GAS GRILLS
Pros: If convenience is a priority, then a gas grill may be your best choice. It’s the most common grill and offers multiple burners, warmers,
side shelves and a number of accessories for specialty cooking like rotisserie attachments. Start up and shut down is quick and
temperature control is easy with a low cost per use. Cleaning is fairly easy, although cast iron grates require a little more care. Gas grills
are attractive and come in a variety of stainless steel designs. A good quality gas grill will cost $500-$1,500 and upwards of that for
commercial outdoor versions.
Cons: As convenience goes up the flavor goes down. You will sacrifice some level of taste by using gas, because the grilled taste can
only come from the vaporized drippings of the food. Space is another consideration if you have a small patio or deck. Also, you may
unknowingly run out fuel in the middle of cooking if you don’t check your tank prior to cooking. All metal grills become very hot while grilling,
so they pose a burn hazard. The real drawback to metal grills is that they radiate great amounts of heat, which pulls the moisture from food
very efficiently. It’s likely that the driest chicken breast you ever ate came from a gas grill.
BRIQUETTE CHARCOAL GRILLS
Pros: These grills offer a good charcoal taste and are generally inexpensive compared to other grilling styles–as low as $20 with average
pricing of $75-$150. Briquette charcoal is widely available and is offered in a variety of brands and features such as mesquite flavored and
“ready-to-light” versions. They typically have a large grilling area for direct and indirect grilling and you can even use them as a smoker on
a limited basis by controlling the air vents. They are also a good choice if you have limited space.
Cons: Briquette charcoal grills typically take 20-30 minutes or more for start up. There is no thermometer on basic models so these grills
take quite a bit of guesswork when it comes to temperature. Once again, all metal grills pose a burn hazard, and they radiate great
amounts of heat which pulls the moisture from food very efficiently.
CERAMIC CHARCOAL GRILLS
Pros: If you are a serious outdoor cooker and put a priority on taste, then a ceramic grill is likely your best choice. These grills use a
combination of ceramic shell, natural lump charcoal and air flow to offer a superior charcoal taste and the ability to cook food at high
temperatures and have it retain its moistness . You can cook as low as 225°F or well over 750°F, so you can use it as an oven, a grill or a
smoker. They have a small footprint and costs range from $850-$1,000. A wide range of accessories are available. Ceramic grills are
ready to use in 15 minutes.
Cons: Ceramic grills have an initial learning curve when it comes to adjusting the airflow to achieve the desired temperature. The weight
of these grills averages around 150lbs, so you may need help placing it in the cart or moving it up stairs to a raised deck or balcony.
Ceramic grills are ceramic and while not fragile, they are susceptible to chipping or breaking if dropped or hit with significant force.
Post time: Nov-08-2022