BBQ grill not very hot, we don't get char taste..

Bernice H
by Bernice H
We have a relatively new bbq grill (2 yrs), propane, I don't know how many btu's. We don't get any flare up or any char taste. Stuff just cooks hohum. Hubs has Cleaned it, is this as good as it gets? Can I add charcoal for a better cooked flavor? It is more on the cheap side, so that is what I am thinking is the problem. @KMS? Anyone? Any suggestions on how to get a better cooked product from it? I have oiled the meats with olive oil hoping to get more char, not working so well.
  4 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Aug 18, 2013
    Does your grill have lava rocks? We had a bit of a BBQ last night and I cooked a good spread on my 20+ year old $120 propane grill. Over the years I have installed 2 replacement "burner" assemblies and have added "lava rock" a few times. The most recent burner, about 5-6 years ago, was Stainless Steel so it should last a lot longer. I pre-heat the grill for about 5 min at full throttle. This preheats the pretty deep bed of lava rock. last night I was cooking burgers and bratwursts, The natural "fats" of the meat will drip down onto the rocks, burn and smoke and give that great "char" taste. Cooking a fat free Tofu burger is not going to work...LOL You need to keep in mind "grilling" is fast high heat cooking...and BBQ is low and slow. When I cook my ribs, I do the bulk of the cooking in the oven, in a 14 qt cast iron dutch oven. This is cooked at about 225 to 250 for 4-5 hours, the meat there is seasoned with a dry rub. Sometimes we eat them right out of the pot...other times I will "finish" them on the grill with a molasses based BBQ sauce...
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Aug 18, 2013
    HI...Do you think the lava rock will make it hotter ? Sounds like something to try anyway. Your dinner last night sounds great, then you do ribs ........glad I am not hungry right now. We cooked up a bunch of meat, , it is too hot to cook right now, then I portion it and put it in the freezer, and pull it out for a quick dinner with cukes and tomatoes and melons. My (MH) galley kitchen gets unbearable because the vent leading over the stove has a tin or metal pipe going to the roof, and the hot air from outside comes in.The pipe seems to radiate heat too! Even with the hood fan on it seems. So precooking works, but I am DISAPPOINTED ...all the steak sales, just don't thrill me once they are cooked on this. I will try the lava rocks. Other wise...next year...maybe. I am almost ready to go back to a charcoal grill!
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Aug 22, 2013
    @KMS Woodworks how deep is your lava rock? I have it on my go for list.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Aug 23, 2013
    about 1 1/2" If I remember it was two or three "bags". this is the real pumice type rock not the ceramic biscuits.
    • See 1 previous
    • Bernice H Bernice H on Aug 26, 2013
      @Bernice H Hey @KMS Woodworks Kev..we put lava rocks on grill..didn't realize it needed a grill part to put them on, so we improvised until I get a better part. Must be too high, because everything came out sacrificed...but at least it had taste! Thanks for the input!