Propane Vs. Wood Burning

Wood Burning

• Nothing compares to the aesthetic appeal and sensory allure of wood. You can touch it, feel it and smell it. Wood is also a natural and renewable heat and energy source. Outdoor cooking with chunks of hickory, apple or mesquite woods burning on a grill delights the senses and gives food a unique, smoky flavor. The smell and sounds of real wood logs burning in a fireplace are unmatched by artificial logs fueled by propane.

Propane

• Propane is liquefied petroleum commonly referred to as "LP" -- liquid propane. When you want heat and you want it now, propane is superior to wood. With a propane tank attached to a barbecue, you can fire up the grill in less than a minute. The same goes for using propane as a fuel source for fireplaces and cooking. All it takes is a turn of a dial.

Advantages

• You can use propane to heat an entire home. Wood isn't as efficient or effective. Propane is much easier to use -- once you have a tank you're set. You simply attach it to the device you need to fuel. Wood requires preparation and takes time to fire up.

Disadvantages

• Propane's biggest drawback is safety and storage. It must be handled carefully because it's extremely flammable. The flick of a lighter or a match can be all it takes to ignite propane --accidentally or on purpose. Tanks must be stored outdoors and out of reach of children and pets. You can store a cord of wood outdoors with no major safety issues. However, once wood is burning, it commands the same degree of respect and safe handling as propane. Only adults should tend to a wood fire.