There have to be reasons why Professional Chefs like Steve Raichlen and Bobby Flay love to cook on charcoal grills. These guys can pick up the telephone, call any major gas or charcoal grill manufacturer in the world, and have a free gas or charcoal grill delivered instantly. The reason they choose charcoal over gas for their personal grilling is the amazing flavor charcoal provides that gas just can’t replace or duplicate. But there are also a bevy of other reasons why charcoal is better than gas grilling for the backyard cook that isn’t a 4 star chef. Check out the Top 5 reasons charcoal is preferred to gas for grilling below, and get ready to enjoy some great food.
Flavor
Hands down, charcoal delivers better flavor as a fuel source than gas. With such a wide array of flavored charcoal and lump charcoal available, you can get Hickory smoked goodness for your ribs or Cedar smoked salmon right in your backyard. Charcoal is nothing more than wood that has been burned down and extinguished, then compacted into long-burning, handy briquettes. Because of this, the wood flavor you get can not be replaced or duplicated by a gas grill.
Cost
Unlike the two grilling greats mentioned above, sometimes cost is a factor when purchasing your backyard grill. I sold grills for five years for a high-end grill manufacturer. So let me tell you, you can buy some rather impressive looking stainless steel gas grills for several thousand dollars. But I was always quick to inform my customers that the amount of money spent in no way guarantees the quality of the food coming off the grill. After a little practice, you can make the most delicious steaks, seafood, vegetables and side dishes on a charcoal grill that costs a little more than a single propane tank refill.
Portability
Charcoal grills are super portable. If you’re heading out to a football game or other outing, you can take your charcoal grill along and provide food for your family and friends. This is simply not possible with most gas grills.
Safety
Since there is no gas involved, the safety factor of a charcoal grill goes through the roof. Every year during cookout season, you hear of gas grills exploding because they were used improperly. This can’t happen with a charcoal grill. And when you need to extinguish, simply close the lid, shut off the airflow, and you’re done.
Easy To Use
Charcoal grills are so simple to use. Place charcoal in your grill, light it, and cook your food on the heat from the embers. That’s it. While gas grills may seem simple with the click of a button and the turner of a knob, when you get no flame, you have to worry about checking your contact points, ignitors, burners, your LP tank, gas line and several other possible sources for your problem. Meanwhile your guesta are getting antsy, and you look bad. The charcoal grill is so simple, even a caveman could use. Literally.
Since the beginning of time, cooking over charcoals has been the simplest and most flavorful way to cook food. From smoking, to slow cook barbecuing, to high-heat, shorter time period grilling, charcoal grills provide the simplest and most cost-effective way to add unbeatable flavor to your food. So take a note from grilling legends like Raichlen and Flay. Grab a charcoal grill, and begin making some wonderful memories and great food right in your own backyard.
