Electric vs Gas vs Charcoal BBQ: Your 2025 Guide

Ah, the great Aussie BBQ. It’s not just cooking, it’s a way of life. Weekends revolve around it. Mates gather around it. Cold ones get cracked beside it. But here’s the thing: choosing the right BBQ? That’s no small feat.

In 2025, the humble backyard grill has gone next-gen, with gas, charcoal, and now electric BBQs all vying for your attention. Fast heat-ups, smoky flavours, smart tech… it’s a lot. We get it - the options can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help you cut through the noise.

In this guide, we’ll break it all down, clearly, honestly, and with your lifestyle in mind. We’ll weigh up flavour, cost, convenience, and even council regulations, so you can choose the best BBQ machine for your space. So whether you’ve got a full backyard setup or a two-seater balcony in a no-flame zone, let’s find your perfect Ninja BBQ match. Together we can make sure your next grill-up is your best one yet.

Grill smarter, not harder.

👉 Discover the Ninja Grills and Outdoor Cooking range.

The Head-to-Head Showdown: Comparing the BBQ Types

When it comes to BBQs in Australia, everyone has an opinion. And for good reason! Your grill isn’t just an appliance; it’s part of your lifestyle. Whether you’re firing it up for a Sunday sausage sizzle or just trying to get dinner sorted after work, the type of BBQ you choose makes a big difference, from the flavour you get to how much mess you’re left with.

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at how electric, gas, and charcoal BBQs compare across the most important factors:

Category	Charcoal BBQ	Gas BBQ	Electric BBQ
Flavour Profile	🪵 Deep smoky flavour, classic BBQ bark	🔥 Mild smokiness, natural char	🔥Cleaner taste, but modern models offer real woodfire flavour
Ease of Use	❌ Time-consuming to light & manage	✅ Fast ignition, simple control	✅ Plug in, press a button, you’re off
Heat-Up Time	🕓 20–30 mins	✅ Fast ignition, simple control	✅ Plug in, press a button, you’re off
Temperature Control	⚠️ Manual vents, less precise	✅ Dial or knob control	✅ Digital or auto temp control
Safety	❌ Open flame, sparks, ash	⚠️ Requires gas bottles, risk of leaks	✅ No flame, low smoke, council-friendly
Apartment Friendly	❌ Usually not allowed	❌ Often restricted	✅ Yes! Ideal for small spaces with no flame zones
Running Costs	💸 Bags of charcoal = adds up	💸 Gas bottle refills can sting	👇Lower long-term cost with standard electricity use
Cleanup	❌ Ash, soot, scrubbing grates	⚠️ Grease & drip trays	✅ Non-stick surfaces, minimal mess
Versatility & Cooking Functions	⚠️ Grill only, maybe smoker if upgraded	⚠️ Grill & roast; limited beyond that	✅ Grill, smoke, roast, air fry, bake, dehydrate, reheat
Size & Portability	❌ Bulky, heavy, fixed in place	⚠️ Varies, but often large setups	✅ Compact, portable, some with foldable stands & covers

Let’s dig a little deeper. The table gives you the snapshot - now let’s break it down so you can figure out what really matters for your backyard (or balcony) cook-ups.

Flavour Profile: Charcoal’s King… or is it?

Charcoal brings bold, smoky flavour and that classic BBQ bark. Gas offers a milder char, especially with smoking boxes. But electric BBQs have caught up, and the Ninja Woodfire™ Pro XL and the Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker use real wood pellets to deliver authentic smoke and sear, without the mess. These models are big wins for balconies.

Ease of Use & Convenience: No One Misses Lighter Fluid

Charcoal takes effort, and gas is quicker. It still needs prep and clean-up time though. Electric? Just plug in and press go. It’s really that simple. With Ninja’s Smart Probe tech, you don’t even need to check the meat - it’s set-and-forget grilling.

Heat-Up Time & Temp Control: Time is of the Essence

Charcoal can take 30 minutes to get cooking. Gas is faster, but still variable. Electric grills like Ninja Sizzle™ and Smart XL Grill heat up in minutes, and stay precise thanks to digital controls and smart temp tracking.

Safety & Apartment Living: Know the Rules

Most apartments ban gas and charcoal due to fire risk. Electric BBQs are flame-free, smoke-light, and council-friendly, making them the safest option for balconies. The Ninja Woodfire™ range is designed specifically for this.

Running Costs & Fuel: What’s This Going to Cost Me?

Charcoal and gas both add up over time with fuel refills. Electric grills run on household power, and Ninja’s wood pellets? Just half a cup adds smoky flavour.

Cleanup: The Not-So-Fun Part

Charcoal = ash and elbow grease. Gas = greasy trays. Ninja electric BBQs? They offer non-stick, removable parts and are dishwasher-friendly. That means minimal mess and maximum ease.

Section 2: The Pros and Cons of Each Grill

Not all BBQs are created equal. Each type has its perks and pitfalls, and the best one for you depends on how (and where) you love to cook. Here’s a quick breakdown:

The Purist’s Choice: The Charcoal Grill

Pros:

Unbeatable smoky flavour
Reaches high temps for perfect sears
Ideal for slow-smoking and BBQ bark

Cons:

Slow to heat up
Harder to control temperature
Messy to clean
Usually not allowed in apartment buildings

The Crowd-Pleaser: The Gas BBQ

Pros:

Quick to ignite and heat up
Great temp control with dials
Easy to cook for large groups
Familiar and widely available

Cons:

Lacks that deep, smoky flavour
Requires gas bottles (storage, refills, safety)
Can be bulky
Flame restrictions often apply in apartments

The Modern Contender: The Electric BBQ

Pros:

Plug-in simplicity - just set and go
Safe and flame-free (ideal for balconies and apartments)
Precise temperature control with digital tech
Minimal cleanup

Cons:

Historically lacked that authentic BBQ flavour… until now.

The Game Changer: Electric Convenience Meets Woodfire Flavour

Electric BBQs don’t mean giving up that authentic smoky taste Aussies love. Not with our Woodfire™ Technology. Yep, Ninja Kitchen has cracked the code.

Introducing Ninja Woodfire™ Technology

The secret is a small dose of 100% real hardwood pellets. These aren’t for fuel - they’re for flavour. With just ½ cup, Ninja’s Woodfire™ grills generate rich, smoky flavour you can see and taste, all without the hassle of charcoal or gas. Using real BBQ bark, real woodfire aroma, and real outdoor flavour, the Ninja Woodfire™ range gives you the convenience and control of an electric BBQ but with the authentic, smoky taste of a traditional charcoal grill,

Meet the Ninja Outdoor Grills

For the Ultimate Entertainer:

Ninja Woodfire™ Pro XL Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker

Got a crowd to feed? The Pro XL is built for it. With 30% more cooking space than the original model, it’s made to handle everything from weekend BBQs to game-day feasts.

4-in-1 functionality: Grill, Smoke, Air Fry, Roast
Smart Cook System: Built-in thermometer with 4 protein settings and 5 doneness levels
Weather-resistant: Built to cook and store outdoors all year round
Pellet-powered flavour: Foolproof BBQ smoke with just half a cup of wood pellets

From steaks to smoked brisket to crispy wings - the Pro XL handles it all.

For Maximum Versatility:

Ninja Woodfire™ Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker

Short on space but big on variety? The original Ninja Woodfire™ Electric BBQ packs serious punch with 7-in-1 cooking functions:

Grill, Smoke, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
Smart Probe for hands-free doneness
Compact, weatherproof, and apartment-friendly
Grill 6 steaks, air fry 1.3kg of wings, or smoke a 4kg brisket - all in one compact machine

Think of it as your outdoor kitchen in a single unit - ideal for the balcony, patio, or a patch of lawn.

No Backyard? No Worries! The Rise of the Indoor Grill

Not everyone has the luxury of a backyard. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on BBQ flavour. Ninja’s indoor grills bring seared perfection, juicy meats, and crispy chips straight to your kitchen - no open flames required.

Get Perfect Chargrilled Results on Your Countertop

With compact designs, smart cooking systems, and low-smoke performance, Ninja’s indoor range is tailor-made for apartment living, rainy day grilling, and even late-night snack runs.

For Sizzling & Searing: Ninja Sizzle™ Indoor Grill & Flat Plate

This compact benchtop powerhouse brings the heat, literally.

Edge-to-edge grilling at up to 260°C
Interchangeable grill and flat plates
Low smoke performance thanks to the clever mesh lid
Perfect for burgers, fajitas, pancakes, and more
Feeds 4–6 people with ease

Whether it’s midweek steak or Sunday breakfast, the Ninja Sizzle™ brings BBQ flavour to your benchtop, without smoking out your kitchen.

The Smart Indoor All-Rounder: Ninja Foodi™ Smart XL Grill & Air Fryer

Want an indoor BBQ that basically cooks for you? The Smart XL Grill is your new best mate.

Smart Cook System with built-in probe - set your doneness and walk away
260°C Rapid Cyclonic Air for surround searing
6 functions in one: Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
XL capacity fits 6 steaks or a full 1.4kg roast
Virtually smoke-free, even when grilling indoors
Dishwasher-safe parts for easy clean-up

From frozen to chargrilled in under 30 minutes, the Smart XL Grill is ideal for those nights when you forgot to defrost dinner but still want something epic.

So, Which BBQ is Right for You?

At the end of the day, BBQs aren’t just about heat and meat. They’re about how you want to cook, where you want to gather, and the kind of flavour and freedom you want to enjoy.

For those who see BBQ as an art (slow, smoky, and worth every second), charcoal keeps the tradition alive. For those who want a reliable, straightforward setup without too much prep or cleanup, gas can be great. But for modern Aussie lifestyles (especially if you’re juggling space, time, and fire restrictions), you can’t go wrong with Ninja’s range of outdoor BBQs and indoor grills.

Picture this: It’s Saturday arvo. You’ve got a cold drink in hand and the irresistible scent of smoked baby back ribs curling through the air. The neighbours are jealous, the kids are hungry, and your Ninja Woodfire™ Pro XL is doing all the hard work - smoking, roasting, air frying the wings on the side. You didn’t even need to check the meat. The smart probe had it covered.

Tomorrow the weather turns, but you don’t care. Ninja’s got your back, rain or shine.

You’re flipping beef burgers on the Ninja Sizzle™ in your kitchen, and with no flare-ups, and no smoke alarm drama, you decide to add some charred corn and grilled halloumi. Why not?

These grills don’t just cook. They elevate your weekends, transform Tuesday night dinners, and bring real woodfire flavour to backyards, balconies, and benchtops alike. So, whether you're a backyard host, a city-dweller craving smoke without the flame, or someone who just wants ribs that fall off the bone without needing a pitmaster's licence, Ninja’s range of outdoor BBQs and indoor grills bring something totally new to the table: real woodfire flavour, zero flames, year-round convenience.