Propane VS Gas Grills
Right now with all this great weather we are having in the Fraser Valley, we get a lot of calls for people wanting a new gas line installed. Whether they are running that gas line to a pool heater, a gas fire pit or to their shiny new BBQ, we have the right team to help anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Murrayville Plumbing & Heating Ltd. provides gas fitting services for residential and commercial needs. If you are a propane BBQ professional or a gas grill master chef, we can help with your gas service needs.
When it comes to natural gas vs. propane grill options, which team are you on?
Grilling is serious business. Whether you’re whipping up one of those 30-minute recipes or serving the tastiest vegetables of all time, the grill has become a fan-favorite cooking tool—and it’s easy to see why. If you’re currently in the market for a new grill, it’s important to weigh the natural gas vs. propane grill options that are available. While they both achieve the same summery grilled flavor, there are some deal breakers that make the two very different.
Propane Gas Grills
Propane grills require propane gas, which actually contains more energy than its natural alternative. Because of this, propane gas provides a serious amount of power and heats up rather quickly—which results in a much more efficient barbecue and grilling process. Propane grills also offer a handful of cooking methods, like multi-zone cooking and indirect heating. They’re also user-friendly, starting up with just the turn of a dial
Even though propane might be more expensive than natural gas, propane is readily available at any supermarket, so you never have to worry about running out. And as far as cleaning goes, propane grills are a lot easier to clean than some other grills out there (we’re looking at you, charcoal).
Natural Gas Grills
It might not be the more popular of the two, but there are still some pretty great advantages to using natural gas grills. In order to use a natural gas grill, you’ll need to invest in a natural gas installation in your home. This is definitely the pricier option at first glance, but in the long run, it might end up being cheaper than purchasing propane gas on a regular basis. Natural gas grills are easy to clean, and they’re just as environmentally friendly as propane. Natural gas grills will take a little while to set up, especially if your home does not have a gas line that reaches your deck or porch. However, many natural gas grills come with a kit that makes the process as easy as possible.
On the back of its convenience and high-heat potential, gas is America’s preferred grill fuel, and it has been for decades. Liquid propane is the leading force here, but natural gas has turned a corner, with consumer surveys reporting natural gas grill use is at an all-time high, making up 36 percent of total gas grill usage in the U.S. So, what’s the difference between propane and natural gas, and which is better? There are three things you need to know.
Convenience
Propane comes in refillable tanks that usually cost around $30 new — refills are typically in the $20 range — and are available at nearly every hardware store in the country. Natural gas, on the other hand, must be fed into the grill through a pre-existing gas line. This creates two issues: you’ll have to hire a professional to install a gas line extension convenient to the grill and you won’t be able to move your grill once the line is in place. But convenience is a two-way street. A natural gas grill will never need to be refilled and you’ll never need to worry about it running out mid-cook.
If you have access to a gas line, don’t plan on traveling with your grill and don’t want to bother with refills, natural gas is a good option. If you want to take your grill with you, don’t mind the occasional fill-up or the cost of adding a gas line is too much, propane is the right move.
Cost
Observing only fuel cost and efficiency, natural gas is cheaper than liquid propane. But if your home doesn’t have a natural gas tank or would require commissioning a professional to add an extension to your grill, it’s not a simple decision. Plus, natural gas grills usually demand a slightly higher price tag.
A general rule of thumb: natural gas will be cheaper in the long run for regular grillers but propane may be the economical choice for seasonal, sporadic or mobile grillers.
Cooking
One-to-one, propane packs more energy into the same space as natural gas, but any decent natural gas grill compensates for this by simply widening the gas intake valve. Both fuels generate the same high, consistent heat gas grilling is all about. In other words: you won’t be able to tell the difference between propane and natural gas once everything is plugged in.
Conclusion
So it boils down to what you really want for your home and BBQ needs. When I was renting a house for sure propane was the best way to go but now as a homeowner in the Langley area, convenience of on demand gas for my BBQ is just something that cannot compare. If you would like a free estimate on your next gas line install or upgrading from propane BBQ give us a call 778.888.6451