| The debate over which grill is better--gas or | | | | smoker/grill combinations.The Taste ArgumentThough |
| charcoal--may not induce as many passionate and | | | | some barbeque fans swear they can't tell the |
| polarized opinions as a political campaign, but for | | | | difference between food cooked on gas grills and |
| outdoor cooking enthusiasts it comes pretty close. | | | | food cooked on charcoal, the charcoal purists insist |
| Die-hard grilling aficionados swear by the flavor and | | | | otherwise. According to them, the flavor that is |
| process of cooking with charcoal grills. But with the | | | | infused from the smoke of charcoal briquettes or |
| majority of new grill purchases being gas models, | | | | wood coals is what distinguishes an outdoor feast |
| there are obviously fans in that camp, too.So which | | | | from a standard kitchen meal.In an effort to address |
| grill wins the debate? Let's look at the arguments for | | | | the taste issue, some gas grill manufacturers have |
| both. The case for gas or charcoal seems to be | | | | built models that add ceramic flavor bars. These bars |
| divided along three main points: | | | | catch grease drippings and vaporize them into smoke |
| Convenience | | | | that infuses more flavor into what's being cooked.So |
| Cost | | | | who's the winner in this category? The jury is still out |
| Taste | | | | on this argument, and it probably always will be. |
| The Convenience ArgumentThe clear winner in this | | | | Taste is such an individual decision; you may just |
| category is the gas grill. Most models feature | | | | have to try both grills and see for yourself.For Those |
| push-button ignitions, a consistent, steady heat | | | | Who Still Can't Decide . . .As you can see, there are |
| source that's ready to go within minutes, excellent | | | | pros and cons to owning a gas grill, just as there are |
| temperature control, and easy cleanup.But | | | | advantages and disadvantages to owning a charcoal |
| convenience isn't necessarily a deciding factor for all | | | | model.Still aren't sure which one is right for you? Do |
| grill shoppers. Charcoal enthusiasts say it's the | | | | what many families have done in recent years--buy |
| ritual--piling up the charcoal, lighting it, tending the fire, | | | | both! If you truly enjoy outdoor cooking, it makes |
| and manually adjusting cooking temperatures by | | | | sense to own two models that you use for different |
| moving food from hotter spots to cooler ones--that | | | | purposes. For example, you can use the gas grill for |
| makes outdoor cooking worth the effort. They feel | | | | cooking quick barbeque meals during the week, and |
| that trading the process of the backyard barbeque | | | | break out the charcoal grill for when you want to |
| for the push-button convenience of a gas grill is | | | | take your time on the weekend.There are a couple |
| missing the point.The Cost ArgumentIf cost is the | | | | of options available to you if you want to own both |
| most important deciding factor for you, you'll likely | | | | a gas and a charcoal grill. There's the obvious one: |
| want to look at charcoal grills. They cost considerably | | | | buy both grills. But if your budget is tight, or you're |
| less than gas, with basic models ranging from about | | | | limited on patio space, check out a combination gas |
| $30 to $100. If you add features like additional | | | | charcoal model. These grills convert from gas to |
| burners and side tables, you can count on something | | | | charcoal and back again with just a little preparation |
| like a $300 to $400 range.Most gas grills--excluding | | | | and effort.So what will it be--gas, charcoal, or both? |
| portable and table-top models--are on the expensive | | | | In the end, the decision comes down to your lifestyle |
| side, ranging anywhere from $300 to $1500, and | | | | and what features work best for you and your |
| more for higher end models such as built-ins and | | | | family. |