Propane Gas Grills

Picture this: There is nothing quite like a warm summer evening outdoors at your grill, enjoying the flavor and experience of a good barbecue with family and friends. Liquid propane grilling makes this happen, but not all grills are identical. Choosing the best LP gas grill for your home will make all the difference and help you hit the ball out of the park every time as you deliver sumptuous meals and memories made to last a lifetime.

A quality propane gas grill stands out because it can produce intense heat and infuse food with a distinct, more charred flavor. Most top-level chefs will only cook with propane due to the heat consistency and intensity, as well as the perceived superior taste. One of the most critical components of a liquid propane bbq grill is the stainless steel used in its construction. High-grade stainless steel ensures resistance to rust and intense heat, maintaining its sleek appearance and structural integrity over time. Another determining factor is the inclusion of modern safety features. Advanced safety mechanisms protect users and enhance the grilling experience by ensuring consistent, reliable performance.

• Burners: An effective burner system, often made from durable materials like ceramic, brass, or premium stainless steel, ensures even heat distribution across the grill surface. Burner design and shape is key to how easily the gas can flow and efficiently heat the grill surface.
• Stainless Grade: There are many different grades of stainless steel, each representing a unique circumstance. Are you close to the ocean? Marine grade will be essential. Are you leaving your appliances outside in the sun exposed to the elements? 304 grade will be the best choice. Do you like to keep your propane BBQ under a cover and in secure storage? Use 203-grade stainless.
• Assembly Required: Consider assembly time and how long it will take to set up the grill. Some brands deliver fully assembled grills (most luxury brands), while others require hours' worth of setup.
• Accessories: Some brands offer minimal accessory add-ons to their LP gas grill collections, whereas others present a mountain of options that will let you roast ribs, cook pizzas, clean grates, bake vegetables, add lighting, and so much more. The accessory assortment expands the range of fun you can experience as a newly crowned grill master.
• Warranty: The manufacturer's warranty reflects the brand's confidence in the product.

The choice between these two fuel sources comes down to a few factors:

Heat & Consistency: Propane will often be the preferred choice for top chefs because it burns hotter than natural gas and distributes that heat with more consistency.

Natural Gas Availability: Natural gas available from your local municipality on your street where you can pull that gas via a new gas line to your outdoor kitchen and enjoy the benefits of constant, consistent energy to your grill. No more trips to the store to get refills or carrying heavy propane gas tanks. You attach the municipal line to your drop-in natural gas grill and you are set to go.

Portability: If you want the versatility of moving your grill around your patio to accommodate seating arrangements or don't want to do a complete kitchen buildout but have a grill that you can pull out of storage during the summer and put back into storage in colder months then a freestanding propane barbecue is going to be the best decision. There are also natural gas grills on carts but they do need to be close to a natural gas line to work.

Cost: Natural gas grilling will always require a bigger upfront investment with a gas plumber to establish the line and hook up to your city supply, but it will be cheaper in the long run compared to the cost of buying propane and running to the store. Natural gas per unit is more affordable than propane.

Environmental Impact: Many states are now banning non-reusable propane tanks due to their negative environmental impact. Propane is environmentally friendly, but the tanks that store it are proving to be a problem. Natural gas is a clean, renewable energy that has a limited impact on our planet. Propane is a cleaner, more eco-friendly gas because of the low emissions when burning, but if you don't re-use your tank, those benefits would be negated by the hazard the tanks create.

Edited by Bruce Tucker.