Choosing Between Charcoal and Gas Barbeques

Charcoal or gas: which is the best choice in a BBQ? 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 just starting out with barbeque cooking and trying to decide which to buy, here’s a look at what each has to offer.

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. Some foods need to cook low and slow, while others need high heat for just a short time. With gas, it’s easy to handle these things.

* Flexible. The side burner can be used for cooking veggies, and the rotisserie is useful for slow roasting of large cuts of meats.

* Taste. There are those who don’t enjoy the taste of food that’s been cooked over a gas flame. Plus, you won’t get the aromatic flavor of wood smoke that you will with a charcoal flame.

* Easy cleaning. 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 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.

* Initial cost is low, but it may not be efficient in the long run.

* 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’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. 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. 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. However, if you have some time on your hands, you can’t beat the flavor that charcoal gives.