Propane or Charcoal Grill: What’s the Best One?

Spring is just around the corner and that means the weather will soon be turning warmer. Soon enough, you’ll be grabbing your favorite pair of tongs and fire up the grill (that is if you haven’t already). But if your grill has seen better days, maybe it’s time for an upgrade! But which should choose: the reliable propane grill or the old-school charcoal grill?

With so many grill options to choose from, you may not know which grill is best for you. But don’t worry, we got your grill needs covered. Read on!

The Ultimate Decision: Propane or Charcoal Grill?

Propane or charcoal grill? This question has divided barbeque masters since the invention of the grill. Many prefer the smoky flavor that comes with a charcoal grill. Meanwhile, others are more interested in the efficiency that comes with propane. But if you’re not partial to either grilling method, how can you decide?

Before you can answer this question properly, you need to know what makes each grill distinct.

The Wonder of Propane Grills

Propane grills are known for their performance and their simplicity. With just a simple turn of the dial and a press of a button, it’s flame on! No need for a chimney starter to get your fire started. A propane grill also gives you more control of the temperature of your heat, allowing you to cook something slow and steady without having to worry about moving around hot coals to get the optimal cooking temperature.

Maybe you think the charcoal grill is more environmentally friendly than a propane grill but that is far from the truth! According to a study in the Environmental Impact Assessment Review, charcoal has a much larger carbon footprint than that of clean-burning propane gas.

And although we all love the smokiness of grilled food, it can sometimes be overpowering to the taste of more delicate foods like fruits and veggies. But, if you are looking to capture that smoky flavor with your propane grill, you will need to purchase a smoke box.

The Benefits of Charcoal Grills

Although a charcoal grill is a cheaper option compared to a propane grill, that doesn’t make them any less inferior! In fact, a charcoal grill can reach higher temperatures than propane, up to 600 degrees. Because they can reach those high temps, this will make your food taste even better. That’s because the juices from your food will drop down on the hot coals, creating a flavorful smoke that will go right back into your food. Yum!

However, there are some cons to the charcoal grill. Because it reaches hot temperatures, it can take quite some time to heat up the grill. On average, it can take up to 20 minutes to get the charcoal up to the proper cooking temperature (not including the time it takes to light the charcoal). Cleanup can be a time-consuming process as well — not only do you need to scrub the grates, but you’ll have to remove the ashes beforehand.

Still Undecided? Keystone Propane Has You Covered!

If you’re still undecided about going with either a propane or charcoal grill this summer, Keystone Propane has exactly what you need. From our line of top propane gas grills to one of the most versatile charcoal cookers on the market today, we can steer you in the right direction. So don’t wait for the warm weather — stop by our showroom to pick up your new grill today!