Taste

• Charcoal has both pros and cons in the taste category. Charcoal produces more smoky flavor than gas, but can also have unsavory flavors from lighter fluids. Using wood chips with a gas grill produces enough smoke to flavor the meat, along with smoke from the meat drippings. The flavor choice between charcoal and gas depends on which flavors you prefer and your skill with the grill.

Cooking Temperatures

• If you prefer your steak crisp on the outside and pink inside, consider a charcoal grill. Charcoal burns hotter than a standard gas grill, producing that tender but crisp steak. Unless your gas grill has an infrared burner, it cooks cooler than charcoal, but is easier to control. Gas heats quickly and is easily turned off when cooking is finished, a definite advantage for grilling on a work night or cooking for only one or two people. If you don't care about an exterior crust or like your steaks well done, a gas grill can do the job perfectly. If you want a crispy, rare steak without spending a bundle on infrared technology, a charcoal grill is the way to go.

Convenience

• Convenience is important -- the more effort required to grill your steaks, the less often you will enjoy them. Gas grills win the convenience category hands down: easy on, easy off and no messy charcoal to clean up after. The ease of cleanup is a big factor, freeing up time for other pursuits. A quick scrape-down and burn-off take care of the gas grill cleanup. Charcoal grills require a waiting period while the embers cool before the final cleanup is done. Additionally, charcoal grilling requires more time to heat the grill, and skill in maintaining the right temperature.

Expense

• If you can afford a gas grill with an infared burner and you only cook a few steaks at a time, the gas grill, used with wood chips, can give you as much flavor as a charcoal grill. A gas grill is initially much more expensive than a standard charcoal grill, but over time, gas can be cheaper, depending on how often you use your grill. Let your taste preferences and your wallet make the decision for you.