Without a doubt, the most important grilling decision that you make is what type of grill you buy. How can you know what kind of grill will do the best job for you?
Which grill is right for you? Charcoal or gas?
Your decision to buy a grill must depend, ultimately, on a few personal preferences.
A gas grill, powered by propane from a cylinder, stores easily; is economically priced (starting around $130), easy to set up, easy to turn on, and easy to work with; and uses low-cost fuel. Gas grills are also very easy to clean and maintain. (See Figure 1.)
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Figure 1: Gas grills are easy to clean. (Photo courtesy of Broilmaster.) |
A charcoal grill is one that's fueled by natural lump charcoal or charcoal briquettes and topped with a grill grid. (See Figure 2.) Many people also think that a kettle grill — a round, deep, metal kettle that is fueled by charcoal or briquettes and topped with a slatted grid (and sometimes has a gas igniter) — is synonymous with a charcoal grill, but that's not always the case. Charcoal grills come in all shapes and sizes, but they are all identical in their fuel source. They can range from inexpensive — $30 for small, portable models — to expensive — up to $450 for large kettles set into a rolling cart.
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Figure 2: Charcoal grills offer incomparable flavor. (The kettle grill configuration is a trademark of Weber-Stephens Products Co.) |
A brazier, sometimes called a hibachi, is really just a portable charcoal-style grill without any frills at all. It can be round, square, or rectangular, has a rudimentary metal grid on which food is placed, and is fueled by either charcoal or wood. Its portability is its greatest virtue (which makes it great for tailgating), but only if you're cooking for three or four people — the grill grid is usually quite small. You can usually find these for around $20.
Grills that don't have covers, such as hibachis and portable picnic grills, are mainly used for grilling small pieces of food quickly and directly over charcoal. Covered grills, on the other hand, give you the option of cover-cooking larger cuts of meat and poultry, such as beef roasts and whole turkeys, over a slow, indirect fire.
Before you rush out to buy a particular grill, head to a store that carries an assortment of grills from various manufacturers, and spend a few minutes playing with the floor models.
- Stand before the grill and lift up its hood. Does it seem sturdy and durable or cheap and flimsy?
- If it's a gas grill, do the knobs turn easily? Does it have two burners so that you can use the indirect cooking method?
- Does the grill offer expensive gadgets that you'll pay for but never use?
Which grill produces better flavor?
Because taste is so subjective and personal, the debate will probably continue regarding whether charcoal or gas grilling produces superior flavor. Multitudes of taste tests have demonstrated that most people cannot tell the difference.
Which grill lights easier?
Gas grills are a snap to light. You simply turn on the gas, push the igniter button, and adjust the control to high — in just 10 minutes you're ready to cook.
Despite the fact that many people would argue otherwise, charcoal grills are not difficult to light. The fact is, charcoal grills are extremely easy to light and take only about 30 minutes to reach a medium stage of heat. Using a chimney starter can shave another 15 minutes off that time.
Which grill looks better?
This one's a tie. With people spending more and more money to spruce up their backyards, you have dozens of attractive grills to choose from, whether cooking with charcoal or gas. Grills come in high-tech, contemporary, gleaming stainless steel or wonderful bright-colored porcelain enamel. Choose from bright red, cobalt blue, or even designer colors like teal. Even painted gas grills come in colors like hunter green or burgundy. Handsome carts or cabinets in stainless steel or wood finishes add to the sturdiness and beauty that can enhance your patio or deck.
Buying a grill that suits your style and needs is a little like buying a car, except, unfortunately, you can't take it out for a test drive. Table 1 is a straight-up comparison of some features of charcoal and gas grills.
Table 1: Just Between Us Grills
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