Charcoal or propane? The choice is yours
Article content
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
This is a hot topic, and you can take that both literally and figuratively.
It is, in fact, a perennial debate in which neither side will ever concede victory to the other. Which is better for grilling: charcoal or gas?
Advertisement 2
Article content
As much as we love Hank Hill, noted purveyor of propane and propane accessories, we are not going to pick a side here. Not publicly, at least. Instead, we’ll just give you a few pros and cons of each and let you decide for yourself. It’s worth noting that there are other BBQ options out there — namely natural-gas and pellet grills — but for the purposes of this article, we will be focusing on charcoal and propane.
Pros of charcoal grills:
- Smoky flavour: Those who swear by that charcoal-grilled taste will tell you that you just can’t get the same level of flavour with a propane grill. The charcoal gives a distinctive smoky flavour to the food, especially when using wood chips.
- High heat: Charcoal grills can reach high temperatures, making them ideal for searing steaks and other meats.
- Portability: Charcoal grills are often lighter and more portable than propane grills, making them ideal for camping or tailgating.
- Inexpensive fuel: Charcoal is generally less expensive than propane, so you can save money on fuel costs over time.
Cons of charcoal grills:
- Longer prep time: Charcoal grills take longer to heat up than propane grills, and you need to wait for the coals to burn down to the right temperature before cooking.
- Messy: Charcoal grills produce ash that needs to be cleaned up after use, which can be messy and time-consuming.
- Inconsistent heat: It can be harder to control the temperature of a charcoal grill, and it may take some practice to get the hang of it.
- Potentially hazardous: While it’s not really a problem if you’re grilling in a well-ventilated area (which you should be anyway), charcoal grills produce carbon monoxide and other potentially harmful gases.
Advertisement 3
Article content
Pros of propane grills:
- Quick heat-up time: Anyone who has ever struggled to get a charcoal barbecue lit can testify that the struggle is real; propane grills generally fire up right away.
- Consistent heat: It’s easier to control the temperature of a propane grill, and you can adjust the heat as needed.
- Clean: Propane grills are usually cleaner and less messy than charcoal grills, with no ash to clean up.
- Safer: Propane grills produce fewer harmful gases than charcoal grills, making them generally safer to use.
Cons of propane grills:
- No smoky flavour: Propane grills don’t provide the smoky flavour that charcoal grills do (see above), so you may need to use wood chips or other methods to add flavour.
- More expensive fuel: Propane is generally more expensive than charcoal, so you may spend more on fuel over time.
- Less portable: Propane grills are often heavier and less portable than charcoal grills, which can make them harder to transport.
- Fuel supply: If you don’t keep an eye on your supply, you could run out of propane halfway through grilling, which could really put a damper on your family reunion or Grey Cup party.
Article content
Advertisement 4
Article content
Armed with all of that information, take a look at a few of the best grills available in Canada.
Summary of the best grills
Best overall (propane): Weber Genesis S-335 LP
Best overall (charcoal): Weber Original 22-inch Black Kettle Charcoal Grill
Best grill for campers: Cuisinart CGG-750 Venture
Best splurge grill: Broil King Regal S690 PRO IR
Best grill for beginners: Char-Broil Classic 280
Best electric grill: Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill
Best grills in Canada explained
Best overall (propane): Weber Genesis E-335 LP
You might notice that the two grills we’ve named as the overall best in their categories are both made by Weber Inc. There’s a reason why Weber leads the pack. In spite of being one of the longest-established companies in the game (it started as a sheet-metal shop in the 1890s and has been making grills for more than 70 years), Weber continues to innovate. In 2021, for example, Weber acquired June, a pioneer in cutting-edge kitchen automation.
The Genesis S-335 earns its laurels thanks to its versatility. Weber touts that you can grill, bake and even stir-fry on it. This grill features the largest and hottest sear zone in the company’s entire range — and with the expandable top cooking grate, side burner and extra-large side table, there’s plenty of room to really get the party started and cook an entire restaurant-quality. Provided you have the culinary know-how to do so, that is. You can also just do burgers and hot dogs on it.
Advertisement 5
Article content
Price: $1,399 – $2,273
Where to buy: Amazon | Weber
Best overall (charcoal): Weber Original 22-inch Black Kettle Charcoal Grill
The Swingline 747 stapler. The Fender Stratocaster guitar. The KitchenAid stand mixer.
Some products were so well-conceived and so perfectly suited to their function that they have survived for generations virtually unchanged.
Weber’s Kettle design has stood the test of time. In fact, the version on the market today is essentially identical to the one that your parents or grandparents used to have on their back deck (and possibly still do).
This grill offers outstanding cooking performance with its ample cooking space and durable grates that create those signature grill marks. The adjustable vents provide precise heat control (although mastering this may require some practice), allowing for various cooking techniques.
The Kettle is, simply put, a classic and reliable outdoor cooking companion. Its exceptional build quality and even heat distribution make it a standout option. And the retro aesthetic doesn’t hurt either, especially if you can pair it with your grandpa’s old “Kiss the Cook” BBQ apron.
Advertisement 6
Article content
Price: $199 – $279
Where to buy: Rona | Amazon | Walmart | Weber
Best grill for campers: Cuisinart CGG-750 Venture
Were we tempted to put yet another Weber product in this category? Yes. Yes, we were. In fact, the Weber Q 1200 is certainly one of the best portable grills available. In the interest of spreading the love a little farther, however, we opted to go in a different direction.
Were we swayed by the fact that the Cuisinart CGG-750 Venture has a sleek and stylish look? Also yes. In fact, one reviewer declared the Venture to be the most Instagram-worthy portable grill on the market. We can’t argue with that, but this unit’s design is impressive for reasons other than how pretty it looks.
This is more than just a hot surface for grilling (specifically, a porcelain-enamelled cast iron cooking grate); it’s really a miniature kitchen. The folding side shelves offer extra workspace for food preparation, and they can be folded down for compact storage. The most clever feature of all, though, is the fact that the lid doubles as a cutting board. How cool is that?
Price: $298
Where to buy: Amazon
Advertisement 7
Article content
Best splurge grill: Broil King Regal S690 PRO IR
Is it somewhat ridiculous to spend over $3,000 (after taxes) on a barbecue? For most of us, it almost certainly is. On the other hand, this thing is, well, ridiculous. In the best possible way.
The Broil King Regal S690 PRO IR boasts two separate ovens, six burners and a rotisserie. A rotisserie! It also comes with a high-powered 10,000 BTU infrared side burner designed to generate a scorching-hot 927 C (1,700 F) flame
Why would you ever need to cook something at that high of a temperature? If you have to ask that question, this is not the grill for you. If, on the other hand, you know exactly why you would want to heat something up to temperatures that rival the planet’s molten core, you might have just found your dream machine.
Price: $2,799
Where to buy: Rona
Best grill for beginners: Char-Broil Classic 280
Getting into grilling can be a big commitment. It can also be insanely pricey (see the Broil King Regal S690 PRO IR, above).
The Char-Broil Classic 280 is a good starter grill because it’s compact enough to fit on most apartment patios and its price tag is in a range that means you won’t have too much remorse if you get one month into barbecue season and conclude that this grilling business isn’t for you and DoorDash is about to become your new best friend.
Advertisement 8
Article content
The Classic 280 is a basic two-burner liquid-propane grill that is low on frills but easy to use and durable, with a porcelain-coated steel lid and firebox designed to stand up to weather and the elements.
Price: $159
Where to buy: Walmart | Rona
Best electric grill: Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill
Many condos and townhouses don’t allow propane grills, but that doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on grilling season entirely.
This Ninja grill is entirely electric, offering a safe, smoke-free way to enjoy grilled meats, veggies and more. It offers all the performance of a full-size propane grill with the same char and searing with optional wood-seared flavour when you add wood pellets. This grill also acts as a smoker and an outdoor air fryer for multipurpose cooking.
For precise cooking every time, this grill also has the benefit of two built-in digital thermometers. Just use the Ninja ProConnect app to pair your grill to your phone. It monitors and control cook time and temp, receives real-time notifications, and offers easy-to-use cooking charts — ideal for beginners.
Price: $399
Where to buy: Amazon | Canadian Tire
Recommended from Editorial
-
Best air fryers in Canada — what to consider before buying
-
Titanium Always Pan Pro review: Seriously non-stick
Shopping Essentials is a category written by research-obsessed shopping experts. Explore product reviews, recommendations and launches — plus behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and hidden gems — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter.
Looking for savings? Look no further than our coupons page for discounts on your favourite brands.
Article content