Charcoal or gas?

[migrant]

Fourth of July here is another excuse to grill large hunks of meat (any holiday devoted to eating and drinking is my kind of holiday!!) It got me thinking

Here in the states I have both a gas grill and a charcoal grill/smoker.

I like the charcoal better when grilling meats, but when in a hurry the gas is real convenient, and for seafood I don't see much difference

What do you like/use?

[J.J.B.]

Charcoal all the way. It's a pain to light and is never quite the right temperature at the right time but I'm a traditionalist at heart.

And frequently disappointed by my barbecue fayre!

Enjoy the holidays!

[Pleng]

Pretty simple... gas is not a 'barbeque', it's nothing more than an outdoor grill. Perhaps convenient for those who want to cook outdoors without the mess but the taste is no different to anything you would prepare indoors.

[hhfarang]

^ You can get good, if not the same results from gas if you throw a few smoked wood chips in the bottom (haven't seen them here though). Burning charcoal, by the way, produces many carcenogens so even though it's good, use shoud be limited if you are health concious.

[migrant]

Burning charcoal, by the way, produces many carcenogens so even though it's good, use shoud be limited if you are health concious.

Isn't that why we drink while grilling (and before and after)

[Siani]

I watched a tv programme this week about Gas/electric BBQ's VS Charcoal. Jay Rayner, food critic tested blindfolded a steak cooked on Gas and another on charcoal. The results was that he could instantly tell the difference between the two. They even put wood chips on the Gas. Charcoal is the only way IMO and Jay's of course
When we were in HH we used to buy charcoal from a seller in Soi 88, on the bend near the railway crossing. It was excellent, he did it himself. We got a Thai style oblong BBQ from the ironmonger near china town in the centre of HH. The type the Thai's use on the street market. Very cheap, stand it on a wall or bricks. I still use it in the UK, it's great and was really cheap!

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[arcadianagain]

Surely it`s not the charcoal that gives the flavour otherwise you would just be tasting burnt wood, is it not the fat or marinade dripping off the food which is then turned into smoke which gives the barbeque taste. Having said that when I have used charcoal it`s a good excuse just to sit around drinking waiting for the right temperature. Perhaps that it is why us men like to do the outdoor stuff and show off our caveman instincts.

[Siani]

Surely it`s not the charcoal that gives the flavour otherwise you would just be tasting burnt wood, is it not the fat or marinade dripping off the food which is then turned into smoke which gives the barbeque taste. Having said that when I have used charcoal it`s a good excuse just to sit around drinking waiting for the right temperature. Perhaps that it is why us men like to do the outdoor stuff and show off our caveman instincts.

Well yes it is the charcoal that gives it the flavour. Just simply that

[Arlo]

^ You can get good, if not the same results from gas if you throw a few smoked wood chips in the bottom (haven't seen them here though). Burning charcoal, by the way, produces many carcenogens so even though it's good, use shoud be limited if you are health concious.

They use to sell all types of wood chips (hickory, cherry, apple, mesquite and alder) at home pro and villa market, but I haven't seen them at villa in a long time and last time I went to home pro they were out. Not sure if they stopped selling them or were just out at the time.

I have heard the shell of a coconut can be used and also corn cobs which both are easy to come by in Thailand but have not tried either of these yet.

[bsdk1960]

^ You can get good, if not the same results from gas if you throw a few smoked wood chips in the bottom (haven't seen them here though). Burning charcoal, by the way, produces many carcenogens so even though it's good, use shoud be limited if you are health concious.

They use to sell all types of wood chips (hickory, cherry, apple, mesquite and alder) at home pro and villa market, but I haven't seen them at villa in a long time and last time I went to home pro they were out. Not sure if they stopped selling them or were just out at the time.

I have heard the shell of a coconut can be used and also corn cobs which both are easy to come by in Thailand but have not tried either of these yet.

If you try coconut, corn cops or other interesting thing for smoking,can you please give us you're view on how it works ?

[STEVE G]

When I lived in Jakarta I used to sometimes eat at a fish market where you could buy seafood and have it barbequed for you and they had a huge grill solely fuelled with coconut shells without any charcoal, just the shells. It burnt very hot, the whole thing was an orange glow and the food was excellent.

[dozer]

I am a charcoal guy.

Here's what the "experts" say:-

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style ... 79900.html

"Why isn't the charcoal versus gas argument settled?

RT It's totally settled. What's the argument? Honestly, if you're going to use a gas barbecue, use an oven, use a microwave. It's not a barbecue. It's just laziness; it's not live-fire cooking so it doesn't count. It's something that people who don't know what they're doing do"

[Blacky]

Definitely a charcoal guy (the pre- and post- beers make it even more special).

I like the idea of the Thai charcoal bbq posted by Siani? Where would be a good place to buy one (sorry still new in HH ).

Cheers,
Blacky

[Dannie Boy]

Definitely a charcoal guy (the pre- and post- beers make it even more special).

I like the idea of the Thai charcoal bbq posted by Siani? Where would be a good place to buy one (sorry still new in HH ).

Cheers,
Blacky

If you're travelling from the Market Village direction into HH then go to the second set of traffic lights and turn left into Chomsin Road, Soi 70. Then take the first turning on your left and you are in the area described by Siani - there's definitely a couple of shops immediately on your right selling this type of BBQ in at least two sizes and no doubt if you look around, you may find a few more. Just check for quality as they vary.

[Siani]

Definitely a charcoal guy (the pre- and post- beers make it even more special).

I like the idea of the Thai charcoal bbq posted by Siani? Where would be a good place to buy one (sorry still new in HH ).

Cheers,
Blacky

If you're travelling from the Market Village direction into HH then go to the second set of traffic lights and turn left into Chomsin Road, Soi 70. Then take the first turning on your left and you are in the area described by Siani - there's definitely a couple of shops immediately on your right selling this type of BBQ in at least two sizes and no doubt if you look around, you may find a few more. Just check for quality as they vary.

Yes, I think it is there DB from memory. It is opposite some wholesale looking beer shop which is on the corner, or was anyway when I was there. It is a back street parallel to the Phetkasem Rd, all sorts of stuff outside, buckets brooms etc like an old fashioned ironmongers. Think they sell pet food too. It's where the Thai's shop and quite cheap. My BBQ is still in good condition, not rusty after a few years. The beauty of them is you do not need to use piles of charcoal. I fan mine like the Thai's do when making satay or kebabs