Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

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Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby 88rxna » Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:34 am

I just can't cook steaks the way I like on my weber performer! It's either over cooked or still too pink. I jab them with a thermo a hundred times with no luck.
They seem to take forever too. I sear them right over the coals for 2 minutes a side then indirect until doneness. The problem is its taking a half n hour on the indirect side. I don't like it too pink, she likes it burnt.
The weber is cooking around 400f with about a chimney full of charcoal.
Please help!
Last edited by 88rxna on Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby outlaw » Thu Jul 06, 2017 9:05 am

That's the issue. You need a couple chimneys of charcoal to get it up to proper heat. I would also highly recommend grill grates since they allow you to cook right over direct heat without flareups and burning. You can always look at my step sons steal competition teams web page for more tips.
http://www.smokehouserats.com/
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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby OldUsedParts » Thu Jul 06, 2017 9:15 am

Rocket, lately my steaks don't have the sear and I can feel your pain, except I prefer my steaks screaming and bleeding with a good sear/bark :dont:
I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death. William Barret Travis - Lt. Col. comdt "The Alamo"
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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby TX1911 » Thu Jul 06, 2017 9:22 am

Bump those temps up and you'll be good to go. When I sear, I wait for the grate temp to pass 500. Usually leaving the lid off so I can monitor for flareups and whatnot.
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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby 88rxna » Thu Jul 06, 2017 11:47 am

I can only fit a chimney full into my charcoal baskets, so I guess I need to ditch those while cooking steaks...
All of the info I have read state searing first then indirect produce the juiciest steaks, is this true?
Once I sear them and toss em to the side, I throw the lid on and wait...is this what I shod be doing??
So another chimney full ought to get me where I need?
I like some color but not oozing red, just shy of a medium well.

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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby TX1911 » Thu Jul 06, 2017 11:50 am

I've had very good luck with a reverse sear on thicker steaks. Cook them indirect until just shy of your goal internal temp. Then sear them right before taking them off.
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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby bsooner75 » Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:28 pm

Also (I duck when I say this cause OUP's gonna throw something at me) but the type of charcoal you use matters. Lump gets hotter than briquettes and Mesquite lump will SCREAM!!!!


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Re: RE: Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby woodenvisions » Thu Jul 06, 2017 9:01 pm

bsooner75 wrote:Also (I duck when I say this cause OUP's gonna throw something at me) but the type of charcoal you use matters. Lump gets hotter than briquettes and Mesquite lump will SCREAM!!!!


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That right there ^^^^^^^^^^^ you can take to the bank !!!
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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby OldUsedParts » Fri Jul 07, 2017 7:28 am

bsooner75 wrote:Also (I duck when I say this cause OUP's gonna throw something at me) but the type of charcoal you use matters. Lump gets hotter than briquettes and Mesquite lump will SCREAM!!!!


DUCK SOONER :whiteflag: OK, I'm gonna get a bag of Mesquite Lump BECAUSE I w'uvz my M'skeet on Meat :tup: :salut: :texas:
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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby outlaw » Fri Jul 07, 2017 7:35 am

OldUsedParts wrote:
bsooner75 wrote:Also (I duck when I say this cause OUP's gonna throw something at me) but the type of charcoal you use matters. Lump gets hotter than briquettes and Mesquite lump will SCREAM!!!!


DUCK SOONER :whiteflag: OK, I'm gonna get a bag of Mesquite Lump BECAUSE I w'uvz my M'skeet on Meat :tup: :salut: :texas:


Get Stubbs if you can find it. Fantastic Mesquite flavor.
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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby bsooner75 » Fri Jul 07, 2017 9:35 am

I like B&B myself. Never tried Stubbs Mesquite though. Might have to check it out.


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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby 88rxna » Fri Jul 07, 2017 9:58 am

I had some lump that was left in the bin of my performer when I bought, maybe I'll give it a shot when I get through the Kingsford I buried them with

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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby bsooner75 » Fri Jul 07, 2017 11:13 am

OldUsedParts wrote:[quote="bsooner75"]Also (I duck when I say this cause OUP's gonna throw something at me) but the type of charcoal you use matters. Lump gets hotter than briquettes and Mesquite lump will SCREAM!!!!


DUCK SOONER :whiteflag: OK, I'm gonna get a bag of Mesquite Lump BECAUSE I w'uvz my M'skeet on Meat :tup: :salut: :texas:[/quote]

Use less charcoal than you normally would. It burns hotter and longer…unless you like flame roasted steaks :)


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Re: Why am I having a hard time cooking steaks on charcoal?

Postby OldUsedParts » Fri Jul 07, 2017 11:21 am

Due to circumstances (wife) beyond my control - - I only had time to shop HEB and all they had was their Brand so I bought it. I also picked up some throw away foil pans and I'm thinking of venting them on their bottoms and then using them as a "coal" pan to have my fire in :dont: I also picked up a very nice beef tenderloin for the trial run - - - however "circumstances" might have other ideas about git'n it done this weekend. :banghead: :whiteflag:
I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death. William Barret Travis - Lt. Col. comdt "The Alamo"

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