It’s a conversation that comes up every year when it’s time to buy a new grill, which is better, a gas or electric grill? There are many advantages and disadvantages to owning and using each type of grill, from food quality, how easy it is to use, to how environmentally friendly it is, but which is truly better?
An electric grill is better than a gas grill for many reasons. Electric grills are starting to become more developed and have more and better functions than the traditional gas grill. Depending on what form you have, electric grills can also modify the flavor of the food you’re cooking, just as a smoker will.
Even though there are more benefits to using an electric grill, there are substantial benefits to using a traditional gas grill. Most depend on who is using the grill and how comfortable the person is with grilling on different platforms.
Choosing A Grill
Choosing which grill you want to use isn’t one of the easiest decisions to make. Many people have their own preferences and relationships with different types of grills. When you’re choosing a grill, there are several things you must consider:
- Do you want to use the grill indoors or outdoors?
- Will replacing the propane tank be feasible?
- Do you have a gas line or outlet to hook the grill up to if it’s used outside?
- How comfortable are you with using each type of grill?
- How many people will you be cooking for?
- If you live in an apartment and have a balcony, can you use a gas grill on it?
Gas Grills
Gas grills have been a traditional staple for backyard barbeques for decades, just behind the charcoal grill. Gas grills are very affordable and can last a long time if you take care of them. You can hook your gas grill up to a propane tank or have a gas line running out of your house to power the grill.
Types of Gas Grills
Gas grills can come in several forms to meet whatever needs you to have for your backyard or travels. It has been very common to see smaller transportable gas grills at tailgates recently too.
- A traditional gas grill, where the flame touches the food
- Tabletop: more affordable and might be able to be used on balconies
- A gas grill head installed into an outdoor kitchen.
- Infrared, where the flames don’t directly touch the food, and the food is cooked by hot plates in the unit.
In addition to the types of gas grills, many gas grills offer add-ons to widen the possibilities of what you’re cooking, such as rotisserie turners and side burners.
Pros and Cons of a Gas Grill
If you want to buy a gas grill, there are many different benefits but cons as well. Most of the decision-making process is up to user preference. Still, if you’ve never had a grill before, a gas grill is very easy to start out and experiment with your grilling experience and preferences with.
| Pros | Cons |
| Provides better flavor than charcoal. | Propane prices are increasing. Propane is also becoming more scarce. |
| Easier to take apart and clean. | Not as environmentally friendly. |
| Can visualize and control the flame. | Ignition can be dangerous if not careful. |
| Must be used outdoors, even at tabletop gas grills. | |
| If you’re not patient, temperature regulation will be difficult. |
Additionally, gas grills are usually bigger than electric grills, which makes them an excellent option if you’re grilling for your family or a party. Gas grills do need more space than electric grills because there is an open flame which can be considered a fire hazard.
Electric Grills
Electric grills have become more popular recently. They are very popular in households and even more popular in apartments and on apartment balconies. They can offer a healthier way to prepare your meals and come in many forms.
Types of Electric Grills
Since electric grills made their debut, they have had different forms to meet anyone’s needs.
- Traditional grill
- Tabletop, which is the most common for indoor use.
- Airfryer combination: many air fryers now come with multi-functions, where grilling is one of them.
- Pellet smokers: even though they’re smokers, they use electricity to heat the pellets to cook the food.
Depending on the type of electric grill you buy, you can get some additional features. Most electric grills don’t come with rotisserie turners or side burners, but different models can work as air fryers or mini ovens that you can bake in, like the Ninja Foodi.
Pros and Cons of an Electric Grill
When considering buying an electric grill, it definitely is important to notice the pros and cons of your decision. Electric grills can offer many more benefits than gas grills can.
| Pros | Cons |
| A healthier way to cook food and drain fat. | Must be near an electric power source. If you take it tailgating, you might need to bring a generator. |
| It can be used indoors and on most apartment balconies. | Searing food might be difficult due to the heating mechanisms used. |
| Better temperature control. | You can only easily clean the removable parts because the electric coils cannot be submerged. |
| Can utilize the drip pan if you want to use the drippings to make gravy or other things. | |
| Shorter time to heat up than other grills. |
In addition to these, electric grills tend to be smaller than gas grills. If you’re cooking for one or two people, a smaller electric grill is more ideal than a gas grill. Some larger models work well for feeding larger groups of people that are typically like a traditional outdoor grill.
Electric grills also don’t need as much space as gas grills since they aren’t as big of a fire hazard.
Other Grill Types
If an electric or gas grill isn’t for you, there’s no need to worry that you’ll be sacrificing the amazing flavor that grilling food can give. Some other popular types of grills are:
- Kamodo or Green Egg
- Charcoal
- Traditional smoker pit
- Standing smoker
Conclusion
Electric grills offer many more benefits than gas grills, including health benefits and not needing much of a learning curve. Whether you decide to buy a gas grill or an electric grill, it is entirely your decision. The most important thing is to consider what you’ll be using the grill for and what is more accessible to you.
