Fuel Cost Calculator
Propane, pellets, lump, briquettes, natural gas, electric — what does a cook actually cost you? Punch in your numbers and find out per cook, per month, and per year.
Steak: 1 hr · Chicken: 2 hrs · Ribs: 5–6 hrs · Pork butt: 10 hrs · Brisket: 14 hrs
Adjust your local fuel prices
Defaults are US averages. Update with your actual prices for a real number.
The verdict for a 8-hour low & slow cook
Cheapest fuel
Electric (Smoker)
$1.92 per cook
Most expensive
Charcoal Briquettes
$24.00 per cook
Yearly difference
$1590/yr
at 6 cooks/month
Cost breakdown by fuel
| Fuel | Per Cook | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
Electric (Smoker)Cheapest $0.16 / kWh | $1.92 | $138 |
Natural Gas $1.50 / therm | $3.00 | $216 |
Wood Pellets $22.00 / 20 lb bag | $8.80 | $634 |
Propane $25.00 / 20 lb tank | $10.00 | $720 |
Lump Charcoal $32.00 / 20 lb bag | $21.33 | $1536 |
Charcoal BriquettesPriciest $24.00 / 18 lb bag | $24.00 | $1728 |
What your grill actually uses
Gas Grill
- Propane$10.00
- Natural Gas$3.00
Best value: Natural Gas
Pellet Grill
- Wood Pellets$8.80
Best value: Wood Pellets
Kamado
- Charcoal Briquettes$24.00
- Lump Charcoal$21.33
Best value: Lump Charcoal
Charcoal Kettle
- Charcoal Briquettes$24.00
- Lump Charcoal$21.33
Best value: Lump Charcoal
Offset Smoker
- Charcoal Briquettes$24.00
- Lump Charcoal$21.33
Best value: Lump Charcoal
Electric Smoker
- Electric (Smoker)$1.92
Best value: Electric (Smoker)
What you need to know about each fuel
Propane
Refills at hardware stores run $18–$22. Tank swaps (Blue Rhino etc.) usually $25–$32 and you lose unused gas.
Natural Gas
Cheapest per cook by far, but requires plumbing and a NG-converted grill. Price varies wildly by region ($0.80–$2.50/therm).
Wood Pellets
Premium 100% hardwood pellets (Lumberjack, Bear Mountain, B&B) cost $20–$28/bag. Cheap pellets are mostly oak with flavor oils — burn fast.
Charcoal Briquettes
Kingsford Original ~$22–$26 for an 18 lb bag. Burns longer and more predictably than lump, but with binders/fillers.
Lump Charcoal
Pure hardwood, hotter burn, cleaner taste. $28–$40 for a quality 20 lb bag. The standard for kamados.
Electric (Smoker)
US average electricity rate $0.16/kWh. Cheap to run but limited to electric smokers (Bradley, Masterbuilt, etc.).
How to cut your fuel bill in half
- 1.Refill, don't swap propane tanks. Tank swaps charge for a "full" tank that's only 15 lbs — you're paying ~30% extra per pound. Hardware-store refills charge for actual weight.
- 2.Buy pellets and charcoal off-season. Home Depot and Lowes clear inventory in October–November at 30–50% off. Stock up if you have dry storage.
- 3.Convert to natural gas if you own the home. A $40 conversion kit pays itself off in 3–6 months for a frequent griller. Cost per cook drops ~70%.
- 4.Use a chimney starter and snuff coals. Close the vents to extinguish unburnt lump/briquettes after a cook and re-use them next time. Saves 20–30%.
- 5.Cook in batches. One 10-hour smoke for three meals' worth of pulled pork costs the same as one meal. Cost-per-serving plummets.
- 6.Insulate your grill in winter. A welding blanket on a pellet smoker can cut pellet consumption by 30–40% in freezing temps.
Pair this with
Maintenance Calendar
Keep your grill efficient — dirty grills burn way more fuel.
Wood Pairing Guide
Cheap pellets save money but ruin flavor. Pick the right wood.
Grill Finder Quiz
Shopping? Factor lifetime fuel cost into your decision.
Calculations are estimates based on published manufacturer burn rates and average US fuel prices. Your real-world results vary with weather, insulation, lid-opening habits, and grill condition. Adjust the inputs for your situation.