Propane or Charcoal? One flip or multiple? Marinade or seasoning? Rare or well done?

These are the trials and questions for any person who enjoys cooking on the grill. But what really is best?

Grilling is a timeless summer activity that has become the staple of the American tradition of a cookout.

Steaks, burgers, chicken or veggies, the grill adds a distinct taste to any meal which makes your mouth water for it and your stomach crave it all winter.

Anyone who has watched the FOX television show “King of the Hill” has heard the benefits of using a propane grill. In this series the main character, Hank Hill, sells propane and propane accessories.

While this is all part of the comedy of the show, some experts tend to agree with it.

“With a propane model, you simply attach a bottle of gas and light the grill,” Amy Brantley, a food-related content writer from Associated Content, said. “The grill will be up to temperature in a only a few minutes.”

The charcoal must turn an ash color before it is the proper temperature to cook, Brantley said.

This makes for easier temperature control and faster cooking time. But which grill is better when it comes to taste?

Some people prefer the taste of charcoal grills to the taste of propane grills.

Experts from Chow believe that each has its benefits depending on what type of meat you are cooking.

Delicate foods, such as chicken and fish, are easier to grill on a propane grill, but a charcoal grill has the guarantee of a smoky flavor in the food, said Chow experts.

Yet, when looking at the price tag, charcoal grills usually are less expensive without any question.

According to PartyRecipies.com, a charcoal grill can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 while the gas grill can range up to $10,000.

When the cooking actually begins, no matter what type of grill you choose, many cooks have many styles and each claims their own is the best.

Many believe the best way to cook is “the less flips, the better,” according to Howdini.com.

The less you flip the better the food will look, the more even it will be cooked and it is less likely you will loose a piece in the fire.

The important thing is to make sure the meat is cooked thoroughly for the safety of the people eating it.

According to About.com, hamburger is done after 10-16 minutes, a chicken breast is done after 8-12 minutes and steaks are done medium in 11-18 minutes, turning once.

While meat and grills go hand-in-hand, vegetables and fruit are tasty on the grill as well.

Potatoes, mushrooms, corn and pineapple are all great summer foods that are grilling staples for some.

“Because potatoes are so forgiving when it come to cooking you don’t have to worry much,” Derrick Riches from about.com said. “As long as they aren’t burnt you are in business.”

When all is said and done, grilling is more of a pastime to many than simply a way to prepare food. Many people enjoy sharing what they believe is best, but in the end it is all up to whatever is your own preference, and that comes from nothing but experience.

Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or at kzyskowski@eiu.edu.