Propane vs. Charcoal

Go into any home improvement store and compare the selection of gas grills to charcoal grills. Chances are you’ll find a much wider selection of gas grills, which indicates the relative popularity of cooking with propane over charcoal. The benefits of using propane grills are fairly obvious. Propane is a cleaner fuel than charcoal, and propane grilling requires less preparation and cleanup. Propane is a less expensive and more convenient fuel choice. With propane grills, you always taste the full flavor of the food, unlike charcoal grills where overuse of starter fluid can result in burgers that taste like butane. It’s no wonder that most people prefer gas grills to charcoal grills by a ratio of about 10 to 7, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. Propane grills may even be better for the environment, although this point is debatable. It is true, though, that propane grilling emits less smoke into the air. For all of these reasons, propane is the obvious choice for Grilling Fanatics.

Convenience

Propane grills require minimal maintenance and are ready to go at a moment’s notice, saving you valuable time and effort. Charcoal grills, on the other hand, require tedious and messy preparation work every time you grill. Charcoal briquettes must be loaded and ignited, typically with liquid butane (lighter fluid). With charcoal sometimes you'll need more heat or cooking time, and will have to manually add more briquettes. Not so with propane – you just keep on grillin'. Once charcoal has finished burning, you also need to clean out and dispose of the messy ash that's left behind. Propane grills cool down faster, and the only cleaning that is required is the removal of any food residue and the occasional cleaning of the burner elements.

When grilling with charcoal, you need to make sure in advance that you have enough briquettes for your grilling session. This results in frequent trips to the store to replenish your fuel supply. A propane grill has a much higher fuel capacity; a 20-lb. tank can typically be used for weeks or months before it needs to be refilled. There are also several products on the market that tell you how much propane you have left. One of the best is called The Tank, which is a standard 20-lb. tank with a built-in level gauge. Also, if you keep a spare, full propane tank on hand, you’ll always be ready to grill, and you can refill or exchange the empty tank at your convenience. Instead of lugging around heavy bags of charcoal every time you grill, you only need to replenish your propane once or twice a season.

The convenience factor shouldn’t be underestimated. Since grilling with propane is so much more convenient, you’re much more likely to grill your meals and incorporate grilled ingredients into your recipes. It’s also easier to regulate the cooking temperature with propane. This means that you’re also more likely to get more use out of your initial grill investment and be happier with your purchase decision.

Cost

Propane grills are much less expensive to use than charcoal grills in the long run. It’s true that a bag of charcoal and a can of starter fluid will cost less than a full tank of propane. However, that one tank of propane will last for many barbecues, while the bag of charcoal is probably good for one or two cookouts at best. This makes propane grills a very inexpensive cooking option.

Taste

Some people do prefer the smoky taste of expensive hardwood charcoals. This comes down to a personal preference issue. Propane burns clean, offing pure heat that doesn't contaminate the natural taste of your food. I'm sure you've all experienced a barbecue where the overuse of starter fluid results in butane burgers and hazmat hotdogs. Charcoal grilling can produce some lovely flavors if done right, but gas can be equally effective, especially with new innovations like ceramic flavor bars. Again, the taste issue comes down to personal preference.

Safety

Both propane and charcoal grills have risks and need to be used with respect and safety in mind. Because liquid propane is a pressurized, flammable gas there is a risk of explosion if proper safety practices aren't followed. Both propane and charcoal grills present a fire hazard if not used properly. Charcoal, however, additionally poses a much greater risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from the incomplete combustion of smoldering coals. This is the one area where there is no clear winner. Each grilling method has inherent safety concerns, and care needs to be taken to avoid personal injury.

Now, we admit that charcoal has its place. Some people just prefer the smoky taste of grilling over hardwoods like mesquite. And you can't smoke meats without the smoke. But for clean and convenient everyday grilling, there is simply no comparison. Just ask any Gas Grill Fanatic.