Pellet Grill vs. Charcoal Grill: How They Compare
Get the facts on the differences.
Comparing a pellet grill vs. charcoal grill doesn’t necessarily mean that one is better than the other. Read on to learn how the two grills compare and determine which one is right for your next BBQ.
Pellet Grill vs. Charcoal Grill: Which Is Better?
Pellet grills offer the convenience of temperature control. For long cooking processes where you need the heat to be low and slow, a pellet grill is the best choice. These consistent temperatures result in uniform color and char across your grill. You don’t have to remove any grates to add fuel to the flames, but simply add more pellets. The smoke from these pellets offers a unique smokey flavor opposed to a ‘burnt’ one that can come with charcoal grills. These grills also come with easy clean-up – instead of having to deal with dirty charcoal and ash-covered utensils, the wood pellets can easily be disposed of after they cool by sprinkling them around your yard or garden to protect your plants.
Tip!
For a more detailed explanation on this process, check out our guide How Do Pellet Grills Work?
Pellet Grill Traits & Features
- Cooking Area: Depending on your usual number of guests for dinner, you’ll need your grill to be able to accommodate everyone. Whether you’re just cooking for your family of four, or you’ve been tasked with Thanksgiving dinner, you can choose a pellet grill with the appropriate cooking area for all of your guests.
- Portable: If your grilling area isn’t just used for grilling, opt for a pellet grill that’s also portable. The wheels on these grills offer you the convenience of being able to bring out your grill only when you need it, and store it away when you want to get the most out of your backyard space.
- Hopper Clean Out System: Take the stress out of cleaning up after dinner with a pellet grill that has a hopper clean out system. This feature gives you the ease of low maintenance after grilling to help keep your grill in working order without making a mess.
Charcoal grills also have several benefits of their own. The use of charcoal on a grill can produce both direct infrared heat and indirect heat. This gives you the flexibility to use the grill to smoke, sear, or bake. The charcoal below the food helps it cook evenly by using the infrared heat, which can also prevent moisture loss compared to other types of heat transfer like a pellet grill. As an extra bonus, charcoal can be combined with wood chips, such as hickory or mesquite, on top of the coals for an added flavor and char.
Tip!
Learn how to get more out of your grilling experience using our guide How to Use a Charcoal Grill.
Charcoal Grill Traits & Features
- Grill Designs: Charcoal grills are available in several design shapes to accommodate different spaces, levels of convenience, and grilling techniques. As an example, the shape of a kettle grill allows for airflow to push up heat, which results in a good char and sear. Barrel grills are best used for long periods of cooking like smoking meat. The unique shape and material of a Kamado charcoal grill allows it to come up to temperature quickly and maintain the heat. Portable and mini designs (along with pedestal grills) are ideal for travel and camping. For the grill master who does it all, there’s even a grill-and-smoker combination design.
- Cooking Area Size: Determine the right size charcoal grill for you by gauging how many burgers you typically flip a night. Charcoal grills have long, sometimes tiered, grates that are perfect for accommodating however many diners you have to feed.
- Gas & Charcoal Combo: This unique charcoal grill features comes with an additional gas line hookup so that you can get the best from both grills without having to sacrifice space or time. Use the dual chambers to cook your meat and get beautiful grill lines with one side, and the classic smokey taste of charcoal with the other.
Tip!
To learn more about how gas grills and charcoal grills compare, check out our guide, Grilling 101: Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill.
When choosing between a pellet grill vs. charcoal grill, you decide how you want to use your space, what you want your meat to taste like, and how many people you want to feed. If you prioritize easy clean-up, or plan on hosting the neighborhood block party, then a pellet grill is for you. But, if you’d rather have the perfect sear on your camping trip, then a charcoal grill is a no-brainer. Be sure to explore all of Wayfair’s pellet grills, charcoal grills, and more below.
