Seems Gas is the way to go from a convenience standpoint; but, charcoal is the way to go from a flavor standpoint.
What company makes the best of each?
Originally posted 2009-04-09 06:18:14.
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Charcoal grill better alternative than a Gas grill?
Seems Gas is the way to go from a convenience standpoint; but, charcoal is the way to go from a flavor standpoint.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Weber and Weber
well man..I can make some awesome burgers with my gas stainless steel grill…charcoal takes too long to light…and you can always smoke meats on a gas one…just throw some seasoning on the tray and itll smoke the meat…atleast on mine…lol
Some people seem to think at charcoal produces a better flavor. Some people claim that gas makes for better flavor. Really it is a matter of choice. Taking everything in to account I would go gas It offers easier clean up, and simple way to control heat. Plus chances are that the last steak you ordered at that fancy restaurant was cooked on a gas grill.
In our county in California, charcoal is illegal !! Yet Natural gas is unavailable because we’re too rural… so it’s propane !! It heats up faster than charcoal and is much more versatile.
We have a LARGE (30) freestanding gas grill (Propane Gas) with deluxe cart by Easychef
To improve flavor we just add some soaked wood chips (mesquite, hickory, or apple).
I’d have to say charcoal gives the best flavour, although it is messier and a you have to watch it more because you can’t really control the temp. Gas grills are good because you can clean them and control the heat. Brand names, well, buy a good quality briquette and have a large enough BBQ pit to hold them like a smoker. Gas grills, I’m not 100% sure of the brand names but Sears, Lowes and Home Depot carry a great selection. The ceramic grills are the highest quality but super expensive. I bought a Char-Broil from Sears for $100 and it’s lasted me 2 years so far and I use it a lot. Had to replace the removable metal plate inside though.
Gas grills fire up much faster than charcoal.
They provide strong, even heat, are far easier to light (just turn on), and offer excellent temperature control.
Look for a gas grill that’s sturdy and heats quickly. Porcelain-coated grates help prevent sticking, and extra features, such as side burners or rotisseries, are interesting options.
Purists swear by the distinctive flavor of a charcoal grill, as well as the backyard barbecue ritual–piling on the charcoal, laying the fire, lighting it, and moving food from hotter to cooler cooking areas.
Look for a charcoal grill with a cover and large grilling surface and, if possible, an adjustable grate and firebox.
To light a charcoal grill, skip the lighter fluid, which can give food a strange chemical aftertaste.
Get a chimney–a cylindrical, metal apparatus that holds briquettes in a tight pile so they heat quickly. After heating, pour the coals into your grill and get cooking.
Woods like cherry or apple have a sweet smoky flavor and compliments poultry or seafood. Before using woods to smoke your food, soak the wood for at least 20 minutes in water before adding to the fire. If using a gas grill, you can buy a cast iron smoking box which will contain the ashes in your grill and they work very well.
I love my gas grill I can even use it when it rains. Suffice it to say that my gas grill is used year round, and for almost every dinner. You’d be surprised at how many dishes you can make on the grill, and they are healthier. The pest part is no big mess in the kitchen!
Charcoal is okay propane is quicker but campfire is the best.
i have a weber kettle for the charcoal and a weber gas grill. I used to be a staunch advocate for charcoal. But I have slowly converted to gas grill exclusievely just for pure convenience. I can preheat the gas grill in 15 minutes and have dinner on the table in half an hour on a week night. I don’t have time for the charcoal anymore. And if you want to add flavor to a gas grill, get a smoker attachment.
Gotta go with charcoal. Better flavor and more fun. Cooking outside should include a big dose of fun. Gas is very controlled. Charcoal is pretty wild. For maximum fun and flavor, try wood.
I just bought a Weber Silver 22.5. This will be my grill for the next few years I guess. It follows a Sunbeam, and a couple of Meccos. They last a few years before rusting out. The Weber cost a bit more but it has a really classic look to it. Grilled a few chicken breasts tonight. They turned out great.
We’ve gotten excellent results over the years with Weber gas and charcoal grills. Keep in mind that the grilled flavor comes from the juices vaporizing when they hit a hot surface, so you can get delicious results from either type of grill (although I still enjoy the ceremonial lighting of the charcoal fire, unique charcoal taste, etc.)
If portability is a consideration, we’re having great fun with our Weber Q. It will go just about anywhere, and the fire control settings have been right on the money.
You might also find the cookout calculator at charcoalbob.com helpful. Enter the details such as the type of grill, cuts of meat, thickness and doneness you want. It will give you instructions for how to grill steaks, pork chops, burgers, chicken breasts and the like to perfection. It also has grilling tips.