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For many families, charcoal is the preferred fuel for cooking on a grill.
It’s affordable, can be stored easily, and it can provide heat from low-and-slow for roasting and smoking, right up to searing hot for steaks and other specialty ingredients.
If you’re looking for a new grill this year, consider charcoal as one of the best options.
Here are the top benefits you’ll enjoy with this versatile fuel source.
Enhanced Taste
Taste is the primary concern of anyone cooking on a grill.
With charcoal, the flavor is often considered superior to gas grills.
Charcoal infuses a smoky flavor, which can’t be achieved with gas alone.
Charcoal grills are also ideal for wood chips and pellets to add even more flavor to your favorite ingredients.
People buy propane and natural gas grills for their convenience.
Those who are willing to perform a few additional steps for excellent flavor insist on charcoal.
Affordability
Charcoal is affordable in every region and is readily available.
Sold at home stores, gas stations, and even convenience stores, it’s easy to top up a charcoal supply ahead of the summer or at any time of year.
Gas prices often fluctuate which can make it difficult to predict your grilling costs.
Charcoal remains stable throughout the year, making it the ideal choice for budget-conscious households.
Easier to Store and Transport
As long as charcoal is kept dry, it will be ready to use for your next grilling session.
It’s relatively lightweight and doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Compared to bulky propane tanks, charcoal is much easier to store.
You can even take charcoal on the road for tailgating and camping.
Aside from keeping your charcoal away from heat sources, there are no special safety precautions to follow.
If you want the most convenient fuel source that you can keep in a garage or garden shed for years at a time, charcoal is the answer.
Easy to Start
Propane and natural gas grills will always be easier to start than charcoal, but there are products that you can use to make charcoal grilling simpler.
Modern grills are designed to light charcoal easily, even if you start in the firebox.
Or, if you want even greater convenience, you can invest in a chimney starter.
This Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter can be used on any charcoal grill, giving you fully lit coals ready to be added to the firebox in around ten minutes.
Better Heat Performance
Although charcoal heat can be controlled right down to a low-and-slow cooking style, you could also get your grill up to searing hot temperatures for steaks, burgers, and your other favorite ingredients.
Charcoal gets much hotter than gas, even in a relatively small grill.
While gas grills often need infrared burners or bigger burners to produce a lot of heat, you’ll be able to get a rapid sear on even a small charcoal grill.
If you often need high heat performance and don’t want to use a lot of fuel, a charcoal grill will be perfect for you.
Simpler Grills
Charcoal grills are simpler than their gas counterparts, which makes them more affordable, easier to maintain, and less likely to fail.
Charcoal is so reliable that many families are still using their classic kettle grills from 20 years ago.
To make an investment that lasts, consider a charcoal grill first.
The benefits of charcoal are widely recognized, and this is reflected in how popular these simple grills are in the age of gas and electric appliances.
For flavor, convenience, and affordability, it’s impossible to overlook this choice.