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.