Propane Vs. Charcoal Grill

For many people, summer means grilling.

For most Americans, grilling is one of the joys of summer. Grilled food is tied to memories of summers past. There are two main types of grills, propane and charcoal. Some people swear by one, while others wouldn't use anything but the other one. If you are considering buying a grill, you are probably wondering which would be best. There are definite differences that make the right choice a different one for each griller.

Popularity

Fifty-four percent of grills sold in 2009 were of the gas variety.

While popularity isn't necessarily an indication of which product is better than another, it is always worth noting. Based on sales numbers reported by Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, more gas grills were sold in 2009 than charcoal. In fact, 57 percent of all grills shipped in the United States were gas. Charcoal grills made up 41 percent. It should be noted that electric grills were another 2 percent of the market and not all gas grills were propane (there are a small number of natural gas grills).

Flavor

There are differences in flavor between gas and charcoal grills.

One of the most common arguments for choosing a charcoal grill is flavor. Fans of the charcoal grills will say that a gas grill just doesn't produce the same taste. There is a definite smoky quality to foods cooked on a charcoal grill. Still, advocates of the propane grill will tell you that charcoal gives off the flavor of the lighter fluid. It's really a matter of individual preferences on this side of the argument.

Cost

Charcoal grills are considerably less expensive than propane.

When it comes to cost there is a clear winner. Charcoal grills are generally less expensive than propane grills. In fact, this difference can be substantial. As of 2010, you can find basic charcoal grills selling for $50 to $100 and anything more than $400 is considered a premium grill. Usually propane grills start at around the $100 price point and you can find deluxe models that sell for $5,000 or more.

Ease of Use and Convenience

Gas grills are more convenient and easier to use.

The pendulum tips the other way when you look at the convenience of the grill. Getting a good charcoal fire going takes practice and time. It is often dependent on weather conditions. On the other hand, with a propane grill, it's almost as easy as starting the kitchen stove. With charcoal grills, you have to wait for the fire to get to the right temperature, but gas grills can be set to the desired level right at the start.

Environmental Concerns

Propane grills burn more cleanly than charcoal grills.

With a modern focus on green products and reducing pollution, environmental concerns are important, too. In this regard the gas grill wins. It isn't emission free, but it does produce less carbon emissions than the charcoal grill does. Charcoal itself will burn only so cleanly, but you can use an electric charcoal starter to avoid lighter fluid. That will help to reduce some of the ecological impact of a charcoal grill.

References

• Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association: BBQ Grill Shipments
• Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association: Guide to Grill Buying
• Great Party Recipes: Barbecue Buying Guide