Pellet grill vs gas grill comes down to one trade: flavor and hands-off smoking versus speed and simple searing. A pellet grill burns hardwood pellets fed by an auger and a digital controller, so it doubles as a pellet smoker and gives real wood-fire flavor. A gas grill lights in seconds, gets hot fast and handles weeknight burgers and steaks with almost no planning. If you smoke brisket, ribs or pork shoulder often, lean pellet. If you mostly grill quick meals and want strong searing, lean gas. Plenty of outdoor kitchens end up with both.
Pellet grill vs gas grill: the short version
| Factor | Pellet grill | Gas grill |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Hardwood pellets in a hopper | Propane or natural gas |
| Power | Needs electricity for the controller, auger, fan and igniter | Typically a battery or push-button igniter; no outlet needed for basic models |
| Flavor | Wood smoke on everything | Clean flame flavor; smoker box adds some smoke |
| Low-and-slow smoking | Its main strength; set a temperature and walk away | Possible, but harder to hold low temperatures for hours |
| Searing | Varies a lot by model; some have flame broilers or high-heat modes | Strong and fast, especially with infrared or sear burners |
| Startup | Electric ignition plus a warm-up cycle | Light and go |
| Upkeep | Empty ash from the burn pot, keep pellets dry | Clean grates and grease tray, check burners and hoses |
How a pellet smoker cooks
A pellet grill is really a wood-fired convection oven. You fill the hopper, set a temperature on the controller, and an auger feeds pellets into a burn pot while a fan moves heat and smoke around the food. The controller adds or slows pellets to hold your set point, which is why so many owners use it as a pellet smoker for long cooks.
The Recteq Deck Boss 800 Pellet Grill is a good example of a mid-size model. Its listing shows 800 square inches of cooking space, a PID controller, Wi-Fi app control and a range of 180ºF to 700ºF. It is listed at $999.99 at the time of writing.
For an outdoor kitchen island, the Recteq E-Series Built-In 1300 Pellet Grill lists 1,300 square inches across two racks, stainless steel construction and PID control from 180ºF to 700ºF. It is listed at $3,799.99 at the time of writing. You can see the rest of the lineup on our Recteq brand page.
Pellet use matters for running costs. Memphis states that its Built-In Elevate Pellet Grill burns about 1.3 lbs of pellets per hour at 350 degrees. That model lists 180 to 600 degrees for convection cooking and open flame modes over 900 degrees, and is listed at $2,068.00 at the time of writing.
Gas grill searing and everyday speed
Gas grills win on convenience. Turn a knob, push the igniter and you can be cooking a few minutes later. Burner layout also makes zone cooking easy: one side high for searing, the other side low for chicken or vegetables.
When comparing gas grills, look at total BTUs and cooking area together, not BTUs alone. Our guide on how many BTUs a gas grill needs explains how to read those numbers.
- Broil King Crown 420 Shadow Gas Grill: four Dual-Tube burners, 40,000 BTU main burner output, 630 sq. in. total cooking space and cast iron cooking grids. Listed at $799.00 at the time of writing.
- Broil King Baron S 490 Pro Infrared Gas Grill with Rotisserie Kit: four burners at 40,000 BTUs, an infrared side burner, a rear rotisserie burner and 750 square inches of total cooking space. Listed at $1,399.00 at the time of writing.
- Delta Heat 32″ Built-In Gas Grill: three U-burners totaling 60,000 BTUs, a 525 sq. in. primary grilling area plus a 239 sq. in. warming area, with an optional sear zone. Listed at $3,089.00 at the time of writing.
If you are still deciding on fuel for a gas grill, see natural gas vs propane grills.
Can a pellet grill sear like a gas grill?
Older pellet grills had a reputation for weak searing because the fire sits under a drip tray. Newer designs address this directly, and some of the most interesting pellet grills we carry are built around high heat.
The Recteq X-Fire Pro 825 Pellet Grill has a Grill Mode for open-lid, high-heat cooking and a Smoke Mode for low-and-slow. Its listing gives a range of 225ºF to 1250ºF and an adjustable sear control. It is listed at $1,549.99 at the time of writing.
The Sunstone 40″ Electric Pellet Grill w/Cold Smoker (SUNPLT40) lists 918 sq. in. of total cooking area, a temperature range of 140°F to 800°F, an adjustable Flame Broiler for direct heat, a built-in cold smoker and a 28 lb hopper. It is a built-in unit with a listed cut-out of 38″ W x 22″ D x 17″ H, and is listed at $6,235.00 at the time of writing.
The honest takeaway: a standard pellet grill sears fine for most people, but if crusted steaks are your top priority, either pick a pellet model with a dedicated flame or high-heat mode, or pick a gas grill with an infrared or sear burner.
Installation, power and safety
- Pellet grills need electricity. The controller, auger, fan and igniter all run on power, so plan for an outdoor-rated outlet near the grill. Our listings do not always state the electrical requirements, so check the manufacturer’s manual for the voltage and amperage before you plan the outlet. A licensed electrician and your local code have the final word on outdoor circuits.
- Gas grills need a fuel supply. Freestanding propane models run from a tank. Built-in grills on natural gas need a gas line, and any gas hookup should be done by a licensed professional following local code.
- Built-in models need the right cut-out and clearances. Follow the manufacturer’s installation manual, including any requirement for an insulated jacket when the grill sits in a combustible island.
Planning a full island? Our built-in grill and outdoor kitchen guide covers layout, cut-outs and utilities.
Which one should you buy?
Choose a pellet grill if you:
- Want wood smoke flavor without managing a fire
- Cook ribs, brisket, pork butt or whole birds on weekends
- Like app control and holding a set temperature for hours
Choose a gas grill if you:
- Grill several weeknights a week and want fast startup
- Care most about searing steaks, chops and burgers
- Do not have, or do not want to add, an outdoor outlet
Comparing pellet against a ceramic cooker instead? See our pellet grill vs kamado breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pellet smoker better than a gas grill for smoking?
For most people, yes. A pellet smoker burns hardwood and its controller holds a set temperature for long cooks, which is what low-and-slow smoking needs. A gas grill can add some smoke with a smoker box, but it is harder to hold low temperatures and the flavor is lighter.
Which is better for gas grill searing vs pellet grill searing?
A gas grill with an infrared or sear burner is the simplest way to get a hard sear. Some pellet grills close the gap, such as the Recteq X-Fire Pro 825 with a listed top temperature of 1250ºF, or the Sunstone SUNPLT40 with its Flame Broiler.
Does a pellet grill need to be plugged in?
Yes. Pellet grills use electricity to run the controller, auger, fan and igniter. Check the manufacturer’s manual for the power requirements, and have a licensed electrician confirm your outdoor outlet meets local code.
Is a pellet grill more expensive to run than gas?
It depends on local pellet and fuel prices and how you cook. As one data point, Memphis states its Elevate burns about 1.3 lbs of pellets per hour at 350 degrees. Compare that with your propane or natural gas costs before deciding.
Talk to us before you buy
Orders of $999 or more ship with free freight shipping, and orders below that ship for a flat $200. Before you order, you can review our return and refund policy. If you want help comparing a pellet grill and a gas grill for your patio or island, call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST.
