Grilling - open or closed lid

MilitantSquatter · 05-26-2006, 08:14 PM

Here's a good debate to have over your Memorial Day gathering with friends or family while tending the pit or grill...

When high heat grilling (ex. steaks, burgers, sausage, chicken, shrimp etc.)
with clear weather and high outdoor temps... Do you grill with the lid covered or open ? Why ?

Dakaty · 05-26-2006, 08:44 PM

I use a natural gas grill that doesn't get as hot as a propane fueled one. I have to keep the lid closed to get a good hot environment.

ZILLA · 05-26-2006, 09:03 PM

I grill with the lid closed 100% of the time. It stops flame ups and I can leave the grill unattended for 20 min or so and go and prep some other foods. I find that chicken skin is crispier too.

ciret · 05-26-2006, 09:07 PM

Force of habit more than anything, I cooked almost exclusively on a Weber kettle for about 20 yrs. the same one. It need to be replaced and I got a BSKD, so now if I grill I use the BSKD firebox, with the lid closed 90% of the time.

bbqjoe · 05-26-2006, 09:15 PM

I keep lid closed.
But it's a tad difficult getting the food out that way.
Have to open at end.

Bigmista · 05-26-2006, 09:23 PM

What's grilling?

kcquer · 05-26-2006, 10:13 PM

Lid closed always, I suppose more from old charcoal habits as anything even though I use a gasser now. I never grill without some chips, chunks or pellets adding a bit of smoke to the mix, I guess the lid closed mod helps get the smoke and meat to meet!!

FatDaddy · 05-26-2006, 10:19 PM

between the gasser and the kettle i keep the lid on most of the time. even temps somewhat and keeps the flare up to a minimum, for example. when i was cookin chicken the other day on the kettle. damn near burnt my eyebrows off when the drip pan ignited. soon as i put the lid back on the fire extinguished it self..

willkat98 · 05-26-2006, 10:55 PM

Simple answer: yes

Kettle, full chimney, pile high on one side, open, wait, wait, wait, white hot grill, 1" pork chops or steaks, put on, wait, sear, flip, wait, sear, 3 minutes a side, move offset no coals under, throw on 3 chunks apple, wait for ignition, cover, hits 400* for 30 minutes in the smoke, moisted chops ever, and medium well Del Monicos.

So I couldn't vote, for there was no "yes" or "both" option.

nmayeux · 05-26-2006, 11:41 PM

Lid keeps the kids and the dog off the food!

BBQchef33 · 05-27-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcquer

Lid closed always, I suppose more from old charcoal habits as anything even though I use a gasser now. I never grill without some chips, chunks or pellets adding a bit of smoke to the mix, I guess the lid closed mod helps get the smoke and meat to meet!!

yeah...

what he said..

bbqinNC · 05-27-2006, 03:42 AM

On my gasser and charcoal grill I keep the lid on almost exclusively. I have have even used my charcoal grill lid on a campfire grill before. I guess that is what I am comfortable with.

LostNation · 05-27-2006, 05:32 AM

Closed all the time, I would hate for some bird to help,,, um,,, marinate my food.

BBQ_MAFIA · 05-27-2006, 06:42 AM

I always grill with the lid closed.

ThomEmery · 05-27-2006, 09:05 AM

Looking at a special events grill 3foot by 8 foot No Lid but room to move meats to cooler zones within the grill area.

View Poll Results: When grilling do you keep lid open or closed ? Why ?
My grill's supposed to come with a top lid ?	3	6.67%
Isn't that why it came with a lid ?	22	48.89%
I mix it up as the cook nears completion	14	31.11%
Depends how I'm feeling that day	7	15.56%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll

05-26-2006, 08:14 PM	#1
MilitantSquatter Moderator Join Date: 09-17-05 Location: soon to be in Mooresville, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Grilling - open or closed lid Here's a good debate to have over your Memorial Day gathering with friends or family while tending the pit or grill... When high heat grilling (ex. steaks, burgers, sausage, chicken, shrimp etc.) with clear weather and high outdoor temps... Do you grill with the lid covered or open ? Why ? __________________ Vinny 22" WSM & Kettle Former owner: Jambo, Klose BYC, Med. Spicewine, Pitts & Spitts, XL & (2) Med. BGE's, (2) 18" WSM's

05-26-2006, 09:07 PM	#4
ciret Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-02-04 Location: Racine, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Force of habit more than anything, I cooked almost exclusively on a Weber kettle for about 20 yrs. the same one. It need to be replaced and I got a BSKD, so now if I grill I use the BSKD firebox, with the lid closed 90% of the time. __________________ ==>Eric Modded Brinkmann Smoke King Deluxe, UDS, Brinkman gasser A health family, a healthy country, a healthy world -- all grow outward from a single superior person. Chia Jen/The Clan --I Ching

05-26-2006, 09:23 PM	#6
Bigmista somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-24-04 Location: Long Beach, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What's grilling? __________________ Wait! Bigmista wrote a cookbook? Exodus 29:18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the LORD. God loves BBQ! Bigmista Custom Spicewine Trailer - Olivia J. PIMA Large and Medium Spicewines Weber Ranch Kettle - E.T. Remembering Scott

05-26-2006, 10:19 PM	#8
FatDaddy is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-04-06 Location: Wichita Falls, Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	between the gasser and the kettle i keep the lid on most of the time. even temps somewhat and keeps the flare up to a minimum, for example. when i was cookin chicken the other day on the kettle. damn near burnt my eyebrows off when the drip pan ignited. soon as i put the lid back on the fire extinguished it self.. __________________ HALF DIAMOND RANCH BBQ Home made 5' reverse flow smoker Lg BGE WSM 18.5 WSM 22.5 Weber Kettle 22 1/2" silver series Weber Copper Smokey Joe Gold 14.5" GPS trackable RED super fast thermopen http://www.facebook.com/jtempleton2

05-26-2006, 08:44 PM	#2
Dakaty Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-05-06 Location: Katy, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use a natural gas grill that doesn't get as hot as a propane fueled one. I have to keep the lid closed to get a good hot environment.

05-26-2006, 09:03 PM	#3
ZILLA is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 12-01-05 Location: Universal City, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I grill with the lid closed 100% of the time. It stops flame ups and I can leave the grill unattended for 20 min or so and go and prep some other foods. I find that chicken skin is crispier too.

05-26-2006, 09:15 PM	#5
bbqjoe Banned Join Date: 01-16-06 Location: Wikieup Arizona Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I keep lid closed. But it's a tad difficult getting the food out that way. Have to open at end.

05-26-2006, 10:13 PM	#7
kcquer Lives in Spirit Join Date: 02-17-04 Location: Wherever there's Sweet Blue Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Lid closed always, I suppose more from old charcoal habits as anything even though I use a gasser now. I never grill without some chips, chunks or pellets adding a bit of smoke to the mix, I guess the lid closed mod helps get the smoke and meat to meet!!

05-26-2006, 10:55 PM	#9
willkat98 somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Chicago Western Burbs, but always south of Madison Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Simple answer: yes Kettle, full chimney, pile high on one side, open, wait, wait, wait, white hot grill, 1" pork chops or steaks, put on, wait, sear, flip, wait, sear, 3 minutes a side, move offset no coals under, throw on 3 chunks apple, wait for ignition, cover, hits 400* for 30 minutes in the smoke, moisted chops ever, and medium well Del Monicos. So I couldn't vote, for there was no "yes" or "both" option. __________________ . Bill-Chicago "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." - Jack Reacher Bandera, M-BGE, WSM, Gold Kettle, Kenmore Gasser, 36Qt Turkey Fryer, ECB, Dutch Oven

05-26-2006, 11:41 PM	#10
nmayeux Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-03-05 Location: Marietta, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Lid keeps the kids and the dog off the food! __________________ Noah \#/ Nauti-Que BBQ Team Pitmaster and KCBS CBJ & CTC

05-27-2006, 03:42 AM	#12
bbqinNC On the road to being a farker Join Date: 11-30-05 Location: Concord, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	On my gasser and charcoal grill I keep the lid on almost exclusively. I have have even used my charcoal grill lid on a campfire grill before. I guess that is what I am comfortable with. __________________ Gator Pit BYCC CB Bandera Weber 1100 Gas with Cast Iron Grates Kenmore Kettle Charcoal grill

05-27-2006, 05:32 AM	#13
LostNation Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-15-05 Location: Essex Jct. Vermont Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Closed all the time, I would hate for some bird to help,,, um,,, marinate my food. __________________ Rich Decker www.lostnationvt.com

05-27-2006, 06:42 AM	#14
BBQ_MAFIA Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-10-05 Location: NORTH BERGEN, NEW JERSEY Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I always grill with the lid closed. __________________ Guido Lang 60 Lang 84 Deluxe Warmer with Chargrill Large Spicewine Large BGE XL - BGE Med. BGE ( Bought it for my son Vincenzo) Brinkman Snp Brinkman ECB GOSM Weber Kettle Kenmore Elite Gasser Camp Chef Outdoor Stove 1-Banjo

05-27-2006, 09:05 AM	#15
ThomEmery Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-20-05 Location: Indio Ca. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Looking at a special events grill 3foot by 8 foot No Lid but room to move meats to cooler zones within the grill area. __________________ Catering, Contests, and Community Service http://bbqthom.ning.com/video/our-wells-cargo-trailer Serving Jesus and great BBQ :) Team What Wood Jesus Q?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Steak Grilling Question - Lid Up, or Lid Down?	Ag76	Q-talk	53	01-31-2011 09:06 AM
flue open or closed	chefbo	Q-talk	8	05-26-2009 08:00 AM
flue open or closed on a char griller	chefbo	Q-talk	3	05-24-2009 08:24 AM
UDS question flad open lind on closed drum	Cigarbque	Q-talk	0	04-01-2009 07:46 PM