Many countries that enjoy warm weather during the summer months tend to have a lot more fun during their holidays than those that live in colder parts of the world. Some of them also have what’s called ‘barbeque season’ and everyone and anyone who owns their one barbeque grills takes them outside to their backyard and make the most of this activity.
With this, however, comes some consideration for the way you cook your food and what you use as a safe and harmless option. Many people are not gearing towards going natural, not just for their health but also for the environment.
Did you know that when you burn any type of gas, there are toxins released into the air, which are pollutants? From nitrogen oxides to hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, not only are they harmful to the air but if cooked with any gas that gives off these chemicals, it can also be detrimental to your health in the long run.
This has become a significant issue in some parts of the world to the extent that there are laws created around it, as mentioned here by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The decision then is to choose an option that is harmless and more natural.
Below we look at two of the more prevalent types that many households use, and narrow it down to which of these two you should go for based on their difference, so you can enjoy your barbeque season in an environmentally safe and healthy way.
We would suggest two types, and below we take a brief look at what these are and what they can be used for, as well as the difference between them.
Butane and Propane – Natural gases With Different Uses
In a nutshell, butane gas is a hydrocarbon gas, that comes from a natural process of oil refining and is highly flammable. Butane however is more frequently used as refrigerant gas and fuel.
Propane, on the other hand, is also a natural gas derived from the processing of oil and is also just as flammable an option. If you wanted to use it for your barbeque grill or any commercial or domestic use, you would need to buy the liquified version which is generally used for cooking and heating purposes. This is the better option as it is widely used and not as harmful to the environment.
Although these are similar, there are also a few differences to pay heed to. The main one is that between the two options, the scorching point is different. Whereas butane has a higher heat point of -2°C. Propane sits on -42°C: https://www.thoughtco.com/flame-temperatures-table-607307 this may or may not make a difference to the regular buyer, however, it is an important consideration when buying it.
Propane, usually used in cooler climates, uses more pressure than its predecessor Butane, even when it is burning at a similar temperature. What this means is, it is an ideal option for storing outside and using it throughout the year. This then, makes it a common choice amongst many households.
As we also agree with this, we will list a few of the motives why we think it is the better option of the two:
It is highly versatile: as mentioned above you can use it every season and has the capacity to burn efficiently. So, if you can’t wait to burn it on your grill during the summer months, you can also use it to fire up that equipment during winter months as well and it will do just as well.
It is easy to use: in the context of lighting a BBQ, propane is easy to use and as simple as plugging in the gas line or connecting it and turning it on you can cook your food in the best way possible, and it won’t take that long either. It lights up instantly and gets to full heat temperatures.
Tastes better: of course, you would want to be able to taste and enjoy your food, otherwise, what’s the point? Those who have used both of these natural gases argue that butane does not taste anywhere close to propane, which is nicer, and butane leaves a gas-like taste in your dishes. Perhaps this is a personal preference at the end of the day.
Instant heat: if you choose to use something like coal, you need to wait a while for it to heat up and adjust to the right temperature so you can cook your food. Not everyone is patient enough to wait for an hour before they begin to cook, so using natural gas bbq grills cut out any waiting times.
BBQ grills are usually easier to clean: because there is no residue or debris left behind when burning coal, this is an easy to clean option. All you need to do is clean the grill with a damp cloth and you can do your cooking again later at night or the next day.
