Charcoal barbecues have been the perfect companion for those who like to cook outdoors for many years. Nowadays, more and more restaurants still serve food cooked over charcoal. But why do they have so many advantages and does it taste so good on meat?
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What are the advantages of charcoal barbecues?
Until not so long ago, cooking with charcoal barbecues was commonplace. And although over time people have been opting for other options, the truth is that a barbecue that uses charcoal nowadays is much more recommendable than other models:
- It is very economical: There are dozens of models on the market, which adapt to the needs of each person. Of course, some models are expensive, but others are quite cheap and interesting.
- Fueling is cheaper: The time when buying charcoal was almost prohibitively expensive is over. It is also much healthier now that charcoal is used for barbecues.
- It has a high calorific value: Although gas or electricity can reach high temperatures of approximately 300º, nothing comes close to the calorific value of charcoal. It can reach a temperature of up to 500º, perfect for roasting.
- Easy to transport: Charcoal barbecues are much easier to transport from one place to another. With other types, such as gas barbecues, you have to think about the barbecue plus the canister. You can take it anywhere without it taking up too much space.
- Different nuances to the flavor of the meat: Depending on the type of charcoal used, the meat gets a unique and different flavor. As if that were not enough, the smoke generated by the embers also helps the flavor of the meat to become something special, with a texture that cannot be achieved with other types of barbecues.
- You can cook with wood: Just because it’s a charcoal barbecue doesn’t mean specifically that you have to use only charcoal. Many people use wood to cook their dishes on these fantastic barbecues and enjoy a nice chat with the pleasant smell of burning wood.
- Different cooking levels: Most modern charcoal barbecue models allow you to raise, or lower, the level of the charcoal bed, as well as the grids on which the meat and vegetables are placed. This makes it possible to achieve different cooking levels at different speeds.
- Easy to clean: Not so long ago, cleaning a charcoal barbecue could be a real headache. Nowadays, however, many of them are equipped with a “one-touch” function, which allows for quick and efficient cleaning in no time at all.
What should you look for when buying a charcoal barbecue?
Choosing a barbecue is quite complicated, as each person needs specific characteristics to meet their needs. However, there are many common features to look for when buying a charcoal barbecue:
- Barbecue or grill… don’t get confused! Many people think that a grill is the same as a barbecue, when in fact they are very different. If you go to the shop and see a barbecue without a lid, it is not a barbecue. It is what is known as a grill. Barbecues have a lid, to cover the ingredients and allow them to cook with the heat inside. Even if it uses charcoal, if it doesn’t have a lid, a charcoal grill won’t be of much interest to you.
- Will you take it with you: Choosing one of the many models of charcoal barbecues on the market depends on the type of use you intend to make of it. If you are going to take the barbecue with you when you go on a trip, you will be interested in a model with wheels. On the other hand, if it is for your terrace or garden, you can save money by buying a fixed barbecue.
- What type of fuel will you use: Here you have to be very careful. It is true that most models are mixed and allow you to use wood and coal for heat. However, some models are exclusively for use with charcoal. You will have to ask before buying. We explain how to choose the best charcoal for your barbecue and how to get a truly professional result.
- How much are you willing to spend: When looking at charcoal barbecue catalogs you will see that they come in many price ranges. Do you need to buy the most expensive model? Of course not, because you can go for slightly cheaper models. If it’s for a garden, or when you go on a trip, buying a small charcoal barbecue will be more than enough. For a garden, if you like to have family meals, you might have to look for a larger design.
Where should you locate your charcoal barbecue?
Before you proceed to buy a charcoal barbecue, you need to think, do you have the space to have one? Not every house offers you the space to have one. So, what do you need to take into account to place your barbecue?
- Wind direction: Generally, wind direction does not play an important role when using charcoal barbecues, as it closes the lid so that the meat is cooked better. But what if you tried to cook with the lid open? Wind can be a big drawback in the process, so you have to look for an isolated area or an area where the draughts are not too strong.
- Look for an area close to a tree: Be very careful with this. It is nice to cook on a barbecue near a tree, but you should not be close to it. Look for a spot where you can cook under its branches, but at a prudent distance so that, if an ember jumps out, it does not cause a fire.
- A protected area that isolates the noise: Not all neighbors like the noise that can arise when a barbecue is being held. For this reason, you should have fences or shrubs to isolate the noise.
- The perfect size: It is generally recommended that the area for a barbecue, whether in the garden or on the terrace, should be at least 10 square meters so that you have enough space to comfortably enjoy cooking on your fantastic appliance.
- Will the smoke be a nuisance: Remember that barbecues generate a lot of smoke, which will move with the wind. This is why you should place it away from doors or windows, to prevent odors from penetrating the house. Also, it is not good to cook right next to the place where you are going to eat because it will make your guests uncomfortable.
- In the garden or on the terrace: Of course, having a charcoal barbecue makes it necessary to think long and hard about the best place to install it. You can have it in the garden, but it has to be located on a flagstone floor and free of vegetation. A terrace is always a better option, but it must be in a clear area and the wind must not come from the front, to prevent the smoke from penetrating the interior of the home.
- How about a kitchen barbecue: Nowadays some barbecue models can be installed in kitchens and prepare dishes as they used to be prepared in the old days. Why not try them out?
How easy is it to clean a charcoal barbecue?
Many people are put off by the idea of buying a charcoal barbecue because they are difficult to clean. However, the latest models allow easy, quick, and time-saving cleaning.
The steps to follow to clean a charcoal barbecue are as follows:
- Start by removing the ash and ember residue left over from the barbecue. These may be stuck to the walls of the barbecue, so you will need to use a spatula to remove them.
- Once all the ash has been removed, it is time to get rid of any food that may have stuck to the grill. Special barbecue brushes can be used for this purpose. There are also special liquids available in shops for this process. Some of them are specific to different barbecue models.
- Once everything has been removed, it is best to leave the barbecue to dry in the open air. Alternatively, you can use a dry cloth to remove the cleaning agent residue.
How often should a charcoal barbecue be cleaned? Ideally, you should clean it thoroughly after every use. But once a month should be enough to keep it in good condition. If you remove food debris and prevent it from sticking, you will be able to clean the embers less frequently.
Are they better than other barbecues?
Certainly, charcoal barbecues have many advantages, and in some respects, they are superior to other barbecue models. For example, the calorific value is certainly higher, and the smell of burning wood is pleasant.
It also gives a different texture to the meat. And, of course, it is much easier to transport, not needing a strong external energy to operate.
But perhaps the biggest drawback is controlling the amount of charcoal. With an electric or gas stove, you don’t have to think about controlling the amount of charcoal you have left. Perhaps that is a drawback. Still, the attraction of these barbecues is that you can experiment with different types of charcoal until you find the one that gives the best flavor to your meat according to your taste.