YJ GIS Industrial Limited

From the perspective of market share, there are significant advantages for gas grills in certain regions. For instance, in the Middle East and African markets, the United States is the largest market for gas grills, accounting for approximately 60% of the share, while Europe accounts for about 18%. In North America, although there is no clear comparison of the market shares between gas grills and charcoal grills, data shows that as early as 2018, North America was the largest sub-market for grills globally, with a scale of 3.68 billion US dollars. Considering the advantages of gas grills such as immediate heating, cleanliness, and easy temperature control, as well as the upgrading of consumers' requirements for grill product performance in recent years, gas grills may also occupy a significant share in the North American market. 

In terms of consumption habits, Americans tend to prefer gas barbecue grills. Gas grills are easy to operate and quick to start, similar to household gas stoves. Just press a button and it can be activated. They can maintain a constant temperature for several hours, are clean and hygienic, safe and healthy, eliminating the hassle of charcoal. There is less smoke and no charcoal ash. Cleaning is also fast and effortless. However, some consumers find that using charcoal grills is relatively troublesome. They need to pay attention to the initial charcoal loading and the real-time fire intensity. After use, the grilling net and charcoal basin need to be cleaned. Nevertheless, many consumers believe that charcoal grills are cost-effective, have a higher temperature, are convenient to carry, and can give food a unique charcoal flavor. They are also quite popular in some outdoor picnic and camping scenarios. 

In conclusion, although there are no absolute data indicating which type of grill is preferred by foreigners, gas grills, due to their convenience and cleanliness, may have a relatively larger market share in regions such as Europe and America. However, charcoal grills also have a group of dedicated fans because of their unique flavor and cost-effectiveness. 

Advantages of Charcoal Barbecue Grills

With its unique heat source characteristics and cooking effects, charcoal barbecue grills occupy an irreplaceable position in the barbecue scene. Their advantages mainly lie in multiple dimensions such as flavor, temperature characteristics, cost, portability, and cultural experience. The specific advantages are as follows:

Uniqueness of flavor and taste

The irreplaceable nature of charcoal aroma and smoky flavor

1. When charcoal burns, it releases volatile substances such as carbonyl and phenolic compounds (if the natural aroma released by the burning charcoal penetrates into the food, forming a "charcoal smoke" that cannot be replicated by electric or gas grilling, such as the crispy crust and smoky texture of grilled steak).

2. The smoke produced when fat drips onto the charcoal surface (containing furans, aldehydes, etc.) can add complex flavor layers to the food, especially suitable for scenarios that need to highlight "fire smoke" (such as Korean barbecue, American BBQ).

Significantly more Maillard reaction and caramelization effects

1. The high temperature of charcoal combustion (up to 300-500°C) can quickly trigger the Maillard reaction on the surface of the food (protein and carbohydrate browning), forming a crispy crust while locking in internal moisture, achieving an "outside crispy, inside tender" texture (such as the crispy skin and juicy meat of grilled chicken wings).

2.For some ingredients (such as fruits, root vegetables), when grilled on a charcoal grill, the surface sugar is more prone to caramelize, generating a unique sweetness and aroma (such as grilled pineapple, grilled sweet potatoes).

Advantage of temperature control and heating characteristics

High-temperature quick cooking and multi-level heating

1. The charcoal grill can quickly reach high temperatures by adjusting the amount of charcoal and the thickness of the charcoal layer (such as stacking charcoal into a small hill to form a high-temperature zone), suitable for ingredients that need short-term high-temperature to lock in the juices (such as steak, seafood), avoiding overcooking and resulting in tough meat.

2. The temperature difference in different areas of the grill (such as the high-temperature zone near the charcoal pile and the low-temperature zone at the edge) can achieve "zone grilling": the high-temperature zone is used for quickly caramelizing the surface of the ingredients, while the low-temperature zone is used for slow cooking or insulation, suitable for processing different maturity requirements of ingredients simultaneously (such as a barbecue stand cooking raw meat and semi-finished grilled sausages at the same time).

Continuous stable radiant heating

1. When charcoal burns, it not only heats through the flame but also penetrates the food through far-infrared radiation (similar to direct sunlight heat transfer), allowing heat to evenly penetrate from the outside to the inside, especially suitable for grilling thicker meats (such as pork chops, whole chicken), avoiding overcooking from the outside to the inside.

Practical advantages of cost and portability

Lower initial investment and usage cost

1. Basic charcoal grills are much cheaper than gas grills (such as folding charcoal grills that cost only a few dollars, while gas grills usually cost hundreds of dollars), suitable for families with limited budgets or outdoor enthusiasts.

2. Charcoal raw materials are readily available and inexpensive (mechanized charcoal, fruitwood charcoal, etc.), especially in regions with abundant wood resources, the cost is significantly lower than gas (no need to purchase gas cylinders or connect to natural gas).

Portability is more suitable for outdoor scenarios

1. Small charcoal grills (such as iron grills, portable folding models) are lightweight, have a simple structure, and do not require an external gas source, suitable for camping, picnics, hiking, etc. (such as backpackers carrying a mini charcoal grill to make simple barbecues).

2. Some charcoal grills are designed as disposable (such as aluminum foil-wrapped portable charcoal grills), can be discarded after use, eliminating cleaning troubles, suitable for short-term outdoor use.

Value at the cultural and experience level

The core carrier of traditional barbecue culture

1. In the dietary cultures of many countries, charcoal grills are the "soul" of barbecue: such as "焼き鳥" (grilled skewers) in Japan， "Churrasco" barbecue in Brazil， and Chinese charcoal-grilled lamb skewers， all relying on the heat source characteristics of charcoal to form a unique ritualistic sense of dining. 

2. The process of lighting and adjusting the charcoal is an integral part of the barbecue experience. Many consumers enjoy the sense of "controlling the heat themselves", rather than the "one-click start" of a gas grill. 

Creating the atmosphere in social scenarios

1. The flames, crackling sounds and smoke from the burning charcoal can enhance the atmosphere of outdoor gatherings (such as the warm scene of sitting around a charcoal grill during camping), becoming the center of social interaction. This emotional value that cannot be replaced by the "cold equipment" of electric or gas grills.

Applicability in Special Scenarios

Essential choice in environments without electricity or gas sources

1. In the wild, remote areas or during power outages, charcoal grills do not rely on electricity or gas. They can be used with just a fire source. They are practical tools for survival or emergency cooking.

Preferred choice for professional barbecuing and competitions

1. American BBQ competitions (such as the Kansas City Barbecue Society events) and professional barbecue restaurants (such as Texas Barbecue) usually use charcoal grills or charcoal pits. They utilize the slow cooking characteristic of charcoal (low temperature for a long time) to prepare beef tenderloin, pork ribs, etc., pursuing the ultimate smoky flavor and tender meat texture. 

Summary

The advantages of charcoal grills extend beyond their physical heating properties (high temperature, far-infrared radiation, flavor penetration), encompassing the "flamboyance" of culinary culture and social value. Although they fall short in terms of cleanliness, temperature accuracy compared to gas grills, their unique flavor, low cost, and portability make them consistently important in family barbecues, outdoor settings, and traditional food preparation.