Gas barbecues are a practical, simple and quick alternative to traditional charcoal or firewood barbecues. They require much less preparation and the results at the level of taste and cooking quality are practically identical, so in recent years they have been displacing in sales to classic barbecues.
With a good gas grill it is possible to be eating in less than 20 minutes. This is the main difference compared to barbecues with fossil fuels, which require preparing the right coal and are exposed to multiple setbacks, such as the embers are not enough or are not uniform.
Cleaning is also much easier, since they do not leave ashes or traces of firewood or charcoal. Most work with standard bottles of butane or propane, and thanks to the fact that they usually incorporate wheels, it is also possible to transport them to the place that is most suitable at every time.
What will you find in this guide?
Comparison of the 10 best gas grills of 2019
These are the best gas grills that can be found on the market today due to their characteristics and their quality / price ratio.
| Nº | Model | Burners | Diners | Lid | Wheels | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 |  Smoke Hollow 205 | 1 | Up to 3 | Yes | No (Semi-Portable) | |
| 9 |  Char-Broil Classic 360 | 3 | Up to 4 | Yes | 2 | |
| 8 |  Blackstone Table Top Griddle | 1 | Up to 3 | No | No (Portable) | |
| 7 |  Char-Broil Classic 405 | 4 | Up to 6 | Yes | 2 | |
| 6 |  Weber Genesis II E-435 | 4+1 | Up to 10 | Yes | 4 (2 brakes) | |
| 5 |  Weber Q1200 | 1 | Up to 2 | Yes | No (Optional) | |
| 4 |  Weber Spirit E-210 | 2 | Up to 4 | Yes | 2 | |
| 3 |  Camp Chef FTG600 | 4 | Up to 8 | No | 2 | |
| 2 |  Blackstone 1554 | 4 | Up to 12 | No | 4 (2 brakes) | |
| 1 |  Weber Spirit II E-310 | 3 | Up to 8 | Yes | 2 |
The 10 best gas barbecues of 2019
Below you will find more information about gas barbecues best valued at a price-quality ratio.
Although the final decision will be determined by your budget and usual number of guests, models have been included within a wide range of prices to access all kinds of pockets.
It is a simple barbecue, practical and with very few extras, so it is ideal to leave in the garden and prepare family barbecues.
The Smoke Hollow 205 model opens this ranking with a barbecue of 1 simple burner, but of very good quality. Although it does not include a cart, if it has a bell, it has a good cooking surface with an extra zone to keep the food warm and has a decent enough potency. It also has a temperature indicator, to have more control over cooking.
It is a portable barbecue. Its weight of only 17 pounds makes it one of the best options for your excursions, fishing trips, camping and picnics are a perfect plan. Despite its weight and having only one burner, it has enough power to cook anything and a cooking surface of 205 square inches. In addition to another grid of 105 square inches to keep the heat of the food.
It has a compact, elegant, robust and durable design. Most of the grill is made of stainless steel, and is designed to be comfortable to transport. Has a Locking Hood for Transport and Storage.
The Smoke Hollow 205 model opens this ranking with a barbecue of 1 simple burner, but of very good quality. Although it does not include a cart, if it has a bell, it has a good cooking surface with an extra zone to keep the food warm and has a decent enough potency. It also has a temperature indicator, to have more control over cooking.
It is a portable barbecue. Its weight of only 17 pounds makes it one of the best options for your excursions, fishing trips, camping and picnics are a perfect plan.
Despite its weight and having only one burner, it has enough power to cook anything and a cooking surface of 205 square inches. In addition to another grid of 105 square inches to keep the heat of the food.
It has a compact, elegant, robust and durable design. Most of the grill is made of stainless steel, and is designed to be comfortable to transport. Has a Locking Hood for Transport and Storage.
The Panasonic irrigator offers two types of speed. A stronger one, for deeper cleanings ideal for orthodontics and implants, and a softer one to complement normal brushing.
Char Broil is one of the leaders in offering low prices, intelligent outdoor kitchen designs and top-notch customer service. Char-Broil is one of the largest manufacturers in the world and a good alternative to higher-end barbecues like Weber’s.
The Char-Broil Classic 360 offers 530 square inches of total cooking space, ideal for preparing burgers, chicken and steaks for a great party. With 370 square inches of primary cooking area and an elevated secondary area of 170 square inches.
It is ideal for slow cooking. It has three burners that produce 36,000 BTU of heating power. These powerful burners heat up quickly. The cooking grates are made of porcelain coated wire together with the heating grid and the porcelain steel lid and a durable firebox.
The three burners have independent temperature controls, and the grill starts with the push button ignition system. The car also has a hidden space for fuel.
It has a strong structure and wheels to move it from one place to another easily.
Regardless of the quality of the barbecue, the internal thermometers incorporated in the hoods are mostly of low quality and inaccurate. That is why I always recommend a good digital thermometer to obtain a reading that can be placed on the cooking surface to obtain precise temperature readings.
Char Broil is one of the leaders in offering low prices, intelligent outdoor kitchen designs and top-notch customer service. Char-Broil is one of the largest manufacturers in the world and a good alternative to higher-end barbecues like Weber’s.
The Char-Broil Classic 360 offers 530 square inches of total cooking space, ideal for preparing burgers, chicken and steaks for a great party. With 370 square inches of primary cooking area and an elevated secondary area of 170 square inches.
It is ideal for slow cooking. It has three burners that produce 36,000 BTU of heating power. These powerful burners heat up quickly. The cooking grates are made of porcelain coated wire together with the heating grid and the porcelain steel lid and a durable firebox.
The three burners have independent temperature controls, and the grill starts with the push button ignition system. The car also has a hidden space for fuel.
It has a strong structure and wheels to move it from one place to another easily.
Regardless of the quality of the barbecue, the internal thermometers incorporated in the hoods are mostly of low quality and inaccurate. That is why I always recommend a good digital thermometer to obtain a reading that can be placed on the cooking surface to obtain precise temperature readings.
It is an ideal barbecue for couples or small families who do not want to give up the traditional flavor without spending too much money. It will accompany you wherever you go.
The 17 ” Blackstone Gas tabletop is ready for any occasion. Easy to transport and take to the port, to the camp and to the desert. Fast heating with 12,000 BTU to cook anything, anytime and anywhere. Hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, sautéed, bacon and more! The “H” style burner provides an even distribution of heat for optimal cooking throughout the plate. Impress friends and family with delicious food effortlessly. Stay on the level on any surface, from grassy hills to muddy so you can cook meals without stress!
The Blackstone Table Top Griddle is compact and very convenient. This element offers complete results to the plate when it has less space. It is an excellent addition to your outdoor grill. Perfect for roasting eggs, mushrooms, onions, bacon, sausages, sausages, chicken and toast for your burgers. With this cooking surface, this iron will improve your outdoor cooking experience. This premium Blackstone grill product offers a rugged cooking surface for versatility and durability.
I have never seen so many reviews where people say they are so in love with an iron like this. I am not a big fan of the smaller grills, but I wanted to include this in the list because I know that many people do not cook for many people. If you plan to cook smaller meals or need an outdoor outdoor iron, this is the option.
The 17 ” Blackstone Gas tabletop is ready for any occasion. Easy to transport and take to the port, to the camp and to the desert. Fast heating with 12,000 BTU to cook anything, anytime and anywhere. Hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, sautéed, bacon and more! The “H” style burner provides an even distribution of heat for optimal cooking throughout the plate. Impress friends and family with delicious food effortlessly. Stay on the level on any surface, from grassy hills to muddy so you can cook meals without stress!
The Blackstone Table Top Griddle is compact and very convenient. This element offers complete results to the plate when it has less space. It is an excellent addition to your outdoor grill. Perfect for roasting eggs, mushrooms, onions, bacon, sausages, sausages, chicken and toast for your burgers. With this cooking surface, this iron will improve your outdoor cooking experience. This premium Blackstone grill product offers a rugged cooking surface for versatility and durability.
I have never seen so many reviews where people say they are so in love with an iron like this. I am not a big fan of the smaller grills, but I wanted to include this in the list because I know that many people do not cook for many people. If you plan to cook smaller meals or need an outdoor outdoor iron, this is the option.
If you are looking for a gas grill with all the bells and whistles, this is not yours. But we can not criticize him for being basic when that is what they seek.
Perhaps one of the best features of the Char-Broil Classic 4-burner gas grill is its price. To be honest, this grill has a sale price and sell it, which makes it a very popular model in the Classic series.
The Classic 405 has some useful extras and a construction that is relatively resistant to rust. It simply has everything you need to grill, without any of the tricks.
With 405 square inches of cooking space and four burners that emit 32,000 BTU of heat, the Char-Broil Classic 405 can easily meet the needs of a large family or an outdoor meal.
The grill grids are porcelain coated and measure 29 inches wide by 14 inches deep, which means you can easily grill around eighteen burgers at a time.
There is a 190-inch square porcelain-encased heating grid that is especially good for heating buns or garnishes, and the piezoelectric ignition system ensures a quick and easy start. The fully assembled Char-Broil Classic 405 measures 54.3 inches wide x 24.1 inches deep x 43.5 inches high and sits on two wheels for greater portability.
The side shelves measure 2 inches wide by 13.5 inches deep and provide ample space for food preparation. Accessory hooks and side burners can be added, but have been purchased separately.
Perhaps one of the best features of the Char-Broil Classic 4-burner gas grill is its price. To be honest, this grill has a sale price and sell it, which makes it a very popular model in the Classic series.
The Classic 405 has some useful extras and a construction that is relatively resistant to rust. It simply has everything you need to grill, without any of the tricks.
With 405 square inches of cooking space and four burners that emit 32,000 BTU of heat, the Char-Broil Classic 405 can easily meet the needs of a large family or an outdoor meal.
The grill grids are porcelain coated and measure 29 inches wide by 14 inches deep, which means you can easily grill around eighteen burgers at a time.
There is a 190-inch square porcelain-encased heating grid that is especially good for heating buns or garnishes, and the piezoelectric ignition system ensures a quick and easy start. The fully assembled Char-Broil Classic 405 measures 54.3 inches wide x 24.1 inches deep x 43.5 inches high and sits on two wheels for greater portability.
The side shelves measure 2 inches wide by 13.5 inches deep and provide ample space for food preparation. Accessory hooks and side burners can be added, but have been purchased separately.
It is an excellent choice if you are preparing copious barbecues for large groups, thanks to its excellent quality and characteristics. A BBQ to govern them all.
If you’ve never owned a Weber gas grill before, you’ll be surprised at the difference in performance of these grills compared to those small, thin grills you see in Big Box stores. The 435 behaves like all Genesis gas grills with uniform heating and minimal sprouts.
The quality of construction is exceptional, which is reflected in the 10-year guarantee on all components. For all the components I mean the firebox, the lid, the burner tubes, the grills, the taste bars, the ignition … everything. These are absolutely solid grills that will last well beyond the established guarantees.
I realize that this is a matter of personal taste, but I think that all Genesis grills are beautiful. The style is elegant with just a retro touch of the side straps riveted on the lid.
You can not avoid the fact that these grills have a high price and will be out of the budget of most people. That said, these grills are a screaming bargain compared to Weber Summit grills with four or six burners. In fact, I suspect that the Genesis II S 435 will sell more than the Summit S 470 to such a degree that Weber will stop producing the Summit S 470 in 1 or 2 years.
The other negative aspect of this grill is that, although it is really massive, the reality is that you probably do not need such a large grill. There’s nothing wrong with owning a massive grill, but something smaller like the Genesis II S 335 is probably a more practical sized grill for most people.
If you have the money and space for this massive grid, you can make the purchase knowing that you are getting the biggest gas grill that Weber gets with all the scorching power you will ever want.
If you’ve never owned a Weber gas grill before, you’ll be surprised at the difference in performance of these grills compared to those small, thin grills you see in Big Box stores. The 435 behaves like all Genesis gas grills with uniform heating and minimal sprouts.
The quality of construction is exceptional, which is reflected in the 10-year guarantee on all components. For all the components I mean the firebox, the lid, the burner tubes, the grills, the taste bars, the ignition … everything. These are absolutely solid grills that will last well beyond the established guarantees.
I realize that this is a matter of personal taste, but I think that all Genesis grills are beautiful. The style is elegant with just a retro touch of the side straps riveted on the lid.
You can not avoid the fact that these grills have a high price and will be out of the budget of most people. That said, these grills are a screaming bargain compared to Weber Summit grills with four or six burners. In fact, I suspect that the Genesis II S 435 will sell more than the Summit S 470 to such a degree that Weber will stop producing the Summit S 470 in 1 or 2 years.
The other negative aspect of this grill is that, although it is really massive, the reality is that you probably do not need such a large grill. There’s nothing wrong with owning a massive grill, but something smaller like the Genesis II S 335 is probably a more practical sized grill for most people.
If you have the money and space for this massive grid, you can make the purchase knowing that you are getting the biggest gas grill that Weber gets with all the scorching power you will ever want.
The Weber Q1200 is a very reliable barbecue with a single burner, ideal for transporting with you on weekend outings or preparing a makeshift barbecue as a couple.
One of the most reputable manufacturers of barbecues worldwide makes its first appearance in this ranking with its Q1200 model. It is an extraordinarily portable barbecue with excellent finishes, ideal for getaways and weekends as a couple, and which is also available in different colors.
It has a single burner and two folding side tables. It does not include a cart to transport it (although it is sold separately if you are going to use it at home or you prefer to have a surface to raise it), but it incorporates a cast aluminum hood to avoid smoke and improve cooking, and a thermometer to control the temperature.
Despite its small size, it is powerful and consumes little gas. The ignition is electronic, which greatly facilitates the start-up. The cooking surface is not bad in the case of a single-burner barbecue (17 in long x 17 in deep), and the cooking grate is enameled cast iron, so it distributes the heat very well although you will need good maintenance.
One of the most reputable manufacturers of barbecues worldwide makes its first appearance in this ranking with its Q1200 model. It is an extraordinarily portable barbecue with excellent finishes, ideal for getaways and weekends as a couple, and which is also available in different colors.
It has a single burner and two folding side tables. It does not include a cart to transport it (although it is sold separately if you are going to use it at home or you prefer to have a surface to raise it), but it incorporates a cast aluminum hood to avoid smoke and improve cooking, and a thermometer to control the temperature.
Despite its small size, it is powerful and consumes little gas. The ignition is electronic, which greatly facilitates the start-up. The cooking surface is not bad in the case of a single-burner barbecue (17 in long x 17 in deep), and the cooking grate is enameled cast iron, so it distributes the heat very well although you will need good maintenance.
The Weber Spirit II E-210 is perfect for families looking for simplicity and durability, and is ideal for small terraces and gardens.
A new model of Weber appears on the list and that is great news, and is that the American manufacturer specializing in barbecues is always synonymous with quality and durability.
On this occasion it is one of his classics. The Spirit II E-210 is a light and compact barbecue with 2 high-power burners and a cooking surface of 20 x 17 in, large enough to cook for a small family and manageable enough to transport it where necessary.
It has a practical hood to keep food hot and avoid smoke, two folding side trays, and electronic ignition system but not independent: first you must turn on the burner on the left to turn on the right.
It includes a heating tray located above the grill, which is made of enameled cast iron and distributes the heat of wonder (besides it is very resistant). It also allows rythm function although you have to buy the utensils separately.
Below the grill we have some aromatizing bars that collect and burn the drips, adding flavor to the food. The non-vaporized drips slip and are channeled from the burner tubes to the grease collection system.
It also has a front hatch to store a 13 lbs butane bottle and an indicator of the amount of gas remaining, which is really useful. It is a heavy grill – it weighs 100 lbs – but fortunately it has 2 wheels to transport it once assembled. In this regard, the assembly is simple, but consists of several pieces and is somewhat laborious.
The Weber E-210, although it may not be as cheap as other models, is a barbecue of the highest quality, with excellent cooking capacity and easy assembly.
A new model of Weber appears on the list and that is great news, and is that the American manufacturer specializing in barbecues is always synonymous with quality and durability.
On this occasion it is one of his classics. The Spirit II E-210 is a light and compact barbecue with 2 high-power burners and a cooking surface of 20 x 17 in, large enough to cook for a small family and manageable enough to transport it where necessary.
It has a practical hood to keep food hot and avoid smoke, two folding side trays, and electronic ignition system but not independent: first you must turn on the burner on the left to turn on the right.
It includes a heating tray located above the grill, which is made of enameled cast iron and distributes the heat of wonder (besides it is very resistant). It also allows rythm function although you have to buy the utensils separately.
Below the grill we have some aromatizing bars that collect and burn the drips, adding flavor to the food. The non-vaporized drips slip and are channeled from the burner tubes to the grease collection system.
It also has a front hatch to store a 13 lbs butane bottle and an indicator of the amount of gas remaining, which is really useful. It is a heavy grill – it weighs 100 lbs – but fortunately it has 2 wheels to transport it once assembled. In this regard, the assembly is simple, but consists of several pieces and is somewhat laborious.
The Weber E-210, although it may not be as cheap as other models, is a barbecue of the highest quality, with excellent cooking capacity and easy assembly.
Versatility with its double grill and griddle function. Professional style and high cooked quality.
This grill and griddle combination comes with a 604-inch griddle cooking surface and a 501-square-inch grill surface. Simply lift the flat surface at the top and it will magically transform into a grill, making it a versatile device to have. In its size, we can cook for an average of 50 to 100 people per hour.
The iron comes with four burners, each with 12,000 BTU. It is a propane gas, which has a dedicated tank support. You will have four individual heat zones that can be controlled separately.
The grill also has a uniform heat cooking system, which guarantees that it will not burn parts of what it is cooking while the others remain uncooked.
Apart from the main cooking zone, there are two tables on the side for warming and preparation. These systems can be folded so that the iron is efficient in space when it is stored.
Once the sale of the box, the griddle is pre-seasoned and ready to cook. It also comes with an unparalleled ignition system, which can be activated instantly with the push of a button. For your comfort, there are two wheels on the side to facilitate the rotation of the unit. It also has a convenient handle. Meanwhile, with adjustable leg levelers, it can be easily maintained in a stable position.
To facilitate cleaning, the unit comes with a dedicated grease tray and a collection bucket. The non-stick surface also facilitates the cleaning of the breeze.
This grill and griddle combination comes with a 604-inch griddle cooking surface and a 501-square-inch grill surface. Simply lift the flat surface at the top and it will magically transform into a grill, making it a versatile device to have. In its size, we can cook for an average of 50 to 100 people per hour.
The iron comes with four burners, each with 12,000 BTU. It is a propane gas, which has a dedicated tank support. You will have four individual heat zones that can be controlled separately.
The grill also has a uniform heat cooking system, which guarantees that it will not burn parts of what it is cooking while the others remain uncooked.
Apart from the main cooking zone, there are two tables on the side for warming and preparation. These systems can be folded so that the iron is efficient in space when it is stored.
Once the sale of the box, the griddle is pre-seasoned and ready to cook. It also comes with an unparalleled ignition system, which can be activated instantly with the push of a button. For your comfort, there are two wheels on the side to facilitate the rotation of the unit. It also has a convenient handle. Meanwhile, with adjustable leg levelers, it can be easily maintained in a stable position.
To facilitate cleaning, the unit comes with a dedicated grease tray and a collection bucket. The non-stick surface also facilitates the cleaning of the breeze.
Grilling with the Blackstone griddle station will give you an exceptional experience. Due to the fact that it heats evenly and quickly and has the ability to provide an extraordinary flavor to food. The best option for your parties and friends meetings
The 36-inch gas grill station is Blackstone’s first product. This outdoor top griddle station is so far one of the best Blackstone products due to its high quality.
In addition to this, he is also a professional cook who can cook almost all kinds of meat. The total body of 36 inches of plate is made of stainless steel. Along with it, other components have a black powder coating to prevent oxidation. The weight of the Blackstone flat surface gas grill is 120 lbs. On the other hand, the dimensions of the product measure 39.97 inches x 24.21 inches.
The all-in-one Blackstone product for roasting and grilling comes with the most advanced features. For this reason, customers are not changing the brand and relying on the Blackstone brand. First, the cooking area of this plate is 720 square inches.
This means that you can make a variety of foods at a time. In addition to this, it is a good size to attend an outdoor event or party. Its removable 36 x 21 inch cold rolled steel plate holds support around the sides and back. In this way, you can prevent accessories from falling out and also provide ample storage space.
The 36-inch Blackstone iron station is featured with 4 controllable heat zones and each disperses 15,000 BTUs (60.000BTU of grilling power). By giving this option you can adjust the temperature and cook anything perfectly. Similar to the 28-inch Blackstone plate, it has been powered by liquid propane gas. Along with it, you can also find a container to contain the fat.
The 36-inch gas grill station is Blackstone’s first product. This outdoor top griddle station is so far one of the best Blackstone products due to its high quality.
In addition to this, he is also a professional cook who can cook almost all kinds of meat. The total body of 36 inches of plate is made of stainless steel. Along with it, other components have a black powder coating to prevent oxidation. The weight of the Blackstone flat surface gas grill is 120 lbs. On the other hand, the dimensions of the product measure 39.97 inches x 24.21 inches.
The all-in-one Blackstone product for roasting and grilling comes with the most advanced features. For this reason, customers are not changing the brand and relying on the Blackstone brand. First, the cooking area of this plate is 720 square inches.
This means that you can make a variety of foods at a time. In addition to this, it is a good size to attend an outdoor event or party. Its removable 36 x 21 inch cold rolled steel plate holds support around the sides and back. In this way, you can prevent accessories from falling out and also provide ample storage space.
The 36-inch Blackstone iron station is featured with 4 controllable heat zones and each disperses 15,000 BTUs (60.000BTU of grilling power). By giving this option you can adjust the temperature and cook anything perfectly. Similar to the 28-inch Blackstone plate, it has been powered by liquid propane gas. Along with it, you can also find a container to contain the fat.
The Spirit II E-310 is the best choice for barbecue lovers looking for a model of quality and the classic flavor of coal to delight average groups of people.
The Weber Spirit E-310 is a classic among gas barbecues and the best choice currently available.
Basically, it is a barbecue with the same characteristics and functions as the Spirit E-210 but with 3 burners instead of 2, so the quality it treasures is very high.
Sober and efficient, we are talking about a barbecue with 3 powerful burners and a cooking surface of 60 x 45 cm, ideal for cooking for the family or groups of up to 8 people.
Its cast iron grate covered with porcelain allows to retain more time the heat and improve the cooking of food. It has a hood with an integrated thermometer, two fixed side tables (unlike the E-210, where they are foldable) to prepare or store food, an upper grill made of cast iron to keep food warm and a useful fuel indicator . It also allows a rythm function, although you must purchase the utensils separately.
It includes a non-independent piezoelectric ignition system like its small sister E-210, and has 3 Flavorizer bars located above the burners, which avoid the flame and carbonize the drips, providing more flavor to the food and improving the distribution of heat.
It is quite heavy (120 lbs) although easy to transport, since it includes two wheels to move it without difficulties. It also has a front hatch that allows you to store a 6kg gas bottle, since the standard size ones do not fit. Like most barbecues, it is delivered disassembled although it is not difficult to assemble all the pieces.
The Weber E-310 is not a cheap barbecue, but if you are looking for a durable and robust barbecue to use regularly with family or friends, this is one of the best options.
The Weber Spirit E-310 is a classic among gas barbecues and the best choice currently available.
Basically, it is a barbecue with the same characteristics and functions as the Spirit E-210 but with 3 burners instead of 2, so the quality it treasures is very high.
Sober and efficient, we are talking about a barbecue with 3 powerful burners and a cooking surface of 60 x 45 cm, ideal for cooking for the family or groups of up to 8 people.
Its cast iron grate covered with porcelain allows to retain more time the heat and improve the cooking of food. It has a hood with an integrated thermometer, two fixed side tables (unlike the E-210, where they are foldable) to prepare or store food, an upper grill made of cast iron to keep food warm and a useful fuel indicator . It also allows a rythm function, although you must purchase the utensils separately.
It includes a non-independent piezoelectric ignition system like its small sister E-210, and has 3 Flavorizer bars located above the burners, which avoid the flame and carbonize the drips, providing more flavor to the food and improving the distribution of heat.
It is quite heavy (120 lbs) although easy to transport, since it includes two wheels to move it without difficulties. It also has a front hatch that allows you to store a 6kg gas bottle, since the standard size ones do not fit. Like most barbecues, it is delivered disassembled although it is not difficult to assemble all the pieces.
The Weber E-310 is not a cheap barbecue, but if you are looking for a durable and robust barbecue to use regularly with family or friends, this is one of the best options.
Gas grill purchase guide
With a lot of money it is easy to buy an excellent gas grill. But the real challenge is to be able to find one that is also affordable, so in this article, in addition to the list of the best gas grills in value for money, we have prepared the following guide for the buyer.
Here you will find the explanation of the most important characteristics to take into account to choose wisely your gas barbecue.
Advantages of gas grills
The comfort of gas barbecues has made them the first option for those who want to cook on the grill in a simple and fast way, without renouncing the traditional flavor of the barbecue.
This last point has improved a lot in recent years and the taste of coal has already been reproduced very reliably. To make it even better, some barbecues include flavor bars that carbonize the drips and imbue the food with that unmistakable smoky flavor.
Although they are generally more expensive, gas barbecues have several advantages over traditional coal or firewood barbecues:
- Much faster (you can be eating in minutes)
- Easier cleaning
- Easy to use
- Temperature control
The heat is also distributed evenly throughout the barbecue, and that ensures a more regular cooking, with no more areas being made than others or having to constantly monitor the food in case it burns somewhere.
Also, avoid the time trial effect of traditional barbecues. The problem with these barbecues is that once the charcoal or firewood is lit, you must use it to cook all the planned food. If towards the end of the barbecue you realize that you need to cook more food, probably already too late.
Characteristics to keep in mind
The size of the grill
To choose what size barbecue is ideal for you, you should first think about what you are going to cook on a regular basis and for how many people, because that is what will determine the necessary space.
If you are going to use it to cook lots of sausages and hamburgers for large groups of people, you probably need a larger barbecue.
In this case you should get a barbecue with 3 or more burners and a cooking area of more than 390 square in like the Weber Spirit E-310 or the Camp Chef FTG600, ensuring enough space for cooking for all guests without having to wait.
In the case of large groups it will also be useful for the barbecue to have a heating tray on the sides or top, to keep the ready food warm.
If you are looking for a barbecue to use regularly for a family of 4 members, two burners and a cooking area of about 280 sq in is enough.
If you plan to use your barbecue to cook food that can run between the sheets of the grill, it will also be a good option to have an iron. There are even models that have side burners for vegetables or sauces.
The material of the barbacue
The material with which the barbecue is built is also important, because in addition to being what will determine the durability, it will also affect the distribution of heat and, therefore, the quality of the food.
- Grills material
Ideally stainless steel, because they distribute heat better and avoid mold. Those that are made of iron work well and retain heat better, but over time they can accumulate mold or corrode and are less durable.
The vast majority of grills are enamelled or coated with porcelain to improve heat retention and facilitate cleaning. In this case you should be careful because they are also more fragile. Especially watch them clean them if they are hot, since then you could damage the material.
- Outside material
You can find stainless steel barbecues, although high quality barbecues are usually quite expensive.
The porcelain coated ones are usually cheaper, and although they avoid stains or scratches very well, if the coated one breaks, they can corrode.
The cooking power
The heating power is often measured with BTUs (British thermal units), but this measurement is not really related to cooking speed or quality.
In reality BTUs do not indicate the amount of useful heat that a barbecue can generate, but the amount of fuel consumed. For this reason it is much more useful to calculate the heat flow, which are the BTUs divided between the cooking area (although manufacturers do not usually report this data).
To give you an idea, the most common heat flow for a gas barbecue is usually 35 BTUs per cm2. But for the amount of variables that affect you, it is not really important to look at this feature.
Heat diffusion system
It is more important to look at what heat protection and diffusion system places the barbecue above the burners. It is usually a type of metal plates that may be perforated or not, which protect the burners from drips and help distribute heat flow better.
In addition, when charring the remains of food that fall on them, these plates serve to provide greater charcoal flavor to the food. The ideal is that these plates cover as much area as possible, without leaving open spaces.
Number of burners
Most gas barbecues have several burners that allow cooking at different temperatures, which is ideal if we are going to make a barbecue that combines thicker meats with other finer ones, or if we include vegetables.
If you want maximum versatility, our recommendation is to acquire a model with a minimum of three burners. In this way it will be possible to use two for the barbecue while leaving one off.
Once the meat has a point of color, you can move it to the burner that is not active and close the lid. Thus the own heat present inside the barbecue will continue cooking the meat without burning it.
Type of burners
The burners can be flame or infrared. The latter offer a more direct and constant cooking intensity, reaching high temperatures. They are quite expensive and in general are not necessary to achieve excellent results.
Type of ignition
An electronic or piezo igniter, unlike rotary or pulse lighters, is ideal to start the barbecue with a single click without risk of incidents, so this is our recommendation.
BBQ Extras
- Lid
Some gas barbecues include a hood as a cover to cover food while cooking on the grill. In this way, besides preventing the smoke from bothering us or getting dirty, it also allows the heat to be distributed more evenly. This will prevent the meat from being raw inside and toasted from the outside.
- Wheels
If you plan to use the barbecue regularly, it is probably very useful to have wheels on all four legs instead of two so you can move more comfortably.
The majority of barbecues with four wheels have a system that keeps two of them braked, to prevent the barbecue from moving when cooking.
- Other extras
One option that may be interesting is to have lights under the hood or at the controls, especially if you intend to make barbecues once it has already sunned.
It is also preferable that the barbecue has a remaining gas indicator by default. Otherwise, you should not worry either, since they can be purchased separately. But there’s nothing worse than running out of propane in the middle of a barbecue with guests!
Another very useful option is to have a digital thermometer on the grid. Most barbecues include a needle thermometer by default; the problem is that they usually place it on the lid, and there the temperature is different from the grill.
For this reason, if you want to control the cooking temperature to the maximum, we recommend that you get one of the special digital thermometers for barbecues that you will find in this selection.
Finally, a very useful extra incorporating some barbecues is an additional heating grill that sits on top of the main grill. This way you can leave there the food that you want to keep warm and thus also avoid burning.
Most gas barbecues can be complemented with other additional options, such as rib clamps, baskets, irons or rear infrared burners (useful for roasting chickens, for example), although in reality most are not necessary to cook a barbecue more than decent.
FAQ
It is necessary to use lava stones?
Putting volcanic stones in a tray above the burners became quite fashionable a few years ago. They are natural volcanic stones that retain heat well, and in certain low-power barbecues they are useful for increasing the cooking temperature. They also allow the heat to be distributed evenly throughout the grill and to collect the fat that falls from the food.
Although today they are not usually necessary in most quality barbecues because they have enough power and they distribute heat well, if you want to use them you should check that your barbecue already includes or allows to place a tray between the burners and the grill, because it is there where you will place the lava stones.
The procedure is the next:
- Once covered the tray with plenty of stones, light the barbecue and let the stones heat for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes you can start cooking the food on the grill because the stones will be ready.
Every 2 or 3 uses turns the stones so that they heat up on the opposite side and thus prolong their useful life to the maximum. The stones can be reused several times, although it is recommended that they be changed at least once a year.
Natural gas or butane / propane?
The vast majority of barbecues use butane or propane, although some allow you to connect to your home’s natural gas.
In this way your barbecue will never run out of fuel and you may forget to refuel propane bottles, but it will also be less transportable and you will probably need a professional to perform the installation.
Final considerations
Gas barbecues are eating land in leaps and bounds to charcoal or firewood barbecues because of their ease of use and speed of start-up. Although they are not the ideal option for the slow cooking of certain types of meat, nowadays they are able to provide a flavor very similar to that of coal.
In the case of fast cooking foods and high temperature, such as steaks, hamburgers, ribs, fish or vegetables, it will be practically impossible to differentiate the taste achieved with a gas barbecue versus a charcoal barbecue.
It is true that they tend to be more expensive, but it is also true that a good quality gas barbecue can last for many years.
For all these reasons, our recommendation is that you do not skimp on the price and get a reliable and durable gas barbecue. You will see how you end up using it much more than a charcoal barbecue for its practicality and excellent results.
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