Gas or Charcoal Grill?

[kc5hwb]

I have always used a charcoal grill. Its what I learned to cook on. I have used gas grills only once or twice and for smaller things like burgers, they are fine, but for some really good sausage or steaks or grilled chicken, I just don't think it tastes as good on a gas flame.

What does everyone prefer?

 

[Raquelita]

I prefer gas b/c i feel it pollutes less and is healthier in terms of the way it cooks.

 

[Mrs. Chipotle]

Charcoal all the way. The taste just can't compare, and plus, gas always makes me a bit nervous. I know it's irrational to think it's going to explode or something (after all, I do have gas heat in my house), but gas grills freak me out a bit.

It's kind of annoying that the selection of charcoal grills is so poor. For every one charcoal grill in the store, there are ten gas ones.

 

[khartman]

Charcoal here. Don't think gas can compare. And as for the pollution, we only use as much charcoal as needed, and don't use much lighter either. I think our car pollutes much more when we go buy steaks.

Besides, any pollution from our grill blows over to our neighbors anyway

 

[Mama Mangia]

Charcoal definitely! The flavor is not the same with gas. We have severe winters here, and although we still have winter BBQ's (weather permitting), there are times I still want something grilled so I do have a couple electric grills. We prefer the taste of the electric over the gas grills - but nothing tastes as good as charcoal!

 

[ainjel]

Charcoal is only used in our house when the gas runs out of the grill or if we happen to be camping. I actually have never really been a fan of the way charcoal tastes. Maybe it's from eating food off a charcoal grill that someone didn't know how to properly cook with. Now though I just prefer gas, luckily my boyfriend does to so that's what we use. : )

 

[GregGraves]

One more vote for charcoal. My brother almost blew himself up just fooling around and pressing the ignite button on his grill. The flame had gone out, and the lid was closed, and ka-bam. Luckily no-one was hurt.

 

[BagCSC]

I like cooking with both. They both have advantages. I really really hate burping after cooking with charcoal....ugh....burps taste like charcoal...so gross. I like the taste of charcoal, but it wreaks havoc on me later. I like the convenience of gas because I dont have to wait on it to get hot and if I make a mistake and get it too hot, I can just turn it down and instantly correct the issue.

 

[oldbay]

I only use charcoal for grilling. I think it tastes better to cook over natural heat on a grill. We had a Jenn-Air once for indoor grilling. It didn't produce the results we expected of it, so still use charcoal.

 

[r8rpwr]

I like charcoal better as well. I'm old school I guess.

 

[Raquelita]

I liked the look of charcoal flames better than gas as a little kid .

 

[aeiou]

We only use charcoal for grilling. We find that it provides better tasting food, especially if you use different types of wood for smoking and slow cook the food. Slow cooking is really the key to charcoal cooking. We also use our charcoal grill during the winter as long as it is not snowing.

 

[rt49andellis]

I always use charcoal - I wont even stop at burger king cuz they do gas. Yucky. Don't care if it takes longer - I care about the taste! Whats the point of eating if it dont tickle your tastebuds. *smile* And nothin beats a webber

 

[shannone]

I use both gas and a charcoal grill. I think charcoal give the food a better grill taste. I got a new gas grill this summer and it works great also. I like to use the gas grill for larger meals.

 

[phoenyxstarr]

I like the charcoal grills myself... they are nice for the kids too because there is still enough embers in them after everyone's done eating to roast some marshmallows. At least that's the way it was when I was a kid.

 

[muslgrl]

Using a gas grill to me you might as well cook inside charcoal all the way

 

[mtmomj]

Its a time issue with me. If I'm grilling on a weekday, after work or something I like to use gas. If I'm grilling on a weekend or holliday where I can spend a lot of time I like using charcoal for the flavor and also the enjoyment of just grilling.

 

[cookforkids]

I use charcoal... That is what my dad always used and what I learned to cook on besides that I am a cub scout leader and like to try new recipes on it that I can teach the boys when we are out camping.