Gas Barbecues: Five Reasons To Buy
Article by Terry Keogh
When it comes to buying a barbecue, there really is one very fundamental question to answer right at the start of the process: are you going to opt for gas barbecues or charcoal?
The gas barbecue v charcoal barbecue debate is a long-running one with no definitive conclusion. There are ardent proponents in both camps. However, while there are pros and cons to both gas and charcoal, here I’ll be taking a look at why a gas barbecue could be what you’re looking for as opposed to its charcoal counterpart.
There are five good reasons to invest in a gas barbecue – and here they are:
1) Ease of lighting: No messing about here. You can light your gas barbecue on demand without having to worry about the uncertainty of firelighters or ‘instant’ lighting charcoal that in reality is nothing of the sort.
2) Controllable heat: Another advantage of the gas barbecue over charcoal is that heat is completely under your control, which means you can cook what you want, when you want, and how you like it – once again removing the uncertainty and arbitrary nature of barbecue cooking.
3) No difference in flavour: Don’t listen to the old myths about charcoal barbecues producing a unique taste. It simply doesn’t tally with the facts. Try something cooked on a gas barbecue and then eat the same thing from a charcoal barbecue and I’m willing to bet you won’t be able to taste the difference. Of course, barbecued food does have a special taste but that’s down the process of cooking, not the source of the heat.
4) Ease of cleaning: This one is a real clincher, especially if you’ve had the misfortune of slopping out and scraping up charcoal remnants. With a gas barbecue, drip trays will collect a lot of the messy stuff from the cooking and of course there are no piles of ash or gunky charcoal to worry about.
5) Versatility: You generally have a lot more cooking options with a gas barbecue. It’s a lot more like conventional cooking and because of the reliability and controllability of the heat source, it makes using things like a side burner and rotisseries much more viable.
Now, I’m not saying these factors mean you should choose a gas barbecue over a charcoal model – but they are points definitely worth considering and good reasons if you do decide to opt for gas. There are certain disadvantages – not least the added cost of a gas barbecue over a charcoal version – but many barbecue buyers believe it’s a price worth paying after experiencing the results.
Of course, whichever barbecue you choose, the most important factor in how the food tastes is you – choosing the right barbecue can help, but it won’t guarantee great results. And remember, a bad workman blames his tools! So brush up on your culinary skills, weigh up the pros and cons, choose the right barbecue for you and enjoy the taste of the outdoors.
About the Author
Terry Keogh is an experienced gardener and craftsman.
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February 22nd, 2012
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