# Charcoal or Propane? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 28, 2005, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880 "2005-05-28T14:58:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/1 "2005-05-28T14:58:54Z")
I love my boyfriend. I swear I do. He already has the ring, and I think he’s planning on proposing on our anniversary in July. BUT… Yesterday we were in Target, passing by the grill display. He nearly popped a boner over a huge (admittedly beautiful) grill that seemed to do everything but cut your meat and wipe your chin. “I want it,” he said, as he bounced up and down just a little bit for emphasis. “But Darling,” I chided, “That’s a gas grill. We need one that uses charcoal.” I honestly thought that all the shiny had caused him to overlook that part. I was so naive. “Nuh-uh!!” he answered. I felt my heart break just a little. “Yuh-huh!!” I retorted (what can I say? I was in shock). He then proceded to wax stupid on all the “benefits” of propane as I faked some yawns to hide my distress. So I ask you: is propane really better than charcoal? Can we be a two-grill family? I really want to make this relationship work. Please help. Grilling season is almost upon us. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/2 "2005-05-28T15:05:40Z")
In my experience, charcoal tastes better. But propane is thousands of times easier and more convenient. How often do you want him to grill? I’ve got a propane grill, and I use it at least twice a week, even in the winter. I can’t imagine using charcoal more than once a month or so- the sheer hassle of getting the bags o’ charcoal would quickly lead to me not wanting to get off my ass to grill. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/3 "2005-05-28T15:16:29Z")
> [@Susie Derkins](#): > > So I ask you: is propane really better than charcoal? Can we be a two-grill family? I really want to make this relationship work. Please help. > Grilling season is almost upon us. 😛 Charcoal briquettes for the propane grill… works out just fine. Personally, I don’t feel most food is on the grill long enough to make a difference, but **auntie em** swears otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/4 "2005-05-28T15:18:18Z")
Last summer we both did the barbequing on my cheapo charcoal grill. I would say that between the two of us we cooked on it about twice a week. Hmm, the hassle factor…that is a point in his favor. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![lokij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@lokij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lokij)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/5 "2005-05-28T15:23:47Z")
I’m afraid you may have to leave him, sorry. There is but one acceptable fuel for grilling and smoking outdoors and that is natural lump hardwood charcoal. I like oak and hickory myself. Get thee a Big Green Egg. > **[Home Page](https://biggreenegg.com/)** > > Big Green Egg, the Ultimate Cooking Experience. It's the best kamado grill, ceramic grill & charcoal smoker on the planet, with 7 convenient sizes! For those heathens that prattle on about the ease of gas grills, the best things in life are rarely easy but almost always worth it. ;\> A charcoal chimney and bulk purchases of charcoal make it alot more convenient though, I will admit… I wouldn’t bother if I had to use bagged briquettes. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/6 "2005-05-28T15:25:25Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > Charcoal briquettes for the propane grill… works out just fine. So it is all about the compromising. Interesting point. I will bring this up to my boyfriend during our next “state of the union” talk. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/7 "2005-05-28T15:27:20Z")
> [@lokij](#): > > Get thee a Big Green Egg. Oooh (she said, bouncing up and down a little bit for emphasis)!! Now we’re talkin’!! ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/8 "2005-05-28T15:35:27Z")
Propane is just so easy. I’ll grill a few times a week, andd I grill throughout all 4 seasons. Charcoal or wood would be too much of a PIA for me. Too much clean-up and wait time. I’ll have misguite and charcoal fueled grilled meat from time to time, but it’s never been demonstrably better than steaks or burgers that I’ve grilled on propane. Had grilled sweet corn and a hamburger patty yesterday for dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/9 "2005-05-28T15:38:16Z")
Speaking as a guy who has grilled and Barbequed for over 30 years on both gas and charcoal, I can tell you there is a difference. Charcoal gives a better flavor, and since there is less water produced during the combustion a better texture to the meat. Speaking just for myself, you can have my [Weber](http://www.weberbbq.com/bbq/pub/grill/2005/charcoal/cg_p.aspx) and my [Big Green Egg](http://www.biggreenegg.com/bge.htm) when you pry them from my cold dead hands. If someone gave me a gas grill, I would give it away. BTW, check out the weber performer (linked above) it uses gas to light the charcoal. Easy to start, and all the advantages of charcoal. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/10 "2005-05-28T15:41:54Z")
I am not a griller, but I testify that I taste no difference between meat cooked on a charcoil grill versus the same meat on a propane grill. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/11 "2005-05-28T15:43:14Z")
> [@lokij](#): > > I’m afraid you may have to leave him, sorry. There is but one acceptable fuel for grilling and smoking outdoors and that is natural lump hardwood charcoal. I like oak and hickory myself. Get thee a Big Green Egg. > > [http://www.biggreenegg.com/](http://www.biggreenegg.com/) > > For those heathens that prattle on about the ease of gas grills, the best things in life are rarely easy but almost always worth it. ;\> A charcoal chimney and bulk purchases of charcoal make it alot more convenient though, I will admit… I wouldn’t bother if I had to use bagged briquettes. I didn’t see your post when I wrote mine. I loooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeee my egg. I use a MAPP gas torch to light mine, and I am ready to cook steaks in about 10 minutes, which is on par with how long it takes to heat a gas grill. Also my egg can and will reach temps of 1,000 degrees F for an unblieveable sear on a steak. I have friends that will buy the meat if I offer to cook it on the egg. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lokij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@lokij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lokij)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/12 "2005-05-28T16:04:23Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > I didn’t see your post when I wrote mine. I loooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeee my egg. I use a MAPP gas torch to light mine, and I am ready to cook steaks in about 10 minutes, which is on par with how long it takes to heat a gas grill. Also my egg can and will reach temps of 1,000 degrees F for an unblieveable sear on a steak. > > I have friends that will buy the meat if I offer to cook it on the egg. 😃 One of the best purchases I ever made was my large Big Green Egg. First off, it’s friggin ceramic… the one thing and I mean One thing that kinda turned me off most charcoal grills was the limited lifespan. I’ll probably end up leaving my Egg to somebody in my will. ;\> I’ve cooked alot of stuff on it but the most raves I get is for my texas style BBQ beef brisket, and I can’t imagine doing it on anything else but a BGE because the temperature control is just that good when you get used to it. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anybody who seriously enjoys grilled and smoked food. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/13 "2005-05-28T16:06:46Z")
So far I am hearing that while charcoal tastes better to a lot of people, it is too much of a pain in the ass for the frequent griller. Thanks for the link to the Weber, **Rick**. Another good compromise, and it has a fair amount of the shiny. He will appreciate that. I am still liking that Egg, though. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/14 "2005-05-28T16:18:26Z")
Apples and oranges. Charcoal really is that much better, but propane really is that much easier. The ideal setup is a gas grill for throwing on a couple of burgers on Wednesday night and a charcoal grill for superior weekend cooking. I have a nice Weber gas grill. I hope to acquire a Big Green Egg in the next few months. ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/15 "2005-05-28T16:26:57Z")
I gave up many years ago on the hassle with charcoal grills and have used gas grills ever since then. I grill 3 to 5 times a weeks (year around). Does the grill your BF is looking at have a “smoking” chamber for using wood chips? That is another option. By preheating the grill and maintaining careful control of temperature (much easier than a charcoal unit IMO) I can produce a great range of cooked foods including setting different temps on each side of the grill. ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/16 "2005-05-28T16:44:35Z")
They make a little vented box for a smoking as well. Put soaked wood chips in it and put it on the grill until it starts smoking. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/17 "2005-05-28T18:08:35Z")
> [@Susie Derkins](#): > > So far I am hearing that while charcoal tastes better to a lot of people, it is too much of a pain in the ass for the frequent griller. Thanks for the link to the Weber, **Rick**. Another good compromise, and it has a fair amount of the shiny. He will appreciate that. > > I am still liking that Egg, though. Speaking just for myself, I often cook every night on my egg / or Weber. Using charcoal is not as big a hassle as running out of propane is in the middle of a cook. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/18 "2005-05-28T20:43:44Z")
Once again I’ll get into fray here. So everybody says charcoal tastes better, but what makes it taste better? Smoke, pure and simple there is nothing magical about it except it has woodish smoke. But a smoke chamber, or tuna can full of wood chips creates a hell of a lot more smoke that crappy little briquettes. Plus the temperature control of propane makes a better grilling, a hot and heavy sear, followed by a low slow flame, make it taste better. ---
**Author:** ![Cowgirl\_Jules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Cowgirl\_Jules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowgirl_Jules)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/19 "2005-05-28T23:20:41Z")
You could always get both, and whoever is doing the cooking gets to use their choice of grill. What’s an extra backyard appliance when it comes to saving a relationship anyway? For the record, I have a gas grill that I use a couple of times a week. I also have a charcoal Weber that I haven’t bothered to use for at least two years. I can’t tell the difference in taste, myself, but I sure can in convenience. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880/20 "2005-05-28T23:25:55Z")
> [@Susie Derkins](#): > > Charcoal or Propane? Electric. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charcoal-or-propane/305880.md?page=2)