Choosing a smoker/grill is not a walk in the park these days. There are literally hundreds of good brands on the market that are determined to make the journey tormenting.
As a dedicated carnivore, I have tested a lot of smokers, mostly propane and pellet ones. Today, I'll discuss their features and my tests. I'll also share users' experiences with these smokers.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Quick Summary
- Propane and pellet smokers differ in fuel, flavor impact, and cost.
- Propane smokers are more affordable and easy to use, but lack the smoky flavor pellet smokers provide.
- Pellet smokers are versatile and allow for precise temperature control. They also offer many flavor options. However, they tend to be more expensive.
7 Differences between Gas Grills vs Pellet Grills
The main difference between pellet grills and propane smokers is the fuel they use.
The pellets are made from hardwood. It is ground into sawdust. Then, the sawdust is shaped and compacted into pellets using heat and pressure. They come with the advantage of more smoke flavor [1].
Let’s take a deeper dive into the one-on-one features between the two.
1. Impact on Flavor
The pellet smokers win the battle of the best smokey flavor right off the bat.
Wooden pellets are not just a fuel source. They are meant to flavor your meat. This makes flavor a unique feature of them.
Pellet grills different pellets for different scents and food aromas. Depending on what you’re cooking, you can experiment with wood chips. They will give you unique aromas.
For unique smoke flavors, use Southern Hardwood, Ironbark, Apple, or Hickory wood pellets.
The last two are my personal favorites. They are classic BBQ woods and you can literally cook anything with Apple and Hickory [2].
On the other hand, gas smokers cannot recreate the smoking meat effect found in a pellet grill.
Meat cooked with a propane smoker tastes no different than food cooked on a stove.
Not to say that they contribute to bad flavors, but they only rely on meat seasoning for flavor.
Also Read: Wood Pellets vs Wood Chips
2. Initial and Operating Cost
The initial costs are incomparable. The propane smoker is cheaper than the pellet smoker.
You can find smaller, entry-level gas models at meager prices –as low as hundreds. Of course, if you want a top-notch model, you’ll have to cough out thousands.
Most pellet smokers are priced in thousands, which is a huge initial investment. But at the same time, they last for years, and you get what you’re paying for.
Pellet machines burn wood pellets. A 20-pound bag costs $20-$30 and lasts about 8 hours.
On top of that, they operate on electricity which heats the pellets. So, the operating costs depend on the pellet costs and the electricity used.
On the other hand, a gas grill operates on fuel. Typically, a gas cylinder costs $30 and gives you 20 hours of cooking time on most gas grill models.
So, in comparison, the running cost is much lower in gas grill options.
3. Ease of Use
Gas grills are often hotter than expected, making it hard to control the heat.
In short, they are not the best-insulated cookers. Although this may depend on the model, you should keep an eye out for temperature swings with gas grills.
On the other hand, you have more control over temperature with a pellet smoker. It’s because the equipment has linked fuel feed and temperature sensor features.
A Pellet smoker is a proper definition of “set it and forget” and is more like an outdoor oven.
“In many ways, pellet grills act like giant convection ovens and offer far superior taste and ease of use compared to gas grills, according to the growing number of die-hard “pellet heads.”
- Tim Clark, Brand contributor at Forbes
4. Versatility
Versatility is another area where pellet smokers shine. The pellet machine is designed in such a way that it benefits from both direct and unintended heat.
The difference helps when cooking foods like rib meat. It needs hours of indirect heat and smoke to break the connective tissues.
Additionally, you can use the machine for baking and grilling and switch between cooking methods.
On the other hand, the gas grills are built for one job. It doesn’t display much versatility, except that you can easily change the flame size. But that’s it.
5. Temperature Range and Control
Pellet smokers can reach 450°F. They have advanced temp control for fine adjustments of five degrees. With an optimal temperature of 200-300°F, you can cook at low heat and avoid heat loss. However, the cooking is still slow, and you may not get those sear marks on the chicken breast you want.
On the other hand, gas grills temperatures go as high as 700°F to give you quick results. But this comes at a price – temperature adjustments are not finely tuned. So, you’ll find it hard to set the right temperature. Also, maintaining a low temperature can be difficult if you’re trying to heat at low and slow temps.
Ultimately, it all depends on whether you want to cook food low and slow or at high temperatures and quickly. For cold smoking with some pellet smoker models, you might need a cold smoker attachment or a smoke tube.
6. Runtime Before Fueling
The runtime before refueling varies in the gas and pellet cooker. If you’re using a pellet smoker, the number of wooden pellets consumed per hour in the cooking chamber depends on the temperature you’re cooking with.
Half a pound an hour of fuel pellets should be enough pellets if you’re smoking food. But if you’re high-heat searing, you’ll spend 2 pounds an hour.
All matters constant, a normal-sized pellet smoker holds 8 hours of cooking, which should be enough fuel even for a slow cook. But for longer sessions, you’ll have to refill constantly.
With a gas grill, a standard gas tank can get you around 20 hours of cooking. That’s if you’re not connected to a natural gas line. In that case, you can cook forever.
7. Cooking Options
Many gas grills include accessories like griddles, smoke boxes, gas burners, rotisseries, and lit knobs.
On the flip side, pellet smokers are pretty versatile and give you a smoker, an oven, and a grill, all in one.
You can smoke anything on pellet grills.
Similarities Between Pellet Smokers vs Propane Smokers
- Neither machine requires you to start a fire manually as charcoal grills do.
- Unlike charcoal grills, neither the pellet grill nor the gas grill creates a mess at the end of the cooking.
- Both are relatively easy to use. With a charcoal grill, you must light it. With a pellet grill, you just feed it pellets and set the temperature. The gas grill may require a bit of your attention when adjusting the temperature, but all in all, it’s also easy to use the equipment.
The Pros of Gas Grills and Pellet Grills
Gas Smoker Pros
- They are freely available in local outlets.
- Smokers come at reasonably low prices.
- Some are priced as low as $200.The machines are lightweight and conveniently portable.
- You can transport them easily.
- It's easier to find a part for a gas grill than for a propane smoker.
- A propane smoker is easier to use than other smokers.
Pellet Smoker Pros
- Pellet grills have precise temperature controls. They auto-feed pellets to keep the heat steady.
- A pellet smoker is a versatile machine, combining a grill and oven, in addition to its ability to smoke meat.
- A 40-pound bag of pellets results in just half a cup of ash. That means cleaning up the firepot is fast and easy with a pellet grill.
- Modern pellet cookers come equipped with tech features such as Wi-Fi and let you control the pellet grill from your smartphone.
The Cons of Gas Grills and Pellet Grills
Gas Smoker Cons
- Cons With a propane smoker, it's always difficult to tell how much propane is left.
- You might need two canisters to avoid running out of gas while smoking.
- Also, watch your gas grill if your propane tank is cheap.
- Some propane smokers are known to run hot.
- There are claims that gas fumes and moisture may add an unpleasant taste to the meat.
- Some low-budget models are poorly insulated.
- Their temperature may fluctuate on cold, windy days.
Pellet Smoker Cons
- Wood pellets on pellet grills are not as easily available as gas and charcoal and it can prove difficult to get them on short notice.
- The convection fan, augur, and temperature controls are electric. As such, a pellet grill needs to be plugged into an electric outlet, which limits its portability.
- Given their capabilities, pellet grills are relatively more expensive than gas grills. Sometimes even double their price.
- Because it's made of hardwood, a wood pellet is sensitive to moisture. When exposed, they disintegrate and become useless. Storing in a dry place is crucial.
Related Articles:
Gas Grill vs Pellet Grill: Which One Is Right for You?
Choosing between gas and pellet grills boils down to your personal preferences and your budget.
Both types of smokers have pros and cons. So, it's important to decide carefully before buying.
To make it easier for you, we've compiled a list of the best smokers for a tight budget, so take a look and pick one within your price range.
References:
- https://www.naturallywood.com/products/wood-pellets/
- https://www.traeger.com/learn/wood-pellet-guide
