Fueling the Fire

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Thinking about what kind of grill makes for the tastiest food? Is it charcoal, or gas or wood or electric? We have all experienced walking by an open fire with the smell of the steaks over the charcoal or the chicken cooking on the wood fire and those smells, wow, do they get our taste to stand up and pay attention.

So which one is the best? Actually the taste of the food depends more the on the cooking temperature more than the kind of fuel generating the heat. Studies have shown, despite personal biases, the same foods cooked on a charcoal grill versus a gas grill, at the same temperature for the same amount of time come out the same. Cooking on wood or charcoal does not impact the flavor of the meat. It is the direct heat cooking the food that brings out the flavor. The smells of the fire, however, is distinctly different and may be why folks claim that food tastes better cooked with one type of fuel over another. Each type of fire creates a different mood and elicits different memories so if you prefer to cook with one type of fuel that may be the reason.

Different types of grills also have different ways of controlling the temperatures and that will also make a difference. As grills evolve they have gotten much better at regulating and maintaining temperatures. Not having enough heat or too much flame has ruined many a cookout and has frustrated many a chef.

For many people the choice comes down to what you plan to grill and when you plan to grill it. After a long day at work it just seems easier to throw a steak on a gas or electric grill and have a delicious and dependable meal with a short amount of work and in a short amount of time. For other occasions, when you are having guest or want to cook a special dish, using an open wood or charcoal fire or a smoker is a great choice. They generally take longer and also create a different ambiance around the cooking. Cooking with wood, charcoal or smoker create a casual relaxed atmosphere where friends and family gather round and enjoy not only the food but also the fire itself.

No matter what type of grill, what type of fuel or what type of food anytime you grill out it is a good time. Enjoy the experience of grilling with all kinds of grills and all kinds of fuel and you will soon discover which one is your favorite. Grilling is not an exact science but more of an art so let the creative artist in you flourish!