Charcoal or Gas: The Endless BBQ Debate

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Charcoal or Gas: The Endless BBQ Debate

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

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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. 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. In just 10 minutes, the grill is ready.

* You can easily control the heat. It gives you the flexibility of pacing the cooking. Some foods need to cook low and slow, while others need high heat for just a short 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.

* 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 to clean. You don’t have to sweep away ashes. A tray to catch the drippings handles most of the cleaning, and you can increase the heat for several minutes in order to burn off the remains so that they can be more easily removed.

* Cost conscious. 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 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 won’t work for the times when you have a sudden desire to 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.

* The cost of briquettes may prove to be quite expensive in the long run.

* 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.

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. 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.

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