Pros and cons of charcoal

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Pros

1. Fans of charcoal claim it gives a distinctive flavour which cannot be matched by gas.
2. Universal support for burning wood, which gives you more flavour.
3. More natural and fun, has a 'back to nature' feel about the process. Whereas gas burning grills can be used indoors, a charcoal grill can only be used outdoors and may feel like a special occasion for a hot summer's day.
4. Simplicity, all you need is coals, a metal drum and the ability to light the charcoal.
5. Initially cheaper, with disposable kits costing less than three pounds. A simple flat bed charcoal barbecue will cost less than twenty pounds and a good barbecue under eighty.
6. Reliability, once the coals are bought nothing else can go wrong.

Cons

1. You need to leave to charcoal to cool for many hours before clearing away the barbecue. It can sometimes take a night for the barbecue to have cooled and be accessible for movement.
2. At the end or at the beginning of every barbecue, the old charcoal will have to be removed.
3. The time it takes to light charcoal can be over one hour, if the conditions are cold and windy the charcoal may not even light, or it may not get hot enough to cook effectively.
4. Deposits of charcoal tar can be left on the meat.
5. More air pollution, close by neighbous may complain about the smoke.
6. If your planning to cook for over two hours, thenthe charcoal will lose it's heat and will need to be re-stoked.
7. The patio may become stained by the ash falling from the grill, and will need to swept of the ash which will fall.
8. The danger of flare-ups from fatty meats.
9. The risk of unwittingly buying a cheap and unsteady barbecue which is not fit for purpose ( there are many).

What to look for

1. A tight fitting lid, so that indirect grilling is improved.
2. Air vents, so that air can circulate and force the flame upwards.
3. Sturdy legs and an overall firm construction.
4. Additional features, such as connected side tables to place sauces, raw and cooked meats.