Are You Looking for a Charcoal or Gas Grill?

Charcoal vs. Gas: a grill-off

Statistics show that 81% of all U.S. households own a barbeque grill. The numbers are almost split evenly, with slightly more than half owning gas grills and about 47% charcoal. Both will adequately grill a burger, but the charcoal vs. gas debate remains a heated one.

Fans of charcoal say that the smoky flavor enhances the taste of your food and swear by the simplicity of the charcoal grilling experience. (Charcoal briquettes, lighter fluid, and a little patience while the coals heat up are all you need to grill a juicy burger.)

Those who favor gas grills do so because you can begin cooking within a few minutes of firing up your grill. To fully explore the argument of charcoal vs. gas, read on.

Charcoal grills: fire the old-fashioned way

Outdoor charcoal grills are traditionally round or oval shaped, and are made of coated steel to prevent rust. Some charcoal grills are also decked out with convenient side trays and wheels so they can easily be moved around the patio.

The charcoal briquettes sit on a rack inside the bowl below the actual cooking grate. Lighter fluid is the most common way to light the charcoal, however, you can also use a chimney starter charcoal grill that uses newspaper to light the charcoal.

Be sure to evenly distribute the coals so that you achieve even heating throughout the grilling surface. Once the fire is lit, the coals should be ready for cooking in about 15 minutes.

Gas grills: flame at the touch of a button

Gas grills use either liquid propane or natural gas as fuel. Because of their complex design and use of mechanical parts, gas grills are generally more expensive that charcoal grills. The most popular materials used in gas grill construction are cast aluminum and heavy gauge #304 stainless steel because they retain heat well and are non-corrosive.

Higher-end gas grills are often "double walled," which means that the hood is made of two pieces of steel or aluminum with a small air gap in between. Often, gas grills come with a stand or wheeled cart but are made to fit into a permanent frame or counter top space. These built-in gas grills are popular in outdoor kitchens and patios and have the same cooking performance as grills you see on carts or pedestals.

Choosing between a charcoal and gas grill is largely a matter of convenience and personal preference. Deciding which one makes better-tasting food? That's the hard part.

More information on gas grills