Grilling is one of the best parts of summer, but which type of grill should you use? Charcoal or gas? There are many pros and cons to both types. Gas grills have advantages such as convenience in that they can be turned on with a push of a button. They also offer more heat control than charcoal grills, which makes it easier to cook food evenly.

On the other hand, charcoal grills provide that classic smoky flavor from their burning coals. The taste is what some people prefer over the more modern gas grill flavor.

I don’t know about you, but I love grilling. There’s something so satisfying about firing up a grill and cooking an awesome meal for your family or friends.

I’ve been using gas to grill most of the time, but lately, I’ve wanted to try charcoal with some new recipes.

Which is better? Gas or charcoal?

Let me tell you my experience with both. 

Which tastes better charcoal or gas?

Charcoal can impart a different flavor to your food. Which type of grill do you think would best suit your needs?

Gas grills are great for people who don’t have a lot of time to cook or those that want their grill to be easy to clean. Charcoal is for the purist out there, and it can impart a different flavor to your food. Which type of grill do you think would best suit your needs?

Why does grilling taste so good?

I think it’s because you can control the temperature of your grill, and do so quickly. There are many factors that go into how charcoal or gas grills taste, but controlled heat is one of them!

Benefits of Gas Grilling

Pros:

Gas grills are a great alternative to charcoal because they heat up faster and the coals don’t need to be constantly refueled, but if you’re like me, you’ve always loved the smoky flavor of grilled food that can only come from cooking with charcoal. I guess it depends on what your priorities are when it comes to grilling. What’s important for you, faster heating time or better-tasting food?

I think that when you’re cooking meat over an open flame, it tastes better than when you barbecue with charcoal.

Cons:

Gas grills can be expensive in terms of the initial cost.

For some people, the convenience and speediness of a gas grill don’t matter as much as getting good-tasting food from it. If you’re that person, then you should get a charcoal grill.

Charcoal Grilling

Pros:

I love the smoky flavor that only charcoal provides.

You get better-tasting food, and you can control all cooking variables like temperature by adjusting your vents or adding more/less briquettes. Plus, there’s that sense of satisfaction when carving into a juicy steak cooked over charcoal coals. I think people have a primal connection to it that may not be there with gas.

Charcoal is a great option if you want to impress your guests. It gives food that smoky flavor and will make for an impressive presentation.

Cons:

The drawbacks are plentiful for using a charcoal grill: it can take hours to heat up and refuel, you need lighter fluid that smells toxic, and cleanup is always so much more difficult in comparison to gas grills.

I can’t stand the smell of lighter fluid, plus I think charcoal produces

Never waste an opportunity to grill some meat. I’ve seen many people ruin perfectly good charcoal with lighter fluid, so when you get the chance to use natural gas, do it!

What about using combination grills?

Buying a combination gas and charcoal grill is a great idea to answer this internal struggle once and for all.

I remember the first time I saw a combination grill and I thought I was in heaven. Gas grills are so easy start and cook right away and charcoal grills are amazing for those days you have more time to cook low and slow.

I actually own 3 grills. One inexpensive Weber charcoal grill. A small 2 burner gas grill and my big combo that does wood, charcoal and gas grilling.

It’s the best of both worlds in one amazing box.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for a way to cook your meat, I recommend getting a gas grill! They light up in an instant, and they give you juicy steaks every time.

We could have a debate about this for hours. Charcoal is great for cooking at low temperatures, but gas grills are easier to control.

I would have to go with charcoal. It’s the purest form of grilling, and there are some unique flavors that you can only get from charcoal or wood-burning stoves.

Which do you like better? Let us know in your comments below!