For the purists out there, charcoal grills reign supreme. And we can’t really fault them because the flavor produced by these grills are mouthwatering. However, charcoal is messy and requires a bit of skill to get your desired temperatures. Also, not everyone can use a charcoal grill at home. Moreover, some backyard chefs want to be able to start their grill just by pushing a button. So, the question is, if charcoal is out of the picture, what grill type is best? In terms of functionality and features, this battle is often between gas grills and electric grills.
We all know that gas grills are hugely popular among beginner and serious grillers. Almost equal to that of charcoal, in fact. It’s not hard to see why. Gas grills are a great option for those who value ease of use. As we’ve already mentioned, some grillers want to be able to turn on their grill and have it piping hot in a few minutes. Gas grills are also quite easy to clean and maintain. Plus, you have constant and consistent control over the temperature of the grill. You can set the grill to heat up to a precise temperature because it’s calibrated in degrees. You can find gas grills in all sizes and a wide range of prices which means you can easily find the one that best suits your needs. Compared to electric grills, gas grills have a wider variety of features such as multiple burners, side burners, and rotisserie kits, all of which increase the versatility of your grill and enable you to cook a wide range of foods with just one grill. These grills allow you to still cook your food over an open flame. Plenty of models feature flame tamers which vaporizes grease drippings for great flavor. Electric grills, no matter how great they are, cannot match the barbecue taste that a gas grill can produce. Third, gas grills can reach pretty high temperatures which is great for searing. However, they are mostly limited to outdoor use and fueling it is a much more expensive endeavor. They also require you to monitor fuel levels if you’re using a propane tank. In addition, they have a hard time maintaining low temperatures unlike electric grills.
Much like gas grills, electric grills are quite convenient. You can set it up just by plugging it into an outlet and setting the temperature. These grills come in a variety of sizes and styles which means there’s no way you won’t find an electric grill that suits your needs. All electric grills feature a side heating element that you will find inside the cooking surface or underneath it. They also feature a drip pan where all the grease is collected for easy cleanup. Electric grills don’t have the same restrictions that other grills have; you can use them indoors and outdoors, even inside your apartment or condo. These are very easy to use and has little to no learning curve. Their temperature range is typically from 250 degrees Fahrenheit to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. There are no flareups to worry about as well as little to no fluctuations of temperature. Plus, they’re less expensive to fuel compared to charcoal and gas, and you never have to worry about running out of fuel in the middle of your cooking session. However, depending on the model, temperature may be less precise as some only have low, medium, and high settings instead of degrees. In addition, electric grills are less versatile; no two-zone cooking here.
Obviously, both types of grills come with distinct advantages and disadvantages. And no griller is the same. Each of us will have our own preferences and needs to consider. This is why we decided to take this battle to another level. Mano-a-mano. Check out the comparisons below.
Table of Contents
- Weber 51010001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill vs Weber 52020001 Q1400 Electric Grill
- Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill vs George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill, GGR50B
- Bull Outdoor Products 87048 Lonestar Select Liquid Propane Drop-In Grill vs Coyote 18 Inch Built-in Electric Grill
Weber 51010001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill vs Weber 52020001 Q1400 Electric Grill
- Sales Rank is1
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 9.4 points
Main Features
- One stainless steel burner produces 8500 BTU-per-hour to heat 189 square-inch total cooking area
- Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and cast aluminum lid and body
- Dimensions - lid closed and tables out (inches): 15.5H x 40.9W x 16.5D inches. Fully assembled out of box. Uses disposable 14.1 or 16.4 oz. LP cylinder (sold separately)
- Easy-start electronic ignition and infinite control burner valve settings
- Care instructions: Handling the brass material on this product exposes you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. (Wash hands after handling this product.)
- GLASS-REINFORCED NYLON FRAME
- 3D interactive assembly instructions for this product are available through the free BILT app.
- Sales Rank is7
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 9.1 points
Main Features
- 1560-watt electric heating element to heat 189 square-inch total cooking area
- Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and cast aluminum lid and body
- Fully assembled out of box
- Infinite control burner valve settings
- 6-foot grounded cord
- Dimensions - Lid Closed (inches) - 14.5 H x 27 W x 16.5 D
Comparison 1: The first battle is between two portable grills from Weber, one of the leading brands in the industry. We’ve got the Weber Q1200 vs the Weber Q1400. Both of these grills are portable, enabling you to take your grilling with you wherever your adventure takes you. You can use these grills at the beach, in the park, or at your next tailgate party. But which one is better? Well, the Q1200 is a gas grill that comes with a stainless steel burner that can produce 8,500 BTUs. The Q1400, on the other hand, uses a 1560-watt electric heating element. Both grills feature porcelain-enamel coated cast iron grates which are great at retaining heat and creating even heat distribution. Both also provide 189 square inches of cooking space and feature infinite control burner valve settings, an aluminum lid and body, a removable catch pan, and a glass-reinforced nylon frame. It seems as if both grills are powerhouses in the portable grill category (which they are). However, the Q1200 comes with two side shelves for extra prep space. Its lid is also much higher which allows you to cook larger meats like beer can chicken. Moreover, you won’t have a problem fueling this grill when you’re outside with no outlet in sight. Plus, it costs less. In this battle, we have to give gas grills the point.
Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill vs George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill, GGR50B
- Sales Rank is79
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 8.4 points
Main Features
- 40,800 BTU gas grill with 438 square inches of main grilling area
- 192 square inch warming rack, 12,000 BTU side burner
- Durable steel construction; side shelf for handy workspace
- Electronic ignition; porcelain-coated cast-iron grates; utensil hooks
- Measures 48 x 28 x 48 inch
- Sales Rank is1
- Department:Kitchen
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 9.2 points
Main Features
- 15+ Servings - It’s tailgate time! The 240 square inches of circular grilling surface lets you make over 15 servings for large groups of people
- George Tough Nonstick Coating - There’s a lot to love about this nonstick coating; it’s durable, easy to clean, and removes the need for butter and oil
- Indoor/Outdoor Removable Stand - Don’t let the weather keep you from the glory of grilling; the easy-to-remove stand takes you from patio to countertop in no time
- Adjustable Temperature Control - The temperature probe lets you choose from five heat settings to get the best results on any kind of food
- Apartment-Approved - Your landlord will love this grill just as much as you do because the fully electric system gives you high-quality grilling with no charcoal, no propane, and no flare-ups
- Included components: Use And Care Manuals
Comparison 2: Two outdoor grills battle it out next – the Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro and the George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Grill. The Char-Griller model is a small-sized gas grill that features a barrel-shaped design, one that is usually found in charcoal grills. This unconventional move by Char-Griller has worked in their favor. The grill has even heat distribution which means your food will always cook evenly. The heavy steel body is great at retaining heat; the same can be said for the porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates. Each of the three main stainless steel burners have individual temperature controls for increased versatility. There’s even a side burner for grilling, searing, or cooking sauces. However, it does come with plastic wheels and it’s not always easy to clean. Moreover, assembling the grill is not easy. In comparison, the George Foreman GGR50B Indoor/Outdoor Grill may seem a lot smaller. It only has 240 square inches of cooking space unlike the Char-Griller which has 438 square inches plus a warming rack. The temperature control is not calibrated in degrees, just heat settings ranging from 1 to 5, which makes it harder to set your desired temperature. Plus, it’s not really a grill that allows you to do multiple zone cooking. Versatility is not the friend of electric grills. However, the GGR50B does have distinct advantages over the Char-Griller that we really can’t ignore. This grill can be used inside and outside the home, especially in apartments where charcoal and gas grilling is a no-no. The stand is removable which means you can easily use it in your patio/balcony or on the countertop of your kitchen. This also makes it easier to transport anywhere. The grill plate is easy to clean. The grill heats up quickly and cooks food pretty fast. Moreover, it’s very easy to assemble. You’ll be cooking as soon as you get the grill out of the box. Plus, it’s half the cost of the gas grill. All in all, we have to award the point to electric grills.
Bull Outdoor Products 87048 Lonestar Select Liquid Propane Drop-In Grill vs Coyote 18 Inch Built-in Electric Grill
- Sales Rank is129
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 9.2 points
Main Features
- 60, 000 BTU's of cooking power, heats up fast and can easily sear your favorite cuts of meat
- 4 Welded Stainless Steel Bar Burners for years of even heating and trouble free cooking
- 304 stainless Steel construction, a single piece dual lined Hood and solid stainless steel grates
- 810 sq. Inches of cooking surface including warming rack
- Reliable Piezo igniters on every valve plus twin lighting system
- Designed for use in outdoor kitchens and built in applications, cut out 31"W x 21"D x 9 1/2"H
- For installation in combustible enclosures, use the Bull 30" Grill Jacket (item #47017)
- For a sleek, professional finish to the installation use the Bull 30" Finishing frame (item #49328)
- Sales Rank is867
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 8.4 points
Main Features
- HIGH QUALITY DURABLE BURNER: Cast stainless steel Infinity burners deliver high heat that seals the flavor and has lasting durability
- SEARING POWER: Infrared RapidSear burner provides extra high heat, allowing you to sear steaks and chops
- LED LIGHTS: Backlit LED control knobs and internal halogen lights for grilling at night
- DURABILITY: Continuously welded stainless steel grill box with seamless, polished edges for durability
Comparison 3: If you’re interested in getting a built-in grill for your outdoor kitchen, then our last battle should interest you. It’s between the Bull Lonestar Select and the Coyote 18-inch Built-in Electric Grill. Lonestar Select is an entry-level 4-burner built-in gas grill that offers a total of 810 square inches of cooking space. The grill features stainless steel construction, from its outer housing and lid to the grates and burners within. The total output of the burners is a powerful 60,000 BTUs. The double-walled hood is perfect for retaining heat and features a single piece design for improved durability. The grill also comes with interior lights for nighttime grilling. Then there’s the ReliaBull technology – a cutting edge design on flame tamers that increases even heat distribution by 50%. Now, the Coyote grill has a lot of similar features. It has 304 stainless steel construction all throughout including cast pro-style stainless steel infinity burners. This electric grill features stainless steel Heat Control Grids “C-Series” and ceramic briquette Heat Control Grids “S-Series” for better heat distribution. There’s a 60-minute shutoff timer that will ensure you never leave the grill on. Moreover, this grill come with a removable weighted pedestal that can easily convert it to a standing grill with side shelves for extra prep space. You can even use it as a portable grill should the need arise. The 1,300 watt heating element allows the grill to reach 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus the non-stick Teflon coating on the cooking surface helps make cleanup a breeze. Obviously, both of these grills are incredible in both quality and cooking performance. However, there can be only one. And in this battle, it’s the Lonestar Select hands down.