Propane grills are a popular choice among grillers on the go. Liquid propane is sold in portable tanks and canisters of different sizes and can be easily hooked up to your propane grill. This type of fuel burns cleaner than charcoal, has a low carbon emission rate, and can cook your food at very high temperatures. Instant ignition systems allow you to start grilling as soon as the grill is turned on. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of propane grills.
PROS
Portable
What's the best perk about a propane grill? They are ready to go when you are! Take them with you to the beach, use them for brat fry fundraisers, go tailgating with your propane grill, or have a relaxing barbecue in the park with friends and family. The fuel for your propane grill comes in a portable tank or canister that you can easily bring with you wherever you go. There is no need to hook up your grill to any gas lines. This also means you can grill wherever you want in your yard. Feel free to chase the sunshine!
This Coyote portable propane grill has 200 sq. in. of grilling surface, one infinity burner for heat up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, and is made out of durable 316 Marine grade stainless steel. Take it with you, attach a 20-lb. propane tank or a small propane canister, and grill to your heart's delight!
Safe to Use
Unlike wood or charcoal, LP does not produce embers or smoke. Inhaling smoke while grilling is both unpleasant and unsafe, which makes grilling with a propane grill much safer and enjoyable than grilling with a charcoal grill. If there are embers flying around, you could accidentally start a fire or leave burn marks on nearby surfaces. LP grills prevent this from happening. If there is an emergency, immediately extinguish the fuel supply from the propane tank. The flame will instantly go out, protecting you, the grill, and your surrounding property.
No Preheating
Propane grills, like gas grills, ignite instantly. Charcoal and wood-burning grills require extra time to heat up. In fact, there are different tricky techniques that people use to start charcoal and wood-burning grills. First you have to get the fire going, and then you have to wait before the fire or coals are hot enough to cook your food. If you are grilling with propane, you can start cooking right away, which means you can also eat your delicious grilled meals sooner! As far as outdoor appliances go, propane grills are one of the most convenient. They save you time in the long run.
Check out this fully-loaded Napoleon freestanding LP grill with Jetfire ignition system. This reliable ignition system will instantly light up your grill time after time. You never need to preheat the grill before you cook.
More Fuel-Efficient Than Gas
There are plenty of difference between LP grills and charcoal grills, but what if you are trying to decide between buying an LP grill or a natural gas grill? Propane and natural gas cook similarly, but when you check the numbers, propane is more fuel-efficient than gas. One cu. ft. of natural gas produces 1,030 BTUs of heat. One cu. ft. of liquid propane produces 2,516 BTUs of heat. That is more than twice as much energy! Put into practice, these calculations mean propane grills will get the same amount of food cooked using less fuel than natural gas grills.
CONS
Tank Replacement and Disposal Requirements
Being able to connect to a portable propane cylinder is a powerful advantage for any owner of outdoor appliances. However, those propane cylinders do have a downside. When they are empty, what do you do with them? Depending on how often you grill, you are going to have to replace empty propane cylinders with new ones on a regular basis. It's a good idea to have an extra on hand in case you run out during the middle of a grilling session. Propane cylinders are available for sale at many hardware stores and gas stations, and some locations have refill options, so you can reuse your old cylinder.
If you want to dispose of the cylinder, you can recycle it. Contact your local propane supplier to find out the recycling and disposal requirements. You are not allowed to simply throw the propane cylinder into the trash bin.
No Flavor Infusion
Because propane burns clean and does not produce smoke, your grilled food does not have the same smoky flavoring that it would get from a charcoal or wood-burning grill. Many people would argue that any type of grill, even propane grills, give food a better flavor simply because the food is cooked outdoors. You can decide for yourself if you prefer the taste of grilled food from a clean-burning LP grill or a smoky charcoal grill.
More Expensive Than Natural Gas
Even though propane is more fuel-efficient than natural gas, it is also more expensive. In fact, the price of natural gas is about one-third of the price of propane. However, if you do not have a natural gas line to hook up your grill to, it could cost thousands of dollars to connect to a main line and run it into your home. In that case, buying portable propane tanks makes more sense.
Produces More Carbon Emissions Than Gas
The carbon emissions resulting from burning propane are technically more than from burning natural gas. However, because propane is more fuel-efficient than natural gas, there is an argument that grilling with propane is greener. Either way, propane and natural gas are both much cleaner-burning than charcoal. If you are serious about creating a smaller carbon footprint, it's probably better to examine the carbon emissions of your home furnace or the vehicle you drive. Outdoor grills do not account for a great deal of the United States' overall carbon emissions.
What Will You Use for Grilling?
As you study the overall benefits and disadvantages of propane grills, think about your unique situation. Your needs and preferences will help you determine whether a propane grill is right for you. For example, if you want the added convenience of taking your grill along on outdoor excursions, you should opt for propane rather than natural gas. If smoky grilled flavors are important to you, then a charcoal grill might be better.
Related Questions
How long does a 20-lb. propane tank last on a grill?
A 20-lb. propane cylinder used on a medium-sized propane grill lasts approximately 20 hours. This will differ based on the size of your grill and the temperature you set the grill to. For example, high heat will use up propane faster than low heat.
Does propane go bad over winter?
No, propane does not have an expiration date. Other fuel sources may degrade over time, such as gasoline or kerosene, but propane stays good in storage. If you have propane fuel left in your cylinder after grilling season is over, simply detach it from your propane grill and store it in a safe place. The garage works well. Winter cold does not affect it.