. I think the
flavor is actually more intense with the top up, because as it is
cooking the beef looses more, consequently, more flavorful beef. I
think that's true for steak as well as hamburgers. Haven't you ever
noticed that real intense beef flavor in some burgers that are made on
an open grill that you just don't get when they are semi-roasted?

Only problem is, you have to start the BBQ a lot earlier.

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 22:07:11 -0700, "Maverick"
> wrote:

>"aem" > wrote in message
roups.com...
>>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Things are not always as simple as they seem. Using a weber kettle,
>> the
>>> coals radiate much less heat, at a lower temperature, with the top
>> on.
>>> This is because the top severely restricts the airflow.
>>>
>>> When I want HOT coals, I leave the top off. When I want moderate
>> (pretty
>>> much perfect for most stuff) coals, I put the top on for a while.
>>>
>>> Note that I am talking about the radiant heat from the coals.
>> Obviously,
>>> the top increases the trapped heat, and therefore the amount of
>>> convective heat surrounding the food.
>>>
>>> So for searing, or for thin cuts, top off. For thicker cuts, top on.
>>
>>>
>> Well said and quite right for the versatile Weber. The OP spoke about
>> maintenance on her grill's jets so I assumed some form of gas, which is
>> not affected the way the coals in the kettle are.
>>
>> -aem
>
>But, the same still holds true to the ambient air temp. Living in the
>panhandle of Nebraska, I've noticed that the colder it is outside, the
>longer it has taken me to grill things. I use a propane grill, FYI.
>
>Even grilling with the lid down, it takes longer in colder temps I've
>noticed. I don't see how leaving the lid up will improve that though and
>when I'm heating the grill up, I usually have the side dishes in foil
>packets on the grill.
>
>I like to grill and usually try to make everything for the meal cookable on
>the grill. I will admit to being a shitty griller at hamburgers and hotdogs
>though.
>
>Bret
>
>
>
>----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
>http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
>----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----