Which is better when it comes to a barbecue grill – gas or charcoal? People have been arguing this point for many years. There are pluses and minuses to each, but many people have a strong loyalty to whichever type they prefer. But if you’re new to barbeque cooking and you don’t know where to start, here’s a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Gas

* Fast. In just 10 minutes, the grill is ready.

* The heat is controllable. You have more leeway when it comes to timing the meal. Sometimes you need to cook something over low heat for an extended period, and other times it needs to be at a higher temperature for less time. Gas can help you easily manage these requirements.

* Flexible. The side burner can be used for cooking veggies, and the rotisserie is useful for slow roasting of large cuts of meats.

* Flavor. Some people don’t like the flavor of food prepared on a gas grill. And it certainly doesn’t offer up the distinctive wood smoke taste of food cooked over charcoal.

* Easy to clean. There are no ashes to clean up. A tray to catch the drippings handles most of the cleaning, and you can increase the heat for several minutes in order to burn off the remains so that they can be more easily removed.

* Cost effective. You can get eight hours of grilling out of a single propane tank.

* The initial cost may be high; however there is a wide range of prices to suit any budget.

* It may prove to be more cost effective in the long run especially if taken good care of, but this depends on the changing prices of gas.

Charcoal

* The taste and aroma of smoked wood can’t be beat.

* Initial cost is low, but it may not be efficient in the long run.

* They require a lot more time, not just to cook but also to prepare. From the time the briquettes are lit and have burned down enough to start cooking, 40 minutes have probably gone by. This can be a problem if you have a sudden urge for barbeque.

* Timing is important. There is no heat control, so you have to keep a close eye on your food.

* The cost of briquettes may prove to be quite expensive in the long run.

* Ashes are a pain to clean out. You have to let the grate cool down completely before you can clean it, and it’s a tough job.

Hopefully you’ll find these BBQ tips useful in your choice of charcoal or gas. Pick the one that fits both your lifestyle and your budget. Busy people might want to get a gas grill as they are highly effective time wise. However, if you have some time on your hands, you can’t beat the flavor that charcoal gives.