ELECTRIC GRILL VS. CHARCOAL GRILL. WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
For decades outdoor grilling has become popular, but the debate on grill selection continues. Most people like charcoal grills, but some prefer electric grills for convenience and health benefits. Each type of grill has its advantages, but the question remains whether an electric grill is better or a charcoal grill. So we will look at the pros and cons of each type of grill and help you select the better one for your kitchen. We will also provide some tips on properly using them for better results.
CHARCOAL GRILL VS. ELECTRIC GRILL
Charcoal grills are a great feature that can be added to backyard gardens, and it is a traditional way of cooking over an open flame. These grills are of different shapes, small, round, or square, and run on propane grills. You can also use them as a smoker as they need charcoal briquettes, which emit heat and smoke as they burn.
Charcoal grills are easy to use; they require some experience, and you should prepare your grill by preheating it for 15 minutes. Cooking with a charcoal grill is challenging; it creates a chargrilled flavor in your food. It can be found in two forms; charcoal briquettes and charcoal lumps.
Different types of charcoal Grills like a kettle, kamado, and pellet grills are the choice of barbecue enthusiasts.
On the other hand, electric grills are easy to hold and maintain temperature, and cooking is very consistent with these grills. You can cook any food on an electric grill by pushing the button to turn it on.
Electric grills are also much safer than charcoal ones as they do not emit smoke or fire. They transform electrical energy into heat. There are two types of electric grills.
CLAMSHELL CONTACT DESIGN
They use a griddle-like surface to transfer heat by conduction.
OPEN GRILL DESIGN
In open grill design, they utilize radiant heat to prepare food that can be placed on a regular grill grate.
WHICH IS BETTER? CHARCOAL OR ELECTRIC GRILLS?
Everyone has their own choices, and when it comes to choosing grills for your kitchen, there is little more to it than taste and comfort. Nobody knows our needs as we know and understand them, so we should ask some questions to ourselves before bringing the grill to the forefront.
Is taste vital to me?
Can I sacrifice taste over convenience?
How much time can be spent efficiently on grilling?
Is it essential to consider easy cleaning?
What budget can I afford?
So, after knowing all the answers to these questions, you can pick the right grill for you.
GRILL SIZE
Charcoal and electric grills come in the market in various sizes, from minor to medium. You can select the best grill size according to your feasibility. But remember that charcoal grills have a larger cooking area, while electric grills have a smaller one.
GRILLING CONVENIENCE
If you prefer convenience, then electric grills are best to select because there is no need to wait around for the fire to light up. All you need is to push the power button, and you are all set. One of the best things about the electric grill is that it can be used indoors. Electric grills are the best option for people who live in apartments with strict rules. With the help of these grills, you don't need to worry about flare-ups or residual ash. Charcoal grills are inconvenient, and grilling with them for newcomers is challenging. You can safely light the charcoal, control the airflow, and maintain the cooking zone or time. For charcoal grill cleaning method is not easy as for electric grills. But in the next step, you will see charcoal grills are an exciting option.
HEATING CAPACITY
You only want a higher temperature crucial to cooking beautiful sear-on meat. So, charcoal grills are best to achieve the high temperature that helps you to attain perfect searing or burning. These grills will take approximately 20-30 minutes to heat up, but when they perfectly heat up, they provide you with high temperatures for a long time with proper maintenance. On the other hand, electric grills heat up quickly but cannot attain high temperatures like charcoal grills. However, electric grills have introduced innovative technologies for grilling that provide ecstatic heat to meat at high temperatures.
AUTHENTIC BBQ FLAVOUR
A charcoal grill is known as the king of flavors with charcoal, woody and smoky flavors. The charcoal grill provides a smoky flavor due to the use of smoky wood, and that smoke produces a delicious flavor. Electric grills struggle to achieve the authentic flavor of charcoal grills because they do not burn wood to produce a smoky flavor. They do not burn hot enough to bring a smoky flavor to food.
GRILL SAFETY
Electric grills are safest to work as they do not emit smoke and fire. Moreover, they are not water-proof, so keep them away from water; otherwise, they cause a safety hazard or short circuit. On the other hand, working with a charcoal grill is risky as it takes time to master as they want to light and maintain the fire, and it could harm you if you don't properly handle it.
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
For both grills, maintenance depends on how much you use them. Charcoal grills require less maintenance due to fewer parts that could stop working. Charcoal grills didn't require any reparation for six to seven years due to their more robust builds, making them less liable to wear and tear. Electric grills can stay long for years, and they don't have advanced features and sensors. Buying a simple grill with good quality and a warranty will reduce the chance of failure. With regular cleaning and maintenance, you can save your grill from damage.
COST
It is an essential factor for both grills; you can choose an electric or charcoal grill according to your affordability. Electric grill prices are low with advanced features and high quality. Charcoal grills are expensive, ranging from 200 $ to 500 $ and this investment will last a lifetime.
PROS AND CONS OF ELECTRIC GRILL AND CHARCOAL GRILL
ELECTRIC GRILL BENEFITS
Electric grills are easy to use
They are best for indoor and do not produce smoke
Affordable
Easy to clean, portable, and lighter weight
LIMITATIONS
Electric grills cannot produce authentic BBQ flavor
After struggle achieve high temperature
Not ideal for a long cooking
CHARCOAL GRILL BENEFITS
Adds unbeatable flavor to food
Ideal for searing meat
Capability to hold temperature for long term
Provide a wide range of temperature
LIMITATIONS
Preheating the grill takes time
Cooking with a charcoal grill produces ash and smoke
Burning charcoal emits carbon monoxide that is bad for the health
Conclusion
This article will help you select the best grill suited to your needs. Charcoal grills are a better option for you if you want authentic flavor and outdoor cooking, are a fan of classic cooking, or if you want to spend time that takes while cooking on a charcoal grill. An electric grill is the best option for you to choose if you want quick and easy cooking indoors or if you want to cook for 2 to 4 people. Even you can prefer an electric grill if you do not want smoky BBQ flavor in your food.