I have been running both a pellet grill and a three burner gas grill in my backyard for two summers. People keep asking me the same question, so I cooked the same brisket, the same burgers, and the same chicken thighs on both rigs to settle it.
The short version: gas grills win on speed and weeknight burgers, pellet grills win on flavor and low and slow cooks. The longer version depends on how often you actually grill and how patient you are.
Quick comparison
| Model | Type | Cook Area | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Pro 575 | Pellet | 572 sq in | Smoke flavor, set and forget |
| Weber Spirit II E-310 | Gas | 529 sq in | Weeknight grilling, fast heat |
| Pit Boss Pro Series 850 | Pellet | 849 sq in | Large cooks, mixed grilling |
| Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner | Gas | 475 sq in | Budget gas pick |
| Weber SmokeFire EX4 | Pellet | 672 sq in | High heat searing on pellets |
Traeger Pro 575
This is the pellet grill I cook on most weekends. It hits 180 to 500 degrees, the WiFire app actually works after the latest firmware, and the D2 controller holds temp within about 10 degrees once it settles. I smoked a 14 pound brisket for 12 hours and the bark was textbook. Where it falls short is searing, the grates only get to around 450 on the surface and that is not enough for a proper steak crust. For ribs, pork shoulder, and whole chicken it is my first pick.
Weber Spirit II E-310
When my wife asks for burgers in 20 minutes, I light this grill. Three stainless burners, full preheat in about 10 minutes, and the porcelain enameled cast iron grates leave clean sear marks. I have had no flameouts in two years and the igniter still fires first click. The trade off is flavor, you get grill marks and char but no real wood smoke. For weeknight cooking it is hard to beat at this size and price.
Pit Boss Pro Series 850
If you want pellet flavor with more real estate, this is the one I recommend. 849 square inches let me fit two pork butts and a rack of ribs at the same time. The hopper holds 32 pounds of pellets so I can do an overnight cook without refilling. Temperature swing is wider than the Traeger, I saw 25 degree dips when the auger cycled, but the food does not care at 225 degrees. Build quality is solid for the price.
Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner
I bought this as a loaner grill for my brother and ended up borrowing it back to test. Four burners, side burner, and a decent sized warming rack for under $400. The lid is thin and heat distribution is uneven on the outer burners, but for hot dogs, burgers, and chicken breasts on a Tuesday it gets the job done. Replacement parts are cheap and widely available.
Weber SmokeFire EX4
Weber tried to solve the pellet sear problem with this one, and it mostly works. I hit 600 degrees at the grate surface and got a real crust on a ribeye. The flavor is lighter than the Traeger at low temps, which some people prefer and some do not. Cleanup is more work because grease drips straight onto the heat deflector. If you only want one grill and refuse to compromise, this is the closest single answer.
How to choose
Buy a gas grill if you cook two or three times a week, want food on plates in 30 minutes, and do not care about smoke flavor. Buy a pellet grill if you love brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, and you do not mind a 30 minute startup. If you have the space and budget, owning both is the honest answer, gas for weeknights and pellet for weekends.
Frequently asked questions
Does a pellet grill use more electricity than a gas grill?+
Yes. Pellet grills need a 120V outlet to run the auger and fan, while propane gas grills run off the tank and a battery igniter.
Can a gas grill smoke food like a pellet grill?+
Not really. You can add a smoker box, but the flavor is light. Pellet grills burn hardwood and produce true smoke at low temps.