By Jack Applegate

Charcoal vs Gas BBQs - Which is Best for You?

Barbecue season is here, and one of the most common questions we get at South Wales Barbecues is:

👉 “Should I buy a charcoal BBQ or a gas BBQ?”

The answer is not necessarily straight forward. Both have their loyal fans, and both offer unique benefits depending on your budget, lifestyle, and how you like to cook.
In this guide, we'll break down the pros and cons of the main two types of barbecue to help you decide which is right for you.

Feature Charcoal BBQ Gas BBQ
Flavour Rich, smoky, authentic taste Cleaner, milder flavour
Heat-up Time 20–30 minutes 5–10 minutes
Heat Control Manual, less precise Precise, easy to set and maintain
Cost £ – Budget friendly options ££ – Mid to high range
Best For Traditionalists, smoky flavour lovers Families, busy cooks, convenience

 

Charcoal BBQs - Traditional Smoky Flavour

To many enthusiasts, cooking over charcoal is viewed as an art form. Charcoal barbecues are loved by those who want that authentic smoky taste, a flavour that is much more difficult to replicate on a gas BBQ.

✅ Benefits of Charcoal BBQs

  • Superior flavour - adds smoky depth to meat, fish, and veggies.
  • High heat - charcoal burns hotter than gas, ideal for searing various foods.
  • Versatility - super hot searing and low and slow are both possible with charcoal.
  • Budget friendly - good quality, entry-level BBQs start at under £100 like this one from Weber.
  • Portable - even larger charcoal barbecues are more portable than most gas grills.
  • Smoking ready - much more well suited to smoking - just toss wood chunks onto the coals. Our range of smoking fuel can be found here.

❌ Downsides of Charcoal BBQs

  • Longer to heat - charcoal barbecues take significantly longer to heat up in comparison to their gas counterparts.
  • Heat control - cooking over a live fire takes care, intuition, constant attention and plenty of practice.
  • Messier cleanup - ash collected needs to be disposed of and the grill grates need to be cleaned after every cook.

Shop our range of Charcoal BBQs here

Gas BBQs - Convenience and Control

Gas barbecues are all about speed and precision as well as ease-of-use. With most setups, you'll be able to get cooking within 5-10 minutes - a top choice for busy folks and those who grill regularly.

✅ Benefits of Gas BBQs

  • Instant heat - quicker to heat up compared to charcoal, ready in 10 minutes or less.
  • Heat control - controlling the temperature is easy to set and maintain, often just turning a knob to adjust.
  • Less mess - no ash to dispose of, making clean up quicker.
  • Perfect for large gatherings - multi-burner setups and larger cooking areas make cooking for a crowd simple and easy.
  • Direct and consistent heat - with many models coming with 2-4 burners, gas barbecues allow you to sear with ease.
  • Compatible with Calor Gas - readily available from our showroom and across the UK.

❌ Downsides of Gas BBQ

  • Less radiant heat - gas barbecues struggle with heat retention compared to charcoal, making it difficult to build up crusts on larger pieces of meat
  • Less smoky flavour - whilst the smoky flavour comes from the drippings hitting the heat source (burners / charcoal), it is typically less noticeable than cooking over charcoal from our findings.
  • Less versatility - gas barbecues offer limited options when it comes to indirect cooking and smoking. If you are interested in either of these, charcoal is the way to go.
  • Less portable in comparison to smaller charcoal barbecues. Although we do have a range of portable gas AND charcoal grills which can be found here.
  • More expensive upfront in comparison to charcoal barbecues.

Shop our range of Gas BBQs here.

Which BBQ is right for you?

  • Go Charcoal if... you can't get enough of that smoky flavour, enjoy the ritual of maintaining a real fire, or if you want a more budget friendly and traditional option.
  • Go Gas if... you value speed, precision, and convenience and if you're cooking for a crowd.

Alternatives

Can't decide between charcoal and gas? You don't have to. Here's some other modern BBQ options worth considering:

Hybrid BBQs

  • Cook with both gas and charcoal in one BBQ - with some models even letting you use them simultaneously.
  • You get the best of both worlds - choose gas for the speed and ease-of-use and opt for charcoal when you want smoky flavour at the weekend.
  • Perfect for those who want versatility, without worrying about owning multiple grills.

Contact Us for Hybrid BBQ options.

Pellet Grills

  • Ease of use and convenience, known for their 'set it and forget it' functionality, coming with automated temperature control and pellet feeding systems.
  • Exceptional for low and slow - pellet grills infuse food with a natural, wood-fired flavour that is difficult to replicate with other fuel types.
  • The ability to switch between low and slow and high-temperature grilling makes them a versatile, all-in-one outdoor cooking solution.

Check out the Weber Searwood Pellet Barbecue here.

Electric Grills

  • Plug and play - electric barbecues are ready to use with the flick of a switch, no need for additional fuel, making them more environmentally friendly than traditional grilling methods.
  • Precise temperature control - most electric grills offer adjustable temperature settings and heat up quicker than some other barbecue types.
  • Reduced smoke and emissions - electric bbqs product significantly less smoke than charcoal or gas grills, making them suitable for various spaces with some models even suitable for indoor use.

Contact Us for Electric BBQ options.

Verdict

Here at South Wales Barbecues, we believe that there's no one-size-fits-all answer to the charcoal vs gas BBQ debate. It depends on many factors including your lifestyle, budget, and how you want your barbecue experience to be. You don't have to just settle on one! We're seeing an upwards trend in barbecue enthusiasts opting for both charcoal and gas, including some of our own staff members! We stock ad wide range of charcoal and gas barbecues as well as fuel, accessories, Calor gas, spice rubs and more to keep you cooking all year round.

👉 Browse our full BBQ collection today

Frequently Asked Questions

A charcoal BBQ typically takes 20-30 minutes to fully heat up, whereas a gas barbecue can be ready in under 10 minutes. Gas is faster, no doubt.

Charcoal is cheaper upfront but gas usually works out more cost-effective over time. Gas is more cost-effective in comparison to constantly purchasing charcoal.

Not exactly. Gas burns cleaner and gives a milder flavour, but you do still get a certain level of smokiness, it's just less intense compared to charcoal. You can also add a smoker box or flavoured wood chips to a gas BBQ to add flavour to meats, seafood, and veggies.

Gas BBQs are best for large gatherings thanks to quick heat-up times, multiple burners and consistent temperatures. Charcoal suits smaller groups where smoky flavour is the priority.

Yes, but not by much. Charcoal leaves ash and usually requires a more thorough clean. Gas BBQs mainly require grate brushing and emptying the grease tray.

Both can last many years with care. Gas models need periodic burner and hose maintenance, while simpler charcoal BBQs often last a long time with basic cleaning and protection.

 

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