Gas or charcoal? There’s no wrong answer just the BBQ that’s right for you.
Explore the flavour, tradition and experience of charcoal versus the convenience, precision and versatility of gas, and discover which BBQ personality fits the way you cook.
We handcrafted this blog personally for you to compare both options objectively and help you choose.
Long before the first steak, peppers or pizza, hit your grill for a wonderful BBQ evening, many decisions have been made. I don't just mean ribeye vs porterhouse or with pepperoni or without; working backwards from serving delicious food to your loved ones, perhaps one of the most important decisions that we make is which type of BBQ is right for us: charcoal or gas. Irrespective of BBQ brand, features, and so on, in general, there are two distinct "teams" within the BBQ world, that are based around the type of fuel used to power your grill, each with specific advantages and disadvantages, and I would argue that neither is inherently right or wrong... the better question to ask is which fuel type is best for YOU. The only way to answer that somewhat divisive question is to know which BBQ personality best resonates with you...
1. Charcoal Grills
Where flavour and tradition meet
Charcoal grilling delivers the bold, smoky flavour that defines real BBQ. From juicy steaks to smoky roasts, nothing matches the depth of flavour quite like cooking over charcoal.
By choosing various types of premium lump charcoal, briquettes, or natural wood, you create your own signature flavour profile that you can build on from there. Every fuel type adds a unique character, giving you full control over every cook.
Charcoal grilling is as much about the process as it is about the result. Lighting the charcoal, building the fire, adjusting the airflow and learning how your grill responds all become part of the experience. It takes a little more time and attention than cooking with gas, but for many charcoal enthusiasts, that's precisely the point.
There are trade-offs. Charcoal takes longer to get going, temperature control isn't quite as immediate or precise, and most charcoal grills offer less workspace and storage than their gas counterparts. But what you give up in convenience, you gain in simplicity, flexibility and, of course, that unmistakable charcoal flavour.
So, if your idea of a great BBQ starts with lighting a fire, experimenting with different fuels and enjoying the process almost as much as the meal itself, you may already know which BBQ personality sounds most like you.
2. Gas Grills
Where control and convenience meet
Gas grilling delivers instant heat, precise control, and consistent results, making it perfect for everyday cooking and entertaining.
From quick weeknight meals to full BBQ spreads, gas grills give you the flexibility to cook with confidence. With gas, grilling doesn't necessarily need to be a big event. Turn the knobs, ignite the grill and you're cooking within minutes. Temperatures can be adjusted quickly and precisely, making it easy to move from gently roasting a chicken to searing steaks, grilling vegetables or preparing several different foods at once.
That convenience also makes gas particularly well suited to entertaining. Gas grills typically have larger cooking surfaces, side shelves, storage and options such as side burners and rotisseries with dedicated burners that give you the freedom to prepare the entire meal outdoors, while spending more time with the people around your grill and less time tending the fire.
Of course, there are trade-offs. Gas grills are generally larger and more expensive than their charcoal counterparts, and gas alone won't give you quite the same distinctive flavour that comes from cooking directly over charcoal or wood.
But that's really the point. If you want to walk outside on a Tuesday evening, turn on your grill and have dinner cooking five minutes later or host twenty friends on a Saturday night without spending the evening managing a fire... gas might just be your BBQ personality.
So… Who Do You Think YOU Are?
By now, you probably have a pretty good idea which side of the grill you fall on.
Are you drawn to the flavour, tradition and hands-on experience of charcoal? Or do you value the speed, precision and versatility of gas?
Of course, you might see a little of yourself on both sides and that's perfectly fine. BBQ isn't about choosing the “right” team. The best BBQ is the one that fits the way YOU cook, the food YOU love and the experience YOU want to create.
So...
who do you think YOU are?
