Comparison
Gas BBQ vs electric BBQ
Published
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In short
A gas BBQ gives more heat and a bigger grill, so it is better for gardens and cooking for groups. An electric BBQ plugs into a socket, needs no bottle and makes no open flame, so it is often the only option allowed on a balcony or in a flat. Good electric grills still reach searing heat, but cook for fewer people at once.
Weber
Weber Q 1200N with stand: 1,290 cm², 19 kg
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Weber Lumin: 2,300 W, 33 x 49 cm, over 315 °C
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- Weber Q 1200N with stand: 1,290 cm², 19 kg
- Power
- 2.93 kW
- Cooking area
- 1,290 cm²
- Weight
- 19 kg
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Weber Lumin: 2,300 W, 33 x 49 cm, over 315 °C
- Power
- 2,300 W
- Cooking area
- 1,561 cm² (33 x 49 cm)
- Weight
- 16.6 kg
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| Product | Power | Cooking area | Weight | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Q 1200N with stand: 1,290 cm², 19 kg | 2.93 kW | 1,290 cm² | 19 kg | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Weber Lumin: 2,300 W, 33 x 49 cm, over 315 °C | 2,300 W | 1,561 cm² (33 x 49 cm) | 16.6 kg | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
Our verdict
Choose gas, such as the Weber Q 1200N, for a garden where you want more heat and freedom from a socket. Choose electric, such as the Weber Lumin, for a balcony or flat where gas and charcoal are not allowed.
For anyone in a flat, the gas or electric question often comes down to rules rather than taste. For houses with gardens it is about power, space and convenience. This guide compares the two types on heat, cooking area, running energy, where you can use them and what each needs, using the Weber Q 1200N gas grill and the Weber Lumin electric grill as examples of similar size.
The key differences
This table sets out the general differences. Specific models vary, especially at the larger end of each type.
| Factor | Gas BBQ | Electric BBQ |
|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Propane or butane burners | Mains heating element |
| Typical power | About 3 kW (compact) to 15 kW or more (large) | About 1.8 to 2.3 kW |
| Cooking area | Compact to very large | Mostly compact |
| Needs | Gas bottle and regulator | Outdoor socket |
| Open flame | Yes | No |
| Balcony use | Often banned by leases | Often allowed, check rules |
Heat and searing
Gas burners put out far more energy. Even a compact Weber Q 1200N lists a 2.93 kW burner, and family grills with three or four burners list 8 to 14 kW. That extra power means faster recovery when you open the lid and load cold food, and more room to run a hot zone and a cool zone.
Electric grills are limited by a standard 13 A socket, which caps them at around 3 kW. Good designs still get hot: the Weber Lumin lists over 315 °C, reached in about 15 minutes, with cast iron grates that hold heat for grill marks. Cheap electric grills with thin plates struggle, so look for a lid, a heavy grate and at least 1,800 W.
Two similar-sized examples
Here are two compact Weber grills that suit small spaces, one gas and one electric, with facts from their listings.
| Spec | Weber Q 1200N with stand | Weber Lumin |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Gas | Electric |
| Power | 2.93 kW | 2,300 W |
| Cooking area | 1,290 cm² | 1,561 cm² |
| Weight | 19 kg | 16.6 kg |
| Extras | Side tables, stand, lid thermometer | Plancha insert, front grease tray |
Running energy and convenience
An electric grill at 2.3 kW running flat out for an hour uses about 2.3 kWh, and less once it reaches temperature and cycles. A gas grill's use depends on burners and settings; a 13 kg propane bottle holds roughly 168 kWh of energy, which our gas bottle burn time tool turns into hours of cooking for your grill.
Electric wins on simplicity: no bottles to swap, carry or store, and nothing to run out halfway through a cook. Gas wins on independence: no cable, so you can put it anywhere in the garden or take a portable one camping.
Note:Plug an electric grill straight into a weatherproof outdoor socket as the maker advises and keep the lead dry. Use gas grills outdoors only, check joints with soapy water after each bottle change and turn off at the bottle after cooking.
Where you can use each one
Many flat leases and building management rules ban gas bottles and open flames on balconies, and some ban barbecues of any kind. Read your lease and ask the managing agent before buying. Where electric is allowed, it is the safer neighbour on a balcony: no flame and less smoke, though grease still smokes at high heat.
In a garden, either works. Gas suits families who cook for six or more and want a big grill. Electric suits small patios where a bottle is a nuisance, or as a second grill near the kitchen. Compare models in best electric BBQs for balconies and best small gas BBQs for a patio.
Frequently asked questions
Does an electric BBQ taste like a real barbecue? It browns and chars well if it gets hot enough, and drips sizzle on the hot grate. It lacks charcoal smoke; some models, such as the Ninja Woodfire, add pellet smoke.
Can I use an electric BBQ indoors? Outdoor electric grills are made for outdoor use and the manuals say so. Use an indoor grill in the kitchen instead.
Is gas or electric cheaper to run? It depends on your tariff, gas price and how hard you run the grill. Compare kWh: an electric grill uses about 2 to 2.3 kWh per hour at full power, a gas grill's figure is its burner kW.
Which heats up faster? Most gas grills reach cooking heat in about 10 minutes. Good electric grills take around 15 minutes to reach full heat.
What you need
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Weber Lumin: 2,300 W, 33 x 49 cm, over 315 °C
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Weber Spirit E-210: two burners, 51 x 46 cm grill
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Weber Spirit E-310: three burners, 2,326 cm² grill