BBQ - charcoal or gas?

Question

i think coals give that extra smokey flavour which makes food taste better, my friend says gas is just as good. who is right?

Answer 1

tell your freind to go eat a hot dog.
bet he is in the school of thought that BBQ is hamburgers and hot dogs....Gas grills are okay for high temperature grilling of seasoned steaks, fish, chicken, etc.

but if you really want flavor, food cooked over charcoals, or even better, a wood fire (which coals try to simulate) is the way to go.
Too often, charcoals are loaded with fillers and junk which add some "extra" odors to the fire and food. ALso, avoid the use of lighter fluid, start your coals with a plumber's propane torch instead....no lighterfluid after taste....

so, charcoal/wood over gas grill, anyday. For flavor.
for convenience and speed....you cant beat the "click-WHOOSH" of a gas grill.

Answer 2

Well its much easier to use gas because you don't have to clean out a lots of burnt charcoal and you don't have to wait for it to reach the right temperature. However, I much prefer charcoal because it tastes like a proper BBQ. You can eat food cooked off a gas oven in the house. So I'd rather have charcoal food outside. And if you add different types of wood chips, or robust herbs like rosemary or even citrus peel, this can give your food other flavours!
I think you're right! Stick with charcoal brick!

Answer 3

Charcoal BBQs are the DIY equivalent of the char-grill, and yes they do impart the distinctive smokey taste. Regarding the environment, emissions from a charcoal BBQ are higher in atmospheric pollutants - don't forget, the BBQ lighter fuel you use is a by-product of the petroleum industry. Charcoal may seem to burn more cleanly - that is because in the production of the charcoal itself a lot of its pollutants have already been removed from it, and discharged into the atmosphere somewhere else!
The main benefit of gas is that it is less messy and ignites easily.

Answer 4

For taste and versatility, you have to go with charcoal. You have varieties of charcoal and can even use wood chips for some special smoky flavors. My personal favorite is throwing on mesquite wood chips soaked overnight in Jack Daniels.

But for convenience - nothing beats a gas grille. And the end product is almost as good. Less the woodchip smoke, of course.

Answer 5

Charcoal

Answer 6

Gas is faster, but charcoal tastes better

Answer 7

charcoal is way better it gives it that extra moist rich flavor of meat not found in conventional gas grills..trust me stick with the classic charcoal style all the way!!! unless you like things fast, cheap and not well done ...then go with gas.....

Answer 8

charcoal is the authentic way..good taste...unpredictable flames..is it hot enough scenario...burnt on the outside, raw on the inside.....gas has a bit more predictability...but I'm not too happy about having all that combustible around drunk people!
Charcoal for me every time my friend!!

Answer 9

charcoal is better and you can even used some of your tree limbs in the fire too and get it an extra flavor. we always use charcoal.

Answer 10

Charcoal gives a great flavor and it smells so good.