Do you ever feel a sense of satisfaction when you take a bite of perfectly grilled food?
That smoky flavour and aroma can be hard to replicate, but it all starts with the right type of BBQ fuel. Whether you’re a charcoal purist or a gas grill enthusiast, choosing the right fuel can make a big difference in your food’s taste, texture, and aroma.
We’ll explore the pros and cons of the most common BBQ fuel types, including charcoal, gas, wood pellets, and electric, so you can make an informed decision and take your grilling game to the next level. Don’t settle for a mediocre BBQ – read on to discover the best fuel for your grilling needs!
JUMP TO:
BBQ Fuel Types
1. Charcoal
Charcoal is one of the oldest and most traditional types of BBQ fuel.
It is made by burning wood in a low-oxygen environment, which removes the moisture and leaves behind carbon-rich char. Charcoal comes in two primary forms: briquettes and lump charcoal. Briquettes are made by compressing charcoal dust and other ingredients into uniform shapes. In contrast, lump charcoal is made by burning natural hardwood without additives.
Pros
- Charcoal provides a smoky flavour and aroma that is hard to replicate with other fuel types.
- Charcoal burns hotter than gas and wood pellets, ideal for searing and charring meat.
- Charcoal is relatively inexpensive and widely available.
Cons
- Charcoal requires more time and effort to light and maintain than gas or electric grills.
- Charcoal produces more ash and requires more cleanup than other fuel types.
- Charcoal emits more carbon monoxide and other pollutants than other fuel types, which can harm the environment and your health.
Who Should Use Charcoal Fuel?
Charcoal is ideal for BBQ enthusiasts who value grilled food’s authentic smoky flavour and aroma and are willing to invest time and effort in the grilling process. It is also a good choice for those who want to achieve high heat levels for searing and charring meat.
Best Charcoal BBQ
Weber Compact Kettle
The Weber Compact Kettle is a classic charcoal grill perfect for backyard barbecues and outdoor cooking. This grill features a porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid to retain heat and resist rust and corrosion. It also has a one-touch cleaning system that makes it easy to clean up after your cookout.`
With no gas or electric components to worry about, it's easy to use and maintain. It's also portable and great for camping or cooking outside. Another pro is its affordability, as it's priced lower than many other grills on the market.
Overall, the Weber Compact Kettle is an excellent choice for outdoor cooking for anyone who wants a classic charcoal grill. Its simplicity, affordability, and portability make it popular among grillers of all skill levels.
2. Gas
Gas grills are powered by propane or natural gas, stored in a tank or connected to a natural gas line. Gas grills use burners to heat the grill grates, and the heat can be adjusted using a control knob.
Pros
- Gas grills are easy to light and maintain, with no messy cleanup required.
- Gas grills offer precise temperature control, ideal for cooking delicate foods like fish and vegetables.
- Gas grills produce fewer emissions and pollutants than charcoal or wood pellets.
Cons
- Gas grills do not provide the same smoky flavour and aroma as charcoal or wood pellets.
- Gas grills can be more expensive than charcoal grills, especially for models with advanced features.
- Gas grills require a propane or natural gas tank, which can be inconvenient to refill or replace.
Who Should Use Gas Fuel?
Gas grills are ideal for those who want a convenient and easy-to-use grilling experience, with precise temperature control and no messy cleanup required. Gas is also a good choice for those who wish to cook delicate foods that require low heat settings.
Best Gas BBQ
CosmoGrill 4+1 Gas Burner
- The CosmoGrill 4+1 Gas Burner Garden Grill BBQ Barbecue is the perfect outdoor cooking appliance for those who love entertaining and cooking for large groups.
- With four stainless steel burners and a side burner, you can easily cook various meats and vegetables with different requirements simultaneously.
- The burners are individually adjustable and ignited via Piezo ignition, giving you more control over your cooking experience.
- The built-in thermostat ensures that you cook to perfection, while the clever V-shaped flame tamers protect the burners from grease, improving the performance and longevity of the barbecue.
Other features include:
- A full-length warming rack which keeps food warm once it's cooked.
- A convenient side table to place plates, cutlery, or ingredients.
- A spacious bottom shelf.
- Two castor wheels which make transportation around the garden easy.
- A sleek black finish adds a touch of elegance.
3. Wood Pellets
Wood pellet grills use compressed sawdust pellets as fuel, made from a blend of hardwoods like hickory, mesquite, and oak. The pellets are fed into a hopper, which automatically delivers them to a heating element. The heat and smoke the pellets produce circulate the food using a fan.
Pros
- Wood pellet grills provide a smoky flavour and aroma similar to charcoal grills.
- Wood pellet grills offer precise temperature control and can be used for smoking, roasting, baking, and grilling.
- Wood pellet grills produce fewer emissions and pollutants than charcoal grills.
Cons
- Wood pellet grills can be more expensive than charcoal or gas grills, especially for models with advanced features.
- Wood pellet grills require electricity, which can be inconvenient for outdoor use.
- Wood pellet grills produce more ash than gas grills and require more cleanup than electric grills.
Who Should Use Wood Pellet Fuel?
Wood pellet grills are ideal for those who want a versatile grilling experience, with the ability to smoke, roast, and bake in addition to grilling. They are also a good choice for those who want a smoky flavour and aroma without the hassle of charcoal grilling.
Best Wood Pellet BBQ
Z Grils Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
- ULTIMATE 8-IN-1 (Cover included): Barbecue wood fire pellet grill: BBQ bake roast braise smoke grill sear char-grill.
- Pellet Grill Technology: There isn't an easier way to get wood-smoked flavors than with a pellet grill. Try it, and you'll taste the difference from a GAS or CHARCOAL grill
- Set the Temperature, Relax, and Enjoy: Z Grills pellet grills will do all the work for you once you set the temperature. No labor-intensive start-up. No babysitting the grill. Enjoy the cooking!
- Smoke, Grill, and Everything in Between: With its 180 to 450 F temperature range, this pellet grill has 8-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, barbecue, and char-grill with incredible hardwood flavor.
4. Electricity
Electric grills use heating elements to generate heat, which is transferred to the grill grates using a metal plate. Electric grills can be used indoors or outdoors, and they are ideal for those who live in apartments or condos where gas or charcoal grilling is not allowed.
Pros
- Electric grills are easy to use and require no fuel or cleanup.
- Electric grills can be used indoors or outdoors, making them a versatile option for year-round grilling.
- Electric grills produce fewer emissions and pollutants than charcoal or gas grills.
Cons
- Electric grills do not provide the same smoky flavour and aroma as charcoal or wood pellet grills.
- Electric grills are limited in their temperature range and are not ideal for high-heat grilling or searing.
- Electric grills require a power source, which can be inconvenient for outdoor use.
Who Should Use Electricity?
Electric grills are ideal for those who want a convenient and easy-to-use grilling experience with no fuel or cleanup required. They are also a good choice for those who live in apartments or condos where gas or charcoal grilling is not allowed.
Best Electric BBQ
Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ
- The Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor BBQ Grill is a versatile and powerful outdoor grill that combines the convenience of electric grilling with the authentic flavour of woodfire cooking.
- It features 7-in-1 cooking functions, making it perfect for grilling, smoking, air frying, roasting, baking, dehydrating, and more.
- The BBQ grill features 28 square cm of cooking space, fast preheating that reaches 60°C in just 15 minutes and easy-to-use controls with a built-in timer.
- Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor BBQ Grill uses real wood pellets for authentic smoky flavour.
To keep our website going, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Summing Up
Choosing a BBQ depends on your personal preferences and grilling needs.
Charcoal, gas, wood pellets, and electric grills have pros and cons, and each one is suitable for different types of grilling.
If you value grilled food’s authentic smoky flavour and aroma, charcoal or wood pellet grills are the best choice.
Gas or electric grills are ideal for a convenient and easy-to-use grilling experience. Whatever type of fuel you choose, follow proper safety procedures and enjoy the delicious taste of grilled food!
