Skip to main content

Pros and cons of gas and electric BBQ grills

Image used with permission by copyright holder

When it comes to barbecues and grills, everyone has an opinion. Barbecuing and grilling are as American as apple pie and baseball. Most people have a favorite type, whether it is gas, electric, or charcoal, and are willing to argue their points with anyone who disagrees. If you don’t already own a grill, you may be a bit overwhelmed with all of the conflicting reports as to which type is best. Charcoal grills are classic and don’t change very much. Due to this lack of innovative advancements, we will be discussing gas and electric grills here. We’ve weighed the pros and cons of each type of grill for you, so the ultimate decision is easier for you to make. And once you make that purchase, you’ll be full of facts to back up your choice when the next person tries to question your grilling style.

Gas Grills

Pros of gas grills

Gas grills have been the go-to choice for people who don’t want to deal with charcoal grills for decades now, says Bob Vila. Because of their popularity, there are many different varieties to choose from, which is a significant plus. Gas grills are favorites because they are easy to use — just turn a dial or push a button, and it is ready to go. Most of the gas grills you find on the market today have ignition buttons that allow you to start the grill with ease. Adjusting the heat is as simple as turning a dial. When you are finished cooking, you simply turn the burners off you’re finished.

Along with ease of use comes the speed of use. Gas grills are quick to use because they don’t require long to heat up since the flame is instant. Gas grills will have you grilling in minutes after you turn them on, which makes overall meal prep time shorter. You may need to allow your gas grill 15 – 30 minutes to fully heat up before using, but that is a short amount of time when compared to old-fashioned charcoal grills.

Gas grills usually have multiple burners. This may not seem like an immediate advantage, but having more than one burner allows you to create areas on the grill that are different temperatures. Thus, you can have a space for searing meats and a separate area for warming or grilling vegetables. Gas grills are also much less likely to have unwanted hot spots — areas on the grill that are significantly hotter than others. It should be noted that gas grills make it difficult to maintain low temperatures.

Cons of gas grills

Though there are many excellent features to gas grills, there are a few downsides to gas grills, as well. The first and most obvious disadvantage to gas grills is that you have to have gas to run them. Most of the time, gas grills are run on propane in the form of small propane tanks (though some are run on natural gas.) Propane tanks can run out, which can really put a damper on your grilling plans. Nothing is worse than realizing you are out of propane when you have a house full of guests or are halfway through grilling your meal.

The second main disadvantage to gas grills is that you are limited as to where you can use them. Gas grills require quite a bit of space to use and are almost exclusively used outdoors. Gas grills cannot be placed anywhere near any materials that could catch on fire. Gas grills are also large in size, and therefore, require a good amount of space to use. Gas grills also give off a large amount of smoke, which again, makes it necessary to use them outside.

Getty Images

Electric Grills

Pros of electric grills

Electric grills have become increasingly more popular over the past few years because they are user-friendly and environmentally friendly. The main advantage of an electric grill is that they turn on instantly and are ready to use in seconds, states The Spruce Eats. There is not a fire source, and the heat controls are usually in the form of high, medium, and low.

Electric grills have an advantage over gas grills because they can be used indoors. Since electric grills generate significantly less smoke and heat than gas grills, they are the usual choice for indoor grilling. Electric grills can be used inside a kitchen safely and with relatively little mess. Another reason electric grills are commonly used indoors is that they are usually smaller than gas grills. Electric grills are often small enough to be placed on a kitchen countertop.

Cons of electric grills

The main downside to electric grills is the loss of flavor that you would receive with a gas grill. Electric grills can absolutely grill food, but you won’t get that smokey barbecue flavor that you get when you use a gas grill, since there is no actual flame involved in the cooking process. The lack of fire also means electric grills aren’t great at searing meats.

Electric grills also take longer to cook food than gas grills do. Though the grill itself will be ready to go shortly after you plug it in and turn it on, the actual cooking process will take longer. Also, concerning time, electric grills typically only have the ability to be one temperature at a time. This means you must cook all foods at the same temperature and cannot cook meats at a high temperature on one side, and grill vegetables at a lower temperature on the other side.

Both gas grills and electric grills have their upsides and downsides. Ultimately, the decision comes down to a few factors that vary based on personal needs and tastes. The amount of space you have can dictate which type of grill you purchase. If a smokey flavor profile is a must for you, you will have to choose a gas grill. If your need to grill indoors is at the top of your list of checkboxes, an electric grill will be the best fit for you. No matter which grill type you choose, taking the plunge into the world of grilling will surely bring you new cooking joys.

Editors' Recommendations

Deb Goncalves
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Deb's work has appeared on Moms, Babygaga, and WorldAtlas. When she's not working (that's hard to say about a Capricorn), she…
The best pool chlorine floaters for continuous cleaning
Cleaning your pool just got easier with these pool chlorine floaters
Pool chlorinator

Keeping up with cleaning a pool is hard work. Fortunately, there are ways to streamline the process of cleaning and maintaining your oasis. Adding a pool chlorine floater helps take the guesswork out of dispensing chlorine and ensures you always have the right ratio in your pool water. Use one of our top choices for the best pool chlorine floaters, and you can kick back and relax all season long.

Chlorine tab floaters do exactly what it sounds like they do. They float on top of your pool for easy access, which certainly makes things simple. Their most convenient aspect, though, is that they allow you to customize the amount of chlorine in your pool with a slow-release dispenser. With consistent use, you'll see a clearer, healthier pool and be ready to swim any time the mood strikes. Our favorite choices for chlorine tab floaters are efficient, reliable, and durable — all necessary for easing pool cleaning.
Swimline Floating Chlorine Dispenser
Best Overall

Read more
This low-maintenance, attractive ornamental grass adds instant curb appeal
Blue oat grass is a gorgeous addition to your landscaping
Blue oat grass

If you're looking for something to add to your front or backyard landscaping, look no further than blue oat grass. Ornamental blue oat grass is a perennial that offers gorgeous blue-green colors to any yard. It resembles blue fescue grass, but is just a bit larger (it grows about 18-30 inches tall). The blue and gold hues look stunning against green grass, river rock, and mulch, and the hardy grass is ideal for use in most areas because it grows in the sun, partial sun, and in various substrates like soil, clay, and sand.

Prices range depending on how you plan to plant the grass. If you buy, plan on spending around $15-$25 per plant, depending on the size. If you're buying just the seeds, it can be as cheap as $4 for 100 seeds. Whether you're looking to grow or plant blue oat grass, here are a few things to keep in mind so it stays looking healthy.

Read more
DIY 101: Repair concrete gaps and instantly enhance your home’s curb appeal
How to fill large gaps in concrete so your home's exterior isn't an eyesore
how to repair wide cracks in concrete shutterstock 505982602

Cold weather and ice aren't just uncomfortable for us physically. They can also cause a lot of damage around your property. While you can winterize your flower beds, your lawn, and even your house in order to prevent winter damage, there's a lot less you can do about cold weather damaging your concrete. While concrete is tough, cracks inevitably happen, and they make for unsightly and unsafe gaps in driveways, stairs, and walkways. Read on to learn about why you should repair cracks quickly and how to fill large gaps in concrete.

Why you should repair cracks in concrete
Sure, a crack in your concrete patio or walkway is ugly, but is it really necessary to fix them? There are actually some important reasons you should repair cracks sooner rather than later. Here are the benefits of fixing those gaps.
Enhances curb appeal
If you're trying to sell your home, curb appeal is crucial. Cracks and gaps in your concrete give your home an unkempt appearance and may make prospective buyers wonder what else has been neglected. Fixing those gaps enhances your curb appeal and could lead to higher property value since buyers will be willing to pay more for a home with pristine concrete.
Eliminates safety hazards
Small cracks in concrete grow and turn into large gaps, which pose safety risks such as trips and falls. Keep your family and guests safe by filling in the gaps and making the hazardous spot safer.
Prevents further damage
Small cracks are easier to repair than the large gaps they grow into, so it's best to fix the problem while it's small. Also, cracks in your concrete take in water, which washes away the soil underneath the concrete and makes the gap grow even more. Water in the cracks poses an even bigger risk — flooding your basement — if the crack is close to the foundation of your house.

Read more