What kind of grill is better? Charcoal or gas?

Question

I am needing to get a grill to make dinner after work. What is better? I want to make quick meals but want a good taste to the meats.

Answer 1

Gas is definitely easier and less messy. . .and charcoal enables you get develop better tasting meats (in terms of smokiness, etc.)

Why not compromise and get a gas fired grill that also has a smoking box (wood chips)? Weber has them on a few models. . .mine works fine.

Bon Appetit!

Answer 2

Charcoal is definately better. Gas may very well be quicker but if you're after quality taste it's worth the extra time. One point, make sure you're briquets are white before adding the meat to the grill or fire. Also use a empty vegetable can about 3/4 full of water set directly over the coals to create steam. This will help keep the meat from drying out.

Answer 3

As others have said, charcoal provides a richer flavor but gas is much faster and more convenient. Get the most expensive one you can afford for the minimum size you need - quality really counts as the better models (Weber, Vermont Castings, Amana, etc.) have much more durable burners and cases.

Two suggestions for imparting your food with a more natural charcoal taste, even when cooked on a gas grill. First - use a cast iron smoker box (about ten to twenty bucks for a heavy duty one, available at Walmart, Sears, Home Depot, and many other places) and insert wet wood chips (hickory, mesquite, apple, cherry, maple, etc.) in it while you are cooking. This is especially good with thicker meats that take a longer time to cook.

Second, add a little bit of "Liquid Smoke" (many different brands available) to your grilling sauces and marinades.

You will find that the precise control and low heat settings of a gas grille enable you to cook many foods that would be too delicate for a hot charcoal fire, requiring you to fuss and arrange constantly with the charcoal.

Good luck!

Answer 4

That's the balancing problem right there. Charcoal does have a slight edge for flavor, but gas is so very much faster that I find it worth the trade. Especially if you keep your gas grill clean. If it's for tonight, however, you might be better off grabbing a little hibachi and cooking with charcoal just because it's much faster to set up for the first time, to get you through tonight. Later when you have more time you can look at investing in a good gas bbq that will make your life easier for the rest of the time that you own it.

Answer 5

Charcoal definently. As long as you stack your coals and don't overcoat them in fluid, your food will taste so much better. And usually if you get your coals going first, by the time your done getting your meats and stuff ready to be cooked, the coals are ready. If you're gonna go with propane, you might as well just buy a grill for your stove and cook on it. I've had both and I would never ever trade my charcoal grill for a gas grill.

Answer 6

Quick meals are made on gas stoves... they don't take as long to heat up, but charcoal makes food taste better. You can buy gas grills that have special adapters where you can add in wood chips and such so the food tastes better... maybe you should check into something like that instead....

Answer 7

at a similar time as a charcoal grill theoretically promises greater effective efficient flavour, i'm greater effective helpful than pleased with my Weber gasoline grill. it particularly is plenty greater effective obtainable than charcoal - twist a knob, push a button and 10 minutes later we are good to grill. on a similar time as i p.c.. the woody flavour, i will upload some wood chips in a pouch and get an in intensity equivalent. I say theoretically for the charcoal flavour pondering many use gobs of lighter fluid and low-priced, guy-made charcoal. i earnings from the grill three hundred and sixty 5 days-around up precise right here in Michigan and does no longer bypass decrease back to charcoal different than for perhaps some specific social amassing.

Answer 8

ah this debate could last forever.
i don't like the taste charcoal leaves on the meat - it's very noticeable - charred, black and nasty.
i prefer gas - it's "clean" in that it leaves no nasty taste on the meat. and it WILL NOT deposit gas onto your meat - don't believe what others said about that.
and there's no question that a gas grill is MUCH faster than a charcoal one ... with gas, all you have to do is flip a switch to turn it on ... leave for 5 minutes to preheat, then throw the meat on. fat ribeye steaks take 15-20 minutes for well done. even well done steaks come out juicy and tender with a gas grill.

Answer 9

It all depends:
If you were hosting a big party, you would definetely have to go for gas; however, if you are concerned about taste, you need to consider charcoal. Mesquite charcoal gives you the best flavor out them all..

This last one is also the healthiest kind there is. You don't have to worry about any traces of gas in your food ;)

Good luck and happy grilling!

Answer 10

This is a debatable question.lol

If you want flavor Charcoal is the one.

If you want convience and quick Gas is it. You don't have to worry about having enough charcoals or fluid, or running to the store to get it first. You don't have to wait on the coals to burn down. With gas, you light it, close the cover for a couple of min. and it's ready to go.

I did run out of gas in my tank 1 time years ago in the middle of cooking but, I keep my eye on it now. I usually only fill it 2 times all summer and use it most everyday! I love it!!!

Answer 11

I think you should go for gas because recent studies have shown that when for example meat is grilled on charcoal and the juices which drop down on it produce certain types of chemicals which will settle on the outer layer of the grilled meat or chicken etc. And this is harmful as it can cause cancer..... so take care .