When it comes to grilling, the process isn’t complicated. Heat the grill, place the food, follow your intuition, and not too much longer, you’re enjoying a delicious meal with one-of-a-kind flavor that can only come from grilling. Simple as it may be, that ritual is special, which is why finding the proverbial perfect grill is such an important part of the experience. Whether it’s time to teach dad a few of your own tricks with a new cooking technique or you’re looking to upgrade to a new way of grilling, we’re diving into the different grill fuel types, plus their pros and cons. Follow along to learn which fuel type you should choose to elevate your grill game.
At a Glance:
Before getting into the meat, take a moment to go over this quick guide outlining the key factors of each grill fuel type listed in this article. Once you’ve read the entire article, we encourage you to come back to compare these insights before making a final decision.
*prices based off current inventory
| Product Attributes |
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Source(s) |
Coal
Wood chunks
Briquettes |
Propane
|
Wood pellets
| Electricity |
| Accessories Required? |
Chimney lighter Charcoal storage |
Propane tank
| Pellet storage | X |
| Temp Range (degrees) | 325 – 600+ | 250 – 500 | 175 – 500 | 250 – 400 |
| Configurations |
Freestanding
|
Freestanding
|
Freestanding
|
Freestanding
|
| Average cooking surface | 450 in² | 450 in² | 450 in² | 400 in²< |
| Price Range* | $150 – <$3,800 | $250 – <$13,000 | $799 – $3,799 | $359 – $499 |
Types of Grill Fuels
Savory or sweet? Hot or cold? The city or the outdoors? Life is full of decisions, and every true grill enthusiast’s proudest choice is their preferred grill fuel source. But how do you know which one will get you to pitmaster level? Let's compare the different types of grill fuels.
Charcoal Grills
Despite being the original, charcoal grills are still a popular option, and that’s because they produce undeniable smoky flavor and are generally the cheapest option on the market. Other benefits include a simple design with less parts, making cleanup easier, and reducing the need to replace parts in the future.
Best of all, charcoal creates a greater heat output than gas or electric grills, on average 500 degrees and up to 700 degrees on some models. When proteins are cooked in these hot temperatures, they undergo special caramelization (known as the Maillard reaction) which creates new flavor compounds — the quintessential grilled taste. And while more gas grills and new infrared grills are designed to reach or exceed these temps, expect to pay a substantially greater price.
Product Suggestion: Big Green Egg® Free Standing Nest Package Charcoal Grill
However, there’s a reason it’s called the art of grilling: Traditional grills do come with a slight learning curve. Finding the ideal grill setting on a charcoal grill often requires understanding when to open vents and knowing proper amount of fuel to use, as well as allowing enough time for the fuel to completely preheat, which can take an average of 15 minutes. And since there are no knobs or dials to control the heat, much of the cooking is done on pure intuition, which can be intimidating for the beginner griller.
Brand Suggestion: Primo Grills Charcoal Grills
Another important factor to consider is safety. Hot coals naturally release ash when on fire, which are easily picked up in gentle winds. In areas with dry brush and foliage, even a small spark from these cinders can be a fire hazard, which is why many apartments, condos, and townhouses prohibit them on their grounds.
Propane Grills
It’s fitting the propane grill (also known as the gas grill) would make its debut in the 1960s, when home was rapidly toward the future. In exchange for the involved process of charcoal, gas grills promised an easier experience with less fuss and better control. How?
For starters, propane ignites instantaneously, drastically cutting down on the time needed for preheating. As a result, users can start up the grill and within a few short minutes, the appliance is ready to prepare meals. Additionally, propane is far more economical than coal. On average, a typical propane tank provides 18 to 20 hours of grilling on standard-size grills. By comparison, a 25-pound bag of charcoal generally contains enough fuel for three grilling sessions.
Product Suggestion: Wolf Stainless Steel Built In Propane Gas Grill
And while charcoal grills are generally the cheapest type of grill on the market, propane-fuel grills still rank low as far as price point goes, meaning that on top of an affordable purchase, it costs less to operate a gas grill over the course of the appliance’s lifetime compared to a charcoal-fuel grill.
Brand Suggestion: Broil King Propane Gas Grills
Where grill purists can ding propane is flavor. Smoke is created either by the fuel source (such as charcoal), or as a result of fat and moisture dripping onto an open flame. While the second option does create a smoky profile, its pronunciation is far less evident than when cooking with charcoal.
Electric Grills
If you live in an apartment, condo, or townhouse, an electric grill is a great option to consider. Since they’re completely fueled by electricity, this type of grill doesn’t produce fumes, and although they’re typically smaller than their counterparts, they’re a smart alternative for grilling indoors when an outdoor grilling area isn’t available.
Product Suggestion: Napoleon TravelQ™ Black Portable Electric Grill
That also means they’re super portable (although, not as portable as charcoal grills), meaning electric grills can go from the kitchen to the tailgate party, so long as there is a power source to connect to. And although the tradeoff for convenience is the iconic smoky taste that only comes from grilling, electric grills are the easiest to clean, often requiring no more than wiping down the non-stick grates.
Brand Suggestion: Coyote Electric Grills
Wood Pellet Grills
Grilling has become such a phenomenon that foodies all around the world have begun to convert classic recipes into grill-friendly versions. While they’ve been less than successful on charcoal, gas, and electric grills, that’s not so much the case with a wood pellet grill. That’s because pellet smokers can grill, smoke, and bake all from one appliance. In fact, pellet grills use a hopper that feeds wood pellets into a heat source where a fan evenly circulates heat and smoke — similar to how a convection oven works.
Product Suggestion: Broil King® Baron Pellet 400 Black Free Standing Smoker and Grill
And with an auger that automatically fuels the grill, there’s little need to monitor cooking progress. Simply turn on the appliance and set it to the desired temperature. Once it’s preheated, you can put the foods on and literally walk away. The even circulation means foods cook uniformly across every zone, providing the best heat control of all the grill choices available on the market.
Brand Suggestion: Louisianna Grills Wood Pellet Grills
Of course, there is a downside to wood pellet grills. Since the heat source is indirect, foods won’t get the distinct grill marks indicative of barbecue. But rest assured — the smoky flavor is there. In fact, depending on the type of pellet, you can even create unique flavor combinations that complement your protein of choice.
Which Grill Fuel Type is Best for You?
Congrats! You’re one step closer to becoming a grill master. But before you set your eyes on a smoky little number, take a moment to consider the following common questions before you make your next investment.
FAQ
- Which grill brands are the best?
Determining which grill is best for your lifestyle comes is a personal decision. However, a great way of knowing which brands continuously provide a winning streak of performance is by seeing what the buyers are saying. Based off real reviews, Broil King is the most popular choice at Friedmans Appliance, while major grill brands like Big Green Egg and Wolf also produce exceptional products for the serious griller.
- Which grill features should I be looking for?
At its core, a good grill has durable grates, at least 400 square feet of cooking surface, and a place to conveniently store fuel. On top of these basics, automatic ignition when working with gas, wheels for mobility (unless it’s a built-in), and a worktable are all perks every barbecue enthusiast will enjoy.
- Which grill type is the safest?
By far, the safest way to grill is on an electric grill. Since there are no fumes or flames, the risk of danger is relatively low. Additionally, cutting the heat source is only a matter of unplugging the unit. As far as the gas, charcoal, and pellet grills go, pellet grillers tend to be safer since heat is electronically monitored and there is no use of lighter fluid or gas fluid, which is flammable.
- Is there a difference between natural gas and propane?
Not much! Typically, natural gas is used to indicate a grill that connects to your home’s main gas supply. Propane is used when the fuel is sold in a tank. Aside from these differences, natural gas grills will cost more up front and require professional installation. However, once installed, the cost of operation is cheaper than grilling with a propane tank.
Your Local Grilling Secret
Exploring grill options is a thrilling journey sure to get you excited about cookouts, backyard get-togethers, and the casual weeknight grill session with the family. With so many reliable grills to choose from, Friedmans Appliance makes it easy to fulfill your grilling fantasy. Plus, with a large inventory of dependable home appliances from major brands, creating the complete culinary experience can be done all from a single showroom.
Known locally as the Trusted Name in the Bay Since 1922™, we’re dedicated to providing our Bay Area buyers with quality products at competitive prices. Visit our Pleasant Hill appliance showroom today located at 2304 Monument Boulevard for an in-person look at all our finest offerings. Or shop by phone at 925-808-2950 and online!