For as long as gas grills have existed, there have been folks opting for charcoal over gas or vice versa. The debate rages on for both practical and emotional reasons, and there are benefits to owning both of these types of grills. Various BBQ smoker reviews will tend to favor wood fired or charcoal fired cooking. However, you can get good results from gas also.
Let’s take a look at both options, with charcoal followed by their gas-powered cousins. Read what we have to say here, and consider each point as you make up your mind as to which is better for you.
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills are the traditional standard, with wood fired grills being the only version with more history. These grills are fueled by either traditional briquettes or the more natural and – most feel – better quality lump charcoal. Grills like the Weber Kettle are most traditionally viewed as the standard bearer when it comes to the charcoal model. They are typically shaped like – well, a kettle – with a round bottom and a metal grate on top. People who remain completely loyal to using charcoal grills only are this way because they feel that a better taste is produced by using charcoal instead of gas. This is due to the fact that the charcoal heats at a much higher temperature than gas does, and it also imparts flavors from the wood from which it was produced.
Pricing for charcoal grills runs from very reasonable to downright luxury level. You can find lower end kettle style grills for around $50, and hit the other end of the spectrum with a credit card melting $750 Weber charcoal grill. As far as brand names are concerned, you can’t go wrong with either a Weber kettle or a Char-Broil model. The kettle style grills are great for offering up a large surface area on which to cook, and are my personal favorite for this reason.
Lighting a charcoal grill by trying to mess around with a small pile of coals in the middle or using a starter patch of sorts is not the best way to go about getting a charcoal grill up and running. The best way to light a charcoal grill and get it rocket hot in no time is to use what is called a chimney starter. Basically, this is a metal tube with a base and handle on one side. It has medium sized holes cut all over the sides, which allow air flow in. Douse a piece of paper towel with cooking oil, jam it in the bottom, light it, and your coals will be lit in no time.
Once you get your charcoal grill up and running, you’ll need to play with opening and closing the vents to get it to maintain the temperature you’re after.
Gas Grills
Gas grills are available in all shapes and sizes. You can get large built in ranges, small bachelor sized cookers, gas grills with side burners for pots, and many more. These grills are normally a snap to light, usually by the push of a button, and controlling heat on them is not a problem at all. Adjusting the temperature is also easier than with a charcoal grill; as all you have to do is turn the dial to the desired flame height or degree measurement.
Gas grills are fueled with either natural gas or propane, and one tank will last a long while
Be sure that the gas grill you go with has burners on each side. This will allow you to cook using the indirect method of grilling when you want to.
While you will not get the smoky wood taste from a gas grill that you might from charcoal, the ease of use and different additions may be more what you’re looking for.
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