One of the great pleasures of summer is grilling outside. If you do not already have a grill and are thinking about buying one, you have an important choice to make. Propane or natural gas? Here are the things to consider.
| Propane | Natural Gas | Advantage | |
| Taste | Propane proponents say because liquid propane units grill hotter, they provide a better taste. They may also say the odor emitted from natural gas grills impacts taste | Conversely, natural gas fans say natural gas has a “dry” heat that provides a better char and smoky flavor | Subjective |
| Convenience at home | You will need two tanks in case one runs out mid-grilling | No danger of running out (as long as you pay your gas bill) | Natural gas |
| Portability | You can load propane grills and propane tanks in your car and use them anywhere they are allowed | The portability of natural gas grills is limited; they can only be used in places that have a natural gas connection | Propane |
| Short-term cost | None other than the cost of the initial tank, which should be $40-$50 | Minor if you already have a natural gas line you can connect. Major if you need to run a gas line | Propane |
| Long-term cost | The cost of propane tanks – which is around $25 | The cost of natural gas, which should be lower than the cost of propane | Natural gas |
| Energy efficiency | Propane burns gas more efficiently even though over the long term it is more expensive | Since they have wider ports, the flow of gas is faster | Propane |
| Environmental impact | Emits more carbon, although carbon emissions are not terrible | Burns cleaner and has a minimal carbon imprint | Natural gas |
Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric Can Provide a Natural Gas Line Hookup
We are neutral on the propane-natural gas debate. But if you need a natural gas hookup for a grill, our plumbers can help you. We’ve been in business since 1928 (that’s 95 years!), and we’ve made a name for ourselves as one of the most trusted and reliable HVAC, plumbing, drain and sewer and electrical companies in Chicagoland. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
