what are the pro's v cons of gas versus charcoal barbecue?

[osull0705]

what are the pro's v cons of gas versus charcoal barbecue?I would like to purchase one soon

[almcd007]

I have a gas barbeque after years of having a charcoal one.

I find that gas- whilst some people have issues with gas bottles and safety - is quicker to get cooking with - that's the main advantage.

Whilst Charcoal takes uo to 1/2 hour to get white before you can start but makes the food - I think - tastier.

[Bohne]

I nearly killed my husband when he threw out my charcoal grill.
I insisted that I never wanted a gas grill!

Gas:
+ it's much quicker
+ it's easier to do an all-day cooking
+ there's less smoke
- it's simply lacking the REAL BBQ atmosphere
- there's only one place to get the gas tanks, while charcoal can be bought at any petrol station.
- I never know exactly how much gas is left in the tank

Charcoal
+ Meat simply tastes better
+ I can buy the charcoal almost anywhere, anytime
+ I always know how much charcoal I have left
- needs time to heat up
- it's a hassle to accomodate late-comers

[valsuey]

I have an ordinary charcoal bar b q and I just cannot see the point of having a gas one. Might as well plug in the George Forman and put it on the back door step! I love my barby and the food tastes different cooked over the charcoal than the ordinary grill. So it takes a bit longer!! Break open the wine while you are waiting and play some music.....great fun.

[Alibobs]

For years I said we didn't need a gas one, my husband bought one and we never looked back!

I think the taste is the same - the real bonus is it is easier to regulate the heat so you can cook things like a whole leg of lamb. The one we have has two burners - you can light one side if you just want to do a few sausages for the kids which i often do in the summer

It's much more convenient than the traditional method

[hammerman]

Same as Alibobs. Been using gas for about 10 years now and never looked back.

They are easier to control, quicker to start and generally more convenient. They can be controlled during cooking too eg turn the flame down or off if it's flaming up too much.

But you just don't get that authentic barbeque smell that you do with charcoal.

Gas all the way for me

[diode dug]

Gas and a side burner for the beans, i cook all sorts on ours so its no really a bbq. BBQ is a social activity
you can still have a bbq and enjoy the evening with gas.

I see pizza ovens all the time, they are gas
with brick walls and people dont care and prob never notice, its the company and good quality food that works.

However i do miss that BBQ smell at times but not the bother, a bit like when i was young and skint nice to huddle together but better if you can afford to put the heating on :-)

[Tanko67]

i've never used any but sampled the delights of many and would say charcoal tastes soooooooooooo much better.