In a Hurry? Fastest Cooker? Gas vs Pellet vs Charcoal?

[@crowtoon]

I agree with you on the quick high temperatures with the Kamado. My issue is that my charcoal hasn't burned off that bad smell by that time. I need to let it burn longer for my liking. I'm using Fogo and I think it's best I've used so far. Thank you for the great videos.

[@stphnhwkns]

I think most people are not going to have a 150$ torch to start. Maybe should have used a fire starter bundle.

[@danrichter9864]

@@stphnhwkns I have a $20 propane torch from Lowe’s that works just fine. Gets the lump ready to go in about 30-60 seconds. Amazon also sells guns for as low as $25.

[@Warpigeonkac503]

Torches to light coal don't have to be 150 bucks. I've used a 14 dollar chimney newspaper and a cigarette lighter to light a charcoal grill in less than 5 minutes you can also use a brass plumbing torch nozzle and those are not expensive

[@Isovapor]

Harbor Freight sells a weed burner torch for less than $50 US. Cheers!

[@RandomUserName2319]

@@Warpigeonkac503 it takes way longer than 5 minutes for a chimney starter to work. Mine takes 25 minutes in a Weber.

[@jdj5952]

@@RandomUserName2319 Then you're doing something wrong. 5min is about right for a chimney with some news paper. If you're using lump charcoal you don't need to wait for it to ash over like brickets. Actually you really only need to wait for them to ash over if you're using match lite charcoal or lighter fluid. And yes I have nothing against match lite or lighter fluid in a regular grill if you're just doing some hot dogs and hamburgers but absolutely never if you're smoking or using any type of stone or ceramic.

[@CoolJay77]

Good points. We get lazy to fire up the outdoor grill during the week, for no reason. In most cases, it takes me over 20 minutes to prep anything to BBQ. I start prepping before I light the fire.

[@jdj5952]

That's exactly the way to do it.

[@scotchbarrel3371]

The thing about gas is that it’s ready to go with the turn of the knob. On my charcoal I have to spend time cleaning out the ashes and refilling. That’s maybe 5 minutes but but the whole point is being lazy or not having time to

[@samacc2536]

Awesome video! I frequently have this conversation with gas grill owners. Now I can start sending them this video :).

[@NJSInstructional]

We experienced the same dilemma James. The mid week cooks were a 'challenge'... we ended up going ahead with a Kamado Joe Classic (also thanks to your videos) and have never regretted the decision. The food cooked on a KJ is something special.

[@JustGrillingandChilling.]

As I’ve stated before, James does the best BBQ/Smoking/grilling comparison videos on KZbin…. educational, informative and a great resource for making any BBQ related purchases, and he “dumbs it down” for me to understand (!!)…. Re. the starter for charcoal, I read a comment on another of James’ videos, that another watcher got a “weed burner “ on Amazon for a good price, so I checked and sure enough got one for $50.00 and it is a brute and does an amazing job… Lastly, i wonder who enjoys these videos more, James for making them??…. or us backyard bbq enthusiasts for watching them…??…. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@carolinakayakadventures270]

I bought a Kamado Joe Classic 3 a few weeks ago and a cheap version of that torch from Amazon and it's definitely quicker than my Weber gas grill. Thanks for sharing this!!! I hope more people realize the versatility and value of the Kamado style grill!!

[@kmbbmj5857]

Another grill form to run the experiment on is the Lodge Sportsman. You're not going to cook for a party on it, but if you just looking for steaks, grilled chicken, etc for a family of four, it's fast and it does an amazing job on steaks.

[@mattsnyder4754]

Cool down / clean up time is also something you need to consider. Sure, my charcoal stuff can get hot pretty fast, but I can clean my gas grill by throwing the burners on high for 5 minutes and wacking it with a grill brush. Then it’s off and cool enough to cover and put away by bed time. The charcoal fires are still smoldering halfway through to the next morning lol

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

good point, i forgot about the time it takes to vacuum out the ash pot on the pellet as well

[@mattsnyder4754]

@ yeah. It’s really not that much extra time, but having to spread it out to the next morning just makes it an extra headache.

[@brianbristo5702]

I have been using my JJ George torch to light tumble weeds. Your method makes more sense. Using a chimney for our typical two burger cooks, very good idea. Thanks as always.

[@saybiz]

Cleaning the charcoal basket and ashes takes about 3 to 5 minutes. That said, the Kamado is truly the ultimate grill. I switched from a Blaze 40-inch Pro to a Weber Kamado, and I absolutely love it. I haven't used my gas grill since I got the Kamado. Next on my list is the KJBJ3.

[@user-ho1yn6ms7y]

Great video James! I have a Napoleon Lex485 I bought a few years ago, that I also did a full set of custom Grill Grates. Fantastic gas grill….but ever since I got a KJ Classic 2 and KJ Jr. I NEVER use the Napoleon anymore. Also, not a knock against the Grill Gun, but since I now have a standard 20lb. Propane tank I’m not using for the grill anymore, I bought a $25 “weed” burner torch from Harbor Freight that does the same thing. 👍🏻

[@mgrego2]

My Big Green Egg without a grill gun takes a long while to get regulated. I loved it for years but have lost patience with it. My Blackstone filled the gap for a while but now I have a Recteq Bullseye Deluxe that heats up very quickly and the temperature controls are amazing. It is so effortless that it’s the only grill I’ve ever used for lunch during the work week.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

A hair drier and a weed torch can get going as fast it’s just more steps

[@tedz.]

Agreed. I have a pellet grill and use it more for poultry and roasts where I am not concerned with time. The convenience and ease of temperature control at lower temperatures steers me in this direction. The cleanup of the pellet grill is a bit of a pain in the butt. For searing at high temps, I will use my Weber Kettle with lumps charcoal using either a Slow and Sear basket or a Vortex with cast iron insert in the Gourmet grill grate. I start a chimney full of charcoal, go it to prep my protein and by the time I get back to the grill the chimney is ready to pour out. The decision factor for me is not really time, but how hot do I need the grill to get. Great video, love your channel!

[@kmbbmj5857]

Same set up I have. I use the pellet grill for low and slow and the Weber for hot and fast. I also have a gas grill that we haven't even used in several years. The gas grill doesn't do low and slow well at all and the Weber beats it for flavor.

[@Keith80027]

I cook on my Green Egg or LP grill 3 to 4 times a week and what makes me choose one over the other is what I want to cook and the weather. I don't have a roof over either of my cookers. I store all my gates, cast iron and tools under my gas grill, so I have to get it cool enough to put the cover back over it before it rains or snows. I cook and smoke with my Green Egg in both rain and snow. The Green Egg does take hours to cool off compared to the LP grill that is less than an hour. If it is not going to rain or snow, I choose my grill based on how much favor I looking for and if it is worth the time and effort to clean out the Green Egg and start a fire. This only takes less than 5 minutes to do, but for most fish and hamburgers I go for the LP grill with a pellet tube with pellets and wood chips. If it is a steak or better, it is always the Green Egg.

[@wollfy1015]

While heating the grill up to temperature is of course an important factor. It is also important to know how long it takes to cool down and just be finished for the night. I suspect the propane grill cools down significantly faster than the Kamado-Joe to the point you can have it cleaned and covered earlier. This is also important for weekday meals because many people have to put a cover on their grill to decrease weathering.

[@notrlyavailable8557]

Good test as I'd previously looked for exactly this type of info and not found it. A follow up with timed startup/cooking/cleaning would be nice to show true real world performance.

[@mulefan1977]

Midweek winner is a PK360 you have to try it. Amazing grill/smoker

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

ive not used that one before

[@scottrichard1986]

on the masterbuilt i have a 1050 and i put a brick on the top switch so i can keep the hopper open and use the fan to fan the flames and get the charcoal lit in no time, once its ripping hot send it to warm up the grill in 2m flat.

[@jaymckenzie448]

James, Great Video! I agree with the ROI of the KJ but you also have to take into account the cleanup and setup time after each cook.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

true, i forgot to show the vacuuming out the ash pot on the pellet which takes some time, the grease tray in the gas grill and or the kick ash basket and can in the kj

[@Ahglock]

Reqtec had a pellet grill shaped like a kettle, it can get to 500 in 15 minutes in my experience, their newer model which i don't have can get close to 1000 though I don't know how long it takes to get there. In my experience you don't need less than 15 as you start it and do meal prep and by the time you are done with meal prep its ready. Though i don't think I shoot for 500 very often. I expected charcoal to be the fastest but don't think people use pellet smokers for speed. Its ease of use, you turn it on and walk away. I will say until a certain government organization passed some dumb laws, you could turn your pellet smokers on through wi-fi while on your way home from work and it would be up to temp when you got home.

[@BehindTheFoodTV]

I have to admit - I never would have guessed the KJ would be faster even with the Grill Gun.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

the torch is the cheat code for sure

[@wesleydrew9242]

I think the notion that gas grills are faster than charcoal probably came about with the need for briquettes to be completely ashed over before cooking. With lump charcoal gaining in popularity, it's no longer really the case since you can cook on that long before the coal have fully fit.

[@smokingtarheel3003]

I need to fire up the kamado more during the week. Great comparison video!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks

[@CraZyNOTRT]

Gas is the fastest to cook with after factoring setup time and only needs to be cleaned once or twice a year. It's also the cheapest to cook with. Gas has very little smoke or charcoal flavor unless using smoke tubes. I smoke pork butts and whole chickens all the time on my gas grill with a smoke tube, and they turn out great. Charcoal has longer set up time and has to be cleaned almost after every use. But when it comes to direct grilling like steaks and burgers, you can't beat the flavor. If the charcoal pan or grilling surface isn't adjustable, then it's too hard to control the heat or flame while cooking things like chicken. I miss having a charcoal grill just for steaks and burgers. The next time I buy a grill, it will probably be a pellet grill with a char/sear option or get a cheap charcoal grill to go with it.

[@Oilcruzer]

I’ve a grill gun but the simple cooks are easier on the gas Weber. We are overlooking set up time and clean up of ash time in this test.

[@pacman_17]

For a fast cook like steak, if you preheat the gas, charcoal, or pellet grill while you prepare your meat the start time shouldn't matter as much. You're always going to lose a lot of time in the prep and firing up any kind of grill. To minimize the prep times and cooking on the grill, I cook a big batch of BBQ. Keep it in the fridge so I can reheat with steam in the instant pot through the week. It's more time saving, economical, and practical IMO.

[@kfairhurst1]

I think the big difference is that at 5 minutes, your charcoal isn't going to be burning clean and going to impart some gross flavours if you actually start a cook before it starts to burn clean. I love my kamados, but the fact that I can start cooking at second 1 on a gas grill, vs 15-20 minutes for a clean burning charcoal.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

the torch short cuts that, white ashed over coals are ready to cook on after 1-2min with the torch (no bad smells or taste)

[@kfairhurst1]

@SmokingDadBBQ I have a torch and agree that the torch is faster than starter cubes, but there's still some unpleasant smoke for a lot longer than 5 minutes. And it's only 1 small hot very spot, not exactly a good cooking surface either.

[@mattn6946]

Does the torch in the komado ignite all the coals in 1-2 min or does it just start a small group?

[@kfairhurst1]

@@mattn6946 small group.

[@80redbarron]

Another factor for me is set up and tear down time. My KJ is in the garage and take a bit of time that the gas grill doesn’t require.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

good point

[@jamesbrinn9701]

Maybe do a vidieo on validating and calibrating the Temp gauges on a Komoto Grill

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn3NZGp3ibeCpdk

[@jamesorr1200]

I’ll even up the ante. As a dad with two sweet girls who need to be in bed by 7:30, I have an even shorter window than most. My Joe’s and Grill Gun are up to the task 💪🏻 The Jr. is really ideal for our basic weeknight meals.

[@jwgilb7]

I think my only issue with this video is that we didn’t account for cleaning out the ash and pouring in the new charcoal to create proper airflow.

[@hermannprieb1956]

Just a question for the Kamado: Why not use Briketts? Greekfire are just pressed charcoal without anything and i Like Coconut Briketts from Tom Coco which dont have any smoke when i burn them although they have a binder. Tom Coco said it is technically necessary.

[@benhaze1010]

Even if the Kamado reach 500 deg impressively quick doesn't it need more time before it is safe to cook on charcoals or is this an old misconception? Or is that another advantage of this grill gun?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

good question, misconception ... white asked over coals are good to cook on which i get in about 1min of torch

[@jhaas68865]

As far as fastest in a hurry cook there is one thing that is overlooked. When you are done how quickly can you shut the grill down safely? Currently I have a Napoleon P500 and a Traeger 885 pellet. Would love charcoal but no more room on my deck. My pellet grill takes awhile to shut down. The gas grill is shut off knobs and done.

[@neojingokuu]

I have a Konnected Joe and it takes about 10 minutes to get to 500 using its electric ignition. Great for mid-week cooks.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Sounds great!

[@saybiz]

Also, any thoughts on KJ vs the Komodo Kamada. Those look like tanks in the Kamado world.

[@d.l.whitton6260]

I use a 15 bucks weed burner. Same results. Charcoal is only 'difficult and slow' if you make it so 😊. Primo xl btw

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i have done the same with my wife's hair blower and a fire starter... lots of ways to fast cooking

[@Smoke_N_EmbersBBQ]

@SmokingDadBBQ Nice comparison James.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

chers

[@jeffashton5809]

Hey James, how do you store your grills and keep them out of the elements? Specifically wondering about your offsets, how to prevent rust from rain/snow?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I spent the extra for a cover. Both the lone star Santa and smoke north echo are covered

[@savanis90]

Can i grill with charcoal immediately after 7 Minuten or does the charcoal have to Flow through First?

[@jrfh22012]

Kamado style is the Swiss Army knife of grills.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

ok i like that analogy better

[@IceBergGeo]

My guess - slow to fast 1) pellet 2) gas 3) charcoal There is a caveat though, charcoal depends on how you light it.

[@stefanpietrangelo1297]

People watching this should be aware that the start up time for pellet grills varies significantly by grill. A Weber Searwood will get up to 500 in about 10 mins and will go as high as 600 in 12 mins or less.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks for adding that time for other models... the camp chef i had last year was even slower but absolutely some will be much faster

[@CalifLove]

Wheres the MB XT? I suspect that gets there around 7 min as well?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

It’s pretty slow. I had recorded this before but my first test was basically the same as the pellet

[@CalifLove]

@@SmokingDadBBQ right on, appreciate the response and the vids..you the man my guy! keep up the excellent work!

[@JeffryK13]

James, only caveat to the experiment is you didn’t take into account how long you torched the charcoal, so you probably should add another minute or two to that time. Still not a bad time, but definitely took longer than turning a knob or pushing a button.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I think i had the timer running before i started the torch

[@missinbrain]

I am almost one year into having my Big Joe Series I and instead of spending the $$$$ on the gun I bought a $20 weed torch from Harbor Freight and it works just as good, if more cumbersome. Do I eventually want to get the gun? Heck yes. But regardless, starting the fire that way makes getting up to temp REALLY fast.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

fire is fire, sounds like you got a good solution

[@craigw4644]

What is that attachment on your Joe Jr?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

this thing - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJXJlHR4jZpkpdk its a pizza porta

[@Edward-Norton]

I didn't know those Kamado joe's come pre loaded with charcoal.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

well sure i could add vacuuming out the ash pot on the pellet or re-filing the propane tank on the gas grill and or dumping a bag of charcoal but it doesn't take any longer for either

[@Edward-Norton]

@@SmokingDadBBQ You don't have to refill gas if your grill is hooked up to a natural gas line but you do have to load charcoal into a charcoal grill every time you cook. Charcoal still has ash your going to have to clean out.

[@Isovapor]

Why didn’t you purchase a Napoleon gas grill which is made in Canada? Cheers!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

costco had this on sale... i gave this to a charity in town who needed a new gas grill and all folks declined to provide one at no cost that would be given to a charity so i prioritized the best one for space and price i could find at the time

[@hector6005]

I don’t buy it. Lighting the charcoal with flamethrower that’s ridiculously expensive is not an accurate experiment compared to lighting everything up from the stock gas and pellet grill. I would like to see how long with fire starters

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

why? the big joe 1 and a torch costs less than the gas grill.... you can use a fan, leaf blower and or hair dryer and a fire starter and get the same effect / time

[@Bob-bo8ik]

Gas would have been much quicker if you had lit all the burners.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

they were all lit... the external side mount burner is the only one not participating as its outside the grill

[@Bob-bo8ik]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Sorry I thought when you said the thermometer was above the burner, there was only one.

[@billystpaul8907]

I will use the oven before I would every use a gas grill. Can't stand the way meat and veggies taste on a gas grill. Even an air fryer tastes better then gas. I use the Kamado when I don't worry about cooking time. My pellet grill gets to temp rather quickly, so during the week, wait times are okay.