Charcoal or Gas: The Endless BBQ Debate
Which is better when it comes to a barbecue grill – gas or charcoal? The debate has been going on for quite a long time now. Each has its pros and cons, and people are often fiercely loyal to their chosen method of grilling. But if you’re new to barbeque cooking and you don’t know where to start, here’s a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Gas
* Fast. It only takes 10 minutes or so before you can start cooking.
* The heat is controllable. You have more leeway when it comes to timing the meal. Sometimes you need to cook something over low heat for an extended period, and other times it needs to be at a higher temperature for less time. With gas, it’s easy to handle these things.
* Flexible. You can use the gas burner on the side to cook some vegetables, and the rotisserie attachment is ideal for slow cooking a roast.
* Taste. Some people don’t like the flavor of food prepared on a gas grill. Plus, you won’t get the aromatic flavor of wood smoke that you will with a charcoal flame.
* Easy to clean. You don’t have to sweep away ashes. Drip trays will take care of most of the mess, and turning the heat up for 10 minutes or so will burn off the rest so it can be easily scraped off.
* Cost effective. You can get eight hours of grilling out of a single propane tank.
* Your upfront costs might be higher, but there are a lot of different price points to fit most budgets.
* It can save you money over the long term if you maintain it properly, provided gas doesn’t skyrocket in price.
Charcoal
* The taste and aroma of smoked wood can’t be beat.
* The purchase price is pretty reasonable initially, but over the long term it might be less so.
* They require a lot more time, not just to cook but also to prepare. From the time the briquettes are lit and have burned down enough to start cooking, 40 minutes have probably gone by. This can be a problem if you have a sudden urge for barbeque.
* Timing is important. There is no heat control, so you have to keep a close eye on your food.
* The cost of briquettes may prove to be quite expensive in the long run.
* Cleaning out ashes is a tedious job. The grate is hard to clean, and it takes a long time for the unit to cool down enough to clean it.
Hopefully you’ll find these BBQ tips useful in your choice of charcoal or gas. You should choose the one which fits not only your budget, but also your lifestyle. Busy people might want to get a gas grill as they are highly effective time wise. However, if you have some time on your hands, you can’t beat the flavor that charcoal gives.
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