[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I read down thru the first 5-10 posts, and I'm going to disagree:) Several reasons.

1. It was explained to me that it is not the charcoal that gives food the taste, it is the drippings from what is being cook dripping on to the hot coals and the smoke coming back up. You get the same effect from using gas with those rocks.

2. Personally, I don't care how long I burn the charcoal before starting to cook, I think you can always taste the lighter fluid. That may be just me.

I use a portable gas grill almost everynight to cook my meat, I dont't even have the rocks in it, and it always taste like good grilled meat to me.

Becky

[processing please hold]

I think you can always taste the lighter fluid. That may be just me.

They have lighter fluid that is tasteless. I use it.

[Dinsdale]

1. It was explained to me that it is not the charcoal that gives food the taste, it is the drippings from what is being cook dripping on to the hot coals and the smoke coming back up. You get the same effect from using gas with those rocks.

My advice is to never listen to the idiot that explained that to you. (s)he is wrong and should have zero credibility with you.

Charcoal is near pure carbon, when it burns it makes CO2. Propane is a hydrocarbon, when it burns it makes CO2 and H20. Further propane does'nt cook as hot, nor is the heat as even, nor can you cook 'rich' by limiting air intake, nor can you slow cook on gas (the high is lower, the low is higher then charcoal).

But propane is easy, so is your oven broiler. Save the money on the grill.