I never said one was better, just different. If you really want to find out for yourself, make 2 burgers, one on gas (even w/ woodchips) and one w/ charcoal. You will taste a difference, as for why? Don’t know don’t care, not importaint - they taste different which is all the proof I need to know they taste different.
Another advantage of charcoal is consistancy, while a gas BBQ is effected by what you cooked last, and the fat content.
Wolf – FWIW, I’d put my Q-ing skills and experience up against anyone, and I ONLY use charcoal, and I don’t think there’s much of a difference in flavor. Because I don’t think the grill adds much flavor to food except the caramelization and searing done by the high heat. If you can match that heat with gas, I don’t see a big difference.
But, if I use 2 chimneys of coals, and get them really close to the grate (I use a cast-iron grate) I generate heat that not every gas grill can match. However, that’s usually too much heat anyway.
That’s only really comparing fast cooking, high heat, though.
I’ve never really slow cooked something on a gas grill.