Pellet grill vs. charcoal? We put both to the test. Find out which is the better fit for your budget and backyard.
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Pellet Grill vs. Charcoal Grill: We Tried 19 Grills for the Ultimate Comparison
Updated Sep. 15, 2024
When it comes to backyard barbecuing, most pitmasters have a preferred method. While some choose convenient gas grills, others look toward more flavor from either a charcoal grill or a pellet grill. But is one type better than the other?
Our Product Testing Team recently put over a dozen grills to the test, evaluating brands such as Traeger, Pit Boss, Recteq, Weber and Napoleon. With the results, we put together a helpful guide to decide which flavor-infusing grill is best for your next barbecue session. Here’s everything you need to know about a pellet grill vs. charcoal.
What’s the difference between charcoal grills and pellet grills?
The main difference between a charcoal grill and a pellet grill is the type of fuel required. A charcoal grill creates a base of hot coals via charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal. Pellet grills, on the other hand, are fueled by wood pellets, which are small compressed pieces of wood.
Pellet grills are often larger than charcoal grills, with more of a barrel shape on four legs, while charcoal grills are often rounder and kettle-shaped. Their smaller shape can make them more approachable for novice cooks. Pellet grills are also typically more expensive than charcoal grills. The lower price point of a charcoal grill makes it ideal for those on a budget.
All About Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills are what come to mind when you think of a backyard barbecue or tailgate cookout. The iconic black design, made notable by Weber, has been a backyard staple since the 1950s.
While they take a bit more prep time, charcoal grills can easily reach high temperatures of 700 degrees Fahrenheit for incredible searing. They are easy to use but require a bit more effort to maintain consistent temperatures. There isn’t a temperature control knob on a charcoal grill. Instead, you adjust the temperature by controlling airflow. This also allows you to cook low and slow and smoke meat for long periods of time.
Compared to pellet grills, a charcoal grill is the more budget-friendly, portable option. It requires more effort but offers varied versatility for cooking.
How We Tested Charcoal Grills
To find the best charcoal grills, we evaluated eight models under the same testing conditions. First, we assessed the ease of set-up and assembly for each, taking note of how difficult it was to go from box to ready to cook. We then performed three cooking tests, including cooking a 1 1/2-inch steak, a whole cut-up chicken and a rack of baby back ribs. While cooking, we assessed the grills for ease of use regarding lighting and temperature regulation. We also considered how well the grill maintained temperature and performed when searing or browning meat. Finally, we evaluated each grill based on how easy it was to clean, looking specifically at the grill grates and how simple it was to empty any ash. Throughout testing, we considered special features such as built-in thermometers or side tables, the size of the grill and specifics about the legs and wheels.
Throughout our testing, Weber grills outperformed most brands. The Original Kettle Grill, along with helpful upgrades like the Weber Master Touch and Weber Performer, earned top marks. Other noteworthy brands include Napoleon and Slow ‘n Sear.
Our Favorite Charcoal Grills
TASTE OF HOME
Best Overall
Weber Performer Charcoal Grill
TASTE OF HOME
Best Mid-Range
Napoleon Pro Charcoal Kettle Grill
TASTE OF HOME
Best Splurge
Slow ‘n Sear Charcoal Kettle Grill
All About Pellet Grills
As the name suggests, pellet grills use wood pellets for fuel. Those pellets are small compressed pieces of wood, which ultimately start as sawdust from oak, mesquite, apple or cherry trees. The type of wood pellet you use makes a difference, giving food a kiss of smoky flavor that ranges from bold to subtle or sweet. (A specialty bag of pellets makes a great gift for grillers!) The flavor infused during the cooking process is what has given top brands such as Recteq and Traeger their rise in popularity.
Pellet grills ignite the wood pellets to create indirect heat with no live flame. You can smoke briskets and pork shoulders low and slow, or cook chicken at a higher temperature. You can even bake biscuits, cobblers and cookies in a pellet grill.
Because of the design of most pellet grills, you maintain the temperature by feeding pellets through a hopper. This allows you to fill the hopper up with a bag of pellets and “set it and forget it.” That bag can easily last for more than eight hours, so you can leave food to cook in the pellet grill for a long time. Along the way, eats are infused with incredible smoky flavor. Most pellet grills will go up to temperatures of 650 or 700 degrees Fahrenheit but can also handle lower temperatures closer to 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. A lower temperature will give you more smoke than a higher temperature, and it will go through pellets slower. While a bag of pellets tends to be more expensive than a bag of charcoal, pellets are often more fuel-efficient and will last longer overall.
How We Tested Pellet Grills
Our Product Testing Team evaluated 11 pellet grills based on dozens of data points. First, we assessed each on how much effort was required to assemble each grill and how easy instructions were to follow. We noted special features such as WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in touchscreen or included meat probes. We also evaluated other design features, such as locking wheels, folding shelves and overall size.
To put each pellet grill to the test, we prepped a variety of meats and vegetables. We smoked salmon and chicken at a low temperature, smoked a pork shoulder low and slow for nine hours, seared pork chops and grilled corn on the cob.
Following all cooking tests, we ranked each pellet grill based on ease of cleaning, including emptying the ash and grease keg and scrubbing the grill grates.
Overall, the testing team found Recteq and Traeger to be the top performers in the world of pellet grills, with different models serving different needs. Weber also made a solid impression, earning notes for its searing power.
Our Favorite Pellet Grills
TMB STUDIO
Best Overall
Recteq Flagship 1100 Pellet Grill
TMB STUDIO
Best for Searing
Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill
TMB STUDIO
Best for Pros
Traeger Ironwood XL
The Bottom Line
The preference between charcoal grills and pellet grills first comes down to flavor. Which flavor profile do you prefer when you’re biting into a juicy burger or grilled chicken and veggies off the grill? As you’re finding the best fit for your needs, consider factors such as ease of use, space constraints, budget and what you plan to cook over it as well. While charcoal grills tend to be a bit more budget-friendly, they require a bit more effort while cooking, rather than the “set it and forget it” design of a pellet grill.
Originally Published: September 04, 2024
