u/Volta87

Hi all, just wanted to say this seems like a great community. I’ve seen a lot of helpful advice which is rare these days. Last post from me for a bit I promise 🙏😩

I’m looking at getting a new grill this summer and I’m a bit stuck on what to go for.

Originally I was set on a Santa Maria or Argentinian style grill, but I’ve realised most of them don’t offer rotisserie options and are mainly designed to run on wood. I already have a small Weber which I’ll keep for quick solo cooks, so this next one would be for bigger cooks and having people over.

So I’m currently deciding between:

* a charcoal grill with rotisserie
* or a Santa Maria or parrilla style grill using wood and embers

I’ve also been looking into fuel costs.

I’ve been quoted a wood bundle at £75.95 for roughly 50kg, which works out around £1.46 per kg. At the same time I can get decent lumpwood charcoal locally for around £1.60 to £1.80 per kg.

On paper wood actually looks cheaper, but I’m not sure how that translates in real use when you’re burning logs down to embers and potentially going through more fuel.

So I’m trying to understand a few things from people who’ve actually used both:

* Does wood end up costing more in practice even if it’s cheaper per kg?
* Do you go through a lot more fuel using wood compared to charcoal?
* Is there a noticeable difference in flavour between hardwood embers and good lumpwood charcoal?

For example, rotisserie chicken over charcoal vs hanging or parrilla-style chicken over wood embers, assuming both are cooked properly, is there actually a big difference in the end result?

Or is the Argentinian style more about the experience and cooking process rather than a major improvement in taste?

I’m sure I’ll end up with both at some point, just trying to decide what to go for first.

Appreciate any real-world feedback 👍

Hi guys, after years of using my smoker and the Weber classic, I’d like to get something like a Santa Maria. I really wanted to have a brasero though. Without it, you miss the entire point of this type of grill.

I’m really trying to find something in the UK other than what looks like cheaply put together top sections on Etsy, where you have to build a base, something I am not in a position to do.

Does anybody have any recommendations?

The third picture is the type I’m looking for (you can see the brasero under his arm)

Thanks

Hey guys, can anybody recommend an online (Butcher) where I can buy meat like this. I normally use John Davidson but not really a fan of the black rock Sirlon and everything else seems to Wagyu, so I’m not bothered about.