Grills: Gas or Charcoal?

Grill lovers can be opinionated when it comes to which type of barbecue they prefer, hands down, to the other. The choice: gas -- either natural or propane -- or charcoal, usually briquets. A lot has to do with actual taste and flavor of the cuisine. Charcoal grill fans simply love the outdoorsy, smoky taste and aroma of meat and vegetables cooked over briquets. Gas grill aficionados like all the bells and whistles available.

Going For Looks

A sleek, shiny stainless steel grill gets some outdoor chefs' hearts beating faster. To some, it's like a brand new sports car, an exquisite sculpture or even a trophy spouse. Manufacturers pay attention, and details like customized grates, monograms, ergonomic hooks for cooking tools, neat little drawers for spices are incorporated into the latest models.

With looks in mind, manufacturers like Big Green Egg are producing cleverly designed charcoal grills that rival their stainless steel gas-fueled competitors.

Let's look at the plusses and minuses of gas and charcoal grills.

Gas Grill Pros

• They are easier to clean
• More eco-friendly, emitting roughly half as much greenhouse gas as charcoal does.*
• Simpler to light
• Healthier, because studies have linked consumption of charcoal grilled foods with certain cancers
• They are the most popular choice among consumers.

Charcoal Grill Pros

• They have more of a distinct, outdoor-over-a-fire flavor
• Traditionally less expensive
• More portable; easier to move

A Compromise?

Like having your cake and ice cream both, hybrid grills are efficiently hooked up to gas, but come equipped with drawers for wood and coal, which release that fabulous, familiar flavor of outdoor cooking.