Grillin
 

Just kinda wondering what all you homesteaders do your grillin with. Gas grill, Charcoal, permanent or portable. I know its kind of a weird question but was wondering. I won a Traeger wood pellet smoker last year in a local news contest (way out of my comfort zone, but wife really wanted me to). I am going to sell it just because it needs electricity and just seems too easy. I know most people think I am crazy but that's the life we are looking to live.

I love charcoal, but rarely use it. We grill a lot, all year round. I would need a truckload of charcoal. Mainly propane for me.

Renewable resource for me, right out of my woodlot. I have not bought charcoal in 30 years or so. Never did use gas.:coffee:

That is what I have been thinkin. We are getting ready to get to country and buildthis year and we are using wood only to heat our home. So why not just cook on wood only too. Thanks

This question has been going around and around here at our house. Hubby has a big chrome gas grill that he loves. Daughter has caught the BBQ bug now, and things it is just sacrilegious to use a gas grill. She uses a charcoal grill and has a big one requested for her birthday along with all sorts of special wood chips and supplies for the charcoal grill. She is actually a much better grilling cook than her daddy, but we don't tell him that.
I don't really grill that often, but when I do, I use an old charcoal grill with some of the self lighting charcoal that comes in a one use bag. Then I manage to burn the outside and have the inside of the meat raw/cold.
We laugh because at the oldest son's house, his wife is the griller. And she is really good too. They have an old metal barrel that is cut in half and has a grate on top. She uses wood from her old apple tree that was chopped down. And it is excellent. She is the one who gave our youngest daughter the grilling bug. Our second son is just like his dad, and uses a chrome gas grill. And he can't hold a pair of tongs to the girls, just like his daddy.

I love charcoal - especially natural charcoal you make yourself. Having said that, we are using a small gas grill because we just haven't had time to make charcoal and buying it gets real expensive real quick if you grill much.

I prefer charcoal. Makes them burgers, steaks and chicken taste a whole lot better.

I bought a brand new big Charcoal grill with some of my tax refund money and we've been enjoying our meals. I can hardly wait till a big summer holiday weekend and have company over.

Using gas is like cooking inside. We use charcoal for some things and a real wood fire for others.

Using gas leaves the flavor of gas in the food sometimes which is why I don't use 'em. I use wood/charcoal.

DH keeps a big stainless steel gas grill until the elements wear out. I think the current one is the 6th one, maybe? in the past 20 years. At any given time he has at least 4 propane tanks full and ready to switch off and on. He uses the grill almost daily, sometimes several times a day. I don't know anyone that grills a better steak than him, even a flatiron.

I use a UDS (Upright Drum Smoker) that I made out of a stainless steel 55 gallon drum. I can smoke anything, plus I made a way to raise the fire up right under the grill, so I can grill over a good hot fire as well. I can't imagine needing anything else, but my wife is fond of her Weber gasser.

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I used to think that, and stayed with charcoal for a long time. But the better and more modern gas grills have "flavor bars" over the burner. These build up with grease over time, and add to the flavor of grilled food. Charcoal is still good, but right now I don't even have a charcoal grill.

Last night I cooked country style ribs and fresh brussel sprounts on the grill. First time for sprouts, and man were they good (with EV00 and garlic). My new favorite grilled vegetable along with corn on the cob. Gas is just so much easier and quicker than charcoal. Taste sacrifice is negligible to me.

We changed over to a gas grill several years ago, but after having to replace it about every 18 months (approx), we finally threw in the towel and are going back to the basics...and as soon as I can find something online to show me how to build a small, simple grill using cinder blocks that doesn't require the skills of a master mason, we're going to build one and be done with it. :)

The key to gas grills is to get a GOOD one. My wife's small Weber was $400, but it's in perfect shape after 10 years of year-round grillin'.

As for building a grill- look up the UDS. All you need is a 55 gallon drum, a drill, and some bits and pieces. I've never seen a masonry grill that was all that good. Or get a Weber kettle- a very versatile grill.

All of the above depending on time/quality desired.

Quick burgers for supper...gas
Steaks..charcoal
Pork/brisket...wood/charcoal smokes at least 12 hours if not more.

I consider all 3 different tools to prepare quality food.

I've never heard anyone exclaim, "Yum Yum, I just love that propane flavor."

For me, charcoal is the only way to go. Lump charcoal is best, but the pressed briquettes are OK. If you have a good supply of seasoned wood then some oak and hickory etc. can be a great grilling choice also.

All this grilling talk has made me hungry--got to go see what I can put on the grill for supper.

Charcoal, preferably lump charcoal like Royal Oak. We do have a portable propane grill (Coleman Road Trip) in our RV; it can be used as a grill, a griddle or a burner or combination of the 3. But at home it is always real charcoal. Using one of those chimney starters, it doesn't take much longer than pre-heating a propane grill anyway. We also have an offset-firebox smoker but it isn't a very good one and doesn't hold the temp steady enough so we don't do a lot of slow smoking, mostly grilling and "indirect heat" grilling in place of slow smoking. Propane just doesn't deliver the flavor of real wood smoke. Yes it's convenient, but we don't grill for convenience, we grill for flavor.

I agree with the last few posts. Want good flavor, Charcoal is the way to go. I have both, and used the propane one so seldom it finally rusted away and will be thrown away shortly.
But Charcoal Grilling is the best IMO. Time not withstanding. i will take the time to use a charcoal grill, and with this fast stating charcoal today it does start very quickly indeed and ready to make yummy burgers on.
Want to add some more flavor throw in some Mesquite Chips. Yum Yum.

You've obviously never talked about it with Hank Hill.

Love the taste off a charcoal grill, but usually I'm in a hurry and love the convenience of my propane grill. Got myself a new one last summer when they went on sale and I've been using it at least a couple of times a week ever since. I have a little metal box with holes in it for wood chips; they add a wonderful flavor and aroma and I never get a propane aftertaste. Another good use for it, now that I have the newer, bigger grill, is for getting tomatoes ready to can. I set two big pots of water on it for blanching, and have the ice water and strainer on the picnic table. I can make big batches of puree for canning and keep all the mess outside!

Well, just got cleaned up from supper. Had chix breast on the charcoal grill. Tasted great according to the family. Didn't really take any longer then the fancy pellet grill I sold yesterday. The $1000 in my pocket from I grill I won for free made it taste even better. LOL

I use propane for something easy, charcoal when I have the time, and sometimes I just use plain old wood in my rocket stove. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. Love all three.

Ditto. I just don't clean the grill. Tastes great!

Charcoal in an old fashioned Weber

I have a drum type grill I use for long cooking and use a Smokie Joe for direct heat things. Charcoal or wood coals.

I use charcoal I make myself most of the time. For quick burgers and hotdogs I use the gas grill.

I make my own charcoal. So just guess :icecream:

Mushcreek, I thought it was UDS for ugly drum smoker :p

I gotta make myself one of those.

We have both. propane & charcoal grills. Lately, I rarely use the charcoal grill. But once in awhile I get laid-back & fire it up.
We also have a nice smoker that'll handle 2 or 3 whole slabs of ribs. I like to smoke 'em if we're having a house full of company.
I smoke 'em good and then slather on the sauce. After it cooks a bit. I wrap them in foil to finish some of them in the oven at a mild heat.
Oh, and cold smoking is the best.

I agree with Steve.

Depending on what it is I use wood trimmings from apple trees, charcoal for the gas grill with side burner. I bought a newer weber at an auction for $5 and an old one for $7 so I keep one weber for charcoal and one for charcoal.

For those thinking about cooking with wood it makes sense in the winter or a cold day in fall /spring but not the summer. Highly recommend a Pioneer Maid stove with water jacket and warming shelf. Put a hot water coil in it as well. Heat, hot water, humidifier, and cooking all in one. Looks good and you can sell it for more than you paid for it. If you ever find one at an auction going for less than $1000.00 buy it. List correctly on the web and make your self 6-8 hundred.

I know many families that do their summer cooking on Coleman liquid fuel camp stoves. You know the 40 year old design Green in color folds down about the size of a small suit case. I got the gas grill with side burner to take the heat outside in the summer. I use it year round when frying fish, liver and onions.

i don't believe in the propanes, so we have a charcoal smoker and a fire pit. i have a pear tree, and use the pruned branches (later in the year) for the wood chips for the smoker. mmmmmmmm.

Just picked up a outside char. Grill from hitzer stoves. Weighs a ton, but works great. Cover is perfect to cook with a Dutch oven when windy.

Attachment 9365
I've been cooking two since 2pm. I had to take one shoulder off at 6hrs, but this will be the good one.
It looks pale on top, because I took the skin off earlier and served it with the meal.