Which is better when it comes to a barbecue grill - gas or charcoal? People have been arguing this point for many years. There are pluses and minuses to each, but many people have a strong loyalty to whichever type they prefer. 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. In just 10 minutes, the grill is ready.
* You can easily control the heat. It gives you the flexibility of pacing the cooking. 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. Gas can help you easily manage these requirements.
* Versatile. 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. And it certainly doesn't offer up the distinctive wood smoke taste of food cooked over charcoal.
* Easy cleaning. 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.
* The initial cost may be high; however there is a wide range of prices to suit any budget.
* It may prove to be more cost effective in the long run especially if taken good care of, but this depends on the changing prices of gas.
Charcoal
* The flavor and aroma of wood smoking can't be matched.
* 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.
* If you barbeque a lot, the expense of charcoal briquettes can really add up.
* Ashes are a pain to clean out. The grate is hard to clean, and it takes a long time for the unit to cool down enough to clean it.
So there you have some BBQ tips to help you decide between gas and charcoal. Pick the one that fits both your lifestyle and your budget. 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.
Gas
* Fast. In just 10 minutes, the grill is ready.
* You can easily control the heat. It gives you the flexibility of pacing the cooking. 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. Gas can help you easily manage these requirements.
* Versatile. 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. And it certainly doesn't offer up the distinctive wood smoke taste of food cooked over charcoal.
* Easy cleaning. 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.
* The initial cost may be high; however there is a wide range of prices to suit any budget.
* It may prove to be more cost effective in the long run especially if taken good care of, but this depends on the changing prices of gas.
Charcoal
* The flavor and aroma of wood smoking can't be matched.
* 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.
* If you barbeque a lot, the expense of charcoal briquettes can really add up.
* Ashes are a pain to clean out. The grate is hard to clean, and it takes a long time for the unit to cool down enough to clean it.
So there you have some BBQ tips to help you decide between gas and charcoal. Pick the one that fits both your lifestyle and your budget. 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.
About the Author:
Nothing says summer like some great backyard BBQ. But it's not always that easy to prepare a delicious meal on the grill. That's why you need to learn some BBQ Tips. Visit our site for the tips and tricks that will make you a chef of renown in your neighborhood.
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