There are very few things better in life than entertaining your friends or family with a summer BBQ. Grilling is one of the most popular and effective methods of cooking up a storm that your guests will love, but should you opt for a charcoal grill or a gas one?
This is one of the most common questions that homeowners ask, so to help you, we have taken a closer look at the pros and cons of each option.
Charcoal Grilling
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When deciding on the location of your garden, there are several things you will need to consider:
For many people, charcoal grilling is the only way to host a summer BBQ. As one of the original methods of cooking outdoors, a charcoal grill can be a fantastic addition to any garden.
What Are The Pros Of Charcoal Grilling?
When it comes to cooking your summer BBQ, charcoal grilling can provide you with a wide range of benefits, including:
1) Higher Temperatures
One of the biggest benefits of cooking with charcoal is that it often reaches far higher temperatures in comparison to gas grilling. Typically, with red hot charcoals, your grill will be able to reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit, which ensures that you can enjoy far quicker cooking times.
No matter whether you are looking to cook burgers, chicken, or whole beef briskets, charcoal grilling will be able to handle it all. There are some gas grills that will be able to replicate these temperatures, but they can be very expensive.
2) Create A Delicious Smoky Flavor
Another major benefit of using charcoal grilling for your summer BBQ is that it is a great way to enhance the flavor of your food. The high temperatures not only help to cook the meat quicker, but it also encourages the fat to drip from the meat onto the coals below.
In turn, this turns into steam and smoke that is packed with flavor, helping to transform the taste of your meat. Alongside this, the smoke produced from burning coals helps to infuse the meat, creating a delicious taste that will ensure your summer BBQ is one to remember.
3) More Cost-Effective
Finally, the other major benefit of using charcoal grilling is that it is one of the most cost-effective BBQ options on the market. A standard charcoal grill can cost under $30, while the high-end and luxury options could be three to four times that much.
This is in comparison to gas grills, which can be considerably more than this.
What Are The Cons Of Charcoal Grilling?
While there can be no denying the many benefits that come from charcoal grilling, there are some downsides to using this method. This includes:
1) Long Heat-Up Time
One of the biggest downsides to grilling with charcoal is that it can take a long time for the coals to reach the required temperatures for cooking. On average, using charcoal requires up to 20 minutes to reach optimal temperatures, but it is not unknown for this to take longer.
The overall time for charcoal to reach cooking temperature will depend on a number of factors. This includes the type of coals being used, the size of the BBQ grill, and the methods used to light the charcoal.
2) Fuel Can Be Expensive
Another considerable downside to charcoal grilling is that it can become an expensive choice if you are regularly hosting summer BBQs. Unlike gas grills, which can see a typical cylinder last upwards of 25 days, bags of charcoal typically only last for a handful of BBQ sessions.
This means that it can become a major expense if you are hosting a weekly cookout with your friends and family. These costs will only increase further if you are opting for higher-quality coals that offer a clean burn or those coals that are made from hardwood.
3) Can Be Messy
Grilling with charcoal is also a very messy method of cooking. While a gas grill will just require a quick clean using a stiff brush, charcoal grills require a much more thorough clean. Firstly, users will need to empty any ashes and remnants from the BBQ before then scrubbing and washing out the BBQ.
Cleaning your grill is also essential to ensure that your food remains as tasty as possible.
Gas Grilling
When it comes to summer BBQing, the use of a gas grill is one of the most efficient options for homeowners, allowing them to quickly cook up delicious meals.
What Are The Benefits Of Gas Grills?
There are many benefits to using gas grills for your next summer BBQ, including:
1) Better For You And The Environment
One of the biggest positives of using a gas grill is that they are not only better for you but also far better for the environment. Research has shown that meats that have been cooked on a gas grill have fewer carcinogens while using a gas grill can also help individuals to reduce their carbon footprint by a third.
2) Quicker Cooking
Gas grilling is also a far quicker alternative compared to using a charcoal BBQ. Users simply need to click the ignition button, and the grill will begin heating up. While charcoal can take upwards of 20 minutes, a gas grill is almost instant and can be set to any temperature in a matter of minutes.
3) Versatility
Cooking on a gas grill is also a far more versatile solution in comparison to a charcoal grill. The smoke from coals can overpower the taste of certain foods, particularly vegetables and seafood. Using gas prevents this from happening, allowing you to enjoy the full flavor of your foods.
What Are The Cons Of Gas Grilling?
Just like charcoal grilling, using a gas BBQ does have many benefits. However, it does also have some downsides. Including:
1) Assembly Time
While a gas grill can transform your summer BBQ, one of the biggest negatives is the time taken to assemble the unit. No matter whether it is an entry-level grill or a top-of-the-range solution, they can take a long time to put together.
2) Safety
Although safety standards are incredibly high on these devices, using gas cylinders can be risky. Homeowners should ensure that their grill is at least ten feet from their property while also keeping it free from grease, which can be a fire risk.
3) Portability
Finally, one of the other major downsides to using a gas grill is the lack of portability. These units are heavier and larger than coal alternatives, making it harder to move around your garden.
Final Thoughts
Charcoal and gas grills both have their pros and cons, so it can be tough to know which is the best option for you. That is why you should take the time to understand your needs and requirements, allowing you to find the perfect solution for your summer BBQ.
Come by Jacksons Home & Garden today to speak with one of our grill experts to help get you started on your dream grill setup, we’ve got everything you need and more!