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
* Quick. It only takes 10 minutes or so before you can start cooking.
* 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. The side burner can be used for cooking veggies, and the rotisserie is useful for slow roasting of large cuts of meats.
* Flavor. 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 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. One gas cylinder is enough for 8 hours even at maximum setting.
* 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. Lighting the briquettes and letting them burn down sufficiently can take up to 40 minutes. This can be a problem if you have a sudden urge for barbeque.
* Timing is important. There's no way to regulate the heat, so it's important that you watch your food carefully while it's cooking.
* If you barbeque a lot, the expense of charcoal briquettes can really add up.
* Cleaning out ashes is a tedious job. You have to let the grate cool down completely before you can clean it, and it's a tough job.
Hopefully you'll find these BBQ tips useful in your choice of charcoal or gas. Pick the one that fits both your lifestyle and your budget. Those who lead busy lives might prefer a gas barbeque because they require less time in order to fully cook a meal. But if you have lots of time, charcoal grills win hands down for flavor.
Gas
* Quick. It only takes 10 minutes or so before you can start cooking.
* 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. The side burner can be used for cooking veggies, and the rotisserie is useful for slow roasting of large cuts of meats.
* Flavor. 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 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. One gas cylinder is enough for 8 hours even at maximum setting.
* 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. Lighting the briquettes and letting them burn down sufficiently can take up to 40 minutes. This can be a problem if you have a sudden urge for barbeque.
* Timing is important. There's no way to regulate the heat, so it's important that you watch your food carefully while it's cooking.
* If you barbeque a lot, the expense of charcoal briquettes can really add up.
* Cleaning out ashes is a tedious job. You have to let the grate cool down completely before you can clean it, and it's a tough job.
Hopefully you'll find these BBQ tips useful in your choice of charcoal or gas. Pick the one that fits both your lifestyle and your budget. Those who lead busy lives might prefer a gas barbeque because they require less time in order to fully cook a meal. But if you have lots of time, charcoal grills win hands down for flavor.
About the Author:
Grilling your favorite meats on a BBQ on a hot summer day just can't be beat. But if you're just getting started, it can be hard to know what kind of grill to get, the accessories you need, and how to cook the food. You need to learn some great BBQ Tips.
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