Gas
grills are popular alternatives to the traditional charcoal barbecue.
They are easy to use and are much less messy than your standard charcoal
grill or smoker. They’re perfect for everything from making a
quick snack for yourself, to grilling a meal for all your friends and
family.
Gas grills for the backyard first became mass-produced during the 1960’s.
They typically use either liquid propane (LP) or natural gas (NG) as
fuel for cooking. The earliest models were designed to be hooked up
directly to an existing gas line in the home, and were therefore permanently
affixed to the patio. There are plenty of homeowners that continue to
use this style of barbecue, as they provide the advantage of never running
out of fuel in the middle of cooking, and never having to refill the
tank.
Modern gas barbecues for the backyard are designed to be easily moved
about the patio, and can be easily transported as well. This is achieved
through the use of an external gas tank, which eliminates the need for
the grill to be attached to any gas line. The tank can be removed from
the grill in order to make it more convenient to take to a refilling
station. It is important that safety be kept in mind whenever a propane
or natural gas tank is used. First, the valve should be completely shut
off whenever the grill is not in use, or when removing the tank for
refilling. Secondly, these tanks should also be periodically inspected
to make sure there are no breaks in any seals and to ensure the tank
is in proper working order. A faulty tank should be replaced immediately.
For more elaborate outdoor cooking centers, gas grills are the favorite
type of barbecue. Many homeowners invest a great deal of time and money
into creating a fully-functioning backyard kitchen. These often include
small refrigerators, sinks, counter space, and of course a high quality
grill. This type of set-up almost always includes a gas grill that is
permanently attached to a gas line, but there are exceptions.
Many real barbecue enthusiasts often point out the disadvantages of
cooking with gas grills. The primary complaint is that a gas barbecue
does not produce the same smoke-infused flavor that is a staple of grilling
with charcoal. Gas barbecues are also generally more expensive than
their charcoal counterparts. Because of the many components of a gas
grill, they also require more maintenance than does a charcoal grill,
which can be a bit of a concern for some.
There are, however, some advantages to going with a gas-powered barbecue.
The number one advantage is convenience. Gas grills do not require nearly
as much prep time as does a charcoal grill. With charcoal, the briquettes
have to be lit and allowed to burn down to grey coals before cooking
can begin. This can often take anywhere from 15-30 minutes to accomplish,
depending on the size of the grill and the number of briquettes. However,
with gas you simply light the grill, wait about 5-10 minutes for it
to reach the appropriate temperature, and cooking can begin.
