Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to charcoal and gas grilling. What, though, is the correct choice? Is there a correct choice? Rather than guessing which to use at your next cookout, we’ve rounded up the pros and cons of charcoal and gas grills so you can make a well-informed decision for what will be the tastiest choice of the summer.
Regardless of the fuel, learn how to grill steaks like a pro by following these 5 easy steps.
Charcoal Grills
According to some die-hard barbecue fans, the only way to grill is with charcoal. Charcoal provides that rich, smoky flavor that, even with an attached smoke box, gas just can’t meet. Learn more about operating a charcoal grill here.
Pros:
- Typically, charcoal grills reach a higher temperature than gas grills. A grill has to reach a temperature of at least 600 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve a nice sear on your meat. This is no problem for a kettle grill filled with red-hot charcoals as it can reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit. While there are gas grills that can reach higher temperatures, they’re usually on the higher end.
- You get that scrumptious, smoky flavor. Ever wonder how charcoal grills give so much flavor? Turns out, that higher heat is key. When the drippings from your steak, chicken or veggies falls on the hot coals, the drippings turn into flavor-packed steam and smoke that goes right back into the meat, resulting in the amazingly unique taste of charcoal grilling.
- They are easier on your wallet. A basic charcoal grill will run you about $25, while a moderately priced one can be found for around $150. Of course, higher end models go up from there, but in comparison, there are far less than the gas grills that usually cost between $130-$300.
Cons:
- Longer heat up time. Charcoal grills, on average, take about 15-20 minutes to reach the proper cooking temperature (not including the time it takes to light the charcoal), whereas gas grills instantly light up and take about 10 minutes to reach cooking temperature. (While you’re waiting for the grill to heat up, toss together some of these delicious summer salads.)
- Fuel cost adds up. A 20-pound propane cylinder can provide around 25 days of cooking time, whereas a 20-pound bag of charcoal will only yield three grilling sessions.
- The cleanup is a bit more cumbersome. As opposed to the gas grill that only needs a quick scrub with a brush, a charcoal grill has to be emptied of its used ashes before it can be scrubbed.
Gas Grills
There’s no denying how convenient gas grills are in terms of start-up and temperature control, but that ease comes with a price.
Pros:
- Easy Temperature Control. Adjusting a grill’s temperature is as easy as turning a dial. This means you can go from the low heat needed for bone-in chicken to searing hot for kebobs or steak without having to worry about moving around hot coals.
- Quick Start-Up. With a simple press of the ignition button and a turn of the dial, your gas grill will spark to life. After a quick preheat, you’ll be ready to grill, rather than having to wait for coals to heat up. (By the way, here’s the difference between propane and natural gas).
- Versatility. With a gas grill, you can easily cook delicate foods such as fish, fruit and vegetables without the worry of overpowering the food with the smoke flavor that comes along with charcoal grilling. If the smoke flavor is desired, you can easily add a smoke box that is available with some gas grills. If your grill doesn’t come with one, check out this smoke box that will deliver some serious flavor.
Cons
- Assembly time. As opposed to the charcoal grill that can be set up in a jiffy, a mid-range gas model is a bit more complicated to assemble and hook up to a propane tank.
- Safety. While there are safety precautions to follow with any form of cooking, you have to be extra-careful when cooking with a gas grill. Always make sure that your propane tank is properly attached without leaks, your grill is at least ten feet from your home and deck and that the grill is free from grease. Not sure how to best clean your grill? Follow this simple check-list that’ll leave your grill looking brand-new!
- Portability. Though travel sized gas grills are available, it would be much too difficult, and dangerous, to tow a full-sized gas grill around to the park or the beach.
The End Result
The charcoal and the gas grill have their pro and cons, but only you can decide which would be best for your family and lifestyle. With so many delicious grilling recipes to cook up this summer, you can’t go wrong either way!
Here's Your Summer Grilling Bucket List
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Grilled Sausages with Summer Vegetables
After 30 years of camping, we've come up with an arsenal of surefire recipes. Our grilled sausage with veggies would be a superstar at a potluck. —Nancy Daugherty, Cortland, Ohio
Big John's Chili-Rubbed Ribs
When my family thinks of summer grilling, it's ribs all the way. Our Asian-inspired recipe is a welcome change from the usual barbecue-sauce versions. —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
Cajun Boil on the Grill
I came up with these everything-in-one seafood packets for a family reunion, since the recipe can be increased to feed a bunch. The foil steams up inside, so open carefully. —Allison Brooks, Fort Collins, Colorado
Chicken Alfredo with Grilled Apples
If you've never grilled apples before, here's your excuse to start. I created this Alfredo-style chicken for a party. By the number of recipe requests, I knew it was a hit. —Richard Robinson, Park Forest, Illinois
Grilled Fruit Phyllo Tart
This tart was a hit at my friend's baby shower. It reminds me of a fruit salad that my mother used to make with cream cheese and whipped topping. Everyone loves the flaky crust, and the bright colors make it a pretty addition to any spread. —Laura McAllister, Morganton, North Carolina
Jalapeno Popper Mexican Street Corn
One of the best things about summer is fresh sweet corn, and this recipe is a definite standout. We love its creamy dressing, crunchy panko coating and spicy jalapeno kick. If you're really feeling wild, sprinkle these with a bit of cooked and crumbled bacon! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Grilled Marinated Ribeyes
These juicy steaks are a favorite meal of ours when we go camping. Let them sit in tangy, barbecue-inspired marinade overnight and you've got a rich and hearty dinner ready to grill up the next day. —Louise Graybiel, Toronto, Ontario
Grilled Potatoes & Peppers
My husband, Matt, grills this recipe for both breakfast and dinner gatherings. Besides the company, the potatoes are one of the best parts! —Susan Nordin, Warren, Pennsylvania
Barbecued Picnic Chicken
I like to serve this savory chicken at family picnics. Cooked on a covered grill, the poultry stays so tender and juicy. Everyone loves the zesty, slightly sweet homemade barbecue sauce—and it's so easy to make. —Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
Herbed Butternut Squash
This is just one of many ways I prepare butternut squash for my two girls. It’s a winter staple in our house. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Teriyaki Shish Kabobs
When I was a teenager, my father worked for an airline, and my family lived on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. A friend of my mother gave her this tangy-sweet recipe, and we enjoyed it often. Now I make it for my family, and they're big fans as well. —Suzanne Pelegrin, Ocala, Florida
Pork Chops with Glaze
Rosemary adds a special touch to these beautifully glazed pork chops that are just right for any meal. —Louise Gilbert, Quesnel, British Columbia
Southwestern Catfish
Catfish fillets are rubbed with a blend that includes chili powder, cumin, coriander, cayenne and paprika, then topped with homemade salsa. A green salad, garlic bread and baked sweet potatoes round out the meal nicely. —Bruce Crittenden Clinton, Mississippi
Can-Can Chicken
Here's a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work's basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska
Steak with Chipotle-Lime Chimichurri
Steak gets a flavor kick from chimichurri. This piquant, all-purpose herb sauce is so versatile, it complements most any grilled meat, poultry or fish. —Laureen Pittman, Riverside, California
Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler
This warm cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
My husband and I grill dinner almost every night, and I love grilling veggies for a side dish. I serve this grilled bacon wrapped asparagus recipe with meat and sliced fresh tomatoes for a wonderful meal. —Trisha Kitts, Dickinson, Texas
Summer Garden Fish Tacos
I like to serve fish tacos with quinoa and black beans for a complete and satisfying meal. If you’ve got them, add colorful summer toppings like bright peppers, green onions or purple carrots. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois
Grilled Cranberry Pear Crumble
My husband loves it when I make dessert. Fruit crisps are easy and quick to prepare, so I make them often! I created this fall-flavored grilled version with fresh pears and items I had on hand. We loved it. —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs
When I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
Garlic Grilled Steaks
For a mouthwatering change of taste at your next barbecue, take steak to new flavor heights by basting your choice of cuts with a great garlicky blend that requires only a few minutes to fix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grilled Honey-Lime Chicken
Make-ahead marinade is your best friend when feeding a crowd. This one for grilled chicken is good to know and very easy to memorize. —Marybeth Wright, Maitland, Florida
Spiced Salmon
This delicious, moist fish is very quick and easy to prepare. It gets a little sweetness from brown sugar but overall the seasonings are mild and give this dish broad appeal. It's a great way to enjoy healthy salmon. —Donna Reynolds, Innisfail, Alberta
Lemon Garlic Mushrooms
I baste whole mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
Grilled Peach Sundaes
These peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina
Grilled Peppers and Zucchini
This versatile side dish is so simple and quick that I had to share it. Grilling the colorful veggies in a foil packet means one less dish to wash, but I sometimes stir-friy the mixture on the stovetop. —Karen Anderson, Fair Oaks, California
Caribbean Chicken
You'd be hard-pressed to find a marinade that's this flavorful from any store! Add or subtract the jalapenos to suit your gang's taste, and you'll be grilling a new family favorite before you know it. — Rusty Collins, Orlando, Florida
Grilled Jalapenos
When barbecuing for friends at home, I also use the grill to serve up hot appetizers. These crowd-pleasing stuffed peppers have a bit of bite. They were concocted by my son. —Catherine Hollie, Cleveland, Texas
Pot of S'mores
Mom’s easy Dutch oven version of the popular campout treat is so good and gooey. The hardest part is waiting for this to cool so you can devour it. Yum! —June Dress, Meridian, Idaho
Marinated Baby Back Ribs
I first marinate each rack of ribs, then adds a zesty rub before grilling them. They turn out moist and flavorful. —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Grilled Guacamole
If you’re a guacamole lover, try this fun grilled version that gives it a smoky flavor. The veggies tend to darken a bit when heated, so stir it gently to prevent further discoloration. —Lindsay Sprunk, Noblesville, Indiana
Grilled Flatbread Veggie Pizza
We pile veggies onto flatbread for a fun way to eat healthier. Our go-to recipe for weeknights easily changes with different veggies or meats. —Darla Andrews, Lewisville, Texas
Italian Sausage and Provolone Skewers
My husband made sausage and veggie kabobs when we didn't have buns to make classic sausage bombers. Grill ‘em up, then add cheese cubes. —Cindy Hilliard, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Grilled Cherry-Glazed Chicken Wings
When I take these grilled wings to events, there are never any leftovers! Friends and family love them. —Ashley Gable, Atlanta, Georgia
Fresh Artichokes with Lemon-Yogurt Dip
Artichokes are at their best when you prepare them simply, without a lot of fuss or seasonings to overdress them. Many people dip the petals in melted butter or mayonnaise, but I think you'll love my tangy lemon-yogurt dip. —Jill Haapaniemi, Brooklyn, New York
Campfire Bean 'N' Ham Soup
These are the best beans and ham you'll ever taste—bar none! Friends rave about this hearty soup that I serve hot off the grill. For easy cleanup, consider covering the outside of your Dutch oven with heavy-duty foil first. —Tom Greaves, Carrollton, Illinois
Turkey Pepper Kabobs
This is a summertime favorite at our house. While the turkey is a nice change of pace and tastes great with the sweet basting sauce and pineapple, the recipe also works well with cubed chicken.—Traci Goodman, Paducah, Kentucky
Provolone-Stuffed Pork Chops with Tarragon Vinaigrette
Provolone cheese and a fresh tarragon vinaigrette give these stuffed pork chops the savory feel of dining in Provence. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia
Spicy Grilled Eggplant
This grilled side goes well with pasta or meats also made on the grill. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, it gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
Lemony Shrimp & Tomatoes
I created this recipe for my family because they love grilled shrimp. I love it because it's quick, delicious and good for us. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Grilled Veggies with Mustard Vinaigrette
I make this healthy and inviting side dish whenever friends come over for a cookout. The honeyed vinaigrette lets the veggies shine. —Shelly Graver, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Grilled Sausage-Basil Pizzas
These easy little pizzas are a wonderful change of pace from the classic cookout menu. Let everybody go crazy with the toppings. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Peppered Tuna Kabobs
When we barbecue, we like to wow our guests, so dogs and burgers are out! We make tuna skewers topped with salsa—the perfect easy recipe. My five kids like to help me put them together. —Jennifer Ingersoll, Herndon, Virginia
Sweet & Smoky Salsa
I love the roasted flavor that grilling gives food, so I decided to make a salsa from grilled vegetables. I think this recipe would also taste great using plum tomatoes. Also, if you can't use wood chip charcoal, you might try adding a little liquid smoke to the salsa while it cooks. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Grilled Honey Balsamic-Glazed Fruit
One summer my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with a sweet and tangy sauce. These are so good I'm always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington
Chiles Rellenos Grilled Chicken Tacos
A local restaurant makes awesome charred tacos that are a lot like these. Their marinade recipe’s a secret, so I invented my own. Light the coals and have them anytime. —Denise Klibert, Shreveport, Louisiana
Campfire Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler has been a family classic for 60 years. We prefer peaches, but fresh cherries and berries are fun, too. Almost any fruit would work. Mix and match! —Jackie Wilson, Wellsville, Utah
Grilled Sweet Onions
These onions are so delicious, we prepare them all year long—on the grill in summer, or in an oven preheated to 350° for the same amount of time in winter. A small salad, a slice of bread, these grilled onions, and you've got a great light meal. —Mary Bilke, Eagle River, Wisconsin
Barbecued Shrimp & Peach Kabobs
Shrimp grilled with peaches and green onions really sets off fireworks! The spicy seasonings even helped me win a ribbon at a county fair. —Jen Smallwood, Portsmouth, Virginia
Grilled Sweet Corn
Since we have plenty of fresh sweet corn available in our area, we use this recipe often in summer. Parsley, chili powder and cumin accent the corn's just-picked flavor. —Connie Lou Hollister, Lake Odessa, Michigan
Bourbon Brat Skewers
When the executive decision was made to marinate veggies in a tasty bourbon sauce and serve with grilled bratwurst, this recipe made our VIP party list. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
Quick Barbecued Beans
Baked beans are a simple, classic recipe, and cooking them on the grill adds great smoky flavor. —Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois
Grilled Summer Squash
Grilling food in foil packets creates steam so food cooks in its own juices, which makes the contents flavorful and lower in fat. Best of all: no cleanup! —Lisa Finnegan, Forked River, New Jersey
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Fruit Salsa
When I need dessert fast, I go with angel food cake. Mix fruit salsa ahead of time, and pop the cake on the grill. —Glorimar Jimenez, Indianapolis, Indiana
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The post Deciding Between Charcoal and Gas Grills? Here’s What You Need to Know. appeared first on Taste of Home.
Kaila Harmon