Helping you Make all the Right Decisions

Used to a typical charcoal barbeque but wish to take your first steps into gas grilling? You will find a minefield of various choices which present themselves, but really do not panic – we are going to run via several considerations which you'll be able to chew through in order to select what you think you have to have. We’ve also noted a couple of beneficial styles and several ranges to aid you in what to look for.

Build and size

This isn’t a low-cost throw in the bin charcoal barbecue you can leave out all year round – gas barbecues are much more costly and should be constructed to last a long time. Stainless steel or metal with a “porcelain enamel” finish are the very best constructions, giving a combination of sturdiness, rust-protection and simple cleaning. Think about the lid – the heavier the greater – as this commonly indicates build quality. Also contemplate your own DIY abilities – welded pre built barbecues are likely to be a lot more sturdy, but you may buy one and assemble your self if you like which may save you funds In terms of dimension, look at if you want different height grills or extra touches like plate warming areas, utensil storage, table areas etc. As expected, more unique touches equals more cash

Burners and warmth distribution

Gas barbecues rely on a system of gas burners which are covered by heat distributing materials which also act to burn off drippings to smoke the food. Less expensive brands use lava rocks or ceramic coals for this purpose, and do an ok job, although grease can accumulate and cause flash fires which we all know and hate from charcoal. Should you actually want the most beneficial look out for long bars or “flavourisers” that are designed to vaporize drippings incredibly rapidly to keep away from flares and create a smoky flavour (although you still won’t match charcoal in many an opinion)!

As for the number of gas burners, you get what you pay for. More affordable one burner models only allow the flame to be controlled over the entire cooking surface, and can have “cold spots” which may lead to uneven temperatures. Two/three burner models are truly worth it, offering you differing regions of temperature to cook different foods. Even so, in case you are genuinely feeling flush it is possible to go for even extra burners (£££!), infrared heat sources (a bit over the top) and rotisserie back burners for that Michelin-starred experience. Try and stay away from side burners as these are high priced added touches and you’ll most likely come across you really do not use them. You've variable warmth control on the primary grill anyway, as well as the side space is better off reserved for your raw meat or a large glass of beer!

Energy use

As burner numbers and size increases, you may anticipate the amount of gas you need to power the barbecue to increase. That being said, efficiency is also a consideration, so if you're in doubt look for the BTU (British Thermal Unit) score of the barbecue to see how much fuel you will will need. Do not get too worried about it though the only real time to worry is if a large design has a strangely low BTU rating when compared to similar sized types. Far from being much more efficient, a considerably lower score can indicate poor power output and you’ll have a colder barbecue - this is rare though. The gas utilised in most designs, known as Propane, is truly substantially more affordable than charcoal, and a single canister can last for a number of cookouts.

Low budget
Should you just want a uncomplicated gas barbecue that can do a good job go for a one or two burner model. Prices and features will vary, but search for a medium size with lava rocks or ceramic coals, and try your best to get a product with as even cooking as achievable. Side burners or storage areas will only push up the cost so a high quality primary burner is much much more essential in this range. Also, really don't expect swanky looks, concentrate instead on durability.
Price tag: < £200

Mid Range
If you would like a mid range barbecue go for three burners. You’ll want to look for stainless steel construction and a large grilling area, but still not be tempted by too many additional touches. In addition, at this selling price go for flavouriser bars instead or lava rocks or ceramic coals – you’ll end up with a better flavour. Landmann excels at this selling price - their three burner types are made of stainless steel with enamelled grills and excellent dripping vaporisation. You get even cooking, highly controllable cooking parts and overall you’ll be thanking every pound you have spent.
Price tag: £200-£400

High and luxury
When you move into the luxury barbecue market things start getting quite serious, and much more pricey However, have a search around at the 4 burner models from Landmann, Electrolux and Beefeater when you truly want some impressive kit. At this size anticipate sleek and solid metal with warranty, infrared rotisseries, enough space to cook for a mob and plenty of envy from your friends.
Price tag: £400 online


Whatever you decide, remember that gas barbecues require a little extra care than charcoal ones. With a lot more technology, there is much more to go wrong, so contemplate a service every now and again should you be buying one to last. Finally, do not get too drawn in with fancy extras – think about which ones you seriously require and remember that space is a premium, so only get one as big as you think you’ll require