Depending who you are and how you cook, there are both pros and cons to cooking with charcoal or gas grills. Decide what you like, which features most appeal to you, and other things you’re not willing to compromise on to determine which grill suits you best.
Here are some of the key factors that will help you decide.
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Price is always a deciding factor no matter what you’re buying. If it makes a difference, gas grills are typically much more expensive than charcoal grills.
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How much cooking area do you need? Do you grill for huge crowds or just a small family? This will be a big factor in deciding which grill to buy. If you’re only grilling brats for three, a 75-square-inch grill should do the trick. Keep in mind that the complete cooking area that’s listed on the manufacturer’s sticker also includes the warming rack if it comes with one. So, that could mean the actual surface is smaller if that’s the case.
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Regardless if you buy a charcoal or gas grill, get one with wheels. Sometimes you may want to move your grill whether it’s due to the direction of the wind, the rays of the sun, or just to accommodate more space.
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Is time an issue when you grill? If so, you’ll probably do better with a gas grill. Gas grills heat up significantly faster and are usually easier to clean, while charcoal grills take longer to heat and much harder to clean after each cooking session. Spend the extra money on a gas grill if time is a factor and you simply want the convenience of an instant heat source to cook on. Also, most people prefer knobs so they can easily control heat and temperature.
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Be sure the grill you select has easy accessibility to the drip tray (gas) or ash pan (charcoal). These are a plus when it comes time to clean up.
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If you decide on a charcoal grill, only buy one with a lid since it keeps the smoke inside where it belongs as well as decreasing the amount of time to cook. If possible, look for a charcoal grill with a built-in igniter. Charcoal models typically require lighter fluid, but with an igniter feature there’s no need to fumble any longer with lighters or matches in addition to being somewhat safer.
Final Tips
When searching for the perfect grill, look carefully at the finish. Is it painted? Painted grills will not withstand the weather elements the same as a stainless steel model. It may cost a bit more initially, but in the end it will last much longer.
Grills with added shelving are a no-brainer and a real plus. You can never have enough surface area whether you’re cooking inside or out. Also, gas grills with side burners are great for making side dishes and sauces.
If you live in a condo or apartment, make sure it’s okay to have and use a grill before actually buying one.
These tips should give you some sense of whether you want to go with a gas grill or charcoal. One last tidbit, the flavor of food tastes different depending whether it was cooked on gas or charcoal – only you can decide.
