People tend to make barbecues meat-fests, but I think many vegetables benefit hugely from chargrilling - corn-on-the-cob, skewers of cherry tomatoes, onions or shallots, mushrooms, chunks of courgette & cloves of garlic. Stuffed baked spuds can be finished off in foil. And there's no risk of food poisoning.
"We all have flaws, and mine is being wicked." James Thurber, The Thirteen Clocks 1951
At this point I feel I should mention Australia (especially Brisbane/Queensland) where there are public electric barbeques in all the seaside parks. They're only electric - I assume because Australia has a few issues with open fires - but someone from the local council goes round and cleans them every morning. Brilliant idea.
I agree that a gas BBQ is not the same as a kitchen gas grill, but the difference is pretty insignificant in terms of the flavour, social/smell stuff aside. You get all that with a proper BBQ, plus a different flavour, plus plus PLUS ... playing with fire. It's the stuff of manhood!
