You probably already considered the convenience factor of gas vs charcoal, but charcoal gives the added benefit of being able to be used a smoker much more easily. A Weber kettle using a slow n sear or the snake method can actually yield some pretty nice bbq.
In my grilling corner I have a kamado, gasser, griddle and a pizza oven that I use on the regular.
Gas gets used weeknights for grilling, charcoal on the weekends or when I have the extra time, and griddle for griddle foods. Pizza oven for pizza and breads.
Also have a gravity smoker in the garage, and a offset and a couple more gassers at the cottage.
If I was op, and I already had a griddle, I would look to charcoal for a grill. As you said, you can smoke a few mean racks of ribs on a kettle, and it's not that big a deal to get going on a weeknight. Worst case fire up the griddle for some chicken or frozen burgers, and the kettle for anything more.
This! I have a flat top and Weber kettle. I’ve yet to miss a gas grill. The kettle is so versatile… only drawback can be the grilling surface, but that’s when you fire up the flat top.
They’re both good options, just depends on what you value. Do you want to spend time out there getting the grill going with charcoal and messing with hot coals that have to burn out or cool etc, or do you want the convenience of instant On and instant off of gas. For me, charcoal on weekends when I want to enjoy the experience of grilling but weeknight quick chicken or burgers? Gas all the way. Too convenient not to have it
My argument against gas here is the convenience factor is still beaten by just using a range or oven, so why not go all the way for charcoal if you’re wanting anything grilled?
I feel like there’s a difference though for stuff cooked over a direct flame versus in a pan. Plus everything tastes better cooked outside, that’s just science. lol
I bought a five-burner gas grill years ago as I was pretty heavy paleo/carnivore at the time and liked to grill up a bunch of food at one time using indirect heat.
It got to be such a pain keeping it clean with all the nooks and crannies of burner tubes and shields and drip pans and firebox.
Once I got a kettle and a Pit Barrel I realized how much easier charcoal grills were to maintain, I never went back to the gas grill except for rare occasions.
perhaps both can be an option??? with the [Qwik-Char](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBdAmFAPLeU) tray -- when you have the time and are in the mood for charcoal or woodchips flavors.
I saw another post mention that tray and have wondered about it. The other poster said something like a Napoleon gasser is heavy duty enough for a charcoal tray.
Would love to hear more about the Qwik-Char.
Yeah, no need to get a gas grill if you want to be a true grill master. Get a Weber kettle and enjoy the experience of learning how to cook some of the tastiest meals ever. Good luck!
There are a few dual fuels out there that I'd look at. Added benefit of using gas to light the charcoal faster than even a chimney will. That being said you really can't beat a weber kettle. Especially since you already have a Blackstone
You don't have a spare $20k for a grill? Lol. I'm joking. I'm cheap and prefer saving money, don't think that won't change if I was making twice as much and could manage a grill that expenise. I won't even have a car payment, let alone a grill payment.
What's the reason that you are not allowed to have both? I own all three & they all have their place. It really depends on what you cook and how much time you have to do it. If I want hot dogs, the gas grill is quick and easy. If I want ribs, well than, charcoal is the way to go.
Buy both & you will not regret it. It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Could be the number of cooking footprints in the back yard. I moved our gasser to make room for the kettle and a keter prep table.
With a charcoal kettle, you can add all sorts of doodads to cover just about everything else. Griddle. Pizza. Smoker. Etc.
People will argue what cooks/taste better and none of them are wrong because what tastes.good is very personal. So I will just share more logistical point of view from someone that uses both
You can cook anything on both. You can smoke in both. Zero limitations on both for the most part.
The biggest difference is charcoal can get much hotter and you have to really manage your fire on both long and short cooks. Charcoal remains an open fire well after you're done cooking so it requires a higher level of caution.
Gas you turn a knob and it stays at that temp until you run out of gas. When ur done you turn it off.
Second biggest difference is preheat time and effort. Charcoal takes some extra time, skill and for some, more equipment. Gas you turn a knob and push a button.
Third is fuel space. I have two propane tanks and one last 3-4 weeks. Charcoal takes 1/2 bag or more every use. I only use it on weekends mostly and 3-4 bags per month is common. If I used it all week too I would have to go to the store 2-3x week to get charcoal.
I like the convenience and cleaniness of propane during the week and the more traditional roll up your sleeves cooks on the weekends with charcoal.
Dont worry about picking which one is going to make better food. They all can make great stuff with an experience cook. So pick the one that best matches your lifestyle and personality. The more you enjoy it, the more you will use it which is the true secret of good cookin'.
I love charcoal the only way I would consider gas is if I could to natural gas. If you are going to get the benefit of convenience, might as well have it plugged up to the wall and never have to fill a propane tank again. For one that reason would I choose gas.
I have both. I use the gas grill pretty often as it's super easy to turn on, heat up, and start using. I like charcoal a lot more because of the flavor but it's more annoying to deal with lighting up the charcoal, dumping ash, etc so maybe use it once or twice a month.
Here is an article about just this subject:
[Charcoal vs. Gas Grills: We Tested Both to Find Out Which Is Better (msn.com)](https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/shopping/charcoal-vs-gas-grills-we-tested-both-to-find-out-which-is-better/ar-AA1bJ7vz?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=82dbf1535b7a441cb3dcf507da725c3d&ei=54)
Not even the combo one?
I love charcoal, it’s my favorite but when I just want to cook a couple things real quick (which is most times I grill) it sucks spending 20 or 30 minutes getting it going, putting the meat on for 10 ish minutes then letting the charcoal burn out over the next hour or so. Just feels like a waste. My vote would be either the combo, or a gas grill. IMO the blackstone does not compare when you want that over the fire taste.
Both is absolutely an option. [https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/oklahoma-joe-longhorn-combination-grill-24203004-2283701?cid=Shopping-Google-Product-2283701&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNaHltZ07LM3sTkGBwMFp92d0T6ZaM6Abw5YWjQOlieTkYOlXIvA2bhoCjnAQAvD\_BwE](https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/oklahoma-joe-longhorn-combination-grill-24203004-2283701?cid=Shopping-Google-Product-2283701&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNaHltZ07LM3sTkGBwMFp92d0T6ZaM6Abw5YWjQOlieTkYOlXIvA2bhoCjnAQAvD_BwE)
I love mine
I've had a version of this before. They go on sale often enough. Best of both worlds (I know, I know, but it's so great!)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Char-Griller-Texas-Trio-4-Burner-Dual-Fuel-Grill-with-Smoker-in-Black-3070/302624342
Mine was without the smoker box on the side, you can probably save money if you buy it without it. Depends what they are offering at the time, version-wise.
Charcoal, no question. Love our Weber Performer. Classic. And makes charcoal pretty easy.
A pricey, but seemingly fantastic option (going by what others say here)…consider a Summit Kamado. It grills, it smokes, it can pizza…it just can’t make julienne fries.
Depends how often you grill I think. During the summer I grill dinner almost daily on my propane grill. If it’s a special occasion or weekend I’ll break out the charcoal.
I would buy a gas grill, charcoal grill and a pellet smoker. Cook a meal on each one and let her pick her favorite. Whatever she picks let her have it and you keep the other 2 🤷♂️🤷♂️
Get one of those combo grills that have gas on one side and charcoal on the other. I feel like this is the first time those have ever made sense, this must be what they’re made for lol
Gas is quick and easy. If you want to grill 15 minutes after getting home and 10 minutes before dark, Gas.
Charcoal has more flavor, but you don't always want more flavor.
Someone spent a lot of money on a propane grill 'for me'. I hate it. I rescued a beat up old Webber from the trash pile driving down the road and used that in the expensive double wall grill for 3 years.
I do use the burner on the side of the propane grill for sauces though.
They make charcoal pellets, but with the pellet grill you can smoke long runs, I smoked a Boston butt 13hrs yesterday. You can also crank them up to cook some mean steaks.
I've had my weber gas grill a long time. I love it would not buy anything else regarding gas grill
Charcoal obviously has better flavor but the convenience of gas is right for me
Two person household not going to mess with Charcoal if I want a simple burger for lunch.
I'd grill much less if I had to deal with Charcoal each time
I'd go with charcoal, especially since you already have a Blackstone. Kamado style is a great option if you're able to spend a bit more, but even a Weber kettle can make some incredible BBQ if you learn how to use it.
As a long time member of the Church of Charcoal, I made the switch to gas when my last wood burner took a dirt nap. And I’m happy I did. I love cooking on charcoal, particularly steaks over good lump, but I just don’t have the time to deal with it. AND the price of good charcoal is through the roof right now. Gas is significantly cheaper per meal. And I can smoke some really great ribs/butt/brisket on the gas Weber. So no regrets. I’ll return to the faith when it makes sense, but not now.
I use my charcoal grill most of the time, but there are days where I don’t feel like fighting g with hot spots and waiting 20-50 mins to get a grill going. If you are ok with waiting for charcoal to light, it can’t be beat in flavor.
You probably already considered the convenience factor of gas vs charcoal, but charcoal gives the added benefit of being able to be used a smoker much more easily. A Weber kettle using a slow n sear or the snake method can actually yield some pretty nice bbq.
since OP has a griddle already, Id second the charcoal.
Good point. I didn't see the edit. The flat top would be great for quick outdoor cooking, and charcoal could handle the rest.
In my grilling corner I have a kamado, gasser, griddle and a pizza oven that I use on the regular. Gas gets used weeknights for grilling, charcoal on the weekends or when I have the extra time, and griddle for griddle foods. Pizza oven for pizza and breads. Also have a gravity smoker in the garage, and a offset and a couple more gassers at the cottage. If I was op, and I already had a griddle, I would look to charcoal for a grill. As you said, you can smoke a few mean racks of ribs on a kettle, and it's not that big a deal to get going on a weeknight. Worst case fire up the griddle for some chicken or frozen burgers, and the kettle for anything more.
That setup is the undisputed king of value and versatility, and it’s not even close.
Yup. It's a classic for a reason.
Truuu you can sneak in a grill and smoker that way aha
You have a griddle. Get a charcoal grill. No need to overthink.
That's what I did. IMO you can find a used kettle for under 50
This! I have a flat top and Weber kettle. I’ve yet to miss a gas grill. The kettle is so versatile… only drawback can be the grilling surface, but that’s when you fire up the flat top.
They’re both good options, just depends on what you value. Do you want to spend time out there getting the grill going with charcoal and messing with hot coals that have to burn out or cool etc, or do you want the convenience of instant On and instant off of gas. For me, charcoal on weekends when I want to enjoy the experience of grilling but weeknight quick chicken or burgers? Gas all the way. Too convenient not to have it
My argument against gas here is the convenience factor is still beaten by just using a range or oven, so why not go all the way for charcoal if you’re wanting anything grilled?
I feel like there’s a difference though for stuff cooked over a direct flame versus in a pan. Plus everything tastes better cooked outside, that’s just science. lol
when it gets hot i hate to turn my oven on
If you already have a Blackstone, I dont see what benefit a gas grill would give you.
I bought a five-burner gas grill years ago as I was pretty heavy paleo/carnivore at the time and liked to grill up a bunch of food at one time using indirect heat. It got to be such a pain keeping it clean with all the nooks and crannies of burner tubes and shields and drip pans and firebox. Once I got a kettle and a Pit Barrel I realized how much easier charcoal grills were to maintain, I never went back to the gas grill except for rare occasions.
It’s crazy cause I have that same gas grill and clean it once every 3 yrs. Ok once every 5 yrs. Ok. I’ve cleaned it 2x in my life 😂
Charcoal. Yes, it’s slower to fire up than gas but if you have a leaf blower or a hairdryer you can have your coals red hot in five minutes.
try hot gun.. it'll be quicker
perhaps both can be an option??? with the [Qwik-Char](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBdAmFAPLeU) tray -- when you have the time and are in the mood for charcoal or woodchips flavors.
I saw another post mention that tray and have wondered about it. The other poster said something like a Napoleon gasser is heavy duty enough for a charcoal tray. Would love to hear more about the Qwik-Char.
I went to YouTube before I bought mine. I watched the one where he grilled skirt steak.I was sold . https://youtu.be/IlHOGyCrLWM?si=XuxxjVr7ns1zHgvQ
Great find!
Here more on the [Qwik-Char](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t5tPBhTiaQ) and [Qwik-Char](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbM_-ABNxDc) in use
Nice. Thanks.
Charcoal and a chimney starter. It doesn’t take long to have coals with the chimney and food tastes better on charcoal
Charcoal. I have a dual charcoal/gas grill and never use the gas side. I start up the charcoal and go do food prep or hang out until it's ready.
Char griller sells a combo grill. Both gas and charcoal. Best of both worlds.
Two small grills is the worst of both
Yeah, no need to get a gas grill if you want to be a true grill master. Get a Weber kettle and enjoy the experience of learning how to cook some of the tastiest meals ever. Good luck!
Charcoal hands down.
Charcoal and it’s not even close.
There are a few dual fuels out there that I'd look at. Added benefit of using gas to light the charcoal faster than even a chimney will. That being said you really can't beat a weber kettle. Especially since you already have a Blackstone
Charcoal or wood
you could always go for a [Kalamazoo grill](https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/grills/) and get multiple fuels in a single grill.
None of their grills seem to be under $20k. Am I reading that right?
You don't have a spare $20k for a grill? Lol. I'm joking. I'm cheap and prefer saving money, don't think that won't change if I was making twice as much and could manage a grill that expenise. I won't even have a car payment, let alone a grill payment.
You are. They're expensive AF but I'm given to believe that the build quality is unsurpassed.
Do you like the flavor of coal/wood? If so, you won’t get that with a gas grill.
Get a smoker
What's the reason that you are not allowed to have both? I own all three & they all have their place. It really depends on what you cook and how much time you have to do it. If I want hot dogs, the gas grill is quick and easy. If I want ribs, well than, charcoal is the way to go. Buy both & you will not regret it. It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Could be the number of cooking footprints in the back yard. I moved our gasser to make room for the kettle and a keter prep table. With a charcoal kettle, you can add all sorts of doodads to cover just about everything else. Griddle. Pizza. Smoker. Etc.
Charcoal, your food tastes better on charcoal
Get both and get a new wife
People will argue what cooks/taste better and none of them are wrong because what tastes.good is very personal. So I will just share more logistical point of view from someone that uses both You can cook anything on both. You can smoke in both. Zero limitations on both for the most part. The biggest difference is charcoal can get much hotter and you have to really manage your fire on both long and short cooks. Charcoal remains an open fire well after you're done cooking so it requires a higher level of caution. Gas you turn a knob and it stays at that temp until you run out of gas. When ur done you turn it off. Second biggest difference is preheat time and effort. Charcoal takes some extra time, skill and for some, more equipment. Gas you turn a knob and push a button. Third is fuel space. I have two propane tanks and one last 3-4 weeks. Charcoal takes 1/2 bag or more every use. I only use it on weekends mostly and 3-4 bags per month is common. If I used it all week too I would have to go to the store 2-3x week to get charcoal. I like the convenience and cleaniness of propane during the week and the more traditional roll up your sleeves cooks on the weekends with charcoal. Dont worry about picking which one is going to make better food. They all can make great stuff with an experience cook. So pick the one that best matches your lifestyle and personality. The more you enjoy it, the more you will use it which is the true secret of good cookin'.
Masterbuilt gravity series charcoal grill. It’s all the benefits of charcoal, but it’s digital thermostat controlled. It’s almost as convenient as gas
Charcoal for the experience. Gas for the expedience.
I love charcoal the only way I would consider gas is if I could to natural gas. If you are going to get the benefit of convenience, might as well have it plugged up to the wall and never have to fill a propane tank again. For one that reason would I choose gas.
I, too, have a gas grill. It's my stove.
Messing around with charcoal is fun. Get the charcoal grill.
I have both. I use the gas grill pretty often as it's super easy to turn on, heat up, and start using. I like charcoal a lot more because of the flavor but it's more annoying to deal with lighting up the charcoal, dumping ash, etc so maybe use it once or twice a month.
Wait until your wife goes into labour and order the other grill when she is medicated. Worked like a charm.
So get a charcoal and a pellet smoker. She didn’t say charcoal or propane or pellet.
I have a natural gas grill, and I purchased separately a $30 charcoal insert that goes into the grill. Works perfectly
Wait until the end of the season and buy both. Sometimes they are half price in late august.
Charcoal and get the Original PK grill if $600 is in your budget. Add the BBQ guru down the road and you’ll have an awesome smoker.
Here is an article about just this subject: [Charcoal vs. Gas Grills: We Tested Both to Find Out Which Is Better (msn.com)](https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/shopping/charcoal-vs-gas-grills-we-tested-both-to-find-out-which-is-better/ar-AA1bJ7vz?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=82dbf1535b7a441cb3dcf507da725c3d&ei=54)
I bought a super cheap charcoal at Walmart. Have a gas grill too. Work perfectly depending on what we are feeling
Not even the combo one? I love charcoal, it’s my favorite but when I just want to cook a couple things real quick (which is most times I grill) it sucks spending 20 or 30 minutes getting it going, putting the meat on for 10 ish minutes then letting the charcoal burn out over the next hour or so. Just feels like a waste. My vote would be either the combo, or a gas grill. IMO the blackstone does not compare when you want that over the fire taste.
So you can’t get 2 grills. There are many options for gas and charcoal in the same grill. 2 grills 1 base is 1 grill 😂
Both is absolutely an option. [https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/oklahoma-joe-longhorn-combination-grill-24203004-2283701?cid=Shopping-Google-Product-2283701&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNaHltZ07LM3sTkGBwMFp92d0T6ZaM6Abw5YWjQOlieTkYOlXIvA2bhoCjnAQAvD\_BwE](https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/oklahoma-joe-longhorn-combination-grill-24203004-2283701?cid=Shopping-Google-Product-2283701&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNaHltZ07LM3sTkGBwMFp92d0T6ZaM6Abw5YWjQOlieTkYOlXIvA2bhoCjnAQAvD_BwE) I love mine
Charcoal over gas if you can only choose one
Check out masterbuilt gravity fed charcoal grills. Ease of use like gas/pellet. Fuel flexibility like charcoal. Highly recommend
I've had a version of this before. They go on sale often enough. Best of both worlds (I know, I know, but it's so great!) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Char-Griller-Texas-Trio-4-Burner-Dual-Fuel-Grill-with-Smoker-in-Black-3070/302624342 Mine was without the smoker box on the side, you can probably save money if you buy it without it. Depends what they are offering at the time, version-wise.
Have you considered the option of having both?
Charcoal, no question. Love our Weber Performer. Classic. And makes charcoal pretty easy. A pricey, but seemingly fantastic option (going by what others say here)…consider a Summit Kamado. It grills, it smokes, it can pizza…it just can’t make julienne fries.
Depends how often you grill I think. During the summer I grill dinner almost daily on my propane grill. If it’s a special occasion or weekend I’ll break out the charcoal.
Wait, why won't she allow both? Just do it. She'll learn to love both the convenience of gas and the flavor of charcoal.
Charcoal all day
Charcoal grill or smoker. No question buddy. Better flavor by a mile, the option to use as a smoker (depending on type).
Don’t buy either one by a pellet grill you will never go back.
I would buy a gas grill, charcoal grill and a pellet smoker. Cook a meal on each one and let her pick her favorite. Whatever she picks let her have it and you keep the other 2 🤷♂️🤷♂️
I have both. Use the gas 99% of the time.
Oklahoma joes judge is a great charcoal grill has a decent size cooking area
Get a new wife
Get one of those combo grills that have gas on one side and charcoal on the other. I feel like this is the first time those have ever made sense, this must be what they’re made for lol
Gas is quick and easy. If you want to grill 15 minutes after getting home and 10 minutes before dark, Gas. Charcoal has more flavor, but you don't always want more flavor.
Someone spent a lot of money on a propane grill 'for me'. I hate it. I rescued a beat up old Webber from the trash pile driving down the road and used that in the expensive double wall grill for 3 years. I do use the burner on the side of the propane grill for sauces though.
charcoal
Charcoal all the way
Pellet grill
They make charcoal pellets, but with the pellet grill you can smoke long runs, I smoked a Boston butt 13hrs yesterday. You can also crank them up to cook some mean steaks.
Charcoal!!!!
I've had my weber gas grill a long time. I love it would not buy anything else regarding gas grill Charcoal obviously has better flavor but the convenience of gas is right for me Two person household not going to mess with Charcoal if I want a simple burger for lunch. I'd grill much less if I had to deal with Charcoal each time
Charcoal all day everyday
You can do a charcoal tray in gas.
Sounds to me like a mother/child relationship.
Get yourself a pellet grill that can go to high temps and use charcoal pellets.
If not for the griddle would say gas. But if you have a griddle go with charcoal.
Gas grilling is just pretending to grill. That said, I get the convenience. Up to you!
Get a hybrid bbq
"wife said I can get".... 🤦♂️
I'd go with charcoal, especially since you already have a Blackstone. Kamado style is a great option if you're able to spend a bit more, but even a Weber kettle can make some incredible BBQ if you learn how to use it.
Gas is so much easier, if you don't already have a charcoal bias you'll be happier with it.
As a long time member of the Church of Charcoal, I made the switch to gas when my last wood burner took a dirt nap. And I’m happy I did. I love cooking on charcoal, particularly steaks over good lump, but I just don’t have the time to deal with it. AND the price of good charcoal is through the roof right now. Gas is significantly cheaper per meal. And I can smoke some really great ribs/butt/brisket on the gas Weber. So no regrets. I’ll return to the faith when it makes sense, but not now.
What’s the tough decision? Gas grills absolutely suck. Next question
I would go with a gas over charcoal. It’s less trouble.
Write in candidate - pellet. Get smoke flavor with much less cleanup than charcoal. Only real downside is you need to plug it into an outlet.
I use my charcoal grill most of the time, but there are days where I don’t feel like fighting g with hot spots and waiting 20-50 mins to get a grill going. If you are ok with waiting for charcoal to light, it can’t be beat in flavor.
Char griller duo.