Sure a propane grill is more convenient. We have both in our house , and we will use the propane grill ten times more then we will use the charcoal equivalent. In fact at least 3 days a week we cook outside. Originally we purchase the gas grill for a large family event we had planned. Our small charcoal grill could not have handled the amount of food we needed to cook.
We decided on a 6 burner Char-broil grill. It has a side burner that i originally thought i would never use turns out it comes in really handy for keeping chili warm. Something i never really thought i would have a use for.
We now use this grill for just the 3 of us. I have no problem firing her up for 3-4 pieces of chicken. It gives us an excuse to eat outside as a family. It also looks a lot better then food cooked in the oven and we have had more luck getting our little girl to eat different foods. We found that it also saves us time. Whip up a big batch of pasta or potato salad, and thats your sides for the entire weekend. On a side note alcohol consumption has risen quite sharply , you just cant work a grill without a beer in one hand. Well thats enough waffling, lets get down to business. Leave your kitchen gadgets inside and lets cook caveman style. Which is better Propane or Charcoal?
I think we need to consider factors: Cost, Taste & Authenticity, maintenance and finally cost of use.
Cost
Looking at mid range grills, around the $300 mark. You really feel you are getting a lot more for your money with a charcoal grill. Where as with the gas grill you get the feeling your just getting an entry level grill.
Winner: Charcoal
Taste & Authenticity
To test this we made 10 burgers on a charcoal grill and 10 on the gas grill. Our guests were kept into the dark as to which burger was which. Surprisingly the gas burgers won a closely contested battle 6 to 4 . We replicated the results with some strip steak and chicken legs. This time the results were not so suprising with charcoal winning at almost a landslide 8-2. Although nobody complained about the taste of the gas cooked steak, they all complimented the smoky taste of the charcoal steak.
Winner: Tie ( it really depends on what you will cook the most.)
Maintenance
Actual maintenance of the gas grill is quick and simple, much like maintaining a stove. On the other hand maintaining the charcoal grill feels like a part time job, and we found it often got left until the the next time we wanted to use the grill. This led to use using the charcoal grill a lot less.
Winner: Propane
Cost Of Use
No real contest here , every time you fire up the charcoal grill it takes around $5-6. While firing up the propane grill while more expensive initially will save you money over the long run. Cooking a few chicken breast will cost under $0.25.
Winner: Propane
Well there you have it. Propane takes this one down 2-1. I think the main reason it wins is purely the fact that it's easier to maintain. The ease of maintenance gives you the opportunity to use it more, and that is what grilling is all about. Getting out side with your friends and family, and spending quality time. We wont be throwing out our Charcoal grill any day soon , we will just keep it for steaks and small get together's.
Other grilling essentials.
You have purchased a grill now what ?
Don't forget the grill cover, to protect your investment. They are cheap enough to pick up and come in all sizes so no grill should be left without a cover. Just be sure to make sure the grill has cooled down before covering.
Other cool BBQ items can be found by clicking here. such as the Grill Sergeant apron pictured above.
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