Barbecue parties are a staple of family tradition in the United States, as it is through BBQ with loved ones that we will be able to get to know them better while also enjoying delicious food. There are many ways that people can cook barbecue, although the most traditional and the most common way of cooking it is through the grill. Now, there are also different types of grills, and two of the popular types are the gas grill and the charcoal grill. What is the difference between those two well-known grills?
And what are their advantages and disadvantages against each other? Let us find out as we take a look at some key comparisons between the charcoal grill and the gas grill.
Advantages of Charcoal Grills
As its name already suggest, charcoal grills use burnt charcoal to heat up and cook meat and other ingredients usually found in BBQ parties. Because it uses charcoal instead of gas, this type of grill is usually safer to utilize since it doesn’t need a propane tank, which can be dangerous if not used properly. In addition, charcoal burns hotter than gas, so you will be sure that the meat is cooked up to its center if you and your guests want it well-done. Also, the higher temperature of burnt charcoal is also ideal for fast cooking, thus making it ideal for parties where you want the food to be served as quickly as possible.
Charcoal grills are also relatively lighter than gas grills, as they would often have fewer parts and you wouldn’t need to bring a propane tank with you at the BBQ. While charcoal grills can be quite difficult to use sometimes since you cannot control the heat, most people still prefer using it over gas grills since the charcoal produces the “smoky” flavor for the meat that its make taste like a traditional barbecue.
Disadvantages of Charcoal Grills
Despite being the grill that produces the most authentic barbecue for parties, there are still numerous disadvantages to be considered when using charcoal grills. The first disadvantage is that you cannot control the heat or the temperature of the charcoal once they are burning, as previously stated. Because of this, there is a chance that the meat you are cooking might get overcooked if you don’t pay attention to it while talking to friends or family members.
Furthermore, charcoal grills can be messy at times since the charcoal can produce ashes and dirt, which can be difficult to clean up after the party. Also, there may be instances where the ashes of the charcoal might get to the meat, and these ashes would often produce a bitter flavor for the barbecue. If you are going to use the grill for longer cooking sessions, you will need more than one pack of charcoal since the used charcoal on the grill will lose its heat. All of these disadvantages can be remedied if you just pay attention to what you are cooking. But during BBQ parties with a lot of people who may talk to you, that remedy may be easier said than done.
Advantages of Gas Grills
Using a gas grill can be considered the “modern way” of cooking barbecue, since it has a lot of convenient features that makes it easier for you to cook food during parties. Its main advantages over charcoal grills is that you can easily fire up the gas grill and start cooking instead of waiting for the charcoal to warm up before it can produce enough heat to cook meat. There are a few gas grill models that can turn into charcoal grills, like the ones reviewed by My Grill World, so you can try the best of both worlds to see which one is more suitable for your style of cooking.
Moreover, gas fuel is usually cheaper than charcoal, although you would often buy gas fuel in larger quantities that make them look more expensive. However, it is guaranteed that gas fuel will last longer for cooking than charcoal, as you would need to replace the charcoal after a short session while the gas fuel can last for the entire duration of the party. Gas grills would usually have more accessories available for them, like smoke boxes, flavorizer bars, and side burners. These accessories could help make your barbecue taste much better, especially the smoke box that can add the smoky charcoal flavor on the meat.
Disadvantages of Gas Grills
Similar to charcoal grills, there are also several disadvantages of using gas grills. This type of grill is heavier than the charcoal grill since it has more parts and accessories, and it also needs a propane tank, which is already heavy in itself. Because of its heaviness, you will have a hard time moving the gas grill again once you already set it in place.
There is also the danger of having flare-ups in gas grills, which can be hazardous during the party. While gas grills may have flare-ups, its temperature is still much lower than charcoal, so it would take more time for the barbecue to cook using gas fuel. If the guests aren’t impatient in waiting for food to arrive, the slower cooking time of gas grills wouldn’t really be an advantage for you.
Those are the pros and cons of using charcoal grills and gas grills. The weight of each advantage and disadvantage would still depend on your preference, as there is really no better grill between the two since they are equal in their functions. See which one will elevate your grilling skills and help you cook the best barbecue for your guests.