Home LivingGardenBarbequeIs a gas BBQ worth it? I’m an expert and here’s my honest opinionIf you’re thinking buying a gas BBQ then read thisWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingGardenBarbequeIs a gas BBQ worth it? I’m an expert and here’s my honest opinionIf you’re thinking buying a gas BBQ then read thisWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
If you’re thinking buying a gas BBQ then read this
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Weber)
(Image credit: Weber)
Take even a cursory glance at T3’sbest BBQorbest gas BBQbuying guides and you’ll see that I reviewa lotof barbecues.
From charcoal to gas to wood pellet grills, I’ve built and tested BBQs of all types and form factors, including some of thebest portable BBQson the market.
Which is why I consider myself at least a little bit expert in BBQs and the noble art of outdoor grilling, roasting, searing, smoking and baking.
And, with the proliferation and wide availability of gas BBQs on the market, I thought I would offer my opinion on this type of barbecue so that I can maybe aid a purchasing decision for these outdoor hosting summer months.
Here’s my honest opinion on if gas BBQs are worth it, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.
(Image credit: Char-Broil)
(Image credit: Char-Broil)
So, are gas BBQs worth it, then?
The simple answer here isabsolutely. Gas grills, no matter the size, have a range of great benefits that I feel will suit a lot of potential buyers down to the ground.
Firstly, gas BBQs are the quickest type of barbecue to get to a cooking position. With their fuel source coming directly out of a gas canister, with the flow literally being able to be turned off and on with a simple toggle, you can have lit flames in your gas grill in seconds and be up to cooking temperature in under 10 minutes.
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This speed makes gas BBQs incredibly convenient for impromptu barbecues, and especially so if you’ve been smart and cleaned your grill after its last use. You literally wheel the gas BBQ out, turn on the gas and get cooking.
Compare that 15-minutes-to-cooking speed to charcoal, for example, and you’ll have to likely triple or quadruple that timing, as the coals need to catch and then burn down to white and grey before food can really start to be cooked. I typically allow 45-minutes to an hour for a large charcoal BBQ to get cooking ready.
Gas BBQs also offer excellent fuel value, with a good sized gas canister lasting years and years before needing to be refuelled. Compared to buying bags of charcoals or wood pellets, gas has them beat in value, and especially if you’ve already got the gas canister, which is a large part of the initial cost.
From a cooking point of view, large gas grills tend to come loaded withmultipleburners meaning that you can very evenly grill a lot of food, too. You get a more balanced heat across the grill most often as a result.
Finally, gas BBQs are great in terms of portability. Buy a portable gas BBQ, such as theWeber Travelerand you can be quickly up and grillinganywhere, be that on a camp site in a park or round at your friend’s house.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
But gas grills do come with some downsides, too
Firstly, gas BBQsdotend to cost more than charcoal grills, even if they typically ring in lower than wood pellet grills. And once you’ve bought your gas grill you do then have to have a gas canister to use to fuel it.
As mentioned above, a good size gas canister (13kg or larger) will power your grill for years once bought, but it is an extra expenditure out of the gate thatwill bein advance of just buying a bag or charcoal or wood pellets.
A full 13kg propane patio gas bottle is retailing for around £85 right now in the UK and over $120 in the USA, so factor this in to your upfront outlay.
In addition, despite gas grill technology coming on a lot in recent years, gas is not the best fuel to use if you want to smoke or roast produce in your BBQ like brisket, whole birds and chunky pieces of meat in general.
Can gas grills smoke and roast? Absolutely. I’m just saying that, from my experience, they’re not as good at it as charcoal or wood pellet BBQs, which offer enhanced indirect cooking potential.
(Image credit: Skitterphoto | Pexels)
(Image credit: Skitterphoto | Pexels)
It’s down to what you want or need, then
So, in my opinion, I’d say gas BBQs are absolutely worth the investment for those who want to primarily grill produce and prize convenience, speed and fuel value highly.
However, for those who like to smoke, roast or bake foods in a BBQ, then charcoal or gas barbecues are likely a smarter buy.
Here’s a secret, though, there are actually BBQs on the market that are hybrids, being both gasandcoal barbecues in one, such as theChar-Broil Gas2Coal 210 Hybrid. Check them out if you fancy a bit of both.
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Today’s best Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill dealsNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill deals
No price informationCheck Amazon
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No price information
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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