Propane vs Natural Gas (vs Charcoal) BBQ

**fdl** · 07-21-2005, 1:45 PM

Any thoughts on which is a better option? Natural Gas seems like the obvious choice but I have no idea if there are downsides to it.

This is the one I have been looking at getting.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3387572

badboy · 07-21-2005, 1:48 PM

What are you looking to use the grill for? Will you get heavy use out of the grill?

**fdl** · 07-21-2005, 1:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badboy

What are you looking to use the grill for? Will you get heavy use out of the grill?

Maybe a couple times a week, while the weather is cooperative. You think its an overkill?

mt6forlife · 07-21-2005, 1:49 PM

I believe propane gets hotter than natural gas.

**Scrib** · 07-21-2005, 1:57 PM

NG

Don't let Hank Hill tell you otherwise.

**Scrib** · 07-21-2005, 1:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdl

Any thoughts on which is a better option? Natural Gas seems like the obvious choice but I have no idea if there are downsides to it.

This is the one I have been looking at getting.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3387572

For that kind of $$$, you can do better than a Weber. Check into Vermont Castings or Modern Home Products.

It's silly to spend $650 on a Weber.

badboy · 07-21-2005, 1:59 PM

What I meant to say was, what kind of food will you be using on the grill?

Is it strictly for bbq purposes? Cause if it is, then my first choice would be a coal grill.
Nothing comes close to the flavor you get when using a coal grill. You can go with either natural gas or propane, although for convenience sake, you will benefit from getting a permanent natural gas hookup, so no messing around with refilling propane tanks.

**fdl** · 07-21-2005, 2:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrib

For that kind of $$$, you can do better than a Weber. Check into Vermont Castings or Modern Home Products.

It's silly to spend $650 on a Weber.

I thought weber's were the best in the midrange grills? all the reviews have been great

**Silver™** · 07-21-2005, 2:03 PM

I would go with Natural Gas due to the fact it is a lot cheaper and more convenient (it is a pain in the ass to run out of Propane in the middle of cooking

)

soopa · 07-21-2005, 2:03 PM

fdl see other thread regarding webers.

**dom** · 07-21-2005, 2:06 PM

Charcoal.

My baby is something like this.

**fdl** · 07-21-2005, 2:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom

Charcoal.

My baby is something like this.

Isnt it a pain to use frequently?

soopa · 07-21-2005, 2:15 PM

can't you just pu charcoal briquettes in a gas grill for flavor? that's what i've always done, tastes same as plain charcoal to me.

**dom** · 07-21-2005, 2:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdl

Isnt it a pain to use frequently?

As long as you have some patience. Give yourself 15-20 minutes to start the flame and off you go. But there definently not for everyone.

fdl, check out the BBQ warehouse at Weston and Langstaff. It will at least give you some ideas. Home Hardware was having a Vermont Castings sale last week as well. $1500 gets you a very nice grill.

**fdl** · 07-21-2005, 2:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soopa

can't you just pu charcoal briquettes in a gas grill for flavor? that's what i've always done, tastes same as plain charcoal to me.

**Scrib** · 07-21-2005, 2:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdl

I thought weber's were the best in the midrange grills? all the reviews have been great

meh... best maybe because everyone has one, but there are better grills out there for the money. You are paying for the weber name at that price, that's for sure.

Shop around and look at some other grills. It's not like Weber is a bad grill. There are just other alternatives out there at that price point.

**dom** · 07-21-2005, 2:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soopa

can't you just pu charcoal briquettes in a gas grill for flavor? that's what i've always done, tastes same as plain charcoal to me.

I've always wondered why nobody did that. Must be a reason

**fdl** · 07-21-2005, 2:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom

As long as you have some patience. Give yourself 15-20 minutes to start the flame and off you go. But there definently not for everyone.

fdl, check out the BBQ warehouse at Weston and Langstaff. It will at least give you some ideas. Home Hardware was having a Vermont Castings sale last week as well. $1500 gets you a very nice grill.

Ya, i'm going to check out the warehouse. I'm in no hurry and am hoping to get a good end of season deal.

**dom** · 07-21-2005, 2:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrib

meh... best maybe because everyone has one, but there are better grills out there for the money. You are paying for the weber name at that price, that's for sure.

Shop around and look at some other grills. It's not like Weber is a bad grill. There are just other alternatives out there at that price point.

Scrib, don't forget its $650 CAD. EDIT: No its not

Actually a good price compared to what else is available around here.

and fdl, go for the NG. Less headaches.

soopa · 07-21-2005, 2:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom

I've always wondered why nobody did that. Must be a reason

well, lower end grills, typically the flame is real close to the food...

but the higher end grills, most of them have a low flame and briquette holders over the flame.

the briquettes not only add flavor but help hold the heat and distribute it evenly when working with a low flame.

to the best of my knowledge at least.

in any case, it seems alot easier then a charcoal grill to me. especially when you're talking grilling in the winter, etc.

**Silver™** · 07-21-2005, 2:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom

I've always wondered why nobody did that. Must be a reason

You can, but you shouldn't.

http://bbq.about.com/od/grillsfaq/f/f071204b.htm

**Silver™** · 07-21-2005, 2:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdl

Ya, i'm going to check out the warehouse. I'm in no hurry and am hoping to get a good end of season deal.

I don't know if you have a Costco or Sam's Club up there, but they have some good deals on stainless steel grills.

soopa · 07-21-2005, 2:26 PM

Silver, I think we're talking two different things here.

Yes, you shouldnt straight up load your gas grille with charcoal.

I'm saying they make bricks, designed for gas grilles, that have charcoal flavor/smoke, but don't burn.

**fdl** · 07-21-2005, 2:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver™

I don't know if you have a Costco or Sam's Club up there, but they have some good deals on stainless steel grills.

ya we have both. I will check em out for sure.

soopa · 07-21-2005, 2:30 PM

Quote:

The taste argument

Though some barbeque fans swear they can’t tell the difference between food cooked on gas grills and food cooked on charcoal, the charcoal purists insist otherwise. According to them, the flavor that is infused from the smoke of charcoal briquettes or wood coals is what distinguishes an outdoor feast from a standard kitchen meal.

In an effort to address the taste issue, some gas grill manufacturers have built models that add ceramic flavor bars. These bars catch grease drippings and vaporize them into smoke that infuses more flavor into what’s being cooked. A popular brand that uses this flavor bar feature is the Weber® Genesis® series.

So who’s the winner in this category? The jury is still out on this argument, and it probably always will be. Taste is such an individual decision; you may just have to try both grills and see for yourself.

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/i...asvscharc.shtm

soopa · 07-21-2005, 2:32 PM

That's not exclusively what I was saying, as my moms old grill had something rather different. It was literally like little charcoal bricks, that sat over the fire, and gave a very "charcoal" flavor to the food. They just didnt burn off like charcoal. They werent ceramic I think because they were rather brittle.

07-21-2005, 1:45 PM	#1
fdl Mega Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto Age: 33 Posts: 22,007	Propane vs Natural Gas (vs Charcoal) BBQ Any thoughts on which is a better option? Natural Gas seems like the obvious choice but I have no idea if there are downsides to it. This is the one I have been looking at getting. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3387572

07-21-2005, 1:48 PM	#2
badboy god of wisdom Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Edison, NJ Age: 28 Posts: 3,746	What are you looking to use the grill for? Will you get heavy use out of the grill?

07-21-2005, 1:49 PM	#4
mt6forlife Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 1,648	I believe propane gets hotter than natural gas.

07-21-2005, 1:57 PM	#5
Scrib Administrator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northwest IN Age: 31 Posts: 23,370	NG Don't let Hank Hill tell you otherwise.

07-21-2005, 1:59 PM	#7
badboy god of wisdom Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Edison, NJ Age: 28 Posts: 3,746	What I meant to say was, what kind of food will you be using on the grill? Is it strictly for bbq purposes? Cause if it is, then my first choice would be a coal grill. Nothing comes close to the flavor you get when using a coal grill. You can go with either natural gas or propane, although for convenience sake, you will benefit from getting a permanent natural gas hookup, so no messing around with refilling propane tanks.

07-21-2005, 2:03 PM	#9
Silver™ Mega Moderator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: SoCal Posts: 26,152	I would go with Natural Gas due to the fact it is a lot cheaper and more convenient (it is a pain in the ass to run out of Propane in the middle of cooking )

07-21-2005, 2:03 PM	#10
soopa Alumni Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Albany, NY Age: 26 Posts: 137,695	fdl see other thread regarding webers.

07-21-2005, 2:06 PM	#11
dom Mega Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 31 Posts: 37,222	Charcoal. My baby is something like this.

07-21-2005, 2:15 PM	#13
soopa Alumni Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Albany, NY Age: 26 Posts: 137,695	can't you just pu charcoal briquettes in a gas grill for flavor? that's what i've always done, tastes same as plain charcoal to me.

07-21-2005, 2:26 PM	#23
soopa Alumni Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Albany, NY Age: 26 Posts: 137,695	Silver, I think we're talking two different things here. Yes, you shouldnt straight up load your gas grille with charcoal. I'm saying they make bricks, designed for gas grilles, that have charcoal flavor/smoke, but don't burn.

07-21-2005, 2:32 PM	#26
soopa Alumni Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Albany, NY Age: 26 Posts: 137,695	That's not exclusively what I was saying, as my moms old grill had something rather different. It was literally like little charcoal bricks, that sat over the fire, and gave a very "charcoal" flavor to the food. They just didnt burn off like charcoal. They werent ceramic I think because they were rather brittle.