OK, I started a thread a little while back about how to cook out meats, etc. Now that I'm ready to go out and buy a new grill, I was wondering which would be best, gas or charcoal? I did find one grill that has what appears to be the best features of both. It's a Weber charcoal grill and it has the convenience of a gas igniter. I love the taste that the charcoal gives off but I hate that the coals burn down so quickly and the temperature drops. So, I'm just not sure which way to go. Anyway, I was just wondering what you guys have? Thanks so much.....
Margie
I LOVE the flavor of charcoal, but it's just too much trouble to use often. You can't beat the convenience of gas, IMO!
I totally agree!
When using your gas grill, do you use wood chips to give it a smokey flavor?
Charcoal is nice, but nothing beats gas!
I hate having to find a way to dump my charcoal, with gas I just re-fill my empty tank. 
We always try to buy those grills that have one side burner on them, they are great for heating up baked beans in the summer and you want to keep your kitchen heat to the minimum.
I've never tried wood chips, I just use it as a quick and easy way to cook with no dishes!
LOL! Us too - last night we had chicken & potatoes on the grill, with a salad (not grilled!). We also use gas for the convenience even though we like the idea of charcoal. DH wants a bigger grill so he can use wood chips on the bottom & cook the food on the top rack.
-Lisa
I don't think you can beat the taste of charcoal but we use gas because it's SO much easier and quicker to get ready.
What I am going to do at some point is get a small charcoal grill for special stuff or when I plan far enough ahead to gt the coals going and then use the big gas grill for everyday.
I love charcoal, but you have to get a charcoal chimney too (picture attached). They are also called charcoal starters and you can find them almost anywhere. I bought mine at Ace Hardware and saw them later at Lowe's (cheaper) 
It's a cylinder that you fill with charcoal, with a place underneath to stuff news paper. Light the newspaper and wait about 20 minutes and you have perfect coals.
I just can't take the taste of lighter fluid and this really works for me. Happy grilling !!
Yea, I discovered the chimney and thought that if we did go charcoal that we would purchase this as well. I too don't like having to use the charcoal fluid. The grill that we are looking at to possibly buy is the Performer by Weber. It is a charcoal grill but it also has a gas igniter which I thought would be ideal. Kinda the best of both gas and charcoal. Does anyone by chance have the Performer grill? If so, how do you like it?
i agree about the charcoal...NOTHING beats charcoal!! gas is convenient, but to me...i don't like the taste...i think it's a personal prefrence thing...if u can't taste the difference or don't mind, and like the convenience of gas then go for it..but charcoal is more natural, cheaper, and tastes like real BBQ...
Butternut, I like the wood chips too. You can get them in so many different flavors. I can't remember what my favorite is because we bought a variety box.
I still like the ease of gas. We use it too often to worry about the charcoal.
OK, decision made. We just purchased the Weber Performer grill. Like I've mentioned, it is a charcoal grill with a gas igniter. It also has a container that fits underneath the grill cart that holds 20 pounds of charcoal which will be nice not to have to go get the charcoal from the shed, etc. Hopefully, we will be happy with our purchase. Now, all we have to do is put it together 
OMG I just checked it out and it's like a million pieces to put together. That little tiny tabletop Smokey Joe is sure looking good right about now 
Oh my, what have we gotten ourselves in to?????
i hear you mbelgard...the last time I tried to assemble anything, it was my ds's tricycle and one the wheels fell off!
Let us know how you like that grill, butternut. DS and I will be buying a new one in the next few weeks and we're still undecided on exactly what we're getting.
i hear you mbelgard...the last time I tried to assemble anything, it was my ds's tricycle and one the wheels fell off!
Let us know how you like that grill, butternut. DS and I will be buying a new one in the next few weeks and we're still undecided on exactly what we're getting.
I sure will let you know. I just love cooking out. Can't wait to get it up and going.
Alrighty, we've used our new Weber Performer now about 4 times and I absolutely love it. The gas igniter works beautifully. You just place the charcoal in the bowl of the grill and turn on the gas and within 5 minutes, your charcoal is ashed over and then you turn off the gas. It really works great. As far as putting the grill together, it really wasn't difficult at all. At first I thought that it would be alot to it but it wasn't hard at all. Anyway, thought I'd let everyone know how we liked our new grill. Thanks everyone for your help. You guys have a wonderful day.....
Margie
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