Comparing Propane vs. Charcoal Tandoori Grills

If you’re thinking about diving into the world of tandoori cooking, you may be wondering whether a propane tandoor or charcoal tandoor is better-suited for your grilling needs. There are many advantages and disadvantages associated with each type of grill, and understanding the differences between the two can help you make the most informed purchasing decision. Read on to find out whether or not a gas-powered tandoor or a charcoal tandoori grill is right for your backyard kitchen! 

Pros & Cons of Propane Tandoori Grills 

Advantages of Propane Tandoori Grills 

When cooking in a tandoor oven, the biggest challenge that prospective grill masters face is temperature control. However, with a propane tandoor, temperature control becomes much easier. Rather than constantly adjusting the heat of your charcoals at the bottom of the grill, a gas-powered tandoor allows you to simply adjust the amount of fuel being directed to your oven. This allows for a more simplified cooking experience overall. 

Thanks to the enhanced ability to control your cooking temperature, this also makes it more convenient to fire up the tandoor and cook an authentic Indian meal during busier nights of the week. 

“Propane allows me to use my tandoor on busy weeknights when I don’t have much time,” explains former MasterChef contestant, Shari Mukherjee. 

Disadvantages of Propane Tandoori Grills 

One of the biggest reasons for purchasing a tandoor oven is the ability to achieve a truly authentic Indian flavor right in your own backyard. While propane tandoors offer a much more traditional taste than your indoor oven, they are unable to achieve the same smoky flavor profile that charcoal tandoori grills can provide. 

Pros & Cons of Charcoal Tandoori Grills 

Advantages of Charcoal Tandoori Grills 

As we mentioned before, authentic flavor is one of the strongest arguments for purchasing a tandoor oven in the first place. For a smoky, unmistakably tandoori meal, few grilling options are better than charcoal. While your meats and vegetables cook, the juices spill down onto the charcoals, creating a flavorful, smoky convection-style cooking chamber. 

While charcoal heat is harder to control, some grillers prefer the challenge of cooking in the true tandoori style. Just as the Punjabi people prepared their meals over vertical clay pots with burning embers at the bottom, charcoal-powered tandoor ovens mirror the historical culinary traditions of the Indian ancestors responsible for all your favorite tandoori treats. 

Disadvantages of Charcoal Tandoori Grills 

Because you’re using charcoal as your fuel source, you won’t have the same control over temperature as you would with a propane tandoor. You’ll need to experiment a bit in order to find the sweet spot for your ideal cooking temperature. 

Not only is charcoal more difficult to control, but depending on the type of charcoal you use, you could end up with a poorer flavor profile. While charcoal does provide a smokier taste, self-igniting charcoal or use of charcoal fluid to ignite the fire can produce a foul, petrochemical odor that can taint the food. For this reason, it’s recommended that you use a torch or electric charcoal starter to ignite the fire. 

Which Grill is Best for Your Backyard? 

Much of your decision to choose either a propane or charcoal tandoori grill comes down to personal preference. In most cases, those who are new to the art of tandoori cooking prefer the enhanced thermal control and convenience that propane ovens provide. More seasoned grill masters, on the other hand, are more eager to embrace the challenge associated with a charcoal tandoor oven — not to mention the added benefit of a more traditional tandoori flavor profile. 

Dual Action Grilling with Hōmdoor Tandoori Grills

While other tandoori grill companies might make you choose between charcoal or propane, Hōmdoor is proud to offer industry-leading culinary technology that allows you to try your hand at both with one grill. Both of our residential tandoori grilling options come available in charcoal, propane, or natural gas configurations, and our gas home tandoors can easily be converted to charcoal. No matter what your comfort level with gas or charcoal tandoori cooking, you can do it all with your own Hōmdoor. Shop our residential tandoors online to find your backyard BBQ bestie today!