Gas barbeques vs. charcoal briquette barbeques: which grill is for you?

May 24, 6:20 PMSeattle Garden & Kitchen ExaminerJerry & Kristy

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   Do you prefer gas or charcoal briquettes?

Summer or as many call it: the grilling season is upon us. While families across the nation agree that summer Barbeques are great, there is always that underlying debate of which is better: charcoal briquettes or gas. Let’s break down the 2 top pros and cons of both sides:

Gas Grilling
Gas grills are barbeques which are fueled by liquid propane. The propane is stored in refillable tanks which are hooked to the grill.

Gas Grill Pros

1. Ease of lighting and controlling a gas grill
It is hard to argue that fact that gas grills are both easier to light and then control than a charcoal grill.  With a gas fired grill you simply turn the ignite knob or individually light the elements with a lighter to produce your heat source.

Once you have your heat going (close the lid to heat the grates) you simply use the element knobs to control the heat levels.

2. Gas grills are easy to keep clean
Since there are no charcoal briquettes used, clean up is much easier with a gas grill. After switching the grill off the only clean up needed is on the grates.

Gas Grill Cons

1. Taste of the food from a gas grill
Charcoal grill masters will argue that the flavor of foods cooked on a gas grill lacks that genuine barbecue flavor many people strive for. Even though you can add woodchips to alter the favor some, many feel there is still no comparison to food cooked over charcoal briquette.

2.  Cost of Gas grills and propane gas
There is no doubt that gas grills are a lot more expensive than an equal sized grill that uses charcoal briquettes. Then there is the cost of the replacement propane gas tanks that add to the cost.

Charcoal Briquette Grilling
Charcoal grills are barbeques which are fueled by charcoal briquettes. The briquettes are bought in bags at most grocery and discount stores such as Wal-Mart.

Charcoal Briquette Grill Pros

1. Taste, taste, and taste from charcoal briquettes
The main benefit that charcoal burning grilling has over gas grilling is the taste. It is simply the best way to give your barbequed food that smoky taste so many people enjoy.

 2. Cost of a charcoal burning grill
Grills that use charcoal briquettes are much cheaper than equal sized gas grills. They are also available in much smaller sizes allowing them to be easily transported to the game, day trips or campsites. Briquettes are also much cheaper than propane gas.

Charcoal Briquette Grill Cons

1.Time building and maintain a charcoal briquette heat source
A charcoal briquette fire takes a lot longer to get going than just a switch! The briquettes have to added, lit (pyramid method, charcoal chimney starter.etc) and then there is the long wait while the coals get hot enough. 

Once the coals are white hot, (15 to 45 minutes) there is the problem of maintaining the proper heat level. It is easier to do if you can leave some cooler parts (without many briquettes) so that once the meat is seared, it can be moved over to finish cooking.

 2. The mess of cleaning a charcoal burning grill
After enjoying that delicious smoky flavored barbeque, you are left with a much longer clean up than with a gas grill. You need to wait until the ashes are no longer warm and then deal with emptying them from the grill. The basin needs to be cleaned after emptying and the grates will need to be cleaned as well.

Personally, we have both type of Barbeques and our choice is based upon what we are grilling. We have some great Barbequed recipes (to follow soon) but you know it is hard to beat an old fashion family picnic with hot dogs and hamburgers cooking over a simple briquette fire.

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