Electric BBQ grills are becoming more and more popular every day. But how do they stack up against a traditional gas or charcoal grill?
Let's take a look at how electric grills work, the pros and cons of them, and also consider who, or which situations they might be best for.
1. What is an electric grill and how does it work?
An electric grill is a type of grill that uses electricity to heat the elements inside and therefore the cooking surface.
Most electric grills have a heating element that is located underneath the cooking grate. When the grill is turned on, the element heats up and starts to cook the food, as with other grill types.
Another thing to know about electric BBQ grills is that there are two types: contact grills, where two heated surfaces cook food by pressing it directly against the grill; and, and infrared grills, which use heat lamps to cook food indirectly.
2. Pros of electric grills
A typical electric grill has a lot of advantages over traditional grills, such as:
- They're much easier to control. Electric barbecue grills heat up quickly and evenly, and you can start cooking sooner. You can adjust the temperature on an electric grill very precisely, which means that you're less likely to overcook your food.
- Electric outdoor grills also tend to be more energy-efficient than natural gas line, propane or charcoal grills.
- They are typically easier to clean - just wipe down the grate with a damp cloth when you're finished cooking.
- Because electric grills don't produce any smoke, you can use most units indoors without worrying about setting off the smoke alarm.
- They typically generate less smoke than other types of grills, making them ideal for use on balconies or condos, or in small spaces where open flames could be dangerous or now allowed.
- Because electric grills don't use an open flame, they're much safer to use than gas or charcoal grills - just plug it in, turn it on, and you're ready to start grilling!
- There's no need for charcoal or a propane tank, so you can avoid the hassle of dealing with those messy chemicals.
3. Cons of electric grills
While we have highlighted a bunch of great reasons to consider an electric grill over other grill types, there are some downsides, which believe it or not are fewer than the positives! They may or may not be deal breakers, depending on how serious you take your grilling!
- Many electric grills can be more expensive than charcoal grills as an initial purchase (although are typically less expensive than gas or pellet grills).
- Electric grills may not get as hot as charcoal or gas grills, which can make them less ideal for cooking certain types of food.
- While electric grills are usually easier to clean than other grill types, once in a while grease and food particles can get trapped in the grill's heating element which is more difficult to clean off.
- Electric grills can be less portable than other types of grills since they need to be plugged in to work.
- Now for me, the biggest potential drawback if you're a real die-hard griller is that you won't get the authentic smoky flavor you get from a charcoal grill on an electric grill outdoors, and you can't add a pellet smoke tube like you can with a gas grill. For some, the tradeoffs are worth it, and for others, they just aren't!
4. Who should buy an electric grill?
Electric grills are a great convenient kitchen appliance for anyone who loves to grill both indoors and also loves outdoor electric grills, without big upkeep or worrying about the hassle of charcoal or propane. They are a great option for busy families or empty nesters and enable no-fuss grilling every day/night of the week.
Electric grills also offer a number of advantages over traditional gas or charcoal grills, like for instance generating very little smoke, so you can grill without fear of annoying your neighbors or setting off smoke alarms, although there are some downsides as highlighted in this blog.
To Sum Up
Electric vs gas grill and charcoal grill - are electric grills good? Ultimately, the decision of which type of grill to buy is a matter of personal preference. If you're looking for an easy-to-use and easy-to-clean grill, without worrying about gas, lighter fluid or charcoal, then an electric grill might be the way to go.
Electric grills are perfect for small spaces and can be used indoors or outdoors. However, they may not give food the same smoky flavor as other types of grills and they aren't always particularly portable due to needing electricity to run.
If you're in the market for an electric grill, be sure to check out our review of the best models on the market today by clicking the link below. We'll help you find the perfect grill for your needs!
