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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →No: electric BBQs have not made gas or charcoal obsolete. They offer compact, convenient cooking when you have a suitable outdoor power point, while gas remains easy to control and charcoal still offers a smoky flavour and high heat. The best choice depends on your space, cooking priorities, upkeep and local rules.
How electric, gas and charcoal BBQs compare
| Factor | Electric | Gas | Charcoal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup and heat-up | Compact and straightforward to set up; Which? reports quick heat-up in its recent tests. Needs mains power. | Easy to light and start cooking. | Can take up to 40 minutes to reach temperature, according to CHOICE (2026), and needs time to cool. |
| Temperature and searing | Which? found its tested grills often held a good cooking temperature. CHOICE advises looking for a solid char-grill plate capable of around 300°C; that is buying guidance, not a guarantee for every model. | Good adjustable temperature control, though some models can have flare-ups or hot and cold spots. | Can reach higher temperatures than electric or gas, according to Which?. |
| Flavour | May lack the smoky flavour associated with charcoal. Some models add a smoker box; Which? says the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL uses wood pellets for this. | Does not provide charcoal’s classic smoky taste. | Known for a classic smoky taste. |
| Space and capacity | Often compact. Which? lists the Weber Lumin Compact Outdoor Barbecue at 12 kg, with a 43 by 28 cm grill area and a 1.8 m cable (2026 specifications). | Some models include side burners. | Available in a range of sizes; choose a capacity that suits your needs. |
| Cleaning and upkeep | Generally straightforward to clean; clean grates after use and follow the maker’s instructions. | No ash or coal cleanup, but fuel storage is a consideration. | Leaves ash to clean and needs closer attention while cooking. |
| Running costs | Regular use can increase electricity bills, but the available sources do not establish a comparable cost per cook. | Requires ongoing fuel purchases; no comparable running-cost figure is established. | Requires charcoal; no comparable running-cost figure is established. |
The comparison reflects Which?’s published fuel-type guidance and testing reports, not a head-to-head test of every model. Its retrieved comparison does not provide complete model scores or prices, so it cannot support a definitive product ranking.
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What recent electric BBQ tests show
Which? reports testing the Weber Lumin, Ninja Woodfire Pro XL and Napoleon TravelQ electric BBQs over the past couple of years. It says the grills it tested heated quickly and often maintained a good cooking temperature. In those tests, it found the Weber Lumin produced charred food. These are Which?’s results for those tested models, not a guarantee about every electric BBQ.
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Which? also quotes independent chef James Adams, who it says has tested barbecues for more than 10 years: “I’m impressed by just how easy and convenient the electric grills I’ve tested are to set up and use. They’re compact, look great and really pack a punch.” That is his assessment of the grills he tried, rather than a measured claim about the whole category.
#1 Best Overall
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Choose by your cooking priorities
Electric suits compact, convenient cooking
Consider electric if you have a suitable outdoor mains outlet and want a grill that is relatively easy to set up and clean. Its smaller format can work where storage space is tight. Check the cable length, cooking area and the appliance’s outdoor-use requirements before buying. Electric may not deliver the smoky taste or heat profile you want, and the appliance should not be used in wet weather, according to Which?.
Gas suits quick starts and adjustable heat
Gas is a practical choice if you value easy lighting and responsive temperature control. Account for fuel storage and ongoing fuel costs, and be aware that flare-ups or uneven hot and cool areas can occur.
Rank #2
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Charcoal suits smoky flavour and high heat
Choose charcoal if its smoky flavour and high attainable temperatures matter more than fast setup. Allow time to light and cool the BBQ, stay attentive while cooking, and plan for ash cleanup. CHOICE says lighting can take up to 40 minutes and calls for good ventilation because of smoke and cinders.
Check power, weather and local rules
- Make sure there is a nearby outdoor power point and that the cable reaches safely; the Weber Lumin Compact specification listed by Which? is 1.8 m, but check the current regional product listing before relying on that figure.
- Follow the specific appliance instructions for outdoor use and weather. Which? says electric BBQs are not suitable for wet weather.
- Do not assume electric cooking is automatically allowed on a balcony. Check building, tenancy and local rules. CHOICE warns against barbecuing on enclosed balconies; its guidance does not establish one universal rule for electric BBQs across jurisdictions.
- Choose a BBQ sized for the amount of food you usually cook. The Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water also advises choosing an appropriate size so you do not heat more cooking space than necessary.
Electricity use and emissions: what can be said
The available sources do not give a reliable, comparable electricity-use figure or cost per cook for electric BBQs. Actual cost depends on the model’s power, how long and often it is used, and local electricity tariffs. The sources also do not establish a current like-for-like ranking of gas, charcoal and electricity running costs.
Rank #3
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On emissions, the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water says: “Gas BBQs have been shown to emit nearly 3 times less greenhouse gases than charcoal.” That statement compares gas with charcoal only. It is not a comparison with electric BBQs and does not establish lifecycle emissions, so it cannot show that electric is automatically the lowest-emissions option.
Keep the grill clean
Which? advises cleaning the grates after use, following the manufacturer’s care instructions and choosing tools that will not damage the grate. A proper BBQ brush is one possible option; check that it is suitable for your grill surface.
Rank #4
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Verdict: electric adds a useful option, not a replacement for every BBQ
An electric BBQ is a credible choice for convenient, compact cooking if you have suitable power and do not require charcoal’s smoky flavour. Gas and charcoal remain useful for different priorities: gas for easy lighting and adjustable heat, charcoal for smoky taste and higher attainable temperatures. No single fuel type is best for every space or cooking style.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
