Despite the reluctance of charcoal devotees, propane barbecue grills are rapidly replacing traditional charcoal grills in many households. Although many consumers may be nervous about handling propane tank barbecues, buying a gas grill means you’ll have more control and more options.

Propane tank barbecues offer more convenience than either charcoal or natural gas because they are the only truly portable grills. They run on gas from an attached liquid propane tank, which can be detached and transported as needed. When the grill is turned on, the propane is heated and distributed to the burners, which receives a spark from an instant igniter. Unlike a charcoal grill, the heat in propane barbecues is regulated so that you can cook more delicate cuts of meat without fear of charring it or overwhelming the flavor with smoke.

Propane burns cleaner than charcoal or wood-fired cooking appliances, which release harmful smoke into the air. While propane may be more expensive than natural gas and releases more emissions, it is also more powerful and doesn’t need to be replenished often. If you are concerned about running out of gas, you should purchase a model that contains a propane gauge, so you’ll always know when to get a refill.

The Flavor Question

The majority of skepticism towards propane barbecues is a result of the myth that barbecued food only tastes authentic when grilled over charcoal. In addition, a propane barbecue smoker is considered to be less effective than a traditional meat smoker because the meat is not smoked directly over the fuel itself. A propane barbecue smoker operates through the use of a smoke box compartment filled with wood chips or special flavor bars, depending on the model. However, the important thing is that taste tests have repeatedly shown no taste difference in propane-smoked meats over those prepared on traditional BBQ smokers, and the cleanup is much faster too!

Long-Term Benefits

There’s a reason propane tank barbecues are already owned by 60 percent of the grilling population. They’re clean, portable, affordable, and can be fired up and extinguished in minutes. While charcoal grills are cheaper, they’re less useful when you want to save time. On the other hand, natural gas barbecues are more environmentally friendly, but the initial purchase will be more expensive without the same guarantee of durability.

The best part is, when you invest in a propane grill, the decision’s not set in stone. Propane barbecues can evolve right along with your needs if you decide to install a natural gas line in your home in the future. If you are interested in a barbecue conversion, propane grills can be converted for use with natural gas by purchasing a conversion kit.

So if you’re looking for a grilling solution with the most options and a great overall performance level, a propane barbecue grill might be the right fit for your family.