The Eternal Barbecue Question: Gas or Charcoal?

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.

* The heat is controllable. You have more leeway when it comes to timing the meal. 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. You can use the gas burner on the side to cook some vegetables, and the rotisserie attachment is ideal for slow cooking a roast.

* Taste. There are those who don’t enjoy the taste of food that’s been cooked over a gas flame. And it certainly doesn’t offer up the distinctive wood smoke taste of food cooked over charcoal.

* 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.

* The initial cost may be high; however there is a wide range of prices to suit any budget.

* It can save you money over the long term if you maintain it properly, provided gas doesn’t skyrocket in price.

Charcoal

* The taste and aroma of smoked wood can’t be beat.

* The purchase price is pretty reasonable initially, but over the long term it might be less so.

* They’re slow, both to get started and throughout the cooking. 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 critical. 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.

* 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.

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