(Vanity) Need help in deciding between these two charcoal gills. Advice?

[yankeedame]

First: It pretty much just for hubby and I, thus these small grills.

Second: Hubby HATES the taste of food grill via gas, thus the charcoal grill.

Third: Neither of us know very much at all about grilling -- an understatement if there ever was one. (Though your's truly is a pretty darn good cook, if I do say so myself)

Finally:
a) We live in an empty-nester apt. and so be we'll be grilling from a patio.... into the clear sky.
b) Yes, it has to be portable, and have a work surface. (Want to drag back and forth as little as possible.)

So, I've narrowed it down to these two:

Char-Griller 2121 Super Pro Charcoal Grill

570-square-inch charcoal grill made of heavy-gauge steel 
Cast-iron grates provide fast, even heat, searing meat to lock in flavor 
Adjustable grate controls heat; easily add coals without removing grate 
Airtight flanged hood with heat gauge; easy-dump ash pan; 3 handy shelves 
Measures approximately 42 by 29 by 50 inches; 1-year limited warranty 

OR

Weber 847001 22-1/2-Inch Performer Charcoal Grill with Touch-N-Go Propane Ignition

Combines flavor of charcoal grilling with convenience of gas 
Robot-welded steel cart; rust-resistant, porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid 
Propane gas ignition for easy start-up 
Includes stainless steel One-Touch cleaning system; removable ash catcher 
Measures 40 by 50-1/4 by 28-1/2 inches; 22-1/2 inch cooking surface 

So, there you have it gang! Any and all advice will be most welcome. Thanks again!

[Xenalyte]

That’s it, then. 100% of the Texans referred to in my post vote Weber. ;)

[Hatteras]

Neither. Get the standard 22" Weber with one of these...

Trust me.

[Hatteras]

"After all the stuff in charcoal I don’t get too worried about the fluid."

For me, it's definitely a taste issue. I haven't used lighter fluid in close to 20 years. I have eaten barbeque and hamburgers off of other people's grills and I can definitely tell if lighter fluid was used.

[RayChuang88]

The thing with gas grills is that food tastes the same if you cooked it indoors using the kitchen stove.

Here's the problem: gas grills cook at around 500° F., compared to 700° F. for charcoal grills. However, the new infrared burner grills cook at around 800° F., and unlike charcoal grills with its problematic "hot spots" if you don't spread the coals properly, infrared gas grills cook food evenly at very high temperatures. I've tried my neighbor's TEC infrared gas grill and the resulting hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwursts and steaks actually taste better than charcoal-cooked food because you don't have the "burnt" taste of charcoal.

[lowbridge]

taste better than charcoal-cooked food because you don't have the "burnt" taste of charcoal.

Actually, I prefer the burnt taste of charcoal. :-)

[eastforker]

I had a version of the char-griller. The cat iron grill was great if kept seasoned but would rust like hell if you didn’t. It lasted about 6 years before the fire grating totally rusted or should I say burnt out. It was excellent for cooking steaks and would leave very appealing grill marks on the meat.

[RayChuang88]

Alas, I don’t like the “burnt” taste of charcoal in food, because detracts from the taste of the meat and any sauce you put on the meat. Why do you think infrared grills are all the rage among high-end barbecuers?

[lowbridge]

Why do you think infrared grills are all the rage among high-end barbecuers?

Because of a brilliant marketing campaign that is brainwashing peoples minds against charcoal grilling? :-)

[RayChuang88]

By the way, if you still insist on using charcoal, get a Big Green Egg. I've read that the BGE runs rings around almost any charcoal-fired grill if you want great taste.

[Wheee The People]

Go with the cooler lookin’ one.

[Captainpaintball]

Buy the American made grill. I bought a little Weber grill as opposed to the Chinese made Companion grill at Sears Hardware to use at work, even though it was more expensive. But I went with the loyalty aspect and the fact that the American made grill is less likely to be sprayed in cheap, lead-based, toxic paint and made of junk metal that would set off a geiger counter. Nowadays, after reading the news reports of cheap, substandard dangerous Chinese made goods, I’m only half joking about my justification, plus I feel better about making the purchase.