At a Glance:
Gas Grilling vs Charcoal Grilling Guide
Grilling season is in full swing, and you don’t want to be the only family on the block without a tasty cookout meal! To fully enjoy the backyard season, take advantage of a few different grilling methods, from flavorful wood pellet grills, classic charcoal grills, or a convenient gas grill.
The debate between charcoal grilling vs gas grilling is long-lasting, and many have different opinions. But depending on your budget, desired flavor profiles and expertise will impact which grill you decide to invest in. Discover the benefits and downfalls of gas and charcoal grills below and find out our favorite choices for each!
Which Type of Grill is Best? Charcoal Grilling vs Gas Grilling
There are benefits and downfalls to each type of grill, however, your preferences will dictate which grill type you choose. Take a look at our comprehensive guide on gas vs charcoal grills below.
Charcoal Grilling
According to many die-hard barbecue lovers, the only way to properly grill is with charcoal. Charcoal grills have a deep, smokey taste that gas grills can't match, even with a smoker box added. Charcoal grills can achieve exceptionally high temperatures, which is excellent for charring and smoking gourmet meats. They also provide an unrivaled smokey taste with deep sear marks. To simplify things, we've put together a summary of the benefits and drawbacks of cooking on a charcoal barbecue.
Shop Colder's Charcoal Grills Catalog
Pros of Charcoal Grilling
More economical: Charcoal BBQ grills are far more economical than most gas grills, making them more appealing than gas grills. Charcoal barbecues may be found for as little as $40, while freestanding gas grills cost between $200 and $300.
Greater temperatures: Compared to gas barbecues, charcoal grills can reach higher temperatures, allowing you to produce those trademark sear marks on your meat and vegetables.
Unique Flavors: We can't stress the importance of having a distinct, smoky flavor. The tremendous heat created by charcoal grills transforms the tantalizing, smoky taste and any drippings from meat or vegetables that fall onto the briquettes into ultra-flavorful steam, which is then transported back into your meal for simply delectable outcomes.
Cons of Charcoal Grilling
Cleaning up: Cleaning up after a lengthy grill session on a charcoal barbecue may be time-consuming and untidy. Unlike a gas grill, which merely takes a brief scrub with a wired brush, the grill must be entirely emptied of spent ashes before cleaning.
Longer heat time: It takes roughly 15–20 minutes to reach the optimum grilling temperature for a charcoal grill, not considering the time it takes to fire the briquettes. Gas grills heat up quickly and attain optimal cooking temperatures in as little as 10 minutes.
Gas Grilling
Although the embers beneath the charcoal generate their own distinct flavor, it's nearly hard to top the performance and convenience of cooking on a gas barbecue. While charcoal briquettes do have the typical backyard barbecue scent and taste, a gas grill allows you to capture the natural flavor of your food without the hassle. In comparison to charcoal grills, gas grills feature far more exact temperature control and faster cooking periods, as well as requiring less clean up after the meal. To help you understand what gas grills have to offer, below are some of the benefits and drawbacks of using this sort of grilling fuel.
Shop Colder's Gas Grills Catalog
Pros of Gas Grilling
Faster start-up and temperature control precision: With gas grills, you have to turn the dial and crank the ignition, and you're ready to cook. It also takes much less time to get the grill ready than to wait for the embers to heat up. And, depending on what's on the grill, switching from high to low heat is straightforward.
More environmentally friendly: Grilling with gas is better for your overall health because food cooked on gas-powered equipment contains fewer toxins than food cooked on charcoal. Gas grills also have a carbon footprint that is around a third that of a charcoal barbecue.
Extremely versatile: Gas grills provide you with the most cooking options, allowing you to prepare delicate vegetables and fruits without the use of smoke, as well as savor exquisite pieces of meat that are always cooked to perfection.
Cons of Gas Grilling
Mobility: Gas grills are heavy and may be fairly large, making them difficult to move around. If you're going tailgating or camping beneath the stars, a gas barbecue may not be the ideal option.
Safety considerations: While there are obvious precautions to take while using any cooking item, grilling with gas has potential risks that aren't usually visible. While controlling the flame is safer than igniting coals, you must also ensure that the propane tank is correctly placed and not leaking. Grills should be kept at least 10 feet away from your house or backyard patio, or deck, and the grates should be wiped on a regular basis to avoid grease fires.
Gas Grilling vs Charcoal Grilling Guide
Both gas and charcoal grills have advantages and disadvantages, but they're both necessary components of any outdoor kitchen. What grill you choose is entirely dependent on your particular preferences, money, and lifestyle. Before we go into our best recommendations, have a look at this brief primer to learn more about the differences between charcoal and gas grills.
|
Features |
Charcoal Grills |
Gas Grills |
|
Time to Heat-Up |
30 minutes |
10 minutes |
|
Flavor Profile |
Smoky flavor |
Natural flavor |
|
Cleanup |
Ash disposal |
Scrub grill grates |
|
How to Maintain |
Replenish coals |
Maintain gas lines and propane tank |
|
Price |
More affordable |
More expensive |
|
Temperature Control |
Constant attention |
Easy to maintain attention |
|
Cool-down Times |
30 minutes |
5 to 10 minutes |
|
User Ease |
Experience needed |
Requires little experience |
Our Top Grill Choices
Take a look at our top two choices for grills. Whether you love the flavor profiles of a classic charcoal grill or the convenience of a gas grill, Colder’s has you covered.
Broil King Charcoal Grill (911050)
This charcoal Broil King grill brings oakey flavors to a delicious finish with heavy-duty cast iron grids to lock in a perfect taste. The Deluxe Accu-Temp thermometer reaches deeper into your meat, so you can always keep tabs on the rareness of your steak. Also, this charcoal grill is designed with rust-resistant materials so you and your family can grill for years.
Price: $397
Why We Love This Grill:
- Heavy-duty cast iron cooking grid
- 280 square inches in cooking space
- Deluxe Accu-Temp thermometer
Broil King Gas Grill (957484)
Our gas grill Broil King choice is a built in grill that features cabinets for easy storage and is available in four, five, or six-burner configurations. If you’re searching for the perfect outdoor kitchen grill, this Broil King choice is excellent. A warming rack, premium rotisserie kit, and a stainless steel Flav-R-Wave cooking system accompany pool days filled with freshly made cheeseburgers. Also, this premium grill features 750 square inches of cooking space, so it can easily handle any summer party needs.
Price: $2,248
Why We Love This Grill:
- Four, five, or six burners
- 750 square inches of cooking space
- Flav-R-Wave Cooking System
Again, depending on your budget, desired flavor profiles, and how much grilling experience you bring to the table will impact which grill you should choose. A charcoal grill will work wonders for deeper flavors, but charcoal pellets can be costly, and more experience is needed. In contrast, a gas grill brings food to your plate quicker and is easier to control heat temperatures. Whichever you choose, you can always expect more at Colder’s.
Outdoor Grill FAQs
Is charcoal grilling healthy?
While there is some debate on this subject, grilling dishes with charcoal can likely be a healthier option compared to other methods of cooking when done properly. Because fat and other additives can drip away from grilled dishes, they have less fat than those cooked in a pan.
Can grills be both gas and charcoal?
Yes, there is a possibility of having both a gas and charcoal grill. These hybrid grills offer convenience, speed, and tasteful flavor profiles.
Shop Colder's BBQ Grill Catalog
Compare charcoal and gas grills at Colder's to find the right grill for you.
BBQ GrillsWhy Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee.
Shop Grills at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop grills online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you settle the debate over charcoal grilling vs gas grilling, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: Patio Dining Sets with Umbrellas for Backyard Bliss