Gas or Charcoal BBQ: Which Is Better?
May 08, 2023
There’s no denying it, after the first glimpse of sun here in the UK, we’re ready to whip out the barbecue! But is a gas or charcoal BBQ better? What’s the difference between them, and, does it matter?
Both charcoal barbecues and gas barbecues each have their merits, so in the end it’s really down to which one’s best suited to you. So, to help you make that all-important decision, we’ve listed the top three factors to consider for each type, along with some key features to look out for when shopping for your perfect barbecue.
What Is a Charcoal BBQ?
Charcoal barbecues are the traditional types of grills which use charcoal underneath to smoke the food. Once the charcoal is lit and all the coals are hot, it releases heat and smoke, which is infused into the food and cooks it.
They Provide a Distinct Flavour
A lot of people believe that charcoal barbecues give better flavour. Cooking food over charcoal gives that classic wood-smoke flavour, which is undeniably true, but the oft-disputed question is whether or not gas barbecues can match this flavour or not. Whether the answer’s yes or no, you know that with charcoal, you’re definitely not going to compromise on flavour. The Flamemaster 18 inch Kettle BBQ definitely won't let you down!
You Get the Full BBQ Experience
With charcoal barbecues, you get the full experience: the satisfaction of making a fire, keeping it at the right temperature, and cooking your food using skill. It might take longer to heat up than gas – around 30-45 minutes – but that just adds to the experience, and, of course, the anticipation! Give your guests the very best with the Tepro Detroit BBQ.
They’re Cheaper and Lighter
Charcoal barbecues tend to be significantly cheaper than gas, though it is worth considering how often you’ll use it. If you’ll be using it lots, you’ll need to factor in how much all that charcoal will be, and whether it’s cost-effective. But if you’re only going to barbecue every now and then, charcoal is usually best.
Charcoal barbecues tend to be considerably lighter and take up less space, so they’re easier to bring out and pack away. This is ideal if you struggle with mobility, or simply don’t want a heavy barbecue to move around! So why not consider an option like the Tower Dual Wagon BBQ Grill?
Features to Look Out For
Height-adjustable grilling racks – For cooking foods at different temperatures.
Air vents – Ensure thorough air circulation.
What Is a Gas BBQ?
This type of barbecue is more like an oven hob than a traditional charcoal barbecue. It features multiple gas burners under a grill, which each have individual controls like the knobs on an oven. Many also come with a hood and temperature gauge for convection cooking, so you can enjoy different types of foods.
They’re incredibly popular for a number of reasons:
Gas Barbecues are Convenient
Gas barbecues are often seen as the more convenient choice as they’re ready in an instant. With fire at the touch of a button, not only are you ready to grill as soon as you turn it on, but you can stop and start easily if friends turn up at different times. They often come with lava rocks or flame tamers, which help give food a more authentic barbecue flavour by converting drippings to smoke. Why not try the Outback Jupiter 4-Burner BBQ?
You Can Adjust the Temperature
Avoiding the dreaded blackened sausages is relatively simple when you can simply turn a knob to adjust the temperature. A lot of gas barbecues have multiple burners too, which is great if you’ve got an array of different foods on the go. If you're looking for a high temperature sear burner, the Char-Broil Convective 640 Gas BBQ will cook you the perfect steak!
They’re Easier to Clean
There’s no charcoal ash to get rid of when you’ve been using gas – a big bonus for those who want to cut down on the clean-up. You’ll still have to clean the fiddly knobs and other parts, just like you have to on your stove, but overall cleaning your barbecue is a considerably less messy affair. The Outback Omega 250 2-Burner BBQ even comes with a handy grease-collection cup!
Features to Look Out For
Multiple burners – Create different temperature zones for cooking different foods.
Lava rocks or flame tamers – Vaporise fats to infuse your food with an authentic barbecued taste.
Side burner – For cooking up sauces or smaller dishes in saucepans.
Gas vs. Charcoal BBQ: How to Choose
Choosing the right barbecue for you depends on what you value the most. Are convenience and an easy clean-up the most important things to you, or is it the traditional hands-on barbecue experience?
Sometimes it may depend on other factors, like mobility issues. If you’re less mobile, a charcoal barbecue may be better as they’re usually significantly lighter.
And then there’s the cost: charcoal models tend to be much cheaper than gas, so if you need to watch what you spend, opting for charcoal may be the best option.
That said, if you still can’t decide which one to go for, you can always enjoy the best of both worlds with a hybrid or dual fuel barbecue. Read on to find out more!
Hybrid and Dual Fuel BBQs
What Are the Benefits of Hybrid BBQs?
Hybrid models allow you to alternate between gas or charcoal briquettes across the full grill width. So you can enjoy getting a charcoal barbie going when you’ve got time and, if you don’t, simply hit the gas.
What Are the Benefits of Dual Fuel BBQs?
Dual fuel barbecues feature separate cooking areas for both gas and charcoal cooking. So if some guests fancy charcoal-grilled food and you want to use a gas grill for quickly heating up sauces and more, dual fuel is right for you.
Key Features to Look Out For
As hybrid and dual fuel offer a combination of gas and charcoal barbecue features, you should look out for both, such as the ones below:
Multiple burners – Like on gas barbecues, hybrid and dual fuel models have multiple burners that create different temperature zones for cooking different foods. If you’ll often be cooking for larger gatherings, the more burners, the better.
Height-adjustable grilling racks – As with charcoal models, these allow you to cook foods at different temperatures.
Hoods with thermometers – These allow for convection cooking so you can cook a wider variety of foods and enhance your barbecue experience.
Side burners – Always a handy feature, these are great for heating up sauces and smaller dishes.
So what’s it to be: a gas or charcoal BBQ? Or are you now leaning towards hybrid or dual fuel? There are plenty of pros to weigh up for each so have a browse through our full range of barbecues to make a decision – you might just spot a model you love!
Once you buy the right one, the next step is to plan your barbecue party! Check out our BBQ Checklist and make sure you have all the food and essentials you need to make it a success.
