Charcoal, Gas or Pellet: Which Should You Buy?
A BBQ chef’s honest breakdown of flavour, control, and who each grill is really for
Choosing the right outdoor cooker is one of the biggest decisions a home cook can make. If you’re wondering “Should I buy a charcoal grill?” versus the other options on the market, the answer is simple: it depends on the kind of cooking experience you want.
That’s not a hedge. There are definite differences, so this post will help you pick the type of unit that’s right for you.
Charcoal, gas, and electric pellet smokers/grills all have strengths — and none of them are “wrong.” They’re just different tools built for different cooks.
Here’s the Quick Answer
Buy a charcoal smoker or grill if you want deeper flavour, more control over fire, and a hands‑on cooking experience.
Choose gas or electric if you want convenience, speed, and set‑it-and‑forget-it cooking.
Now let’s take a more in-depth look at each kind.
Why Charcoal? The Case for Real Fire
Charcoal cooking is the closest that many home cooks get to true live‑fire cooking. Charcoal grilling is popuarl because it offers:
1. Better Flavour
It’s not really subjective, charcoal undeniably produces:
richer smoke
deeper browning
more complex aromas
This is because charcoal burns hotter and cleaner than gas or electric pellets, and it interacts with food in ways electric heat simply cannot.
2. Higher Heat
Charcoal grills can reach temperatures that gas and electric rigs struggle to match. This matters for, among other things:
searing steaks
roasting vegetables
cooking in cast iron or carbon steel
3. More Control Over Fire
Charcoal teaches you:
how to manage airflow
how to build heat zones
how to read a fire
how to adjust temperature manually
If you enjoy the craft of cooking — not just the result — charcoal is unmatched because you will actually have more control over your heat source than you do with knobs and digital mechanisms.
4. A More Engaging Experience
For many cooks, charcoal is part of the ritual. Lighting the fire, tending the coals, adjusting vents — it’s all part of the process.
If you want cooking to feel like a skill (not a button press), charcoal is the right choice.
Why Charcoal isn’t for Everyone
Charcoal has incredible benefits, but it also comes with some real considerations. Here’s why charcoal is not the right choice for everyone.
1. Charcoal Takes Time
If you buy a charcoal rig you will need:
time to light the coals
time to stabilize the temperature
time to tend the fire
ash to clean up afterwards
If you typically have a hungry crew circling who want dinner in 15 minutes, charcoal won’t be your friend.
2. Charcoal Cooking Requires Patience
Charcoal rewards cooks who enjoy more than just the benefits that it imparts to food. It is also best suited to cooks who enjoy live-fire for:
learning
experimenting
adjusting
improving
So if you prefer simplicity and predictability — and don’t really care about any of the other things — then gas or electric is a better fit.
3. Charcoal Grills Require a Certain Amount of Skill
Charcoal cooking isn’t difficult, but it is a craft. I’m not talking about the skill of food prep, I’m talking about the skill required to run the unit. Like anything requiring skills to operate, there is a learning curve with charcoal rigs. Cooking over charcoal you will learn:
how different fuels burn (different types of hardwood lump charcoal)
how weather affects heat
how to maintain steady temperatures using vents and airflow
For some people, this is exciting and intriguing. For others, it’s a barrier, an annoyance and can become frustrating. If you don’t care to put in the time (there will be a learning curve), then gas or electric are better choices
Gas Grills: Convenience First
Gas grills don’t require a lot of thought or skill to operate, so they are ideal if you want:
fast heat
easy cleanup
consistent performance
minimal learning curve
They’re perfect for weeknight cooking or anyone who wants simplicity over ceremony.
But it’s not all about fast and easy… because gas grills lack:
smoke flavour (smoking tubes and other accessories just aren’t the same)
high‑heat intensity (infrared doesn’t impart the same flavours as drips hitting hot charcoal)
the tactile experience of managing a fire
Gas grills are tools of convenience, not craft. But they can certainly produce some exceptional dishes with less fuss, if you perceive the fuss of charcoal as an issue (charcoal grillers secretly love the fuss).
Electric Pellet Smokers: Set it and Forget it
Pellet smokers are incredibly popular because they offer the best of both worlds (or at least as close as you can get to it). With an electric pellet smoker/grill you get:
push‑button temperature control
long, steady cooks
mild smoke flavour
minimal effort
They’re great for:
beginners
busy families
people who want smoked food without managing a fire
But, at the same time, pellet smokers don’t deliver everything. Compared to charcoal, pellet grills lack:
heat intensity
flavour intensity
fire management skills
versatility
They’re excellent machines and they’re very popular, but they’re not charcoal (meaning your rib crust won’t match what you get from a charcoal smoker, for example).
Which One is Right for You?
Here’s a simple way to decide which type of fuel is right for you:
Choose Charcoal If You Want:
deeper flavour
hotter searing
a hands‑on experience
to learn real fire management
to grow as a live‑fire cook
Choose Gas If You Want:
speed
convenience
predictable results
easy weeknight cooking
Choose Electric/Pellet If You Want:
set‑and‑forget smoking
long cooks with minimal effort
mild smoke flavour
push‑button simplicity
There’s no wrong choice — just the right choice for your lifestyle.
A Note on the Northern Barbecue™ Method
The Northern Barbecue™ Method is built around:
real fire
charcoal
hardwood
global techniques
hands‑on skill development
Because of this, the curriculum cannot be completed on a gas or electric rig. It requires the heat, variability, and flavour that only charcoal or wood fire can provide.
But that doesn’t mean charcoal is for everyone. If you prefer convenience, gas or electric may be a better fit — and that’s perfectly fine.
Charcoal Grills: The Craft
If you’re drawn to the craft of cooking — the fire, the flavour, the learning — then a charcoal smoker or grill is absolutely worth it. It will make you a better cook, and it will open the door to techniques and flavours you simply can’t achieve with gas or electric.
If you want speed, simplicity, and convenience, gas or electric may be the better choice.
Either way, the best grill is the one that fits your life, your cooking style, and the experience you want to create.
(Note: I’m pretty sure this is the most bullet points I’ve ever used in one post.)
By BBQ Chef Mike Belobradic
FAQ: Charcoal, Gas or Pellet?
Is a charcoal smoker or grill worth it?
A charcoal smoker or grill is worth it if you want deeper flavour, higher heat, and a more hands‑on cooking experience. Charcoal delivers richer smoke and better browning (or char, if you prefer) than gas or electric, but it requires more time, patience, and skill.
Is charcoal better than gas for grilling?
Charcoal produces better flavour and higher heat than gas, making it ideal for searing and live‑fire cooking. Gas is faster and more convenient, but it can’t match the smoke or intensity of charcoal.
Is charcoal better than a pellet smoker?
Charcoal offers stronger flavour and more versatility than pellet smokers. Pellet smokers are easier to use and great for long, steady cooks, but they don’t reach the same high heat or deliver the same fire‑driven character.
Is charcoal harder to use than gas or electric?
Yes. Charcoal requires fire management, temperature control, and more hands‑on attention. Gas and electric smokers are easier and faster, but they offer less flavour and fewer technique‑building opportunities.
Can I follow the Northern Barbecue™ Method on a gas or electric grill?
No. The Northern Barbecue™ Method requires charcoal or wood‑fired heat because the curriculum is built around real fire, global techniques, and hands‑on skill development. Gas and electric rigs can’t replicate the heat, variability, or flavour needed for the method.
Is charcoal right for beginners?
Charcoal is great for beginners who want to learn real fire‑cooking skills. It has a learning curve, but it’s rewarding and teaches fundamentals that gas and electric can’t.
What’s the easiest grill to use?
Gas grills are the easiest and fastest. Pellet smokers are the easiest for long cooks. Charcoal is the most flavourful but requires the most involvement.