Pellet Grill vs. Gas Grill: Which One is Better for Your Outdoor Cooking?
Gone are the days when charcoal was the only way to grill; now, you’ve got gas and pellet grills, each with its own advantages.
Gas grills provide speed, precision, and high heat. They give you full control, making it easier to get those restaurant-quality sear marks on your steak. Pellet grills, on the other hand, bring versatility and that rich, smoky flavor we all associate with great BBQ.
So, which one should you go for? It really depends on what you love to cook and how you like to grill. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences, advantages, and drawbacks of both, so you can make the right choice for your backyard cookouts.
Pellet Grill vs. Gas Grill: Side-by-Side Comparison
While both grills can be used to cook BBQ, they have distinct features that set them apart.
| Criteria | Gas Grills | Pellet Grills |
| Flavor | Basic flavour and can add smoke by heating up wood chips/charcoal in a tray. | Amazing smoky flavour thanks to burning pellets. |
| Infusion | Requires additional purchase if you want to infuse food with flavours. | Infuses food with the taste of different types of wood pellets like hickory, mesquite, oak, etc. |
| Temperature | Can reach high temperatures up to 750°F using propane or natural gas as fuel, depending on the model. | Can reach medium to high temperatures up to 500°F or above using pellets as fuel, depending on the model. |
| Ease of Use | Start right away, just ignite and feed gas using a knob. | Takes time to heat up by feeding pellets into the burn pot. |
| Maintenance and Cleaning | Easier maintenance, only need to clean burners, grates and grease tray. | Has a lot of parts that need cleaning, including burn pot, pellet hopper, grates, and grease tray (if included in the model) |
| Fuel Cost | Gas can be cheaper, but you might run out of it depending on the number of burners and BTUs they clock. | Pellets are slightly more expensive than gas but are good for longer cooking sessions. |
| Portability | Usually very portable and easy to store once finished using if it's a freestanding model. | Less portability as it requires power to use even if it's a freestanding model. |
| Best Use Scenario | Get amazing sear on your meat every time. | Good for slow cooking and smoking meat. |
| Temperature Control | Manual temperature maintenance using hobs and can be less precise. However, it has different temperature zones on the same cooking surface. | Great at maintaining temperature using built-in controls and is very precise. However, you cannot control the temperature of different areas of the cooking surface. |
| Â Price Point | Starts at $150 and is much more reasonably priced. | Starts at $400 and can be very expensive. |
Pellet Grills vs. Gas Grills – Pros & Cons
While both of these basically do similar jobs, they are vastly different in how they operate. Here is a list of the pros and cons of pellet grills and gas grills:
Gas Grills
| Â Pros | Cons |
| It does not depend on anything other than propane or natural gas for fuel. | Lacks the smoky flavor you get from traditional charcoal or pellet grills. |
| Can give food a good sear. | Limited to grilling only, you cannot smoke or slow-cook meat on a gas grill. |
| Has multiple temperature zones depending on the number of hobs. Each hob can control a different section of the grill. | Propane and natural gas can be more expensive depending on how much you use them. |
| Are quicker to heat up quicker compared to charcoal or pellet grills. | |
| Low maintenance, requires a minimal amount of cleanup after use. | |
| Affordable pricing. |
Pellet Grill
| Â Pros | Cons |
| It provides superior flavour compared to gas and charcoal grills, as you can infuse your food with different kinds of wood pellets. | They are much more costly compared to other types of grills. |
| It is more versatile when it comes to cooking, as you can not only grill, but also smoke and slow-cook your food. | Longer start time, can take more than 15 minutes to get to the right temperature. |
| It is consistent when it comes to temperature; just set the temperature on the controller and let the grill do its work. | Pellets are much more sensitive to the environment as they can absorb moisture, so they need to be stored properly. |
| Indirect heat and smoke can give food a much juicier flavour. | |
| A lot of models come with Wi-Fi functionality to easily monitor and control the grill remotely. |
Pellet Grill vs. Gas Grill for Burgers: Which One Wins?
Both pellet and gas grills have their advantages when cooking burgers on them. It all depends on whether you favour flavour or cooking experience.
Cooking Burgers on a Gas Grill
â—ŹÂ Â Â Â Â Â Efficiency: Making burgers on a gas grill is much easier, as it heats up quicker. Burgers usually don't need a lot of time on the grill, and with the high heat of the gas grill, you can make a lot more of them.
â—ŹÂ Â Â Â Â Â Sear: You can get a good sear on your burgers on a gas grill thanks to high heat.
â—ŹÂ Â Â Â Â Â Ease of Use: There is no learning curve when it comes to a gas grill. Just turn the hobs on, throw your burgers on the grill, and just cook them.
Cooking burgers on a gas grill is much more efficient and easier. The only caveat is that you are trading the cooking experience for the flavour. You don't get any smoke from a gas grill unless you purchase a smoke tray separately. Even then, it won't infuse the burgers with as much smoke as a charcoal or pellet grill.
Cooking Burgers on a Pellet Grill
â—ŹÂ Â Â Â Â Â Flavour: You get a smoky flavour when you cook burgers on a pellet grill.
â—ŹÂ Â Â Â Â Â Precise Cooking: Since pellet grills have even temperature throughout, your burgers will be cooked fully inside and out.
â—ŹÂ Â Â Â Â Â No Baby-Sitting: Once you set the temperature on your pellet grill on the controller, just close the lid and sit back. Once the time is over, the grill will let you know that your burgers are ready to eat. No need for constant babysitting to avoid burning burgers.
With a pellet grill, you get superior flavour and also precise temperature control. However, you don't get sear marks on burgers as easily. It is also slow compared to a gas grill, so it might take more time to make your burgers.
Final Verdict: Which Grill is Right for You?
At the end of the day, the choice between a pellet grill and a gas grill will depend on what kind of BBQ experience you’re after. If you value affordability, fast and easy grilling, along with high heat, then you should opt for a gas grill.
But if you’re after rich, smoky flavors and a more hands-off, set-and-forget cooking experience, a pellet grill is the best choice for you.
Think about your grilling style, budget, and how much time you want to spend tending the grill; your perfect match is the one that fits seamlessly into your cookouts.
FAQs
What’s the main difference between a pellet grill and a gas grill?
A pellet grill uses pellets as fuel and uses smoke and indirect heat for cooking. A gas grill uses propane or natural gas as fuel and uses direct heat for grilling food at high temperatures.
Are pellet grills good for grilling, or are they just for smoking?
Pellet grills can not only be used to smoke meat but also grill and slow cook too.
Can a pellet grill replace a gas grill in an outdoor kitchen?
Yes, a pellet grill can definitely replace a gas grill in an outdoor kitchen. However, they are much more expensive, and pellets require careful storage because if they get damp, they can be ruined.
Is it cheaper to run a gas grill or a pellet grill?
Answer: It is cheaper to run a gas grill for shorter periods compared to a pellet grill. However, for longer cooking sessions, a pellet grill is much more fuel efficient.
Matthew Jackson
At the heart of our business is Matthew Jackson, the founder and owner of BBQ Kitchen Pros. With an impressive 20 years in design, construction, and implementation of outdoor kitchen spaces, Matthew brings a wealth of knowledge, skill, and a deep-seated passion to the table. It's not just about selling products; it's about crafting a lifestyle. Outdoor cooking isn't just our business; it's our way of life, ingrained in every recommendation we make and every product we offer.