There is never a wrong time to grill outside, but the type of grill you use can enhance the experience. With so many options, how do you choose between the traditional gas grill and a pellet grill?
If you love to cook outdoors and enjoy unique slow-smoked flavors, a pellet grill may be your best bet. If you do not want to wait for your food, you may have to settle for a gas grill. To help you decide, we compare the two.
Pellet Grill
Pellet grills give a new meaning to outdoor cooking. They offer the goodness of barbecue without the fear of overcooking. A pellet grill is a grill, oven, and smoker all-in-one.
Wood Pellets
Pellet grills use wood pellets instead of gas. They are flattened wood pieces consisting of oak, hickory, pecan, or mesquite that provide flavor while cooking, a unique characteristic of the pellet grill. The smoke in combination with the wood pellets adds an original flavor that is deeper and more robust than traditional grilling.
Another unique feature of this grill is how it cooks. Its purpose is to slowly cook over time at 200-300 degrees while soaking up the flavors from the pellets. Cooking on pellet grills is easier and safer than gas grills due to the absence of direct flames. The smoke and heat do the cooking. Due to these factors, you will not have to worry about burnt food.
Metal Hopper
Thanks to a metal hopper that holds the wood pellets, you do not have to add any. The hopper automatically knows how many to pull into the fire pot to ignite.
Heat Control
Pellet grills consist of an electronic thermostat to allow you to adjust your temperature. Like a crockpot, you can select a low and slow setting, or turn up the heat and cook the food fast. The grill retains an even temperature and automatically adjusts it accordingly.
Fans blow heat and smoke throughout the grill, similar to a convection oven, shifting the aroma from the pellets to the food.
Pros
- Is versatile
- Requires less maintenance
- Adds flavor to food
- Does not use propane
- Food does not burn
- It is easier to clean
Cons
- Is expensive
- Requires electric outlet for the fan
- Pellets are more difficult to find than propane
- Food takes longer to cook
Gas Grill
As its name implies, a gas grill uses gas as its fuel source. The most common form is liquid propane in tanks that you connect to the grill.
Fuel
Propane is easier to find than pellets and is cheaper. The propane tanks are transferable to another grill and are exchangeable when it is time to refill. Gas grills do not require electricity. It is possible to use natural gas from your main gas line but there are factors to consider when using that option.
Although it is cheaper and always attainable, natural gas requires a specific hook-up that a technician must install. If you choose natural gas, you cannot move your grill.
Heat Control
Gas grills use medium to high temperatures for quick cooking, and they do not take long to heat up. You control which burners to use and the intensity of the heat. The burners connect to the propane tanks via a hose.
Sizes
Gas grills are portable and come in different sizes for all types of grilling. They can be small enough to fit on a table or become a permanent fixture of a backyard kitchen. Commonly you will find them with legs and wheels for traditional grilling.
Materials
Gas grills consist of different materials. Most grills consist of stainless steel, but the grades can vary. 304 is the most durable and versatile grade. It is non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant.
430 is high-quality steel but does not protect as well as 304. Cast aluminum is rust-resistant, so it is better for any climate. Burners usually consist of stainless steel or bronze.
Pros
- Cooks several food items at once and quickly
- Most come with multiple burners, allowing you the option of cooking at different temperatures
- Propane is cheaper than wood pellets
Cons
- Food may not heat evenly
- Requires frequent checking to prevent burning
- The open flames can rise at any time
- Does not add smoke flavor to your food
The Verdict
Gas grills are more fun, but pellet grills are more versatile. The affordability and efficiency of a gas grill are undeniable perks and are ideal for grillers on a budget; however, if your primary goal is to achieve maximum flavor, and time is also not a priority, then a pellet grill is well worth the investment.