The age-old question: Gas or charcoal? Both types of grills have advantages, and there are quality models of both kinds, so consider your preferences and which advantages are most important to you.
• grilling/using-a-gas-grill/">Gas Grills: grilling/using-a-gas-grill/">Gas grills are much easier to operate than are charcoal grills, and taste tests indicate that there is no difference in flavor between gas and charcoal. Instead of arranging charcoal, lighting the fire, and then waiting on the charcoal briquettes to die down, a gas grill only requires you to open the gas valve, wait a few minutes, and press the ignition switch. When you have finished grilling, simply turn off the gas and brush off the cooking grate.
• Charcoal Grills: Contrary to the taste tests, many people would argue that charcoal grills produce more flavorful food than do grilling/using-a-gas-grill/">gas grills. In addition, charcoal grills offer a certain classic experience; you have to make the fire yourself, and the food smells wonderfully as it cooks. Finally, charcoal grills cost significantly less than do grilling/using-a-gas-grill/">gas grills, and with a charcoal grill, you never have to buy replacement gas tanks.
Do you want the convenience of a gas grill or do you want the experience and savings of a charcoal grill?