You’ve not seen devotion until you’ve seen a grill master defending his or her choice of equipment. Maybe you’re one of those ardent devotees yourself, standing tall and proud, custom engraved spatula in hand, ready to dazzle your friends and family with your culinary wizardry.

But if you’re just now purchasing your first grill or wondering if the grass is greener on the other side, here’s a handy guide to help you decide whether gas or charcoal is the way to go.

The Case for Charcoal

• Less expensive. A basic charcoal grills has little use for bells and whistles. All you need is a grill grate laid over a rounded metal charcoal chamber, a few legs for stability, and you’re ready to roll. In fact, you can probably purchase a small charcoal grill for as little as $20. On the other hand, a gas grill can set you back several hundred dollars.
• Smokier flavor. If you love steak, pork, and poultry, you might prefer a charcoal grill. You see, the burning of complex organic molecules in charcoal produces aromatic compounds. Combined with the higher level of smoke produced over gas, the result is a distinctive char-grilled quality that just can’t be replicated. If you prefer grilled fish, vegetables, and other delicate fare, perhaps gas is the better choice since charcoal produces a good deal of smoke.
• More portable. Unlike a heavy, bulky gas grill, a charcoal grill can accompany you to a campsite, park, or tailgating event. You can even purchase a single use charcoal grill.

The Case for Gas

• Better fuel economy. Sure, the cost to refill or purchase a typical 20 pound propane tank is more expensive than a bag of charcoal, but you can expect to get about 25 grill sessions from propane versus about 3 from a 20 pound bag of charcoal.
• Faster warm-up. From the time you ignite a gas grill to the time it reaches a minimum of 130 degrees Fahrenheit takes 10 minutes or less because the grill is directly connected to the fuel source. And that means dinner on the table faster! Plus, you have better temperature control which allows you to cook a wide variety of food at once. With charcoal, expect to wait about 20 minutes to reach a desired cooking temperature.
• Easier to clean. There’s no charcoal to remove and dispose of and little to no ash to clean out. Simply scrub down the grill base and grate with a grill brush, empty the grease cup, and clean off the accumulation on the drip pan as needed (when everything is completely cool to the touch, of course).
• Eco-friendlier. If you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint, you’ll be glad to know that a gas grill is the greener option, generating about half as much carbon dioxide as it’s charcoal counterpart.

The choice, by the way, is not mutually exclusive…but then, you already knew that. But did you also know that PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling can provide you with a permanent supply of natural gas for your outdoor grill by installing a dedicated gas line for that very purpose?  Contact us today to learn more, schedule installation, and discover the benefits of adding even more natural gas connections to your home.