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Grill Power: Gas vs. Charcoal

Weber's $349 Performer uses charcoal but has a gas starter. (Courtesy Weber)

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· Electric grills just plug in and cook but with no real fire flavor; great for small decks or apartments where open flames are prohibited; can be used outdoors or set on an indoor flat surface.

· Pellet grills, not widely used, burn small hardwood pellets fed from a storage hopper into the grill's fuel box. They are expensive, ranging from $600 to $2,500, and pellets can be hard to find.

General Safety

· Never use grills in an enclosed area, including a garage or carport, to avoid fire hazard and, with gas grills, carbon monoxide poisoning.

· Never leave a lighted grill unattended or try to move a hot grill.

· Keep the grill on a stable surface. Use a heat-resistant grill pad or splatter mat to protect wooden decks from sparks and all surfaces from grease and sauce stains.

· Use long-handled utensils to protect arms and hands; do not wear flapping shirttails or loose apron strings near fire.

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