Charcoal Grill vs Gas Propane Grill

While some say a charcoal grill provides a better flavor to the meat or other food you cook, there is no arguing with the fact that a gas propane grill gets hotter faster. If you are on the fence but are eager to buy one or the other, these are among the considerations you have to make. Doing a side by side comparison is the best way to know for sure which grill you want. Factors you should consider include taste of the food, cooking time, portability, durability and price. 

Food Taste

This may be a matter of personal opinion, but some barbecuers insist that food cooked with charcoal tastes better than food cooked on a propane grill. The propane fuel does not provide the same charcoal flavor as burning briquettes, for there is no smoke that rises and permeates the meat on the grill. On the other side of things, propane proponents argue that using charcoal eliminates much of the flavor of the meat. Again, it's a matter of personal preference. Advantage: undetermined. 

Cook Time

A charcoal griller who knows what they are doing can have their coals hot in less than a half an hour. By using a chimney tool, the coals are heated quickly and evenly and spread out on the grill rack. By contrast, the valve on a propane grill just has to be opened and the gas lit for the cooking to begin. While a propane grill might cook the meat faster, there is no substitute for lighting a fire, watching the coals get hot and spending some quality time out on your patio. Advantage: charcoal. 

Portability

A propane grill is usually a bulkier, heavier appliance than a charcoal grill which can be packed up and taken camping. Playfully referred to as an outdoor oven, a propane grill might even be hooked up to the natural gas line where it becomes even less mobile. Charcoal grills, even bigger models, are entirely portable and relatively light compared to their propane counterpart. Advantage: charcoal. 

Durability

Not all charcoal grills are built equally. Some can be quite cheap and poorly put together. That being said, they are a very simple cooking utensil consisting only of legs, a body, lid and grill racks. Propane grills, because they are bigger and more expensive, are typically more rugged. Not to be completely outdone, though, you can buy a quality-made, stainless steel charcoal grill. Advantage: propane.

Price

Due to the more numerous parts including gas valve, gas lines, bigger frame, casters and swing-top lid with glass window, a propane grill will cost you a lot more than most charcoal grills. Factoring in the cost of propane, the price goes even higher. While there are more expensive charcoal grills, propane is definitely the more expensive variety. Advantage: charcoal. 

In terms of taste, cook time, portability, durability and price, a charcoal grill wins 3 to 1, with one indeterminate variable based solely on preference. If you want an outdoor oven, go with a propane grill. If you want a barbecue, go with charcoal.