Wondering whether you should go with a gas grill or a charcoal grill? Both have their own unique perks, so choosing between the two styles can be tougher than an overcooked tomahawk steak. We’re here to help.
As gas grill users, we may be biased, but we firmly believe that the facts speak for themselves. We’re not denying that charcoal grills have their advantages, but it’s possible to enjoy those same charcoal benefits with a gas grill, without the downsides.
Sound too good to be true? Believe it—you can have the best of both worlds. In this gas grill vs. charcoal grill showdown, we’ll highlight the key advantages of both grill styles, and then show you how to level up your gas grilling game.
Here’s a look at 10 crucial factors to consider when grill shopping.
1. Convenience
When it’s time to grill, you want the path of least resistance. Whether you’re satisfying a burger craving or entertaining the whole neighborhood, the focus should be on having a good time with good eats, not fussing with your grill.
As far as convenience goes, you can’t beat a gas grill. Getting set up is as easy as turning on the gas, hitting a button, and turning a knob. The grill’s ready to go in 10 minutes.
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Convenience Winner: Gas Grill
2. Flavor
Unsurprisingly, flavor is a major deciding factor when choosing between a gas grill or a charcoal grill. Nobody wants bland food, especially at a BBQ!
There’s no denying that food with charcoal-grilled flavor just tastes better. That rich, robust taste is classic. Given the option, you’re not likely to find a lot of people with taste buds requesting to have their dinner grilled over gas.
Even staunch gas grilling enthusiasts will (usually) admit that they simply sacrifice flavor because they prefer gas grills for other very valid reasons. We know because we used to say the same thing. That’s why we invented FlavrQ!
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Flavor Winner: Charcoal Grill
3. Temperature
Temperature matters. Getting a nice sear on your food doesn’t just make it look pretty. It also locks in moisture, so your food is melt-in-your-mouth tender and wipe-your-chin juicy.
Charcoal burns hotter than gas. We can’t argue with science. That’s another reason we created the FlavrQ Grilling System. With FlavrQ, your gas grill can reach temperatures 100 degrees higher than before.
We said we’d be unbiased, so we have to give the heat victory here to charcoal grills. That said, we’re discussing stock gas grills here. FlavrQ is a game-changer for those looking to achieve higher gas grill temperatures.
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Temperature Winner: Charcoal Grill
4. Food Appearance
Which grill produces more appetizing food, gas grills or charcoal grills? As mentioned, higher temperatures make it possible to nail the perfect flame-kissed sear. Gas grills just don’t give you those iconic flash marks that let you know your food was cooked over live fire.
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Food Appearance Winner: Charcoal Grill
5. Food Texture
Texture is largely a matter of taste, but most grillers aren’t aiming for chewy, tough food. Higher temperatures let you seal in moisture, so charcoal grills are naturally the better option for texture.
It’s worth noting that many benefits are directly related to the amount of heat the grill is capable of producing. Remember: there’s a gas grill solution: FlavrQ!
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Food Texture Winner: Charcoal Grill
6. Health
It’s easy to tell when someone’s grilling with charcoal—there’s smoke everywhere! There’s a lot of nasty stuff in that smoke, including a laundry list of carcinogens with names that would make a dictionary tongue-tied.
Our patented ChipCharwood®—the fuel for the FlavrQ system—is derived from natural Canadian forested sugar maples. With no chemicals or pesticides, significantly fewer toxins are released compared to conventional charcoal.
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Health Winner: Gas Grill
7. Environment
Those charcoal toxins aren’t just harming your health. They’re bad for the planet, too. When charcoal burns, it releases a lot of carbon and particulates. These emissions contribute to air pollution, degrading environmental quality.
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Environment Winner: Gas Grill
8. Fuel Efficiency
There are no two ways about it; gas takes the trophy here. Conventional charcoal is bulky, expensive, and turns to ash quickly. Ever had to put a BBQ on hold because you ran out of charcoal? It’s not fun.
One pound of FlavrQ ChipCharwood® equals four pounds of conventional charcoal and requires 75% less fuel to get the same result. It also reduces charcoal storage space by 80%.
Fuel efficiency is a big selling point for gas grills but is not usually the main deciding factor. That said, it never hurts to have more space and spend less money!
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Fuel Efficiency Winner: Gas Grill
9. Cleaning
Charcoal grills get messy. If you’re still clean after a charcoal BBQ, you’re doing something wrong. Cleaning charcoal grills is also an unpleasant affair, as that ash can really get caked in there.
Our ChipCharwood® reduces ash by 90% compared to traditional charcoal. Cleaning the FlavrQ system is a breeze!
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Cleaning Winner: Gas Grill
10. Versatility
Some foods need to be cooked low and slow, while others are best seared hot and fast. Grilling with charcoal often relies on luck and wishes, while gas grills give you pinpoint finesse and full-spectrum control over everything from delicate veggies to tough meats.
Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill Versatility Winner: Gas Grill
Get Charcoal Grill Flavor with Gas Grill Convenience
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when grill shopping. In our opinion, gas grills are the superior machines, but they’re not perfect. Our mission was to fix the problems associated with gas grills and get the benefits of charcoal grills at the same time. We succeeded.
The FlavrQ Grilling System makes it possible to get that rich charcoal-grilled flavor while still using a gas grill. You don’t need to compromise!
The system is super easy to use. Here’s how it works: Install the FlavrQ Grid in seconds, add your ChipCharwood®, and start grilling.
Instead of comparing gas grills vs. charcoal grills, think outside the box. Why choose between a gas grill or a charcoal grill when you can have the best of both worlds? Get a gas grill and the FlavrQ Starter Kit, and unleash the ultimate grill master in you. Boost your Q with FlavrQ!