Charcoal vs. Gas Grilling: Debating The Pros And Cons

When it comes to grilling, people are pretty divided -- on one side there are those who prefer grilling with gas, and on the other side there are those who prefer charcoal. One grilling method offers a speedy set-up and convenient and easy cleanup, whereas the other involves playing with fire. It really comes down to personal preference and there is an argument for both sides -- just see blogger Meathead's post on gas vs. charcoal.

So, we asked our fans on Facebook to see what they thought. We were surprised to see an overwhelming response in favor of charcoal grilling, but we want to open up the topic for further debate. Which side are you on? Add your thoughts to the debate below and vote for the side you're on.

Step
1

Pre-debate poll:

Tell us your opinion before the debate starts to set the starting line

Charcoal grilling is better than gas.

• Agree
• Disagree
• I'm on the Fence

Agree - Thanks for voting! Please proceed to read the debate below

Please vote to proceed to the debate

Step
2

Who makes the better argument?

Point: Charcoal tastes better.

"[I] love the taste and smell of charcoal grilling." -- Rendy Halm via Facebook

"[I prefer] charcoal, [because] it just tastes better and wood adds a lot too!" -- Claire Seaboyer via Facebook

"[I prefer] charcoal. If you want to GRILL, then really GRILL. Leave the gas for the stove!" -- Katy Adams via Facebook

Point: Gas is cleaner and more convenient.

"[I prefer] gas just because of the convenience." -- Cynthia Mason via Facebook

"Charcoal gives flavor but [I've] found that gas has better temperature control so I try to put a metal container with lump charcoal in the gas grill and it works very well especially for large parties." --Evan Earl Barnhouse via Facebook

"Charcoal gives a good flavor but it makes a mess and clean up sucks. I use gas now just out of convenience and speed." -- Peg Willen via Facebook

Step
3

POST DEBATE POLL

Did one of the arguments change your mind?

Charcoal grilling is better than gas.

• Agree
• Disagree
• I don't know, I guess I really have commitment issues

VIEW DEBATE ROUND 1 RESULTS

Agree - Thanks for voting again! Here are the results:

Before

Agree Disagree Undecided

After

Agree Disagree Undecided

moreless AgreeDisagreeUndecided

"Agree""Disagree"Neither argumenthas changed the most minds

Invite your friends to the debate!

• Tweet
• Share

Photo from Stefano A, Flickr.

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[maynard638]

12:04 AM on 07/26/2012

Bottom line, we are treating our food with carcinogenic elements. We love the flavor but it does translate to harm to the body.

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[Bettye Cart]

06:20 PM on 05/28/2012

Bottom line, we are treating our food with carcinogenic elements. We love the flavor but it does translate to harm to the body.

[Greg 135]

09:20 PM on 05/26/2012

I cooked over gas for 20 years and just recently switched back to charcoal. The difference in flavor is undeniable. Everyone in our family noticed the improvement and commented on it. I will never go back to gas. The only change I would consider is moving to wood.

[ThinkCreeps]

02:37 AM on 05/27/2012

It's not the gas flame, but the heated rocks that do the grilling in a gas barbeque. If there's an inadequate result, then the heating of the rocks can't be being done right. It doesn't seem to be an insurmountable job to sell a machine with a bed of gas-heated rocks that closely matches a bed of embers.

[Greg 135]

06:53 PM on 05/27/2012

Many gas grills no longer use the rocks.  My two last grills did not utilize rocks at all. The last one I got was a Brinkman model, no rocks involved.  Just a flame that went onto a metal plate.  Worst grill I ever had.  That grill alone converted me to charcoal.

[moflard]

02:20 AM on 05/26/2012

Don't use either - here in the bit of Spain where I live BBQ's are done with wood.

[yappnmutt]

06:43 PM on 05/25/2012

women opinions about grilling and barbeque. what do they know?

[mommy2one]

11:14 AM on 05/29/2012

Hardy har har! What a riot you are. Sarcasm suits you ;)

I'm a single mom and cook on my charcoal grill at least once a week now that it's warm out. I'm pretty dang good at it too!

[raging cynic]

04:57 PM on 05/25/2012

Of course cooking with charcoal is better than with gas. Period. End of story. Moving on.

[Uhhhhdel]

03:50 PM on 05/25/2012

The proper way to light charcoal is with a chimney. Use newspaper to light the chimney. The only time it is acceptable to light the chimney with lighter fluid is if it is windy and you are tailgating (it is considered bad form to let newspaper ash fly to other people's personal space). The above video is the way to light charcoal until you learn the correct way.

[ThinkCreeps]

02:31 AM on 05/27/2012

Newspaper ash in parking lot, bad. Exploding lighter fluid in parking lot, good?

[Uhhhhdel]

10:56 AM on 05/31/2012

Have you ever had lighter fluid explode when lighting charcoal? Unless the charcoal is laced with dynamite, I doubt that it is something you need to worry about.

[Bone Lee Tadpole]

08:28 AM on 05/25/2012

I use a gas grill to ignite the hardwood and then I turn off the gas and let it smoke.....!!!!!! Citrus trees are nice too, but it's a Florida thing :)

[blurredmolly]

04:21 PM on 05/25/2012

good idea

[cichlid mom]

08:24 PM on 05/24/2012

Wood is best, but then charcoal. tho i do have to admit I worry about chemicals in the coals and smoke. maybe a non-issue, just havent really looked into it although I think about it each time we grill.

[ThinkCreeps]

02:38 AM on 05/27/2012

It's the blackened meat, not the way in which it is blackened that you should worry about.

[cichlid mom]

09:10 PM on 05/27/2012

THX heard that and believe it to be true (carcinogens and all). But I have to admit I do like a charred burger or hot dog every now and then. Given that we only eat them about three times a year i am hoping it will be ok. Grilled salmon is also good but we grill it on the cedar planks, so it doesnt get charred. Yum.