Should I Buy a Propane or Charcoal Grill?

When picking out a grill, one question always comes to mind: “Is a propane or charcoal grill healthier?” There are several factors that explain why people choose one or the other. When it comes to your health and safety, propane wins by a landslide.

Keep reading to learn why propane is the healthiest type of grill and why you should steer clear of charcoal.

The health risks of charcoal

Grills fueled with charcoal are a much greater risk to your health. Charcoal grills produce carcinogens, specifically heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). HCAs form on meat when it’s cooked at extremely high temperatures. Charcoal burns much hotter than propane, and you have little control over how hot the coals get.

Cooking enthusiasts praise charcoal grills because they give meat a smoky, flavorful aroma. Unfortunately, the char on meat also contains cancer-causing chemicals. PAHs form when fat and oil drip onto the hot coals, causing smoke to rise and coat the meat. Charcoal produces more smoke than propane, which leads to a higher level of carcinogens.

Most grillers start a charcoal fire with lighter fluid. This toxic substance is filled with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that seep into the smoke and coat your food. As you can imagine, VOCs are terrible for your health and may increase the risk of cancer.

Charcoal can negatively affect your health in other ways. The higher volume of smoke contains deadly carbon monoxide and contributes to air pollution. There are no dials to control the flame, which means there’s a greater risk of burns and nearby objects catching on fire. If you’re still wondering if a propane or charcoal grill is healthier, propane is the clear winner.

Propane grills are much safer

What is the healthiest type of grill? As you’ve gathered by now, propane is the answer. Dials allow you to control the temperature and prevent harmful carcinogens from collecting on the meat. HCAs only form when the temperature is too high, and a propane grill lets you put the flames on a lower setting.

Cooks have a significantly reduced risk of PAHs when they use propane as the fuel source. Propane doesn’t give off nearly as much smoke as charcoal. While you won’t achieve that desired smoky taste, propane grills produce less carcinogens and lower your risk of cancer.

Many will claim charcoal grills lead to healthier cooking because fat drips away from the meat. By contrast, cooking in a skillet forces the meat to marinate in its own fat and oil; however, charcoal isn’t the only fuel source that lets you cook low-fat protein. The metal grates on propane grills also help excessive fat, oils and sugar drip off whatever you’re cooking.

Knowing whether a propane or charcoal grill is healthier will help you decide which one to purchase. No matter your cooking preferences, Marcell’s Specialties Inc. offers both propane and charcoal grills to suit everyone’s tastes. Our experts will help you determine what the healthiest type of grill is, so you can prepare meat that’s safe and delicious.

Categorised in: Grills

This post was written by Writer