Consumer Reports: Best charcoal grills for your summer grilling

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- There may never be an answer to that "great debate." What's better, grilling with gas or charcoal? But after 20 years, Consumer Reports has resumed their testing of charcoal models, to see which are most user-friendly and do a good job of cooking.

7 On Your Side's Michael Finney reports.

During the week, Stanley Plasencia grills professionally for parties, mostly on gas grills. But at home he prefers to grill with charcoal. "Gas is great, but I prefer to grill on charcoal because it gives the food a better flavor, people enjoy it better, especially because of the smoky taste," she said.

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Consumer Reports tests a charcoal grill's ability to maintain even temperature as well as the quality of indirect heating for foods that cook on the cooler part of the grates like skin-on chicken or fish.

But cooking performance isn't everything. Convenience plays a bigger part in your grilling experience. Consumer Reports says to consider how easy a grill will be to use.

The ever-popular 22-inch "Weber Kettle Grill" came out ahead of the other kettle grills tested. It's a very good performer when it comes to evenness, a plus when you're grilling lots of burgers at the same time.

The barrel-style "Kingsford," with cast-iron grates, rated very good for evenness. But Consumer Reports' testers gave it excellent marks for convenience. The large front opening lets you access coals during cooking, and the easily removable pan makes it simple to clean.

And if you're ready to spring for a bigger grill that will support a party, consider the "Dyna Glo." It cooks well and is easy to clean. You can replace coals through the front door, and the coal grates can raise or lower easily in order to control cooking.

And in the end, good food is what it's all about.

Consumer Reports has two simple tips to make you a better griller. Always take the time to get the coals to the right temperature, covered with fine gray ash. And avoid using lighter fluid or those self-lighting coals. They can produce an off-taste that distorts the flavor of the food.

All Consumer Reports material Copyright 2017 Consumer Reports, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Consumer Reports is a not-for-profit organization which accepts no advertising. It has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site. For more information visit consumer.org.

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