Anyone switching from a traditional barbecue to cooking on a plancha will immediately notice that the outdoor cooking experience changes. Not only in terms of technique, but also in pace, control and how you use the BBQ. A plancha is all about direct contact with a hot cooking surface, while a traditional BBQ mainly involves grilling on an open grate above fire or charcoal.
This difference affects flavour, cooking methods and the types of dishes that work best. For anyone who regularly cooks outdoors and is looking for more control, fewer flare-ups and a more social way of cooking, a plancha often feels like a natural next step.
At the same time, both cooking methods remain closely connected to fire, heat and outdoor living. The main difference is how that heat is used.
Direct heat on steel vs grilling over fire
On a plancha, food is cooked directly on a solid steel cooking surface. Fat, juices and marinades largely remain on the surface, allowing ingredients to caramelise quickly without dripping directly into the fire. This creates even cooking and gives you plenty of control over different temperature zones.
When cooking on a plancha BBQ, you'll particularly notice the difference with ingredients that can be more difficult to prepare on a traditional grill grate. Think prawns, finely chopped vegetables, smashburgers or delicate fish. Everything stays securely on the cooking surface and is less likely to dry out.
A traditional BBQ usually uses a grill grate above charcoal or an open fire. The heat comes from below and circulates around the food. This creates the familiar grilled flavour, with smoky notes and distinctive grill marks.
Control over temperature and cooking
A plancha responds quickly and predictably. The thick steel cooking surface naturally creates different temperature zones. The centre is the hottest, while the outer edges remain gentler. This allows you to sear meat and keep vegetables warm at the same time without needing separate accessories.
On a traditional BBQ, temperature management usually requires more attention. Open flames, airflow and the distribution of charcoal all affect the heat. This adds character to the cooking process, but it also requires more experience to maintain a stable temperature.
For longer cooking sessions with several smaller dishes, a plancha often works more efficiently. For slow cooking or a more pronounced smoky flavour, a traditional BBQ has its own advantages.
Differences in flavour and texture
A plancha develops flavour differently from cooking on a grill grate. Because fats and juices remain in direct contact with the hot steel, ingredients develop deep caramelisation without an intense smoky flavour. Vegetables often retain more texture, while meat develops an evenly caramelised crust.
On a traditional BBQ, smoke plays a bigger role. Fat dripping onto hot charcoal creates additional aromas as it evaporates. This works particularly well with larger cuts of meat or dishes that spend more time cooking over the fire.
Neither method is necessarily better. It mainly depends on what you want to cook and how you prefer to cook outdoors.
Ease of use when cooking outdoors
A plancha encourages continuous cooking around the fire. Ingredients can easily be added, moved or combined without having to open or adjust the BBQ constantly. This often creates a more social style of outdoor cooking, with people spending more time gathered around the cooking surface.
Cleaning is also different. A plancha is usually scraped clean immediately after use while the steel is still warm. With a traditional grill grate, removing cooked-on residue can take more time.
Anyone who enjoys direct cooking with plenty of interaction may therefore prefer a plancha or GrillRing BBQ, where the same open and accessible style of cooking takes centre stage.
Which option suits your cooking style?
A plancha is a good choice for outdoor cooks looking for speed, control and versatility, especially when regularly cooking for larger groups or preparing several ingredients at the same time.
A traditional BBQ is particularly well suited to those who enjoy grilling over an open fire, smoky flavours and longer cooking sessions.
In practice, many outdoor kitchens combine the best of both worlds. Especially with a fire bowl BBQ, you'll increasingly find open fire combined with a plancha-style cooking surface in one outdoor cooking setup.
🔥 Explore our fire bowls, GrillRings and plancha BBQ accessories.
🔥 Looking for more tips on cooking over fire? Discover our other blogs.
