Propane Grills
Propane grills are a great option to a traditional grill. It is simply started with the flip of a switch. There are many propane grills on the market today. It can be very confusing for the consumer if they don’t know what to look for when it’s time to make the purchase.
The first thing to consider is what the grill is going to be used for. If the grill is going to be used for single or family grilling than a standard size grill should be acceptable. If using the grill for entertaining and big parties to grill say 40 hamburgers or 10 steaks at a time, a bigger grill would be needed.
Deciding on the size of the grill needed can help the consumer decide on the price range. It is best to have a price range in mind before going to the store. The consumer can walk out having spent hundreds of dollars more than intended from high pressure sales tactics and buying features they do not need.
It is important to find out what comes with the grill. Does the grill come with the cover? A cover is needed to protect the propane grills while not in use and can add $100 to the overall purchase if it is not included. The same is true for the propane tank. If a propane tank does not come with the grill this can add up to $50 to the purchase as well. After the first tank is used it can then be exchanged for a full tank, but the initial purchase is more expensive. Ask the salesperson to throw in a tank or cover, all they can say is no.
Propane grills are made of many different materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, sheet metal or cast aluminum. The preferred material seems to be stainless steel. Pay careful attention no matter what material you choose that the frame is the same material as the grill. Many a consumer has been disappointed to discover their frame has rusted because it was not the stainless steel material the grill was made from.
Decide what features are needed. Do you need a side burner, smoker box or rotisserie burner? Most grills can do the basics people want. Most added features are used rarely and cost money.
Purchasing a propane grills can be a rewarding experience if consumers do their research and know what they want.
Propane Grills The Advantages
Propane grills are a newer addition than charcoal to the grilling world, but they offer several benefits that charcoal does not have.
The first advantage is convenience. Charcoal grills require loading and cleaning with each use, and you have to make sure that you stay well-stocked, not only with charcoal briquettes, but also with lighter fluid, in order to use these grills. In comparison, propane grills use clean-burning gas to provide heat, so you do not have to clean them as often, and propane tanks do not have to be replaced nearly as much as the supplies for charcoal grills.
Since you aren’t using lighter fluid with propane grills, you don’t run the risk of over-applying the butane and ending up with burgers that taste like chemicals. Propane does not impact the taste of food in any way, so you are assured of having great-tasting food every time.
Speed of cooking is another huge factor that places propane grills above other types of grill. It only takes about ten minutes to heat up a propane grill to a temperature sufficient to cook food, and you can control the temperature. This means that you are assured faster food that is cooked perfectly.
Propane grills heat food up evenly, since heat is distributed in a uniform fashion along the grill, as opposed to charcoal grills, where there may be areas of localized higher temperature. This standardized heating means that you don’t end up with parts of your meat that are undercooked, and therefore don’t have to worry about the risk of contracting diseases such as salmonella or E. coli. Since you aren’t using a solid substance to burn in order to heat your food, you end up with a healthier meal as well, since chemicals from the charcoal do make their way into the food cooked with it.
Finally, there is the cost factor to consider. Propane tanks last a considerable time, whereas the cost of purchasing bags of charcoal every few times you grill does add up. Propane grills may be a more expensive initial investment, but over time, they save you substantial money.
