It can be challenging to determine which one is the better option in the debate between propane vs. charcoal. When it comes to your health and the planet’s health, however, propane is the clear winner. It all boils down to carcinogens that end up in your food and the fact that charcoal tends to be dirtier, and that propane’s carbon footprint is much smaller carbon.
1. PAHs and HCAs
There is nothing more important than your health and your family’s health when it comes to preparing meals. Grilling is a great way to provide healthy meat and vegetable options for your whole family without heating up your house in the summer with an oven or stovetop. As a bonus, everyone gets outside to enjoy the fresh air.
But fresh air and healthy food are not the only considerations for grilling. When grilling with charcoal, more carcinogens, known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), end up in your food. With charcoal grills, the fat that drips from the meat creates much more smoke than propane grills, coating your food with carcinogenic PAHs.
Charcoal flames are also quite a bit hotter, which can create a nice sear on your meat but will also increase the number of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), another nasty carcinogen. Propane grills significantly reduce your exposure to these two carcinogens, but they don’t eliminate them entirely.
The best possible way to reduce your exposure to PAHs and HCAs is to use propane, marinate your meat in vinegar and lemon, flip frequently, and trim excess fat before cooking. This will ensure that your meat is the safest it can be for you and your family.
2. Carbon Emissions
When it comes to carbon emissions, it’s nearly impossible to beat propane. Cooking with charcoal’s carbon monoxide output can be up to 105 times more carbon monoxide than propane. When tested at 35,000 BTUs per hour, a typical charcoal grill produced a whopping 11 pounds of carbon dioxide per hour, while propane only produced 5.6 pounds.
Electric grills aren’t a good option either because they create even more carbon dioxide than either propane or charcoal. Electric grills’ carbon dioxide output it is 15 pounds produced per hour.
When it comes to your family’s health and the planet, propane grills are the clear winner. Whether you only use it for the occasional family party or every night for dinner, it’s a good idea to stick with propane.
Trimming the fat, marinating your food, and using a propane grill are great practices to get into. They’re the best possible ways to reduce your exposure to carcinogens. Not only that, but you’ll also be protecting our planet from harmful carbon emissions.
So, if you’re in the market for a new grill, be sure to contact us today.
Thank you so much for informing me that charcoal grilling creates more smoke and can add more PHAs to your meats than propane grills. It is becoming summer, which for my family means BBQ and pool parties. We just bought a grill a few weeks ago, and we didn’t realize how quickly we are going through the propane. We will have to start looking into gar delivery services that can help make sure we stay stocked up!
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It’s good to know that one of the benefits of choosing a propane tank over charcoal and electric grills is that it produces fewer carbon emissions. That means that it’s the healthiest and safest choice among the three options. My husband and I plan to turn our patio into an outdoor BBQ area, so I’ll contact a propane tank installation service soon. Thanks!
I did not know all this but I LOVE my propane grill and smoker! I can taste the charcoal and starter fluid so I refuse to eat food cooked over charcoal!!!