Gas, Charcoal or Electric—Which Type of Grill Should You Use for Barbecue?

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Table of Contents:

• All about Charcoal, Gas, and Electric Grills:

1) Charcoal Grills

-Pros of Charcoal Grills

-Cons of Charcoal Grills

2) Gas Grills

-Pros of Gas Grills

-Cons of Gas Grills

3) Electric Grills

-Pros of Electric Grills

-Cons of Electric Grills

• The factors that you need to consider while choosing a grill:

1) Convenience

2) Taste

3) Space

4) Health

5) Cost

Barbecuing is a favorite summertime activity and if you own an outdoor lawn, barbecue weekends are a great way to engage in family time. Choosing the right kind of grill is always a big-time question. The answer is there’s no one perfect grill that wins over the rest. Choosing a kind of grill depends mostly on what kind of grilling you want; the convenience, the costs, and the taste among many factors. The choice would invariably vary among people hence we are providing a guide to gas, charcoal, and electric grills and which one should you consider based upon your needs. Remember each kind has its pro and cons. Also, grilling can lead to a pile of dishware and cookware for washing. You’ll need some space for drying as well. Check out some good dish dyers and drainers over here.  

All about Charcoal, Gas, and Electric Grills:

1) Charcoal Grills

Traditional grills have always used coal-based fuel sources. Charcoal grilling is popular for providing the distinctive charbroiled, smoky flavor that gets infused into the meats and vegetables due to using charcoal for barbecuing. Charcoal Weber Grills are extremely popular and the foremost choice when it comes to buying this type of barbecue grill. The food can be cooked directly by searing the barbecue items directly above the coals or indirectly by pushing the coals to the side. The indirect method cooks the food slower. Charcoal grills come in different styles like brazier grill, kettle grill, barrel grill, cart grill, Kamado grill (Japanese inspiration providing convection style heating), and portable grills.

Pros of Charcoal Grills:

·        Gives the barbecue the much sought-after charbroiled or wood-smoked flavor that produces a delicious aroma in the food

·        Budget-friendly option

·        Charcoal is an easily obtainable source of fuel

·        Quick searing of barbecue vegetables and meat creating a caramelized outside

Cons of Charcoal Grills:

·        Emits a lot of smoke which contains carcinogenic compounds

·        Using charcoal is not an eco-friendly option

·        You cannot turn it on or off like gas or electric stoves/grillers

·        Takes a lot of time to heat up and reach the smoking point to start grilling. They can’t be turned off as the charcoal needs to be left for cooling down on its own

·        You need open space for charcoal grilling as it emits a lot of smoke. If you live in a housing apartment, using a charcoal grill might not be possible

2) Gas Grills

Gas grills impart a different kind of smoky flavor which also makes the barbecued food tasty. They are an overlap between charcoal and electric grills; having a bit of pro from both options. They can produce a high flame for searing the barbecue with temperature control. They can be fueled by natural gas or propane gas tanks. Gas grills come with add-on features like a smoker box, side burners, and a rotisserie setup. This enhances their utility. However, they are usually quite big in size and not so transport friendly.

Pros of Gas Grills:

·        Cooks food quickly. You don’t have to wait for about half an hour like charcoal grills to begin cooking

·        Gives a smoky flavor to the food

·        Comes with more features than charcoal or electric grills

·        Doesn’t emit harmful smoke and carcinogen

Cons of Gas Grills:

·        If it uses a natural gas line, it is non-portable

·        Propane gas tanks can be dangerous and need to be connected properly

·        They emit a lot of heat and thus need a lot of space for barbecuing

·        They are bigger in size than charcoal and electric grills

3) Electric Grills

Electric grills have recently gained popularity because of being energy efficient, accessible, and a healthy option for grilling. They are available in various sizes and are easy to transport. They can be used for personal-sized serving, large outdoors, or one-countertop serving. They only require a power outlet for plugging in. The only downside to it is the lack of smoky or charbroiled flavor you’d get from a gas or charcoal grill. Weber Grills come in a range of hard-to-resist electric grill models that makes urban barbeque a wish come true. They are ideal for home parties in apartments and limited indoor spaces.

Pros of Electric Grills:

·        Healthy as it doesn’t produce smoke or carcinogens

·        Safer than gas grills

·        Heats up quicker than other grills

·        Easy to operate

·        Perfect for indoor usage or limited space

·        Cost-effective and doesn’t require refuelings like charcoal or gas tanks

Cons of Electric Grills

·        Doesn’t impart the classic charbroiled taste you’d get from charcoal grills or the smokiness from gas grills

·        Needs access to a power outlet for functioning

The factors that you need to consider while choosing a grill:

1.      Convenience

The more convenience you look for the more compromise you’ll have to make in terms of taste and flavor. This is a hard pill to swallow. Charcoal grills are the cheapest but need quite an amount of work to barbecue. However, the efforts do yield fruit in terms of deliciously flavored food. Gas grills occupy too much space but they also impart a smoky flavor. When it comes to electric grills nothing can beat the convenience of flipping the switch for grilling. There’s also no need for refueling unlike charcoal and gas grills unless you have a steady connection of natural gas line for the gas grill. But that would mean it cannot be transported, so it’s a win for the electric grill when it comes to convenience. However, you need to ask yourself whether you’re looking for a quick grill option or want to invest in a barbecue grill as a hobby? If you are a holiday barbecue person then you may want to opt for the traditional charcoal grill. With a little practice, you can soon have your way with it.

2.      Taste

When it comes to enjoying charbroiled meats and veggies, the charcoal grill is the way to go. You can definitely achieve a smoky taste with gas grills. However, if you are cooking large meat pieces that need slow roasting with a deep smoke flavor like steaks, charcoal is the best option. Sadly, electric grills cannot help in this regard.

3.      Space

Small, covered spaces are a big no for charcoal and gas grills. Charcoal grills produce a lot of smoke and flare-ups while gas grills give off considerable flare-ups as well. There’s a greater risk of fire with gas grills and they should be kept away from any housing structure. Electric grills do not produce smokes, flare-ups, or occupy a lot of space themselves. Always consider the space where the grill is going to sit before you choose a grill.

4.      Health

Electric grills provide the healthiest option when it comes to grilling. Neither does it produce carcinogens nor does it use unsustainable fuels for cooking. So it’s good for both human health and the environment. Sometimes, people also prefer the healthier tasting meat over the smoky flavor. So, in that case, it can be an all-win situation for an electric grill.

5.      Cost

Charcoal grills are the cheapest option if you consider the initial investment. However, charcoal itself doesn’t come cheap and may lead to higher costs in the long run. Gas grills are the most expensive among the three options. Unless you have a natural gas line supply for your home cooking which you can use for the grill as well, buying gas tanks can be quite expensive and the grills themselves are costly too. Electric grills can also sustain considerable initial expenses but the steady supply of power cuts down on costs in the long run.

So now you have a comprehensive guide to choosing the right kind of grill according to your needs. There’s no generic single best option. Rather, the best option is the one that’d suit you perfectly. Weber Grills are the most popular grills sold worldwide so our recommendation would be to check out their range of products.