Bar-B-Q's - charcoal or gas?

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pwfl

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Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

Hello, I'm considering getting one of those rail-mount barbecues.

I think charcoal ones probably give you a bit better flavour and they can even be an alternative cooking method when your gas runs out. And they're cheaper than the gas ones. But I'm concerned I'm going to get bits of ash blown all over the place, as well as having big bags of charcoal lying around. Maybe gas is a bit sort of, cleaner??

But with the gas ones, can you control the temperature? Can you plumb them into your existing gas system? Do they get blown out with a bit of breeze?

Any comments or experiences?

Thanks.
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

I tried charcoal, messy, ash dust, bits of burning charcoal on deck, pig to light, flames! Carcegenic.
Gas, clean, adjustable, (try adjusting charcoal) plumb in or spare campping gas, flavour the same with a flavour plate. IMHO no contest, I have a gas one!
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

The beauty of the forums is that people can freely express diametrically opposing opnions! For me, a gas barbecue is just an alternative stove. Adds nothing to the taste and totally removes the ambiance of a proper barbecue.

A charcoal BBQ, with the boat at anchor, is no problem whatsoever. The clamp-on type drops very little of anything and what it does goes into the water. All the smoke created on lighting is blown astern. Lighting it is no problem at all, especially with the latest wax-impregnated charcoal. It's up and running in about 10 - 15 minutes, giving the chef the opportunity to get the first bottle uncorked and tested. Its proper use requires the development of skill - just like sailing, in fact.

The only drawback is that this is not a mode of cooking to be completed in a hurry. On a couple of occasions the weather conditions have changed and we have been forced to douse the barbecue before sailing elsewhere. But that is part of the pleasure of sailing!
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

As I said, very easy to douse a gas one, little knob! Little more difficult with charcoal, well to re-light it anyway! The taste comes from the fat etc. dripping on the charcoal, with a flavour plate, basically a plate over the flames which gets very hot, the fat drops on the plate, carbonises and gives the smoke etc, which gives the flavour. I have tried both, The ozzies know a thing or two about barbies, by far, the biggest majority use gas, apart from out in the woods, where they use wood and have these huge built in ones, supplied by the park service, great idea! But I agree with you about the give it time factor and the wine tasting!! I'd never heard of wax impregnated charcoal before, now thats a new one to me, saves all that paper or firelighter nonsense!
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

I use a gas barbie at home but made a small stainless steel rack and windshield which holds a small disposable barbecue for the boat. They come with self-lighter and are widely available in garages and supermarkets. I keep a straightened wire coat hanger on board for dousing... just tip the lot in the briny and recover with the wire for proper disposal.

Most popular recipe ... fresh caught mackerell marinaded in tandoori paste. Yum!

By the way... I think most of the gas barbies have their own propane cannisters slung underneath.
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

I'm using gas. In some sense it is also a spare cooker, as I have a few of the small Camping GAZ cartriges for it, that I keep in the gas locker. It can be operated from the big bottles, but I never bothered as the setup with the little cartriges is so easy.
I think it is a great addition to the regular gas oven, much higher peak output so things get more crisp, and fishy stuff stays outside the cabin.
As to charcoal, I think it is quite hydroscopic and would easily soak on a boat. I like the taste from charcoal, but then you can always use herbs and get more variation on the gas thing. Also some people say that charcoal may provoke cancer.
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

Force 4 do a very nice series of barbies both gas and charcoal, available through chandlers.
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

Wait a minute..........

Whats all this about Barbees.. .... On a boat!!!! jeeez.
And GAS no no
And fish with sauce?????


Anchor boat.
GO TO BEACH with grill and at least 2 cases of Brew
Get 4 fosters cans, drink contents.
Fill cans with sand
Get old grill, with plenty of old pork fat on it. Place on Fossie cans
Scavange for old dry wood
Light with petrol, burn hand, drink more fossies
Cook all meat until crisp
Drink more fossies
Fall down
Try and get back to boat.


Now thats a barbie.

poter
 
Re: Gas???

In Dubai, you just left the meat on the bonnet of the car for half an hour, meduim rare!!! three quarters well done! easy peasy!
 
Re: Dubai

Ain't no beachs' 130 miles offshore norway! Apart from that, hate sand! Beach's covered in it, sand in your beer, sandwiches and every orifice on your body, difficult to walk on and just plain awful, plus making love on the beach, Hah! you can imagine where the gritty muck gets then!!! give me a four poster anyday!
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

Are you shure about froce 4, or did you mean the Candian Force 10? I know the latter and they also do some of the best ovens.
My gas barbeque is from Magma, I think US based.
I think they are all quite expensive, but very nice to have. Magma also makes gas and charcoal. The gas units come for Camping Gaz or the US one way cartriges and you can have an adapter to drive it from the low pressure side of your regular gas system.
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

You're right force 10, canadian outfit, they're not cheap, but very nicely made bits of kit! My Bruv has one of their parafin heaters in his wheelhouse, also marvellous bit of kit!
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

I've had success with a stainless steel Marine, propane BBQ...clean, easy and safe. The draw-backs for charcoal, as I see them are the ash, smoke, the fear of dropping a hot coal on a fibreglass deck and...there is some suspicion that the briquettes can be subject to spontaneous combustion if not stored "properly". Have never found out what properly means. I suspect that only a marinized BBQ is appropriate...not something you'd have in backyard patio. Cheers, Richard.
 
Re: Bar-B-Q\'s - charcoal or gas?

I'm sure I heard a tale once of this guy, anchored off a beach, held a great barby onboard his yacht - balmy night, great food, splendid wines. Before he turned in he dutifully emptied the hot coals over the transom. He got up in the morning and wondered why his tender had sunk!

I also used to work with a welding supervisor who had build by his welders the biggest barbie you have ever seen at the side of his house. It was about 10 feet long made from half a 36" gas pipeline, gas powered with cooking and warming sections. Now that was a Barbie!
 
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