Electric Grill vs. Natural Gas Grill
by Tyler Castle
4 min read
Looking to grill up some fun? Whether you’re looking to grill up some veggies or sear some meat, grills are a great way to get creative with food! Yet, this leaves you with a choice for your grilling needs: which is better for you, an electric or a natural gas grill?
Let’s explore the pros and cons of each so you can make the best decision for you!
Electric vs. gas grill cost and maintenance
When thinking about the initial cost, electric grills generally are cheaper than natural gas grills. However, though gas grills cost a little more upfront – anywhere from $300 – $750 – there are far more choices available.
When thinking about maintenance, electric grills are much easier to care for. Many electric grills have non-stick coatings that make clean-up as easy. Some electric grills will even allow you to remove your grates completely for an easier and more efficient wash.
Gas grills involve a bit more effort since caked-on foods need to be burned off or scraped off. Also, gas grill owners need to be sure that moisture is wiped away and that gas connections and burners are intact. No matter what grill you’re considering, it’s important that you clean your grill as often as you can. If caked-on food and debris stay on your grill, you’re putting yourself at risk for a fire.
Using electric and gas grills
Electric grills are easy and convenient. Simply plug the electric grill into a wall socket outdoors and get started. Depending on what size grill you choose, electric grills can be portable which makes cooking in other places a snap! Electric grills also emit very little smoke. So if you’re not into the smokey taste of charred meats or breathing in smoke while you cook, an electric grill might be right for you.
When it comes to cooking techniques electric grills only allow you to grill or sear food. On the other hand, gas grills typically have two or more burners, allowing owners to use a two-zone cooking technique. Natural gas grills can also be set up for roasting and a smoke box can be added to smoke meat underneath the lid. These expanded options makes holiday meal planning much more interesting!
When natural gas grills break, parts are generally very easy to find and replace. However, natural gas grills need their propane tanks changed frequently. Although the most common size of a propane tank is a 20 lbs tank, you might be changing out your gas more often than you might want to. If you see yourself cooking often and don’t want to worry about changing your tank before a big cookout, an electric grill might be the way to go.
Grill size and temperature range
Electric grills can reach and maintain low temperatures due to internal thermostats. But gas grills can reach higher temperatures overall – maxing out at 600 degrees. Depending on the size of you electric grill, these models can only handle about 400 degrees if you’re using an indoor model.
Electric and gas grills also differ in terms of physical size. Electric grills are very small: even some of the larger ones are smaller than the smallest of the gas grills. This is fine for a small family or an apartment. However, electric grills are not suited for holiday cooking or for large cookouts. If you find yourself hosting and cooking a large number of people on the regular, a gas grill is the better choice.
Electric grill vs. gas grill: pros and cons
Now that we have explored all the factors that make set apart natural gas and electric grills, let’s review the pros and cons of an electric grill:
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to operate | Reliant on electricity to power |
| Easy to clean | Smaller cooking area |
| Can be used indoors | Two-zone grilling, roasting, or smoking not possible |
| Inexpensive to use | No smoky or charred flavor |
Let’s review the pros and cons of a natural gas grill:
| Pros | Cons |
| Heats up quickly | More maintenance required |
| More cooking options | Natural gas is expensive to connect |
| Ability to cook outside in any weather | |
| Adds smoky or char-grilled flavor | |
| Larger grill space |
In the end, there are many factors to consider when choosing which grill is right for you. We hope we’ve helped make your decision even easier!
Santanna Energy Services is a supplier of renewable energy solutions in the United States, providing services to Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. We provide a wide range of energy services and products to meet the needs of both residential and small business customers. Our mission is to provide innovative and cost-effective energy solutions that will help our customers achieve their energy goals. With over 35 years of experience, we are committed to creating life-long relationships by providing quality service to customers, communities, and employees.
Tyler is an experienced energy professional, having worked for Santanna Energy Services, for the past four years. He is passionate about renewable energy and believes that diversifying the energy grid is the key to a sustainable future. Tyler is dedicated to supplying consumers with the best possible energy solutions and works diligently to make sure that Santanna can deliver the highest quality service.
