If it’s summertime, you know it’s time for that special barbecue with friends and relatives in your backyard. And for the most successful get-together, you will need to have a reliable grill for your cookout. When it comes to choosing the right grill for your barbecue, there are two main options from which to choose, namely; gas and charcoal grills. Each of these grills is popular in its own right. But it’s important to understand what each of them has to offer. Here are some of the pros and cons of both gas and charcoal grills.
Gas Grills
Gas grills are a good example of how innovation is changing long-held traditions and lifestyles. Just a few decades ago, people relied solely on charcoal grills for their barbecues, and although these traditional grills are still very much in use, they are slowly being replaced by their gas counterparts. But what’s pushing people to use gas grills? There are numerous benefits that come with gas grills. The following are some of the pros and cons of a gas grill.
Pros
Convenient
Compared to charcoal, propane gas is cheaper and easier to keep on hand. Virtually every household today is connected to the gas supply line, and you might be able to get your grill hooked up right to the supply. Even if you can’t, it’s easy enough to buy a refillable propane container, which will last for many cookouts to come, unlike dirty, heavy bags of charcoal that are quickly depleted. Therefore, this makes the use of cooking gas more convenient than charcoal.
Less Fumes and Ash
When you are cooking with charcoal, you have to put up with a lot of smoke and ash, which can easily cause health compilations and pollution. It also looks unsafe to have clouds of smoke coming out of your backyard. What’s more, your guests will be able to enjoy their delicious meal without having to put up with overwhelming smoke and ash.
Easy to Clean
In the absence of smoke and ash, the grill becomes easy to clean and does not require frequent repairs and maintenance. A lot of charcoal grills lose their original looks and become rusty so quickly due to constant exposure to smoke and corrosive ash. Consequently, you will have to keep replacing them every so often.
Temperature Control
Gas grills come with features that allow you to regulate the amount of fire and heat generated. This gives you control over how your meat is cooked. Unfortunately, most charcoal grills do not have these features, which often leads to overcooking.
Cons
Limited Mobility
If your gas grill is hooked up to the gas line at home, it’s very difficult to move it around the backyard or patio. This can make your cookouts not so exciting, especially if you want to move your grill from one position to another in order to make space for your guests. Even those that are not hooked up to the gas line come with heavy gas cylinders that are quite difficult to carry around. Therefore, if you want a grill that can be moved around easily, then a gas grill is not the ideal choice.
Fire Hazards
Uncontrolled flare-ups are very common during barbecues. Such flare-ups can be dangerous when you are using a gas grill, especially if it has a leakage. These fire hazards are a danger not only to you and your guests but also to your property.
Inadequate Heat
Unlike charcoal, gas doesn’t generate too much heat, which can lead to undercooked foods. Furthermore, gas grills are not very good at retaining heat for a long time and so the food is not cooked evenly. Generally, meat requires enough heat to melt all the fat and to retain sufficient moisture. Unfortunately, this is not always achievable with a gas grill.
Charcoal Grills
Even though they have been around for the longest time, charcoal grills are still very much relevant when it comes to cookouts and barbecues. In fact, many people still prefer to use charcoal grills over gas grills. But why? See the following pros and cons of charcoal grills.
Pros
Portable
By and large, charcoal grills make it easier for you to move your barbecue to any part of your home since they are not hooked up to any gas lines. So, you can easily create space for your guests by simply moving your charcoal grill away from the dining area. You can even carry it around to the field and other areas where you wish to do your cookout. They’re usually smaller and more compact than their gas counterparts.
More Heat
Compared to gas, charcoal burns hotter. So, a charcoal grill will cook your meat evenly and allow all the fat to melt. Charcoal grills also retain heat longer than gas units, which significantly reduces the amount of charcoal you use throughout the cookout.
Flavor and Nutrients
Many people prefer to use charcoal grills for their barbecues because they add a delicious smoke flavor to the meat, which is an essential part of any barbecue. And since it is able to retain heat for a long time, it allows the meat to cook fully while enabling it to retain enough moisture and nutrients.
Cons
Smoky and Messy
The main problem with a charcoal grill is the overwhelming smoke and ash. These elements usually leave the meat looking smoky and messy. They also make it hard for you to clean the grill. They also leave the grill looking old and rusty.
Poor Temperature Control
These grills do not have the right temperature control features, which leaves your meat prone to burning. In most cases, you will be forced to remove charcoal from the grill to prevent overcooking, which can look awkward in front of guests.
In conclusion, there are many factors that determine the type of grill you choose for your summer BBQ. Nevertheless, you have to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of each grill so that you can make an informed decision.
