Gas Grill vs. Charcoal vs. Pellet

[citizenfore]

Currently rick an old Kenmore 4 burner propane grill with side burner that is a workhorse at 10+ years old, a smoker I made myself out of terra cotta pots while I learned the art of smoking, and the real MVP is my kingsford charcoal water bullet smoker that I modified and is a beast (got it on clearance a few years back for $20). It’s feed some block parties with some good pulled pork, brisket and chicken.

[cmckelvmi]

Apologies. I have no idea why Golfwrx rotates all of my photos from my iPhone. Super annoying.

 

 

I have been working on my pizza dough, though I'm more into NY style. Your dough looks outstanding with the air pockets. Is that your secret recipe or more being able to get the heat needed? I just switched to Tipo 00 flour and its made a huge difference in working the dough but still trying to get larger air pockets. You must tell. : )

 

This is so interesting how people have different tastes. I would be so bummed out if my pizza came out looking like that... I don't want any air pockets, I feel like it is wasting valuable real-estate for proper toppings.

[kalamazoo]

Apologies. I have no idea why Golfwrx rotates all of my photos from my iPhone. Super annoying.

 

 

I have been working on my pizza dough, though I'm more into NY style. Your dough looks outstanding with the air pockets. Is that your secret recipe or more being able to get the heat needed? I just switched to Tipo 00 flour and its made a huge difference in working the dough but still trying to get larger air pockets. You must tell. : )

 

This is so interesting how people have different tastes. I would be so bummed out if my pizza came out looking like that... I don't want any air pockets, I feel like it is wasting valuable real-estate for proper toppings.

 

It’s a style more than a taste thing. I’m actually like you, I like thin crust NY style, but I enjoy the challenge of making proper Neapolitan pizza, it’s very difficult to do correctly. That style is showcasing the crust intentionally.

[JDFish]

Weber kettle performer deluxe - charcoal with electronic propane starter. I use it year-round and use only hardwood charcoal, not the briquettes unless I am smoking (which is far less frequently these days).

[thug the bunny]

May my last Webber RIP.... My spiritual journey for a new cooker led me to the Kamado Joe and I will likely never use a different type of grill again...

 

Yeah but what do you do if you want to bring it over the the local state park for a go? Things weigh like 400#...

[sTmGolfer]

So I've continued my research ... and like all the great feedback everyone has provided thus far.

 

With a little TLC, I was able to revive my gasser back from the dead (required new burners and flavorizer bars). Still some bent doors from the windstorm debacle, but the grill itself is fully functional. I'm glad I did that because it's just such a darn good grill and any gasser replacement I was thinking of getting would have been a far lesser grill. Glad I didn't just throw it to the curb like I initially was planning on.

 

Now ... even with the revival of the gasser, I still want more toys ... but ...

 

But, the wife doesn't understand. "But babe, you fixed the gas grill. I don't get why you need something new now."

 

Well, I don't get what she doesn't get ... I'm right, she's wrong, and a new toy is a must. Obviously. Such is married life.

 

But to not totally blow her mind, I'm trying to keep this on a budget and have been looking at the Char Griller Akorn Kamado (or the Char-Broil Kamander Kamado). These seems to do the same as the much more expensive ceramic Kamado's. Don't know what I'm missing.

 

Or ... the Pit-Boss pellet smoker. I've read both good and bad on these so not sure if that's the route I want to go.

[jli2636]

My father in law bought a Traeger last year and it cooks the best anything he’s ever made. I know there are cheaper options and he wanted to splurge, but it’s seriously amazing. Steaks and burgers are just fine on it. Maybe don’t get as good of a sear but the flavor is all still there. Just have to make sure your pellet hopper is full/full enough so you don’t run out mid cook. Happened tonight with pork chops that were luckily close to being done so it didn’t take much to get it back up and running again. He has found 40lb bags of pellets for around $20 at sams. I think it was a mix of cherry, oak, and hickory? He doesn’t buy the Traeger brand pellets and seems to work just fine. They grill almost every night of the week and the 40lb bag has lasted him a lot longer than I thought it would.

 

 

[Taylormadegack]

Big Green Egg and Rec Tec!

[gambit]

I use a Weber kettle for grilling and searing, but use the Weber Smokey Mountain for ribs, chicken, large cuts of beef like a rib roast. Super easy to use. Can't do pellets. They look too much like rabbit poop to me.

[Suddzies]

I've always used charcoal. My large Weber Kettle (26.75") gets used twice a week. My homemade drum smoker is reserved for brisket, ribs or pork butt. Have friend who spent alot on eggs that never get used.

[mshills]

Blazed up the Pit Barrel Cooker in light rain yesterday.

 

One turkey breast -- moderate salt and heavy Penzey's jerk seasoning all under the skin. Cooked with plain old Kingsford charcoal for about 3 hours until it hit 158F, then let it rest for an hour. Absolutely epic turkey. Juicy, flavorful, just perfect.

 

Also made baby back pork ribs with my standard rub of paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. They were great too, but even my kids said the turkey was actually better than the ribs!

[RookieBlue7]

Been cooking a lot of spatchcocked chicken lately on the pellet. Off the chain good... I made some smoked salsa the other night and OH EM GEE

[ohioglfr]

If I could only have one I'd go big Weber and charcoal.

I've got a 20 year-old one I'm still using, and it's always been outdoors. Love the ash can on the bottom, and the fact you can reuse the charcoal if you snuff the fire after use. Used gas before, but got tired of replacing burners every 2-3 years.

[dan360]

 

Grill Masters ... if you could only have one cooking tool for the rest of your days ... what you choosing?

 

Big Green Egg

 

..if I could have two, add a Traeger.

[Shipwreck]

I’ve got a Camp Chef pellet pooper and love the hell out of it. Less than a Traeger, more space and cooks anything I throw into it. This Saturday I’m doing two 8# butts and some BBQ beans in it. Coupled with a solid digital thermometer and it’s BBQ heaven!

[sTmGolfer]

The decision has been made. I’ve decided I’m going to purchase a Grilla Grill (see below link). These guys seem like a great company. Their customer service is second to none from what I’ve heard and read. Just stashing funds away in an envelope until I get the amount needed. I’m super excited. Can’t wait for this grill.

 

https://store.grillagrills.com/products/grilla-pellet-smoker-grill

 

[Dave Saylor]

So I've continued my research ... and like all the great feedback everyone has provided thus far.

 

With a little TLC, I was able to revive my gasser back from the dead (required new burners and flavorizer bars). Still some bent doors from the windstorm debacle, but the grill itself is fully functional. I'm glad I did that because it's just such a darn good grill and any gasser replacement I was thinking of getting would have been a far lesser grill. Glad I didn't just throw it to the curb like I initially was planning on.

 

Now ... even with the revival of the gasser, I still want more toys ... but ...

 

But, the wife doesn't understand. "But babe, you fixed the gas grill. I don't get why you need something new now."

 

Well, I don't get what she doesn't get ... I'm right, she's wrong, and a new toy is a must. Obviously. Such is married life.

 

But to not totally blow her mind, I'm trying to keep this on a budget and have been looking at the Char Griller Akorn Kamado (or the Char-Broil Kamander Kamado). These seems to do the same as the much more expensive ceramic Kamado's. Don't know what I'm missing.

 

Or ... the Pit-Boss pellet smoker. I've read both good and bad on these so not sure if that's the route I want to go.

 

My wife will tell anyone that asks, the best purchase in our lives was the Green Egg as a wedding present to ourselves. Can't speak for cooking, but I do like the set-up of the kammodo Joe over the green egg. Lid seems to lift up better, would be my only complaint on egg. You can't beat the lifetime warranty on both.

[highergr0und]

The cheaper you go on a kamado type smoker, the tougher the temp management is. I'm fairly certain there are a lot of mods you can do to get that Char Griller version to cook very well. The biggest thing is that you need to understand how your cooker runs and either adapt it to your style or adapt to it and find a way to crank out great food.

 

If you're on a budget, I'd probably recommend that akorn over the Pit Boss grill. I wouldn't really want to fool with a budget level temp controller and auger.

[jerebear21]

just got a kamado joe grill to go with my weber 3 burner.

 

been going back and forth last couple months on big green egg or kamado joe. too much nicking and diming me on the BGE part and Kamado Joe finally had a great deal at the local pinch a penny that included the rotisserie. couldn't pass up. boubon and grill chicken for days.

[dsc123]

My brother-in-law convinced me to go with the weber kettle. His sales pitch: "Its a loophole. It takes a while longer. So you might as well grab a beer, get away from the kids, and sit outside by yourself babysititng the fire. Since you're 'contributing', you can't catch flak for it." I was convinced.

 

I went about a year with nothing but the kettle w/ a slow n sear insert. Its fantastic. I did eventually get a gasser off craigslist for the conveninece. I use the kettle on weekends and the gasser during the week.

[sTmGolfer]

This has been a super fun thread. I truthfully went into this wanting to be convinced to purchase a Kamado style grill. Wasn't really sure/sold on the idea of the pellet grill. Wanted something more than a Kettle. Though, at some point, I'll still probably get a larger Weber Kettle (only have a tailgate size now) at some point in the future to add to the arsenal. What's a collection without a Kettle … I mean, seriously?!?

 

BUT … after everyone's feedback … I FINALLY pulled the trigger ordered the Grilla Grills "OG". Ordered last night so very anxious to get it in. Hope it arrives in time for Thanksgiving so I can smoke a turkey!

 

I will tell everyone this … for those of you that are not familiar with these guys, you owe it to yourself to check them out. The more I looked into their products and the people they have designing and pushing their brand, the more you'll want one.

 

 

[highergr0und]

You don't want a pellet grill but you bought a pellet grill? Not trying to be snarky, curious what makes this better?

[sTmGolfer]

You don't want a pellet grill but you bought a pellet grill? Not trying to be snarky, curious what makes this better?

 

I went into this threading unsure of wanting a pellet grill. When I initially started this discussion, I had somewhat already made up my mind I wanted a Kamado grill. But after doing more research, pellet grill made the most sense.

 

The difference of the Grilla brand is customer service. Like over the top good customer service. Their grill may or may not be any better or worse than a Traeger/Rec Tec/etc. But their price is a heck of a lot better than comparative grills.

 

But this model just looks super cool. Very unique footprint. I liked everything about it. They have a pretty active YouTube channel that has some pretty neat videos on their grills and how they got started into the business.

[highergr0und]

Nice. I'm sure it'll crank out some good food! Can't beat elite customer service.

[sTmGolfer]

Boy does this thing put out some good food! Samples from this weekend. It was delicious! Couldn’t be happier with the pellet grill.

 

 

[highergr0und]

Awesome!!

[DavePelz4]

Over many years of grilling I've used Weber charcoal grills, gas grills, etc. A few months ago I added this Komodo style vessel to the grilling arsenal and won't be going back.

 

It is awesome at temperature management by the design, charcoal can be reused up to 3x, still using it in colder temps and just use a propane torch to get it started. For Christmas it's hosting a 10 pound prime rib that'll be on for 4-5 hours around 230-250. Already excited for the roast!

[sTmGolfer]

i was very close to getting the Char-Griller Akorn. Much cheaper version than the comparative ceramic grills. I may still add one to my arsenal at some point because Kamado's are so versatile. I truly thought I was going to get a Kamado style of some king and ultimately changed gears and decided on the pellet grill. I must say ... I don't regret the pellet decision one bit.

 

That's the great thing about grilling/BBQ ... so many different methods/styles/cookers to produce great Q. Let us know how the roast comes out! That lump charcoal flavor is tough to beat!

[Kingcat990]

I'm in the market. I'm a smoker guy myself and am split between a RecTec, Orion, or green egg. I read some reviews on the egg, that's promising. I've never owned a pellet grill and I'm pretty hesitant. I chugged along with a barrel style with side smoke box. It worked well so long as I babysat it. Would be great if they made a 3 dimensional grill that could maintain consisten heat over a wide resolution, do a good smoke, and have the capability to sear. If anyone knows of such a grand grill; I am in the market for it.

[highergr0und]

There are some pellet grills that can sear over direct like the Mak line. High quality units that should do everything you're looking for