When it comes to outdoor grilling, the debate rages on:  what is better? Charcoal or Propane.  If you are looking to purchase a new grill this spring, here are a few helpful hints to help you choose which kind of grill is right for you.

Convenience
A gas grill lights virtually instantly and only needs about five minutes for the grill to achieve a nice, even heat. Just about every gas grill comes with and electronic ignition system today, so burning through a box of matches is not an issue anymore.

Charcoal grills takes about 40 minutes to achieve full, even heat. For most individuals this can be a real drawback. Charcoal briquettes are more messy than gas as well. Lighting them can be at times tricky especially on a windy day. Then there is the matter of disposing of the remains when you’re done grilling.

Taste
Natural gas and propane are colorless and odorless. Because of this, an odorizer has been added to these gases to alert you when there is a leak. Some say that this odorizer creates a different taste when cooking with propane. Professional chefs and serious grilling enthusiasts will tell you that this just isn’t the case.

The main argument for using charcoal is that it gives food a natural smoky taste, and it does. But you can also add wood to your propane gas grill by using a smoker box or other type of similar device and achieve the same flavor.

Consider these thoughts when you are looking to cook out this summer. Propane and charcoal grills both have their advantages. Both cook well.  But the ease of cooking with propane is why more homes have propane grills.