Gas Barbecue Grill

Better than a charcoal grill?

A barbecue is one of those occasions where the whole family can get together and have a great time. On a nice day, what better than to get out the grill and make an event out of cooking dinner?

Traditionally, grilling outdoors meant using wood as fuel. This started to lose popularity in the 20th century, with charcoal overtaking wood to become the preferred fuel for most people. In the last few years, however, a new method of firing up barbecues has become incredibly popular: gas.

There is a lot of debate over which method of outdoor grilling is best. Our family owns a gas barbecue grill, but we have friends who consider that there’s no point in grilling unless you do it the charcoal way. Devotees of charcoal grills believe that part of the appeal is the flavor imparted to the food. Those who prefer gas barbecue grills point out that they are cleaner, quicker and more convenient to use. Who is right?

Of course, both sides are. Charcoal does give that unique smoky aroma and flavor to food, unlike with gas barbq grills. Plus they tend to be cheaper to buy. However, charcoal grills are messy and some time is needed before after lighting before you can begin to cook on them. Gas barbecue grills are instant, require little planning and so can be used to take advantage of good weather easily. It’s also easier to control – no burnt bits on the food!

Speaking for myself, once I tried a gas barbecue grill instead of a charcoal one, I was hooked.  I found the ease of starting it up, without messy coals or starter fluid or a long wait for the coals to be ready, far outweighed the loss of flavor from a charcoal grill.

Nowadays, instead of a barbecue being a very occasional family treat, it’s a regular occurrence. In my part of the world, the weather is variable, even in summer, but thanks to the gas barbecue grill we can take full advantage of good weather when we get it.

It’s true that gas barbecue grills are generally more expensive than charcoal ones, but over the long term you will save money on fuel. You have the choice of using tanks for your grill, or getting a plumber to hook it up to your main line. A recent innovation I saw on television was a portable folding gas barbecue grill that you could take anywhere without having to worry about disposing of the hot coals after your meal. If you miss the taste of charcoaled food, then try adding flavors before you cook such as herbs and spices, or you can use wood chips like mesquite in the grill.

So, if you grill a lot, or would like to, then consider a gas barbecue grill. Easier, quicker and more convenient than a charcoal grill, once you try one, you may become a convert.