Basically, you can choose between two types of grills – gas and charcoal powered ones with both versions being available in countless designs, sizes, and special features. Both do their job well and enable you to enjoy your party while preparing the food, however, many people face difficulties when deciding which one to choose. Learn all about charcoal vs gas grill in this article.
The decision between charcoal and gas grill is in reality a matter of personal preferences, however, a comparison between both grills types can make your choice a lot easier. We will therefore take a closer look at both advantages and disadvantages of charcoal and gas grills.
Charcoal Vs Gas Grill – Ease of Use
Both charcoal and gas grill is easy to use but the gas version is in slight advantage, especially if you use gas in your kitchen as well. Unlike charcoal grill which is often challenging to ignite, gas-powered version is easily lighted with a spark lighter, while the heat is regulated with a switch.
Food Taste
Many people claim that food that is grilled on a charcoal grill tastes better than the one that was cooked on a gas-powered version. The heat and smoke from charcoal indeed leave a distinct flavor but on the other hand, the taste is highly subjective and some people dislike the “charcoal flavor”.
Charcoal Vs Gas Grill – Ease of Maintenance
The amount and type of care your new grill will require depends on some factors including its design which makes a comparison between charcoal and gas grill extremely difficult when it comes to ease of maintenance. Generally, gas-powered versions are cleaner which is why you might need less time and effort to keep it in top shape than the charcoal-powered one although masonry charcoal grill, for instance, requires virtually no care and maintenance.
Space
Charcoal grills take less space than gas-powered versions, however, how much space your grill will take primarily depends on its design and size. But generally, you should not have any major difficulties finding the right size for your garden no matter if you are interested in charcoal or gas grill.
Charcoal Vs Gas Grill – Visual Appeal
Both charcoal and gas grills are available in countless styles and designs, and can easily be incorporated into just about every garden style.
Safety
Both charcoal and gas grills are extremely safe if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the basic safety measures.
Charcoal Vs Gas Grill – Price
The prices of both grill types vary greatly and depend on grill size, model, brand, material, and similar factors. For the same amount of money, you will get a comparable quality no matter if you choose a charcoal or gas-powered grill.
You cannot go wrong no matter which grill type you choose as long as it meets your specific needs although it is also important to mention that you do not have to choose between charcoal and gas-powered version if you do not want to because it is also possible to find grills that are powered by both types of fuel.
Grills – Why You Must Have One
What you must have and what you do not need is, of course, up to you to decide, however, a grill is worth considering if you prefer spending your leisure time outdoors, organizing picnics, and enjoying eating a fine meal with your family or/and friends. You can prepare everything you need for a picnic or fine meal in your kitchen, however, the person who is taking care of the food is often excluded from the fun outdoors. But if you have a grill, you are always in the center of the event and you can spend quality time with your family or/and friends while preparing something fine to eat.
In addition to enabling you to enjoy the outdoors while cooking, and keep your kitchen clean and cool during the hot summer days, a grill also enables you to prepare just about any kind of food you like, not just meat. If any of your family members or guests is a vegetarian, you can easily grill some vegetables which can also be served as a side dish to meat lovers. Barbecued food, however, is not only delicious but healthy too because it is prepared without the use of cooking oil. Lastly, inviting everyone to a barbecue party rather than taking them out will also save you lots of money in the long term. The investment in a quality grill pays off relatively soon because a barbecue party can be thrown for just about every occasion including birthdays, anniversaries, special events, etc., of course, if they take place when the weather is warm enough to sit outside.
There are all kinds of barbecue grills to choose from but basically, you can choose between two types – charcoal and gas-powered ones. Which one to choose depends on your personal preferences as well as the space available. Charcoal grills are said to give the food a unique flavor due to smoke and smell, however, some people prefer gas-powered grills because the heat can easily be controlled with a switch, because the food is cooked more evenly and because they are cleaner than charcoal powered versions. Gas grills, however, tend to be heavier than charcoal-powered ones and are highly inconvenient to move around regularly. However, if you decide on a masonry charcoal grill, you will not be able to move it at all although they typically take less space than gas versions. In case you will have difficulties deciding which version of the grill to choose, it is worth remembering that gas and charcoal combination grills are available as well.
Barbecue grills are relatively inexpensive, especially the smaller models which can easily be stored away when not needed. But if you host family gatherings or/and picnics for a larger number of people frequently, it is a good idea to invest in a generously sized barbecue otherwise you will spend the entire day at the barbecue.
Grill Safety Tips
Where is fire there is danger and grills are no exception no matter if you have a gas or charcoal powered one. Grills are extremely safe and there is no need to worry about your own or your family’s safety if you use them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For that reason, you are highly recommended to store the manual and read the instructions if you are having any doubts about its use or maintenance. In addition to carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions for safe barbecuing, make sure to:
Take care of food safety. Just about all types of food harbor potentially dangerous bacteria which can cause serious health problems if ingested. To prevent potential food poisoning, keep food in the refrigerator before use, keep it covered before you put it on the grill, and make sure to cook it thoroughly because heat destroys all potentially harmful germs if the food was stored appropriately. Be sure, however, to avoid extremely high heat because charred food has been linked to cancer.
Choose a proper location. Grills should be kept away from potentially flammable objects as well as from your home to prevent fire from spreading in case something goes seriously wrong. You are highly recommended to make sure that the distance between your grill and the nearest objects is following the recommended minimal distance before you lit it because a grill should never be moved once lit.
Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper care and maintenance. Never postpone grill cleaning and inspect it regularly for problems, especially if you have a gas-powered version. If you notice anything unusual or suspicious, check the manual for potential causes and solutions, and do not use it if you are not sure that it is safe.
Dress appropriately and use proper grill tools. Avoid wearing loose clothing as well as a swimming suit when barbecuing, and use tools that are specially designed for the grill. Also, tie long hair back and wear oven gloves to protect your hands from the heat and fire.
Be careful when lighting charcoal and make sure that the ash is cold before you dispose of it. You are highly recommended never to use flammable liquids to lit charcoal because the fire can burst into an uncontrollable flame which in turn can cause serious injuries. You are also recommended to be highly careful when disposing of the ash and always make sure that it is really cold before you dispose of it.
Keep the kids away from the grill and never leave it unattended. Do not allow your kids to play near the grill and make sure that someone takes over if you have to use the toilet or leave the grill for any other reason even if it will take just a few moments.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. If you use your grill according to the manufacturer’s instructions and if you follow the grill safety tips mentioned above, you probably will not need a fire extinguisher. Despite that, you are highly recommended to keep it nearby to be able to react immediately if necessary.
Which Grills Are Made in the USA?
Here’s a list of some grills that are made in the USA. Charcoal vs gas grill is another question, but here are the ones made in the USA.
- Used by the US National Park Service in parks all over the USA
- Commercial Grade - Heavy duty 7ga (approximately 3/16") steel plate
- 5/8" Solid Steel Vertical Adjustment bars
- Model #: SDBOCP
- BTUs: 25,000
- Fuel Type: Liquid Propane
- Made In The USA
- 95% Assembled
- 20 Year Warranty
- Unique oval shape opens the door to diverse cooking options
- SuperCeramic is protected by a lead-free and scratch-resistant glaze
- Ceramic technology and porcelain-coated cooking grates ensure even heating across the entire grill surface
- Patented stainless steel Dual-Tube burners with 2 ribbons of flame per burner and a 15-year warranty
- Flav-r-Wave heat plates that provide the ultimate in even heat and vaporization; delivering real grilled flavor
- Proudly made in North America - with domestic and globally sourced components
We hope this article about charcoal vs gas grill will be useful. We recommend our article about camping gear for the winter essential list.
