Propane vs. Natural Gas Grills: Which Is Better?

Long gone are the times of only grilling on hot, sunny summer days. People these days are realizing they can enjoy grilling outdoors no matter the season. Yes, that includes winter. I will even grill in the rain. I love my propane grill.

My wife likes that I like my grill because that means I grill out a lot, which means less cooking for her. She says every time I pull hamburgers out of the freezer, the skies open up and she can hear the angels singing, telling her she’s getting out of dinner duty that night.

Maybe you’re in the market for a new grill but can’t decide, or you don’t know what you want. Should you invest in a propane or natural gas grill? Why should you choose one over the other? While both have the ability to provide mouth-watering food, there are a few differences between the two. Simply scroll down to get started.

How Do Propane and Natural Gas Grills Work?

Propane and natural gas grills work virtually the same way. The main hose is connected to the gas source by valve regulators. These regulators, controlled by knobs, determine how much or how little gas is allowed to flow to through the tiny holes in the burner. As a matter of fact, many of the best gas grills on the market offer both propane and natural gas options.

Convenience

The natural gas option is going to be the most convenient option. However, a natural gas grill requires you to have natural gas. You’ll need to get your local plumber to come out to run natural gas from your meter to the grill. You won’t need to worry about having to run out and buy a tank of propane at the last minute or worry about running out in the middle of grilling.

However, if you’re going to be traveling, you’ll want to opt for the propane grill. This one will have the ability to go where you go, unlike natural gas grills.

Performance

Both types of grills heat up rather quickly, but propane gas contains more energy than natural gas, causing it to heat up faster and burn hotter, which leads to a more efficient grilling experience.

Cost

There is a substantial cost difference between the two grills. So your choice will depend on what you’re comfortable spending and when. Up front, natural gas grills can cost considerably more than propane grills because, as we found out earlier, you’ll need to make sure that you have natural gas lines and then hire someone to run that line to your grill. However, in the long run, natural gas is going to be the most cost-effective for grilling.

On the other hand, propane grills themselves are typically less expensive than natural gas grills. Plus, there are no expensive upfront costs for propane grills. All you need is a propane tank. However, with propane gas prices on the rise, it can become quite costly refilling your propane tanks regularly.

Environmental Safety

If you’re worried about the carbon footprint you’re leaving on this planet, you’ll undoubtedly want to choose a natural gas grill. That’s because natural gas simply burns cleaner than its competition.

Taste

Does one type of grill taste better than the other? While both will provide a great taste, propane has a slight advantage. That’s because propane produces more energy and burns hotter. This allows for the propane gas grills to provide a more authentic grilling taste than that of natural gas grills.

Safety

Many wonder if gas grills are safe. Both propane and natural gas grills are very safe when used properly. However, it’s very important that you always remember to turn off the shut off valve. Failure to do so could result in a gas explosion.

Conclusion

We’ve taken a look at the performance and cost of each grill, as well as whether propane or natural gas grills are environmentally safe, and which produces a better taste. When searching for the perfect grill for you and your family, consider these factors. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which is best for you and your needs.