The debate over charcoal versus gas is one you do not wish to get in the middle of. The one simple thing you need to know is that it is a question of preference and usability. To take in the whole gamut of grills add to this list electric grills, pellet grills and hardwood cooking as well. Ask yourself what you really need, depending on how much space you have, how important is the taste and flavor to you, and how much you are willing to shell out.
Convenience: The foremost way to think about this subject is to learn that usually the more convenient a grill becomes, the less real smoke flavor you are going to get. An electric grill is easiest to use, but it doesn't have that genuine fire flavor. On the other hand, hardwood fires will grant you the best grilled flavor, but they are the hardest to work with.
Authenticity: The real smoky, off the fire aroma of grilled foods is strongest when you use the barbecue's primary heat source, wood. As you move to electric grills, you will find remarkably limited of this flavor left. In fact, many electric grills add virtually nothing to the taste of foods. However, the unfussiness of flipping a switch and grilling can't be beat.
Taste: On the subject of taste, a study was done a while back where where people were presented with hamburgers and steak, both of which were cooked on gas and charcoal. No one could make apparent the distinction between the charcoal and gas grills when it came to the hamburgers, but they could establish the variation with the steak. The charcoal grilled steak just had stronger and smokier flavor.
Space: To decide what kind of grill is right for you, think about where the grill is going to sit. A pint-sized patio or covered area is not the location for a sizeable charcoal grill. Electric grills cause no flare-ups and are safer in smaller areas. Gas grills do create flare-ups and need to be away from any structure to avoid those pesky house fires. Charcoal can be lighted with an electric starter and consequently can be utilized with almost no open flame.
Grilling: Another thing to examine is how you intend to grill. If you need to be able to arrive home from your workplace and throw a couple of steaks or chicken breasts on the grill with virtually no hassle, then electric or gas might be what you are looking for. Charcoal grills need some time to get going, usually around 10 to 20 minutes before you can start cooking.
Cost: Ultimately there is the price. Gas grills are typically more costly than electric or charcoal, with charcoal being the cheapest. If you don't want to spend a lot of money then charcoal may be the solution. However, charcoal is the more expensive fuel. You can easily spend $5.00 a cookout on charcoal, while gas might be more or less $0.20 per cookout. Charcoal won't save you money in the long run.
Want to do some grilling? Who could blame you. Cookouts have become a fine national pastime. A few friends, a few drinks, and great food prepared underneath the open sky. This dream of lazy days with pleasant company all begins with choosing the perfect grill. And in choosing that grill, here's the first point of indecision that people usually come upon. Gas or charcoal?
The answer to this doesn't have to be any more difficult than posing a few basic questions to yourself and moving on from there. A thorough knowledge of your own lifestyle is all that really needs to be taken into consideration. Here are the points to think about before making your selection.
1) How do you feel about those open flames? If you hate the very idea of building a fire, then charcoal is not for you. You may want to think about this especially if you have no experience at all with a charcoal grill. If this is the case, then maybe the press of a button that its gas counterpart can offer is the way to go. No muss, no fuss, just push-button service to get it on and off.
2) Are you a control freak about the heat? A gas grill offers more precision in this area. If you're used to cooking on an electric stove, for example, then trying to gauge the level of heat of an open fire may not be something you feel like jumping right in to.
3) Is the smell of cooking food mixed in with smoke and fiery coals important to you? It's a smell that many of us associate with cookouts. And the only way to get it is with a charcoal grill. If it's only the taste of the finished product that you're after, then you can go with either one. Ambiance is the only thing that is really affected here. Taste tends to remain the same whether a gas or charcoal grill is used. Yes, taste tests have been conducted. Yes, there really was absolutely no difference between them.
4) Consider the area in which you live, and the available fuel within it. For example, do you know where to conveniently get charcoal in your neighborhood? You may be leaning towards grilling over an open flame, but if you have to take two buses and a mule to find yourself some charcoal, having the grill won't help you too much. The same consideration goes for gas. Either way, you'll have to figure out what's available to you.
5) How about the cost? This gets a little more complicated. Gas grills are usually more expensive to buy. However, since nothing can be easy, charcoal grills will cost you more in supplies in the long run. As part of your decision, you'll have to figure out whether paying now or paying later is more convenient for you. Always remember that whichever way you go, that great saying does usually hold true, however - "You get what you pay for."
Find the answers to these basic questions, and you will also have the answer to whether gas or charcoal is right for you. And this is the very first step on the path to happy grilling.
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Azlan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, Fathers Day and K 15. Frank Timmons is a researcher and writer working for , where you can get al. Azlan's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
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