# Pellet grill vs gas BBQ

Source: https://charandsmoke.co.uk/blog/pellet-grill-vs-gas-bbq
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Char and Smoke

**In short:** A gas BBQ is quicker, hotter and simpler: it is the better choice for burgers, steaks and weeknight cooking. A pellet grill burns hardwood pellets under a controller, so it gives real wood smoke and holds a low temperature for hours with little tending, which makes it better for ribs, pork shoulder and roasts. It needs mains power and dry pellet storage.

Pellet grills have become popular in the UK because they promise smoked food without the work of tending a charcoal fire. Gas grills remain the everyday choice for most gardens. They are built for different jobs, so the right pick depends on what you cook most. This guide compares how each works, what each does well, what each needs, and how they cope with a British summer evening.

## How each one makes heat

A gas BBQ burns propane or butane in burners under the grates. You set the heat by turning the knobs, and each burner can run at a different level. Most models reach high searing temperatures within ten minutes or so with the lid closed.

A pellet grill has a hopper of hardwood pellets, an auger that feeds them into a small firepot, an igniter, a fan and a controller with a temperature probe. You set a temperature and the controller feeds more or fewer pellets to hold it. A heat baffle spreads the heat, so most of the cooking is indirect, like an oven filled with wood smoke.

## Side by side

This table uses two full-size examples from our guides: Traeger's Pro Series 22 barrel pellet grill and Weber's three-burner Spirit E-310 gas grill. Figures come from the product listings.

| Spec | Traeger Pro Series 22 | Weber Spirit E-310 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fuel | Wood pellets | Gas |
| Cooking area | 3,690 cm² | 2,326 cm² |
| Heat control | Controller with built-in display | 3 burners with knobs |
| Weight | 57.2 kg | 48 kg |
| Needs mains power | Yes | No |

From the product listings

## Flavour and the food each does best

Pellet grills shine on low and slow food: pulled pork, ribs, brisket, whole chickens and smoked salmon. The pellets give a gentle, clean wood smoke, and the steady temperature makes long cooks predictable. Most pellet grills are less good at searing because the fire is under a baffle, though some models add a direct flame plate or a sear setting.

Gas grills are best at fast, hot cooking: burgers, sausages, kebabs, steaks, chops and vegetables. You can roast with the lid down and add smoke with a smoker box, but the smoke is lighter and harder to keep going for hours. If most of your barbecues are quick family meals, gas does the job with less fuss.

## Power, fuel and British weather

A pellet grill needs a mains socket, because the auger, fan and controller run on electricity. Plan where it will live: an outdoor weatherproof socket close by is the safe answer, and the manual will say what extension leads, if any, are acceptable. Pellets must stay dry; damp pellets swell and can jam the auger, so store them sealed and indoors or in a dry shed.

Gas needs a bottle and regulator but no electricity apart from a battery igniter on some models. Propane works well in cold weather, which matters in spring and autumn. Wind and cold pull heat from any grill, but pellet grills feel it most on long cooks, using more pellets to hold temperature. A heavier, better sealed body helps.

Note: Use gas and pellet grills outdoors only, in open air and never in a garage or enclosed gazebo. Check gas joints with soapy water, never a flame. Keep a pellet grill's power lead away from water and follow the maker's shutdown routine.

## Which suits you?

Choose a pellet grill if you love smoked food, want to start a cook and leave it, and have a socket and dry storage. Our [best pellet grills for UK gardens](https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-pellet-grill-uk) guide compares full-size and tabletop models and explains what to look for in hopper size and controllers.

Choose gas if you want speed, high heat and simplicity for regular family barbecues. See [best gas BBQs for UK gardens](https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-gas-bbq-uk). If you already own a gas grill and want to try smoking first, a smoker box costs little and teaches you whether you would use a dedicated smoker.

[See the best pellet grills](https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-pellet-grill-uk)

## Frequently asked questions

**Can a pellet grill sear a steak?** Many reach 230 to 260 °C, which browns food well, but direct searing is usually weaker than on gas. Some models add a slide plate or sear zone; check the listing.

**Is a pellet grill harder to look after than gas?** A little. You need to empty ash from the firepot, keep pellets dry and follow the shutdown routine so the fire burns out properly. Gas needs grates, grease tray and burner care.

**Do pellet grills work in the rain?** They can run in light rain if the controller is protected, but water in the hopper ruins pellets. Use a cover when it is not in use and keep the hopper lid closed.

**What about food safety on long cooks?** Use a probe thermometer. The Food Standards Agency advises cooking pork, poultry and minced meat until steaming hot throughout with no pink meat; see our [core temperature table](https://charandsmoke.co.uk/tools/core-temperature-table).

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-pellet-grill-uk
- https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-gas-bbq-uk
- https://charandsmoke.co.uk/best/best-charcoal-smokers