Which do you think would be the most popular outdoor grilling option: charcoal or gas? If you guessed the coal, you would be wrong. Gas grill barbecue accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all outdoor barbecues. It seems that the evolution of the gas grill has incorporated so many conveniences and time savings over the years that the charcoal grill has been left behind. We will take a look at some of the advantages that have made the gas grill the most popular choice.
The obvious advantage of these propane grills over a charcoal grill is the way each one cooks the food. The charcoal grill requires a pile of charcoal that squirts lighter fluid and ignites. You can now sit back and wait 20 minutes or more before you start cooking. The gas grill, on the other hand, requires you to do nothing more than turn on the gas and press the igniter and start cooking almost immediately.
Most propane grills have built-in thermometers that allow you to monitor the heat being applied to the food. This gives you consistent results between meals. With charcoal grilling, you can tend to play a guessing game with the heat and your results may not always be consistent.
Most medium to large gas grills have 3 or more burners. This important feature allows you to grill different foods at different temperatures. You can grill your meats on one side of the grill and your vegetables or other delicate foods on the other. This is more difficult to do with a charcoal grill. Some propane grills even incorporate a stove-like burner that will allow you to place a pot on it. With this function, you can boil corn on the cob or cook beans, for example.
When it comes to cleaning up after meals, you’ll find no comparison between what it takes to clean up the two. With the charcoal grill, you have to wait until the embers die down before you can dispose of them. You can help this process by spraying with water, but there is still the complicated work of collecting or disposing of the used charcoal. The gas grill, on the other hand, cools down much quicker and now it’s simply a matter of removing the grates and cleaning the inside.
Although propane grills are much more convenient than charcoal grills, you should be aware that propane is highly flammable. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to inspect gas hoses regularly for cracks or squirrel bite marks and such. A damaged gas line could cause a fire.
Barbecuing in the backyard has become a favorite pastime for millions of people around the world. Whichever type of grill you decide is right for you, a little common sense and an understanding of the operation manual is sure to give you and your family many hours of enjoyment.
