The atmosphere for a Summertime Backyard BBQ is casual and relaxed, but it’s serious business for neighborhood Grill Masters and BBQ Experts throughout the South. You can’t become a true Grill Master by reading cook books or attending big name Universities because grilling and barbecuing isn’t an exact science. Grill Masters earn their title by investing time to soak up as much grilling knowledge as possible and then using it in the real world to perfect their skills by manning red hot flaming grills.The little nuances and secrets of grilling can be passed down from generation to generation or learned over time, but mastering the grill is more about dedication and developing your own set of barbecuing “best practices.”
We use the terms “grilling and barbecuing” interchangeably for the pleasure and convenience of our readership. Subtle nuances differentiate these terms for professional Grilling Aficionados, but those nuances don’t affect this article or our readership audience.
Choosing the Grill that’s Right for You
There isn’t one right or wrong choice for grilling or barbecuing. It’s a matter of personal preference and choosing a grill that best suits your particular set of needs and circumstances.
The good news is there are only two main categories of residential grills to choose from and the features and benefits are so different that it makes your decision much easier than it could be.
The two main residential grill categories are: Charcoal Grills, Gas Grills: Propane Gas, Natural Gas
*Hardwood grills were considered, but the time, expertise & expense involved doesn’t fit our readership profile. 
Charcoal Grills
The debate between Charcoal Grilling Purists and Gas Grilling Enthusiasts regarding who’s the best has been raging since the first gas grill was invented in 1960. The most accurate and easily identifiable analogy for this skirmish is the ongoing battle and war of words between Apple/Mac Users and Windows PC Users.
Charcoal Purists, like most Mac users feel about computing, strongly believe that there is only one right to grill anything and that’s with charcoal. Charcoal Purists can be extremely outspoken and most wear their loyalty on their sleeves. As with Mac users, most Charcoal Purists make a concerted effort to let others know that they indeed are Charcoal Purists and swear that anything grilled over charcoal tastes better than gas.
The truth is that apples to apples, most people can’t tell the difference in the taste between charcoal and gas grilled food. Furthermore, using heavily scented rubs, herbs and strong marinades is considered essential in today’s grilling community and that alone makes it almost impossible to recognize any difference in taste even if there was one.
Pros & Cons of Grilling with Charcoal
Pros
- Purists believe charcoal grilling makes food tastes better
- Heat! Charcoal grills can reach max temperatures of 200-250 degrees hotter and higher than gas
- Level of Pride based on level of skill needed and doing it the original way
Cons
- Time! Minimum of 30 minutes for coal to reach proper cooking temperature which is at least 20 minutes longer than it takes gas grills to be ready to go
- Charcoal is inherently a dirty job before, during and cleaning up after you’re done and all the ash can be a real hassle
- Charcoal can be difficult to light and/or stay lit
- Flare-ups are common and can burn food to the point of being a health risk
- Extremely hard to maintain steady temperature on any one section of grill
- Temperature can’t be rapidly increased or decreased
- Coals lose temperature over extended grilling periods and new coals must be added constantly to maintain heat
- Some level of expertise is needed to build, maintain and manage your fire
- Seasonality. Mother Nature and outdoor conditions make charcoal grilling a seasonal endeavor instead of a year round experience
Our Results
If you need to sear certain types of meat or fish at temperatures ranging as high as 700 degrees on a consistent basis or if you’re already of the belief that food grilled over charcoal tastes better than congrats because your first, last and best grilling option is and should always be a Charcoal Grill.
Propane & Natural Gas Grills
Almost 70% of residential grills in use today are fueled by gas and it’s easy to understand why. Their list of positive attributes is extremely long and any perceived negatives, other than top end max heat, are matters of personal preference.
Some of the more popular benefits of grilling with gas are speed, convenience, control and ease of use. They’re easy to start, usually heat up in 10 minutes or less, maintain steady temperatures, are easy to clean and a large selection of add-ons and after market accessories lets you customize your grill to meet your specific needs or requirements.
Pros & Cons of Grilling with Gas
Pros
- Speed & Amazing Start to Finish Times
- Convenience
- Grill Control
- Ease of Use
- Customizable Accessories
- Easy to Start & Easy to Shut Down
- Quick & Easy Cleanup
- Gas is easier and less messy/dirty than charcoal
- Durability – Even cheaper gas models can last 5-7 years
- Affordability- Gas is cheaper to use than charcoal
- Consistency
- Offers Year Round Use and More Resistant to Mother Nature than charcoal
- Partial list of benefits associated with gas grills
Cons
- Gas can’t reach the extreme range of high temperatures that charcoal grills can. Expensive gas grills might come close to charcoal’s average max of 700 degrees, but most gas grills top out at about 500 degrees. This isn’t a factor for most grillers, but it is a factor if you sear meat or fish at temperatures ranging as high as 700 degrees on a consistent basis.
- Some people believe food grilled over charcoal tastes better than over gas
- Anyone can use a gas grill and there’s no college degree or previous grill expertise required. The fact that no grilling skills or previous expertise is required to grill with gas is considered a negative by charcoal purists.
Our Results
Charcoal Grills have their place, but the opinions, facts and surveys support Gas Grills as the best overall choice for Southern grilling community and we couldn’t agree more. The sheer ease of use makes gas grills a popular choice over charcoal grills and a quick review of your two gas options can help you make the gas choice that’s right for you.
Propane or Liquid Propane, also known as LP, is used as the fuel source for almost 70% of all the residential grills in the United States. It comes in reusable 20 pound steel tanks, it’s extremely portable and you can exchange your empty reusable tank for a full tank at most major gas stations, grocery stores or home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes.
Propane gas is easy to work and cheaper than charcoal, but more expensive than Natural Gas. The main issue with propane is the tanks themselves and having a full backup tank on hand will help limit the damage of your tank running out while grilling, but your food won’t recover 100%.
On the other hand, you’ll never run out of fuel grilling with Natural Gas. Natural Gas is the fastest growing segment of the grilling and barbecuing industry and for good reason. Natural gas has all of the same benefits, except portability, as Propane and then some. Most grillers keep their grill in the same location so running a natural gas extension to that location, so losing portability as to moving your grill to another location isn’t a problem. Natural Gas grills are usually cheaper to purchase than propane grills and the cost of natural gas can be significantly cheaper than propane depending on which area of the country you live in.
Natural gas burns cleaner and is safer for our environment then either charcoal or propane and contains less pollutants making it more environmentally friendly. Becoming more environmentally conscious and responsible is at the top of everyone’s “to do” list and that, more than low pricing, has fueled the growth of natural gas over the last 5-10 years.
The convenience, speed and easy use make gas grills a very popular choice over charcoal grills. The decision of Propane vs. Natural Gas ultimately comes down to your comfort level of portable tanks vs. stationary convenience, but it’s comforting to know you can’t go wrong with the list of features and benefits that both offer!
