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The choice of whether to buy a charcoal or gas barbecue is never an easy one, as there are many different factors to take into account when making your decision.

For barbecue fanatics, the same debate arises every summer – which is better: the charcoal barbecue or the gas barbecue?

They each have their defenders and detractors, some of whom will argue passionately for their cause. However, when it comes down to it, it really depends on your personal preferences and exactly what you want to do with your barbecue.

Gas and charcoal barbecues each have their separate advantages and disadvantages. While advocates of charcoal burners will swear blind that charcoal lends a uniquely distinctive taste to food cooked in this way, independent taste tests have verified that there really is no difference between food cooked over gas and food cooked over charcoal.

Barbecued food gets its singular flavour, not from the source of the flames, but from the evaporation of juices in the flames, which are then re-absorbed back into the food.

So, given that both gas and charcoal will produce the same results in terms of taste, what are the reasons for choosing one over the other?

Well, when it comes to convenience, the gas barbecue clearly comes out on top. Most will ignite at the touch of a button, and allow you to start cooking in seconds. What’s more, the flames can be turned up or down as needed, giving you a degree of control that simply isn’t possible with charcoal.

Gas barbecues are also easy to clean – once you’re finished cooking, simply close the hood and turn the burners up to full blast for a minute or two to burn away any excess juices, then give it a quick scrub with a wire brush, and you’re done. You don’t have to worry about disposing of hot ashes as you do with a charcoal barbecue.

However, a charcoal barbecue does have the advantage of being cheap to purchase when compared to gas. If you don’t plan on barbecuing often, then a simple charcoal barbecue is probably the most cost-effective option for you.

It’s also much easier to wood smoke your food over charcoal as you cook it. With gas barbecues you will need to buy a special attachment for smoking, whereas, with a charcoal setup all you need to do is liberally sprinkle some wood shavings over the hot coals as you cook to introduce a delicious smoky flavour to your barbecue.

Another advantage of charcoal over gas is its portability – many charcoal barbecues are small enough to be easily thrown in the back of the car and used for picnics, camping trips and outdoor festivals. Most gas appliances, however, are far too bulky to be transported in his way, and so will only ever be used in your own garden.

So, when it comes to choosing between a charcoal or gas barbecue, these are a few of the points that you should bear in mind. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately the choice will depend on your own personal preferences.

If you are a serious barbecue aficionado looking to create gourmet masterpieces from your own garden, gas is certainly the way to go, but if you’re just looking to grill a few burgers every once in a while, then charcoal would be better suited to your needs.

Choosing between a charcoal or gas barbecue can be difficult – each has their own advantages and disadvantages, so, it’s wise to take stock of your options before committing to a purchase.