Charcoal grills are the number one choice for those who want to get the perfect smoky flavour without any extra tricks. Any product cooked in a charcoal grill will stand out in aroma and flavour, so the slightly longer set-up process pays off handsomely! This is why charcoal grills have captured the hearts of many a BBQ chef: professionals tend to choose charcoal, pressed briquette or coconut charcoal grills - where food is cooked over a natural fire.
Charcoal grills outperform electric or gas grills for the same reason - impeccable food flavour and extremely high temperatures - making it easy to give any dish a crispy crust. The truth is that grilling enthusiasts are not put off by the longer preparation time - charcoal grills are usually up and running in 20 to 30 minutes, and then you can grill, fry and sizzle for 2 to 4 hours depending on the type and quality of the fuel you want. Quality coconut charcoal briquettes keep the heat even for the full four hours, and if you replenish your fuel supply, you can cook all day!
Indeed, all charcoal grills require work and knowledge, both in set-up and maintenance. For example, when cooking, you need to control the cooking temperature and constantly check that the heat is sufficient. You also need to make sure that you have fuel in advance, especially if your charcoal grill is touristic, portable and you are planning a trip to the countryside. This type of barbecue requires a lot of preparation, but rest assured - the flavoursome results will make up for it!
How to maintain? Some say that charcoal grills are a bit harder to clean than gas or electric grills, but they usually come with ash trays, which makes it easier to maintain the grill, although it does take time. Others say that charcoal grills are easier to clean because they have fewer parts, which make it easier to remove food residues. Grills also come with a replaceable grease tray, so that the food is juicy instead of greasy. All you need to do is replace the full tray with a new one.
So charcoal grills are best suited to those who have more time on their hands and enjoy a slower set-up and cooking process. It is recommended to go for the higher-end grills, which are made of thicker steel and will indeed last longer. Cast iron cooking grates are also useful as they distribute and retain heat better.
