Charcoal barbecue

For many years, charcoal barbecues have become the perfect companion for those who like to cook outdoors. Nowadays, many restaurants still serve food cooked over charcoal. But why do they have so many advantages? Do they taste so good on meat?

The best charcoal barbecues of 2021:

We present you a complete analysis of the best charcoal barbecues rated by users in 2021. discover them!

OneConcept GQ5 | Charcoal barbecue and smoker at an unbeatable price

Tepro Toronto Click 2020: the best quality-price charcoal barbecue

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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 today is much more advisable 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 there are models that are expensive, but there are others that are quite cheap and interesting.

✹Its fuel is more economical: The time when buying coal was almost prohibitive has come to an end. In addition, it is much healthier now that charcoal is used for this type of barbecue.

✹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. This can reach a temperature of up to 500º, perfect for grilling.

✹Easy to transport: Charcoal barbecues are much easier to transport from one place to another. In other types, such as gas barbecues, you have to think about the barbecue plus the cylinder. It can be taken anywhere without taking up much space.

✹Different nuances to the flavor of the meat: Depending on the type of charcoal used, the meat obtains 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 is a charcoal barbecue does not mean specifically that you must use only charcoal. Many people use wood to make their dishes on these fantastic barbecues, and enjoy a great chat with that 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 grates on which the meats 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 have a "one-touch" function, which allows quick and efficient cleaning in a short time.

What do you need to look at when buying a charcoal barbecue?

Choosing a barbecue is quite complicated, as each person needs specific characteristics to meet their needs. However, there are a number of common features to look for when buying a charcoal barbecue:

✹Barbecue or grill... don't get confused: Many people think a grill is the same as a barbecue, when in fact they are very different. If you go to the store and see a barbecue without a lid, it's not a barbecue. It is what is known as a grill. Barbecues have a lid, to cover the ingredients so that they are cooked with the heat from the inside. Even if it uses charcoal, if it does not have a lid, a charcoal grill will not be of much interest to you.

✹Will you take it with you: Choosing one of the many models of charcoal barbecues on the market will depend on the type of use you are going to give 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 charcoal for heat. However, some models are exclusively for use with charcoal. You will have to ask before buying it. We explain how to choose the best charcoal for barbecue and to get a real professional result.

✹How much are you willing to spend: When looking at charcoal barbecue catalogs you will see that there are many prices. Actually, do you need to buy the most expensive model? Of course not, because you can go for somewhat cheaper models. If it is 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 proceeding to buy a charcoal barbecue, you have to think, do you have enough 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, since it closes the lid so that the meat cooks 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 one where the air currents are not too great.

✹Look for an area close to a tree: You have to be very careful with this. It is nice to barbecue near a tree, but you should not be close to it. It is necessary to look for a point where it is possible to be under its branches cooking, but at a prudent distance so that, if some ember jumps, a fire does not take place.

✹A protected area that isolates the noise: Not all the neighbors find pleasant the racket that can be made when a barbecue is done. For this reason you have to have fences or bushes to isolate the noise.

✹The perfect size: It is usually recommended that the area for a barbecue, whether in the garden or on the terrace, should be at least 10 square meters, thus having enough space to comfortably enjoy cooking on your fantastic appliance.

✹Will the smoke bother: Think that barbecues generate a lot of smoke, and that this will move with the wind. That is why you have to place it far from doors or windows, to prevent odors from penetrating into the house. In addition, 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 garden or terrace: Certainly, having a charcoal barbecue makes it necessary to think a lot about the best place to install it. In the garden you can have it, 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 into the interior of the home.

✹How about a kitchen barbecue: Nowadays there are some barbecue models that can be installed in kitchens and prepare dishes as they were done in the old days. Why not try them?

Is it easy to clean a charcoal barbecue?

Many people are a bit put off by the idea of buying a charcoal barbecue because they are difficult to clean. However, the most modern models allow for easy, quick cleaning and save a lot of time in the process.

The steps to follow to clean a charcoal barbecue are:

1-Start by removing the ash and the remains of the embers that have been left after the barbecue. These may be somewhat stuck to the walls of the barbecue, so you will have to use a spatula to remove them.

2-Once all the ash has been removed, it is time to get rid of the remains of the food that may have stuck to the barbecue. Special barbecue brushes can be used for this purpose. In addition, in the stores there are also special liquids for this process. Some are specific for according to that model of barbecue.

3-Having removed everything, it is better to let the barbecue dry outdoors. Or you can use a dry cloth to remove the remains of the cleaning product.

How often should a charcoal barbecue be cleaned? The truth is that ideally you should clean it well after each use. But once a month should be enough to keep it in good condition. If you remove the remains of food, avoiding that they remain stuck, the area of the embers can be cleaned less frequently.

Are they better than other barbecues?

Certainly, charcoal barbecues have many advantages, and in some aspects it wins over other barbecue models. For example, the calorific value is certainly higher, and the smell of burning wood is pleasant. In addition, it 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, its 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 this is a drawback. Even so, 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 the meat according to your personal taste.