We have all either heard or have been a part of a debate about
which grilling method is better, using gas, or using charcoal.
There are mixed opions on this issue, and this article explores
some of the benefits of both types of grills.
Everyone I have met either strongly believes in using gas
grills, or solely using charcoal grills. There are a few who use
both. Which one is right for you?
Gas Grills
Gas grills come in many flavors, big, small, stainless, ones
with side burners for pots, and many more. They are very easy to
light, usually by the push of a button, and controlling heat on
them is not a problem at all. With the simple turn of a dial,
and you can cook food anywhere from 200 to 500 degrees. They use
propane to fuel them, and a typical, full propane tank will
supply enough fuel to cook many meals. The prices of gas grills
typically range from $150.00 to $500.00, and even well up into
the $1,000.00 dollar range.
When purchasing a gas grill, make sure that it has at least two
burners so you can cook with indirect heat on one side of the
grill if you choose to do so. Many seafood items, such as fish,
require a low and slow method of cooking for certain recipes,
and being able to light one side of the grill and cook on the
other side will make it much easier on you to achieve the
desired cooking temperature you are looking for.
Tips for Purchasing a Gas Grill
1. Make sure it has 2 burners 2. Sturdy Construction- When you
lift the lid, the pit seems sturdy and not shakey 3. Know your
price range, and know what you want to accomplish with the
grill. Will you be cooking for lots of people, or will you be
cooking for a few? 4. Top brands do produce very good pits, but
shop around. Many cheaper brands produce very good quality
grills too. 5. What kind of warranty does the pit have? Does the
company pay for shipping if something breaks on the pit and you
have to send it off to get it repaired, or even recieve a new
part?
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills are fueled by lump charcoal or charcoal
briquettes. They grills are usually in the shape of a round
kettle, but many other shapes of pits, such as squares and
rectangles exist. Many people will only use charcoal grills
because they believe a better taste is produced by using
charcoal instead of gas. I will talk more about this later.
Charcoal grills can be priced anywhere from the small, $20
dollar Hibachi, to a typical $50.00 Weber, to an expensive,
$450.00 kettle, which is usually pretty large. Normally, the
$50.00 Weber grill is the best way to go because it has the
surface area to cook lots of food, and Webers usually last a
very long time. I have used one for 4 years now, cooking 4-5
times a month on it, and it has not let me down yet.
When using a charcoal grill, the best and easiest way to light
the grill is to use a charcoal starter. This will cut your pit
heating time down by 15 minutes or so becuase the coals will be
already be lit when you put them into the pit.
Adjusting the heat on a charcoal grill can be a bit of a
challenge until you get used to your pit. After a while, you
will understand the exact combination of closing dampers and
adjusting the lid to produce the heat you want from your grill.
Tips for Purchasing a Charcoal Grill
1. What are your intentions for the grill? Are you cooking for
many people, or a few? 2. Is the pit easy to move around? 3. How
easy is it to clean? 4. What is your price range? Do some
research on the internet to find out what grills are priced at
now.
About the author:
Aaron Ralston, also known as The Smoker King, is the owner of
Outdoor Cooking: Barbeque, Sauces, Mops, Rubs. Visit
http://www.thesmokerking.com to find many great barbeque recipes
and techniques.
