Wondering what you can pass on to help me make a decision. I've never used
a gas grill other than a small table top Smokey Joe from Weber.. can't
regulate it to cook other than real HOT. I have two Weber kettles.. 18" and
22". They are fine.. but looking for one with a lot of surface area.

That said.. I'm looking to get a good grill like a Summit or Genesis.

Why would I want to use a charcoal grill over a gas.. or gas over charcoal.
If charcoal.. I doubt I'd go for lump as it's more difficult to find.

I have a good smoker, Cookshack, but want a bigger grill..

Thanks for any help

--
Bill , Healdsburg, CA
Woodcarvings: www.picturetrail.com/chips

"WeeWilly" > wrote in message
...
> Wondering what you can pass on to help me make a decision. I've never used
> a gas grill other than a small table top Smokey Joe from Weber.. can't
> regulate it to cook other than real HOT. I have two Weber kettles.. 18" and
> 22". They are fine.. but looking for one with a lot of surface area.
>
> That said.. I'm looking to get a good grill like a Summit or Genesis.
>
> Why would I want to use a charcoal grill over a gas.. or gas over charcoal.
> If charcoal.. I doubt I'd go for lump as it's more difficult to find.
>
> I have a good smoker, Cookshack, but want a bigger grill..
>
> Thanks for any help

I haven't owned a gas grill since I bought the Kamado but quite a few people
here run them and are satisfied with the results.

There are better gassers than Weber and are reasonably priced. I'd suggest
looking up an 06/04 copy of Consumer Reports as they do a gas grill review every
yr.


--
__________
ht_redneck

For email replies, remove an l

$$$$ for $$$$ you won't find better. You can find arguments to this
(especially from folks that like myself fell for the giant stainless
imports) Ain't worth the trouble. Weber will stand behind their product well
beyond simple warranty (although support is rarely ever needed) they wrote
the book.
If you can swing it the summits are very nice pieces. The 05 Genesis line
like the Gold series will now have enclosures below too.
Larry
"WeeWilly" > wrote in message
...
> Wondering what you can pass on to help me make a decision. I've never
> used a gas grill other than a small table top Smokey Joe from Weber..
> can't regulate it to cook other than real HOT. I have two Weber kettles..
> 18" and 22". They are fine.. but looking for one with a lot of surface
> area.
>
> That said.. I'm looking to get a good grill like a Summit or Genesis.
>
> Why would I want to use a charcoal grill over a gas.. or gas over
> charcoal. If charcoal.. I doubt I'd go for lump as it's more difficult to
> find.
>
> I have a good smoker, Cookshack, but want a bigger grill..
>
> Thanks for any help
>
> --
> Bill , Healdsburg, CA
> Woodcarvings: www.picturetrail.com/chips
>

WeeWilly wrote:

> If charcoal.. I doubt I'd go for lump as it's more difficult to find.

Yeah, but how many times are you going to have to look for it? (Unless
you're traveling the country in an RV). I live in New Jersey, were,
from what I read, lump is "rare" compared to other section of the US,
yet I can think of a half dozen sources I know of in a 20 mile radius
and, more to the point, I guess, when I'm near a source I buy 2 or 3
bags, so I always have several bags of assorted brands around...

Thanks for the replies so far..

But, my question is.. why should I buy a gas vs a charcoal burner..

What is the upside / downside of each.. other than the obvious.. cost of
fuel, availability of fuel.. etc

I'm really interested in the versatility of each and the quality of product.

Bill

"WeeWilly" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for the replies so far..
>
> But, my question is.. why should I buy a gas vs a charcoal burner..
>
> What is the upside / downside of each.. other than the obvious.. cost of
> fuel, availability of fuel.. etc
>
> I'm really interested in the versatility of each and the quality of product.
>
> Bill

You'll have to tell us more about what you plan on using it for, how many
people, what kind of food, grilling vs. smoking, etc.


--
__________
ht_redneck

For email replies, remove an l

> Thanks for the replies so far..
>
> But, my question is.. why should I buy a gas vs a charcoal burner..
>
> What is the upside / downside of each.. other than the obvious.. cost of
> fuel, availability of fuel.. etc

Pretty simple....gas is easy ( and gives no flavor ) .

Charcoal adds flavor but is more trouble to get going and regulate temp.

I own a Weber gas grill ( my 2nd...gave the old 2-burner model to my
dad-in-law...it still works fine after 12 yrs ) they are good quality, have
exceptional customer support and parts are readily available after the
warranty period.
If you get a Weber, go to Home Depot or someplace that sells them with the
porcelain coated cast iron grates. They are much better than the stamped
steel or the un-coated cast iron

I also have a K #7 that I use for the important cooks.

You have a good smoker, so the flavor issue may not be a concern.

Good Luck,
Steve

Steve S wrote:
>> Thanks for the replies so far..
>>
>> But, my question is.. why should I buy a gas vs a charcoal burner..
>>

I don't think much of gas grills, and propane is even less hot than natural
gas if you're thinking of that.
I'd buy what I've got again, or spend the money to upgrade and get something
that'll last more than 4 years.

Currently using: Chargriller Grill with firebox attachment (looks like a
barrell) Enough room for 4 LARGE ribs. Lots of grill space, it can BBQ or
grill.

Lazzari sells all over northern california, but you'd have to special order
their oak lump charcoal unless you can get a current reseller to special
order it for you.

We all have had the gas vs charcoal argument enough that we live and let
live now. It's pretty much a personal choice. Depends on how lazy you are.
<bg>



--

"WeeWilly" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for the replies so far..
>
> But, my question is.. why should I buy a gas vs a charcoal burner..

IMO, food cooked on charcoal, especially natural lump tastes better. Much
better. A gas grill is certainly more convenient, but if you are willing to
sacrifice some convenience for taste, then cook on charcoal (or wood burned
to coals). Ask yourself, "Why am I getting in to this, and what end result
do I seek?"

>
> What is the upside / downside of each.. other than the obvious.. cost of
> fuel, availability of fuel.. etc

Gas. Turn on, cook. Buy a refill tank of propane.
Charcoal. Load the cooker, start the fire, wait until it's ready. Cook.
Empty ashes. Buy charcoal.

>
> I'm really interested in the versatility of each and the quality of
product.

There are hundreds of choices for both kinds. Your question is like asking,
"Which car should I buy?" Spend some time reading the faq and you may come
to your own conclusions http://www.eaglequest.com/~bbq/

Jack Curry

Thanks folks.. the smoker will take care of most of the flavor.. as someone
mentioned. One thing I'd like to use it for is to crisp up skin on birds.
The smoker is electric and very tight.. the moisture remains in the box and
product stays moist. The skin on birds is kinda rubbery.. I can put the
bird in the oven to crisp up.. but figured I could do some on a grill..

Could be I should pick the Genesis version.. a lot less expensive too...

Bill
--
Woodcarvings: www.picturetrail.com/chips

Thanks for the replies so far..

But, my question is.. why should I buy a gas vs a charcoal burner..

What is the upside / downside of each.. other than the obvious.. cost of
fuel, availability of fuel.. etc

I'm really interested in the versatility of each and the quality of product.

Bill

$$$$ for $$$$ you won't find better. You can find arguments to this
(especially from folks that like myself fell for the giant stainless
imports) Ain't worth the trouble. Weber will stand behind their product well
beyond simple warranty (although support is rarely ever needed) they wrote
the book.
If you can swing it the summits are very nice pieces. The 05 Genesis line
like the Gold series will now have enclosures below too.
Larry
"WeeWilly" > wrote in message
...
> Wondering what you can pass on to help me make a decision. I've never
> used a gas grill other than a small table top Smokey Joe from Weber..
> can't regulate it to cook other than real HOT. I have two Weber kettles..
> 18" and 22". They are fine.. but looking for one with a lot of surface
> area.
>
> That said.. I'm looking to get a good grill like a Summit or Genesis.
>
> Why would I want to use a charcoal grill over a gas.. or gas over
> charcoal. If charcoal.. I doubt I'd go for lump as it's more difficult to
> find.
>
> I have a good smoker, Cookshack, but want a bigger grill..
>
> Thanks for any help
>
> --
> Bill , Healdsburg, CA
> Woodcarvings: www.picturetrail.com/chips
>

On Wed, 1 Dec 2004 11:01:03 -0800, "WeeWilly" >
wrote:

>Wondering what you can pass on to help me make a decision. I've never used
>a gas grill other than a small table top Smokey Joe from Weber.. can't
>regulate it to cook other than real HOT. I have two Weber kettles.. 18" and
>22". They are fine.. but looking for one with a lot of surface area.
>
>That said.. I'm looking to get a good grill like a Summit or Genesis.
>
>Why would I want to use a charcoal grill over a gas.. or gas over charcoal.
>If charcoal.. I doubt I'd go for lump as it's more difficult to find.
>
>I have a good smoker, Cookshack, but want a bigger grill..
>
>Thanks for any help
I prefer charcoal to gas, because of the flavor mainly. You can also
produce higher heat, particularly using lump. That is a big plus for
getting a good sear on steaks.

The only downside is that it can take a little more time to get the
charcoal ready. I solved that problem by using a propane torch to
light my charcoal. Ater all, propane must be good for something! ;-)

I use a 500,000 BTU torch that will get charcoal ready to go in about
30 seconds. I haven't pulled out my chimney starter since I go this
thing. Here's what I use...

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...859&R=266 859

Puts out an enormous amount of heat and sound like a jet engine. This
thing tends to scare the ladies, but most men I know who have seen
this in action have bought one. To put it in perspective, gas burners
on a commercial style gas range put out something around 15,000 BTUs.

Another thought that comes to mind is that Weber makes a really giant
kettle grill called the "Ranch Kettle."

http://www.weber.com/bbq/pub/grill/f...px?g=60020&t=c

Of course, the basic kettles are inexpensive enough that you could
just buy a couple and use the second one for extra capacity.

Cheers,

Leonard

WeeWilly wrote:

> If charcoal.. I doubt I'd go for lump as it's more difficult to find.

Yeah, but how many times are you going to have to look for it? (Unless
you're traveling the country in an RV). I live in New Jersey, were,
from what I read, lump is "rare" compared to other section of the US,
yet I can think of a half dozen sources I know of in a 20 mile radius
and, more to the point, I guess, when I'm near a source I buy 2 or 3
bags, so I always have several bags of assorted brands around...

On Wed, 1 Dec 2004 11:01:03 -0800, "WeeWilly" >
wrote:

>Wondering what you can pass on to help me make a decision. I've never used
>a gas grill other than a small table top Smokey Joe from Weber.. can't
>regulate it to cook other than real HOT. I have two Weber kettles.. 18" and
>22". They are fine.. but looking for one with a lot of surface area.
>
>That said.. I'm looking to get a good grill like a Summit or Genesis.
>
>Why would I want to use a charcoal grill over a gas.. or gas over charcoal.
>If charcoal.. I doubt I'd go for lump as it's more difficult to find.
>
>I have a good smoker, Cookshack, but want a bigger grill..
>
>Thanks for any help
I prefer charcoal to gas, because of the flavor mainly. You can also
produce higher heat, particularly using lump. That is a big plus for
getting a good sear on steaks.

The only downside is that it can take a little more time to get the
charcoal ready. I solved that problem by using a propane torch to
light my charcoal. Ater all, propane must be good for something! ;-)

I use a 500,000 BTU torch that will get charcoal ready to go in about
30 seconds. I haven't pulled out my chimney starter since I go this
thing. Here's what I use...

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...859&R=266 859

Puts out an enormous amount of heat and sound like a jet engine. This
thing tends to scare the ladies, but most men I know who have seen
this in action have bought one. To put it in perspective, gas burners
on a commercial style gas range put out something around 15,000 BTUs.

Another thought that comes to mind is that Weber makes a really giant
kettle grill called the "Ranch Kettle."

http://www.weber.com/bbq/pub/grill/f...px?g=60020&t=c

Of course, the basic kettles are inexpensive enough that you could
just buy a couple and use the second one for extra capacity.

Cheers,

Leonard