There’s nothing better than a warm, sunny day with family and friends, grilling your favorite foods and spending time together. At the heart of any barbecue is that of the grill, and many love the ease and affordability of gas grills on the market today. While gas grills used to have lava rocks as a feature, many have eliminated them to ensure a clean burn. We often hear from our customers: do gas grills need lava rocks? Let’s dissect this topic further to learn more about when lava rocks may or may not be required for your next outdoor event.
How does a gas grill work?
Gas grills are cooking appliances that use either natural gas or propane as a source of fuel. It has many different elements that help provide the heat needed to fully cook food, including cooking grids, control valves, venturi tubes, and burners. In some, heat plates or lava rocks may also be used. Lava rocks are best described as volcanic rocks that used to be required for older gas grills. They help in distributing, radiating, and absorbing heat more evenly across the surface of the grill. In doing so, they allow food to be cooked evenly regardless of where it is located on the grilling surface.
Why were lava rocks used in older gas grills?
Older gas grill models often integrated lava rocks above the burners but below the cooking surface. They were beneficial in avoiding flare-ups and hot spots, ensuring all the food was cooked evenly. They also help to add a smokey flavor to foods cooked on the grill, adding another element of taste that could not be achieved without them. However, lava rocks have been phased out over time. This is because:
- Gas grills have become more efficient and easier to maintain
- Gas grills are designed to maintain even heat distribution with new elements
- Lava rocks have a tendency to absorb grease over time, contributing to flare-ups, not preventing them
- Lava rocks can become hard to clean over time and need to be replaced regularly
- Elements in modern gas grills, such as tents and bars, are easier to clean and more durable than lava rocks
Does my gas grill require lava rocks?
Reading the instruction manual that came with your grill is the best way to know whether or not you need to purchase lava rocks. If you do not have this information, it is best to take a look at the elements in your gas grill. Modern gas grills can be spotted by their metal tents and bars, meaning lava rocks are not necessary. However, if your gas grill does not have these and is an older model, it might require lava rocks to ensure proper cooking temperatures and taste. Using lava rocks in a gas grill that does not require them can also cause damage or lead to possible safety concerns. If you have questions, talk to our team at The Flame Company for a more solid and dependable answer!
What about ceramic briquettes?
In addition to lava rocks, we also sell a number of different gas grills that provide a similar but improved system that uses ceramic briquettes instead of lava rocks. Unlike lava rocks, which can be harder to clean and maintain, ceramic briquettes last longer and offer a clean burner with more even heat distribution.
Schedule time to speak to our flame fanatics about your gas grill!
Whether you are looking to upgrade your grill or maintain it, the team at The Flame Company in Graham, North Carolina, can assist. We can educate you on your options for your next outdoor get-together or talk to you about custom outdoor kitchens for entertaining family and friends. Call us at (336) 570-1193 or fill out this form to learn more about gas grills and other fireplace needs.