Your Tailgating Guide and How to Find the Grill for You: Gas or Charcoal?

Because tailgating has become such a huge phenomenon in the United States given the success of football and other mainstream sports, there are tons of different choices to sort through when finding a grill that is perfect for your needs. Unless you are planning to feed an army, you can find some affordable prices that will give you quality just as good as some of the more expensive brands. But, in a food world so big, where to start?

The absolute first thing you must do, is decide how many people you will consistently be serving. Obviously goes without saying that you do not need a huge grill if you are entertaining small parties, but you are also looking for efficiency and how quickly the food is prepared. Quality is also paramount of course, and this will depend on what you're cooking on a particular grill. The basic decision is charcoal or gas grills. Charcoal grills are known for the food tasting better because they are more flavorful and how they are cooked. Some people prefer gas grills however to this quality because they are so fast to use. In fact, most gas grills these days turn on with the push of a button. So do you want quality or convenience?

How often are you going to be sitting in the stadium parking lot cheering on your favorite team over hamburgers? The frequency you use a grill is a big deciding factor in deciding which one you will purchase. After you have decided the rough amount of times you will pull out the grill, it is time to talk about speed mentioned earlier. It takes about 10 minutes for a gas grill to be ready to go. This is perfect for when you are in a crunch, or having to cook things quickly for repeat eaters. Temperatures with gas grills usually remain consistent and is another reason why some people swear by them. A propane tank is full size lasts roughly 20 hours and DOS does not require a lot of maintenance and less you are grilling literally on a daily basis.

So what else can gas grills do? How about cook at two different temperatures simultaneously? One thing about gas grills to keep in mind, is that you won't be able to fully cook meat, ribs and so forth under temperatures of 300°F. This all depends on the brand purchased, however is more or less universally known. Also remember one thing about portable grills in particular: you will need an adapter for tanks that are full-sized.

Think about weather. Stainless steel grills last the longest and are most resistant to the elements, but they are not the be-all end-all. It is great that stainless steel grills won't rust, but that will also obviously cost you more from the wallet. Powdered coat finished aluminum grills are also fantastic.

Remember 300°F for gas grills? Charcoal grills can cook effectively at just 200°F. The advantages to this are obvious. The slow process cooking makes your chicken and other heated materials taste out of this world and flavor. Think about buying a smoker if you barbecue often. If you are a beginner water smokers are common and will help you out. Flavors make the tailgating world turned upside down, however maintenance of certain charcoal grills may stop you from purchasing one. What is more important to you? Another thing to consider is that with a smoker food is left moist for a long period of time. This is great for all-day tailgating or simply taking your time having a few beers and slowly waiting for your food to cook.

Tailgating is a reflection of your personality, because the backbone of such an event all starts with the cook. Fast and effective, or slow and flavorful? Chances are you have a gut answer in your mind, and it is the right answer for you.