Propane vs. Charcoal grills

Posted on by Patricia Beaumont

 

With summer in full gear, you may want to think twice about lighting up your old charcoal grill for the grilling season. Propane and natural gas grills are more environmentally friendly than traditional charcoal grills because gas grills are more efficient, therefore gas grills release a much lower carbon emission. According to a study conducted in the UK, the carbon footprint of a charcoal grill is almost three times as large as a gas grill. Since the charcoal used in charcoal grills is actually usually a mixture of things like sawdust, corn starch, and lighter fluid, it can result in 105 times more carbon monoxide when it is burned than burning propane. So ditch the charcoal grill and upgrade to natural gas or propane one!

 

Written by: Lauren Henry, class of 2014

 

 

Related articles

95 Replies to “Propane vs. Charcoal grills”

  1. I completely agree with the points made in this article. It’s important to consider the environmental impact of our choices, especially when it comes to activities like grilling. Propane and natural gas grills offer significant advantages over traditional charcoal grills in terms of efficiency and carbon emissions. The study mentioned from the UK provides compelling evidence that the carbon footprint of a charcoal grill is much larger compared to a gas grill. Additionally, the information about the composition of charcoal and its contribution to higher carbon monoxide emissions further reinforces the argument for transitioning to propane or natural gas grills. Making this switch can have a positive impact on the environment without compromising the joy of grilling during the summer season.

  4. Fair point but I really do love my weber grill! It’s one of the best purchase of the last few years for me and I really couldn’t recommend it highly enough!

  7. Anyone that asserts that flammable gas is “mined” is unmistakably unfit to guarantee having done any meaningful level of “research” on the subject. Beth’s position that there are “various ways” to misuse gaseous petrol might be securely limited as being simply philosophical and erroneous.

  8. I am using 2 burner propane grill since 2017 and enjoying an outdoor BBQ party with friends without any hesitation. But charcoal grills are great for smoky flavour.

  9. Gas is clearly superior; as Hank Hill famously said: “Taste the meat, not the heat!” Gas is even becoming more popular with outdoor pizza ovens, which used to be solely “wood-fired”. It offers more precise temperature control all with less mess, and that’s not even factoring the carbon footprint benefits.

  13. This is the best blog with all the related information which helps us a lot and yes I would also thank the author for sharing such wonderful and most impotently helping information about Propane vs. Charcoal grills!
    Thank you.

  18. This is my number one approach to plan new old fashioned corn. I can’t accept endless individuals don’t care for it! Our mortgage holders’ affiliation doesn’t permit charcoal barbecues (fire danger), yet I get incredible outcomes cooking the ears over high warmth on a gas flame broil, turning at regular intervals, for a sum of 15-20 minutes. The corn is cooked totally without fail, and my significant other and I love it! The singed husks grant an incredible flavor to the corn.

  20. Great write-up. I have a gas grill for my daily grill and a Weber Smokey Mountain for my smoking (plus a mini-kettle grill if I ever tailgate again). Most of my grill work is for quick cooking things (and half the time during the week) and this works perfectly.

  25. Today there are many types of grill to choose from. I still like the charcoal stove because it’s easy to move, convenient to use because I also have a travel website about this charcoal stove which is also convenient for field trips.

  26. From this story we were able to know about the things which are officially required at the time of making progress. Thanks for sharing

  28. Interesting read, good to know. I have both and although I love the taste of the food off the charcoal grill, I’ll start sticking with gas, thanks!

  29. I’m actually a gas person. So Yeah, I’m with you on this. The benefits of using gas grills totally outweigh charcoal grills, yet it can still achieve the taste close to what you can do with charcoal. What’s important, we get to cook without producing toxic to us and to the environment.

  31. Yeah, I totally agree. Carbon Monoxide is one of the cause of global warming and climate change. The benefit of using natural gas grills is that it achieve the taste close to the charcoal grills and it’s not harmful to the environment.

  32. The choice you make will be determined as much by your lifestyle as by your taste buds. If you are a busy guy with a family there’s no doubting the convenience of a propane gas grill. You can make a snap decision to cook outdoors and be cooking on your gas bbq grill in next to no time. On the other hand if barbecues are more your lifestyle choice you may regard a gas grill as a desecration of the noble art of barbecuing.

  35. Thanks for sharing an amazing tips i was using charcoal grills before but now i would definitely use the natural gas. Thanks

  36. Grilling is great fun. In the summer, you can take advantage of the nice weather, and cook outside. Of course, if you live in a warm place, you can grill year-round which is even better. Most people would agree that food cooked on a BBQ grill tastes better than any other kind of meat.

  37. I think charcoal grill is better as I am using at home for long time. I think the smell of charcoal grill is delicious

  41. The benefits of using gas grills totally outweigh propane grills, yet it can still achieve the taste closely to what you can do with propane. What’s important, we get to cook without producing toxic to us and to the environment.

  42. I always thought that charcoal grills are the best, but after reading this I will definitely prefer propane grills over charcoal grills. Thanks.

    Dang Thai from Embeya

  43. I love both but I am using gas grill. I like outdoor BBQ party, gas grills size small than a charcoal grill. and it easy to use. thanks for your suggestion.

  44. I totally agree with you. Due to the many flaws associated with charcoal, it’s time to ditch the charcoal grill and upgrade to natural gas or propane.

  45. I am assuming there is no difference between a gas outdoor griddle such as a Blackstone and a traditional gas grill in terms of footprint. Anyway, this is good information for those considering a new grill and care about the environment.

  46. Hi,
    It is great when we can compare propane grills with charcoal grills. I will use these tips to buy the suitable one. It is nice suggestion for newbie.

  47. I’m with you on this. The benefits of using gas grills do outweigh charcoal grills, yet it can still achieve closely the taste to what you can do with charcoal.

  49. I like a charcoal grill it can maintain the temp and reach the high temp so; I would love the post like this how about gas vs. electric grill

  50. It is very important at the time of obtaining a propane or charcoal grill, the theme of the flavors, the space and whether it is indoors or outdoors.

  53. Well as I can agree with the footprint side of things, the team at MedicalFieldCareers.com just enjoyed a wonderful outdoor woodfire BBQ! Cannot beat that, it is perfect for special occasions.

  54. Take advantage of this opportunity to win a 2019 Digital Marketing Scholarship worth $1500 from Incrementors.

    At Incrementors, we understand the role of education in providing young people with opportunities for career advancement and overall professional success. Therefore, in order to help facilitate opportunities for those currently enrolled in Digital Marketing or IT programs at either the undergraduate or postgraduate levels we have instituted the Incrementors Digital Marketing Scholarship program.

  56. We live in Florida, so grilling out is a weekly thing. Nothing like charcoal and wood chips to make a great steak or lobster!

  57. Woahh we never knew that charcoal contains sawdust, cornstarch, and lighter fluid! We might think twice about lighting ours now

  60. I always thought that charcoal grills are the best, but after reading this I will definitely prefer propane grills over charcoal grills. Thanks.

  62. The debate of charcoal versus gas started the day after the first gas grill was introduced and has been raging ever since.

  63. Hmm interesting, I never used gas grill before.
    I think I should give it a try and see how good it turns out.
    Thanks for the post!

  65. Great write-up. I have a gas grill for my daily grill and a Weber Smokey Mountain for my smoking (plus a mini-kettle grill if I ever tailgate again). Most of my grill work is for quick cooking things (and half the time during the week) and this works perfectly.

  69. It’s just about time to get back out there and start grilling again (finally). We hope you can use this tip and some of our others as well. Thanks for reading!

  76. This is my favorite way to prepare fresh corn on the cob. I can’t believe so many people don’t like it! Our homeowners’ association doesn’t allow charcoal grills (fire hazard), but I get great results cooking the ears over high heat on a gas grill, turning every 3 minutes, for a total of 15-20 minutes. The corn is cooked perfectly every time, and my husband and I love it! The charred husks impart a great flavor to the corn.

  83. Anybody that claims that natural gas is “mined” is clearly unqualified to claim having done any substantive degree of “research” on the topic. Beth’s position that there are “multiple ways” to exploit natural gas may be safely discounted as being purely ideological and incorrect.

  87. Yeah, I’m with you on this. The benefits of using gas grills totally outweigh charcoal grills, yet it can still achieve the taste closely to what you can do with charcoal. What’s important, we get to cook without producing toxic to us and to the environment.

  88. I think the gas grill are good because i have used them at my home. But never used the propane one. Do you have such experience?

  90. The primary methods of obtaining natural gas are drilling (whether traditionally or horizontally, i.e., fracking), the distillation of coal, drilling for oil (the gas is a byproduct), and sucking it out of landfills. This begs the question, do you prefer fracking, oil drilling, or landfills?

    Also, in regards to the coal vs. charcoal debate, let’s not forget how much better a steak cooked with charcoal tastes or how cooking with charcoal releases carcinogenic compounds.

    Trade offs my friends….trade offs…

  92. Anybody that claims that natural gas is “mined” is clearly unqualified to claim having done any substantive degree of “research” on the topic. Beth’s position that there are “multiple ways” to exploit natural gas may be safely discounted as being purely ideological and incorrect.

  93. Jon, you do know that there’s multiple ways to mine natural gas. Not just fracking. Do your research before sarcastically exaggerating the implications of an article about grilling.

  94. Hi Jon. Thanks so much for your feedback. Just to be clear, I wasn’t trying to declare a stance on hydrofracking with this post. The Green Dandelion team is made up of lots of unique individuals, all with their own opinions on the issue. The blog doesn’t have a designated stance.

    Thanks again,
    Lauren

  95. FINALLY The Green Dandelion has come out as Pro-Fracking! I applaud Lauren Henry and the rest of The Green Dandelion staff for supporting natural gas fracking based on scientifically-verifiable environmental & economic merits. Well done!

Comments are closed.