You want my advice, or not?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 7:35PM I'm often asked for a recommendation on a backyard cooker. Many times, I've recommended a Big Green Egg to folks who've subsequently bought one and seem to be fairly happy with their decision. However, at least twice over the past year I've been asked for my opinion by folks who ulitimately didn't care for my advice.
You see, I don't have a standard answer to the question "What cooker should I buy?". I typically answer that question with a question of my own like, "What sort of things do you like to cook?", or "Do you think you'd enjoy the process of creating slow cooked BBQ?". Based on how folks answer those questions and how they respond to a quick lesson on the difference between "BBQ" & "Grilling", I've recommended a variety of different cookers.
Sometimes when folks are used to lighting the gas grill and immediately throwing the meat on, it's hard for them to imagine the planning and time required to turn out great BBQ. To those folks, I recommend that they buy a gas grill and keep grilling. But they don't always appreciate or like that advice. Sometimes they want me to convince them that they will enjoy the process and that the commitment is worth it.
Frankly, I can't convince anyone to enjoy the process of cooking good BBQ. If you are unsure about committing to tending a live fire or committing to the time then by all means cook the way you're used to cooking.
There's nothing wrong with cooking on a gas grill. Heck, the stores are full of them so somebody must be buying them.
Cheers,
Braddog
Big Green Egg, Gas Grill, Grill, advice in BBQ
Reader Comments (2)
Some people only want to hear the answers they already have implanted by enviroment, marketing, friends, etc. They want to have their ideas confirmed not confronted, they should get over it.
I bought a Big Green Egg (before I found this blog) & it's the best all around cooker/smoker/grill/outdoor oven I've used.
Gas grills are fast to light. That is the only advantage there is if you are concerned about fast heat. With half of a starter stick, my egg is up to temp pretty quick. It's just not instant on. The versitility of what can be cooked on the egg is virtually unlimited. I was raised on gas grills but after using an egg for almost a year, I'll never be without a ceramic style cooker or similiar (re: Bubba Keg). Keep up the blogging.
Duff;
Thanks for the comment. I agree, it's the best grill/smoker I've ever used. While I'm sort of looking for a new cooker with larger capacity, I think I'll always have the Big Green Egg.
Cheers,
Braddog