It won’t be long before you can tell who’s grilling what in your neighborhood thanks to those delightful drifting smells through the spring and summer air. That also means it’s time to throw on the apron and fire up your outdoor grill or griddle yourself. But before you don your apron, you may have an important decision on your hands – gas grill or pellet grill? This is kind of like thin crust vs deep dish pizza. Sure, they technically are both pizza, but the culinary experience couldn’t be more different.
First, the gas grill, and probably the most common backyard cooking machine available. When armed with a full tank of propane, and a press of the ignitor (no need for lighters or matches with today’s gas grills) these quickly get up to temperature and are great for searing meats. TL;DR: gas grills – high heat and quick cooking.
The Beastie Boys said it best, “Slow and low, that is the tempo.” Little did you know the Beastie Boys were rapping about pellet grills back in the 80s. Ok, they weren’t, but slow and low is the mantra for pellet grills. Pellet grills use compressed wood pellets, many of which are flavored, to produce smoke to cook your food. This gives your food that rich, smoky flavor. But nothing happens quickly here. When you’re going to smoke your meat, you need time.
So, which one is better? It’s not a cut-and-dry answer. But we drive into the details of both gas and pellet grills as well as tap in some grilling experts to help you make the best decision when it comes time to select a grill for grilling season.
Gas grills vs pellet grills: price and value
Gas grills are usually more affordable. You can get into a cheap gas grill for a couple hundred dollars like this Deskslpore 4 Burner Gas Grill. High-end gas grills from name brands like Weber and Charbroil can be found for around $500, like this 3 Burner Charbroil Grill.
Of course, you’ll also need to buy and refill propane. The price of propane will vary. You can usually get a tank for around $50 initially, then refills or propane tank exchanges are usually half that going forward.
Even the most affordable pellet grills are a bit of an investment. This Traeger Pro 22 Pellet Grill is $500. And that’s just the beginning. The price can rise well above $1,000 as you search for more premium models.
Pellets are relatively inexpensive though, averaging about $20 per 40-pound bag, which can last for several grilling sessions.
In terms of affordability and value, a gas grill is much easier on the wallet than a pellet grill.
Mike Williams has been with Kenyon International for over 8 years, providing him with extensive knowledge of the sales and manufacturing world. Kenyon’s products are all locally handcrafted, with the company itself being one of the largest manufacturer in North America of two burner ceramic glassware cooktops and electric grills.
Gas grills vs pellet grills: features and functions
Let’s start with gas grills. Gas grills are typically powered by propane. As mentioned above, nowadays, most grills have a push-button ignitor. Turn on the gas, press the button and the grill ignites. After you close the grill hood, they heat up quickly, allowing you to start cooking in a few minutes. Many models offer multiple burners as well as side burners for cooking sides like vegetables easily. Gas grills typically have a thermometer built into the hood, so you can see the temperature gradually rise as you wait for it to heat up.
Gas grills are also easy to maintain and clean. You can quickly heat up the grates and run a wire brush over it to burn off and remove any excess food. When it comes time for washing and cleaning, you can quickly remove, wash, and replace the grates. Some high-end models even include smart technology, allowing you to control and monitor your grill via smartphone apps.
Pellet grills, on the other hand, somewhat trade-in the easy convenience of a gas grill for major versatility. They can smoke, bake, and grill, offering a wide range of cooking methods. Most pellet grills offer digital controllers that help you quickly set and maintain temperature.
Pellet grills will even take it a step further for temperature-maintaining features by offering Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can check and adjust the temperature of your grill, all from your phone. You can also expect features such as meat probes (to check the internal temperature of your meat, and automatic pellet feeders, so you don’t have to stand next to your pellet grill and keep feeding it pellets.
Much of Brian Gurney’s life over the past decade has been on the road. Since 2011, he and his wife Shelly have traveled across the country, and even the world, bringing their culinary creations to barbecue competitions of all sizes. The BAD BONES BBQ team has won 19 Grand Championships, 11 Reserve Grand Championships and many more.
Gas grills vs pellet grills: performance
Ultimately, when it comes to performance, it really depends on what your looking for in terms of speed, convenience and flavoring. Mike Williams, VP of Sales and Marketing at Kenyon told Top Ten Reviews, “If you’re looking for a faster experience with something more basic, for example, a gas grill will pre-heat quickly and have a simple meal on the table quickly, like burgers and hot dogs.” He continued, If you want to slow-cook a large piece of meat and really develop rich flavors, a pellet grill is a better choice.”
High heat equates to quick searing and cooking. This makes gas grills a great choice for impromptu backyard grilling where many burgs and dogs are on the menu. It’s also great for cooking grilling and searing chicken breasts and steaks and having those delightful grill marks seared across your meat. Those grill marks, of course, are thanks to the direct flame on the meat and grates. While you can get a great char from your gas grill, you can’t quite emulate rich, smokey flavors.
“ Gas grills are often seen as the easiest and most affordable option, but that comes with some trade-offs. While they heat up quickly and don’t require much effort, they lack the rich, smoky flavor that many grilling enthusiasts crave,” said Williams.
Pellet grills shine when it comes to deep flavorings due to slow and low cooking. They are excellent for smoking ribs, pork shoulders and briskets, and other larger cuts of meat. Here’s the rub (pun intended) – the wood pellets are actually what infuse that rich, smoky flavor into the food that pellet grills are famous for. Brian Gurney, Bear Mountain BBQ Ambassador said, “Pellet smokers add smoke flavors to your meats. With rubs, sauces, and a variety of pellet flavors you can customize your flavor profiles by using different pellets for different meats.” That’s the secret to the flavoring profiles – the type of pellets you use. They come in a variety of flavors so you can get find unique flavor profiles when smoking your meats. That’s something you simply can’t achieve with a gas grill alone.
While gas grills can’t quite obtain that smokey flavoring profile, pellet grills aren’t without their drawbacks. “While they’re [pellet grills] often praised for their versatility and ability to deliver a wood-smoked taste, they require electricity to operate – meaning you’re out of luck if you’re camping or grilling somewhere without a power source. Good-quality pellets aren’t always easy to find. Plus, while pellet grills can hold steady temperatures, they require more maintenance and cleaning, and they tend to be significantly pricier than a standard gas grill,” said Williams.
Gas grills vs pellet grills: care and maintenance
Maintaining a gas grill is straightforward. Regularly clean the grates with a grill brush to prevent food residue buildup. Empty the grease tray after each use to prevent flare-ups. Check the burners periodically for blockages and always make sure that the propane tank is fastened securely and isn’t leaking. We also recommend doing a deep clean on your grill at least once a season (preferably at the end of the grilling season so all that gunk and residue doesn’t sit over the winter).
Pellet grill maintenance isn’t quite as easy. You need to keep the pellets dry so they can smoke. This requires that after each use you empty the hopper to prevent pellets from absorbing moisture, which can cause them to swell and clog the auger.
Like a gas grill, you’ll want to clean the grill grates and grease tray after each use. You’ll also need to clean the fire pot and ashtray periodically to keep proper airflow within the grill. It’s also smart to routinely check the motor and auger to make sure it’s feeding and rotating correctly.
Pellet grills, while more versatile, certainly do require a bit more maintenance.
Gas grills vs pellet grills: Which is Right for You?
We’ll admit, we don’t love this answer either, but it truly depends on what you value and what your needs are. If you value speed, convenience, and the ability to sear at high temperatures, a gas grill is a better choice. You can quickly grill up several hot dogs, brats, burgers, and steaks on a whim with a gas grill.
If you have a deep love for smokey flavors, and the ability to cook a wide range of dishes, a pellet grill might be more suitable. With time, pellet grills are fantastic for low and slow cooking, and the combination of your choice of pellet flavoring gives you more control over your flavor profiles and creates amazing-tasting smoked BBQ that can’t be matched by a gas grill.
One isn’t better than the other, per se. Both grills have their pros and cons. You’ll have to decide if you prefer speed and convenience versus versatility and full flavor control. Or, of course, you could just get both…. Problem solved!
