Garden & Lawn

Best Gas BBQs Tested: My Favorite Picks for Flavorful Grilled Meals

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Coming from a big family, BBQs were commonplace for me while growing up, so I brought this tradition to my own family. The thing is, my family are all big meat eaters, and the best way to cook mouth-watering succulent meat has to be on a BBQ. If it weren’t for the weather, I’d be out cooking on the BBQ every evening.

Being that I live in Manchester, unfortunately, famous for its rainy weather. We have to make the most of the good weather when it arrives, and there is no better way to do this than to fire up the gas BBQ. This means getting my pop-up gazebo out, although I really should get a new BBQ gazebo which I promised myself this year.

Been testing this Char-Broil BBQ, have to say, its probably one of the best gas BBQs out there
Been testing this Char-Broil BBQ, have to say, it’s probably one of the best gas BBQs out there

I’ll be the first to admit, I use to be that person who would say it’s all about the charcoal to get that real BBQ taste. No point getting the BBQ out if it’s not charcoal, I’d say. What I will say is my option has definitely changed!

I’ve even reviewed several charcoal BBQs over the years, as well as some BBQ smokers (I really do love bullet-style smoker BBQ). However, these are a different kettle of fish, and it’s not really fair to compare them.

The thing is, the best gas BBQs are not what they use to be, you can now cook steaks, burgers, and any food really, that is just as succulent and evenly cooked from a gas BBQ if you know which one to buy and, more importantly how actually to use one.

Using smoker chips is a great way to get smoked food from a gas grill
Using smoker chips is a great way to get smoked food from a gas grill

A little tip is to put a couple of handfuls of wood chips in a smoker box as I have done above, place it on the grill and close the lid. Combined with TRU-Infrared cooking (more on this further down) – this was a game-changer for me! – In fact, using wood chips was a game changer on its own on any BBQ. I’m a big fan of these Jack Daniels Smoking Chips, but there are lots of choices out there. They really do improve the taste and give that smoke taste most people love.

In fact, I’ve done a total turnaround myself. I now prefer the best gas BBQ now. Take my latest test BBQ, the Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S Gas BBQ pictured above that I’ve been testing over the last year or so. I must admit, it really is an amazing piece of kit, well-designed, and beautifully put together (easy to build). When I think back, it was even impressive the way it was packed. I managed to dig a picture up for you below.

How the Charbroil BBQ was packed, lots of protection around it
How the Charbroil BBQ was packed well with lots of protection around it

It’s made from premium quality materials, a lot of stainless steel (not just painted steel), cast iron grill which are porcelain coated, and an electronic lighter. When I think back, it was even impressive the way it was packed, I managed to dig a picture up for you above.

The Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S Gas BBQ was packaged and you only need to build the bottom section
The Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S Gas BBQ was packaged, and you only need to build the bottom section

But what really impresses me is how well this actually grills food. So, I decided to try this Gas BBQ as I saw raving videos talking about Char-Broil‘s TRU-Infrared System that cooks food evenly, so I just had to test this for myself. Basiclly, it is supposed to cook evenly across the grill and prevent flare-ups.

I’ve been testing this INFRARED technology, and I was amazed at how well and evenly it cooks food. I did a couple of tests where I grills burgers and steaks over the whole grill and then turned them over to compare how they cooked. Not only were they evenly grilled with nice sear marks, but there were also extremely succulent too, as you can see below. It’s also designed to prevent flare-ups which it did. For me, this is a big bonus as I’m not of BBQ food thats burnt from flareups called by dripping fat. It’s just not for me.

I review the Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S 3 Burner Gas BBQ in more detail on the main review further down. To sum it up- it’s an amazing piece of kit that is well-built and will last for many years. I can see it still going strong in 10 years if looked after. It’s also got a side burner hob and shelf to the right of the grill, and you can store the gas bottle under the BBQ out of the way. Now, this is something you cannot do we a lot of BBQs, and you don’t realise it until you get it home.

Other features include the electric ignition to light the gas, and it has three burners in total, not forgetting the hot plate, which is great for vegetables. It does of course have teh warming the rack inside the BBQ but higher up for keeping cooked food warm

My Char-Broill Gs BBQ had been amazing and its certainly going to last many years
My Char-Broil Gs BBQ had been amazing, and its certainly going to last many years

Overall, for most people, this is the gas BBQ in the UK which I would recommend. It will easily have enough cooking space for 4-6 people. I’ve been really impressed with it so far, it really is a good design, and manufactured grill! As soon as you get it out of the box, you can just tell its a premium model.

With the debate of which is better, charcoal or gas Grilled food? What if you can have the best of both worlds. Well, this is why I decided that the Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 Hybrid Gas Barbecue, which my brother decided to buy, as this BBQ has both options. After he had seen and cooked food on my Char-broil BBQ, he decided to order the Hybrid model, the Gas2Coal 440.

Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 Hybrid Grill Gas Barbecue being tested
Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 Hybrid Grill Gas Barbecue

He’s an engineer by trade, and he was really impressed with the build quality and just the over-engineering and designing of it. This BBQ really is an amazing piece of kit, and price-wise, it’s no more than the gas-only alturnative. Ok, it might have been slightly more expensive, but it certainly was not twice the price or anything like that.

Hybrid model, the Gas2Coal 440 comes with a tray to put the coat in and then light using the gas
Hybrid model, the Gas2Coal 440 comes with a tray to put the coat in and then light using the gas

What I really like about it was that you have the option to put the included aluminium trays above the gas but under the TRU-Infrared cast iron grates that prevent flare-ups. You then fill the trays with charcoal, as shown in my picture below and then light the gas to get the charcoals going. Once there going, which only tool 5-10 minutes max, you turn the gas off and cook with the coals. What I really like though, is that you can only use gas if you prefer—the best of both worlds.

Lighting the coats using the gas to get the coals going, and then you can turn the gas off

What I will say, and my brother also admitted this (he is a big fan charcoal), with the wood chips; you couldn’t say the meat cooked with the coals was any more tasty than just using the gas and some wood chips in a box.

Again the build quality is amazing for the price, some other premium models can easily cost 3-4 times the price, and because of this, I think it offers excellent value for money. In fact, I think all the Char-Broil BBQs do. Don’t get me wrong, you can get better BBQs, but for the price, it is worth it. This is debatable.

What I do know is that Char-broil BBQs are much better than the cheap BBQs you can pick up at the big box stores such B&Q. For me, I’d pick a Char-broil every time over those BBQs

Royal Gourmet GA5403B 5-Burner Gas Grill being tested
Royal Gourmet GA5403B 5-Burner Gas Grill, which comes with a Rotisserie Kit and searer

So when it comes to premium BBQs for those who are looking to spend more to get the extra features plus something of high quality. I’m talking £1500+, then I really think the this Royal Gourmet GA5403B 5-Burner Gas Grill which comes with a Rotisserie Kit and searer is hard to beat.

Royal Gourmet GA5403B 5-Burner BBQ Cabinet Style Propane Gas Grill with Rotisserie burner cooking chicken

I would put this BBQ, quality wise, between Char-broil and Weber, but I’m talking about their top spec models, so this makes this great value, although it’s still an expensive piece of kit. What I really like about this are the porcelain exterior grates and the removable bottom for cleaning. Cleaning is so much easier with this as you have a removable large tray and grease pan.

The searer grate on right and the rotisserie burner at the back
The searer grate on right and the rotisserie burner at the back

Where it’s leaps and bounds ahead of other models is that it also comes with a searer for meat as well as a Rotisserie burner. Again the quality is up there with Char-broil. However, I’d say Weber has the edge on build quality, maybe! For the price, though, this offers way better value for money.


My 6 Best gas BBQs personly tested:

  1. Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S – 3 Burner Gas Barbecue Grill with TRU-Infrared Technology – When you consider cooking performance, build quality and price. This is probably the best gas BBQ overall
  2. Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 Hybrid Grill Gas Barbecue – BEST HYBRID PICK
  3. Royal Gourmet GA5403B 5-Burner Gas Grill with Rotisserie Kit – Expensive but worth the cost for the extra features and premium build quality
  4. CosmoGrill 4+1 Gas Burner Garden Grill BBQ – BEST BUDGET PICK
  5. Fire Mountain 4 Burner Premier Plus BBQ
  6. Charles Bentley 7 Burner Premium Gas BBQ – BEST LARGE BBQ

Top 6 Best Gas BBQ Reviews

1. Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S – 3 Burner Gas Barbecue Grill with TRU-Infrared Technology

Best Pick Gas BBQ

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Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S - 3 Burner Gas Barbecue Grill with TRU-Infrared Technology
Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S – 3 Burner Gas Barbecue Grill with TRU-Infrared Technology

All things considered, I think it’s hard to beat this Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S – 3 Burner Gas Barbecue Grill. It truly is a great gas bbq. I’ve already gone over this BBQ with a lot of detail, so I’ll go into more detail about the specifications and design.

The box the BBQ came in
The box the BBQ came in

First, let me talk a little about assembling. So when it arrived, it was extremely well packaged, with plenty of polystyrene around the actual BBQ for protection. It’s heavy, not sure how heavy, but it was a struggle to move, must have weighed 40kg at least. However, I think this was the first sign it was going to be a quality and substantial piece of kit and I haven’t been disappointed.

Putting BBQ unit onto cabinet
Putting BBQ unit onto the cabinet

Assembling is fairly easy, and all the parts are labelled, including every panel, screw, nut and bolt. The actual top of the BBQ is already assembled, so you only really need to build the cabinet and then lift the top unit onto the cabinet and fasten it into place. It does take while but its shouldn’t be a problem for most people.

All the parts labled for easy assembly
All the parts are labelled for easy assembly

The instructions were super clear, probably some of the best I’ve seen for a BBQ and it came with a handy book, as shown above, with receipts. Overall, I think I had it put together in just less than two hours on my own.

Build process of the Char-Broil gas BBQ

It’s also worth noting it did come with the hose and regulator, as not all BBQs do.

2 grates and plancha plate are cast iron and porcelain coated
2 grates and plancha plate are cast iron and porcelain coated

This BBQ is made from mostly stainless steel for the actual casing and cabinet, and you can tell it’s made to last. Something I do like is the two grates, and plancha plate are cast iron and porcelain-coated. This means it’s much easier to clean. It then has a side burner to use with a pan or source pan, but I’ve not really used that.

This BBQ also has 4 caster wheels, 2 of which can be locked into position to secure the BBQ.

All  food is evenly cooked thanks to the TRU-Infrared System
All food is evenly cooked thanks to the TRU-Infrared System

So where this BBQ is different from other BBQs and why I wanted to test it was that it has what Char-Broil call TRU-Infrared System. This is unique to Char-broil, and it ensures that the cooking surface is evenly heated with no cold spots. I have tested this by laying meat evenly across the entire grill surface and then turning them over after a short while. I can confirm, that it does cook very well and evenly cooked food no matter where you place food on the grill.

Tru-infrared system
Tru-infrared system

If you do much grilling with a BBQ, quite often you have areas on the grill where the food isn’t cooked as well as food in the middle or certain parts of the grill just don’t seem to cook as well. This simply doesn’t happen with this Char-Broil Grill thanks to the TRU-Infrared System. It also prevents flare-ups caused by fat dripping onto the burners.

Finally, it also has a lid-mounted temperature gauge to keep an eye on the temperature as well as Surefire Electronic Igniter, which just means you can light the grills at the push of a button electronically.

The gas bottle can actually fit inside the BBQ which helps keep everything neat and tidy and easier to move around
The gas bottle can actually fit inside the BBQ, which helps keep everything neat and tidy and makes it easier to move around

Something I do like that isn’t possible with many BBQs is that the bottle does actually fit inside the BBQ.

Pros

  • Premium BBQ that is made to last, plenty of cooking space ideal for 4-6 people
  • Thanks to the TRU-Infrared Cooking System, you get evenly cooked food across the entire grill (no cold spots)
  • Quality stainless steels burners
  • 2 Porcelain-coated cooking grates made from cast iron.
  • Plancha|cast iron grill plate
  • Side burner thats ideal for cooking with a pan to compliment the grill
  • A cupboard which fits a gas bottle in to keep everything neat and tidy.
  • Lid-mounted temperature gauge – monitor the inside temperature of your grill
  • Warranty – 5 years on the stainless steel burners. 2 years on all other parts
Close up of Char-Broil BBQ

Final conclusion

Overall, I think this is a great BBQ, probably the best. All things considered, it really is a fantastic grill. It ticks all the boxes that makeup what would be considered the best bbq. More importantly, at least for me, the cooking performance is spot on. It is very well made, and easy to build.

When you compare the Char-Broil Advantage Series 345S to most cheaper BBQs you find at B&Q or even online, they simply don’t compare. For the money, this is certainly one of the best models and probably the best choice for most people who are wanting to spend money on a decent gas BBQ that will last many years. It’s the sort of BBQ you will have for 10 years. Just remember to get a good BBQ cover, I’ve reviewed several here.


2. Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 Hybrid Grill Gas Barbecue

Best Hybrid Gas BBQ

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The Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 Hybrid Grill Gas Barbecue resolves any arguments about whether food from a gas BBQ or a charcoal BBQ tastes better. This model is a hybrid one, and I’ve had first-hand experience with this as my brother has one – best of both worlds, he said. You can use it with gas to BBQ or convert it in less than 60 seconds to become a charcoal BBQ.

The best thing, though, is that you can split the grill so that it’s gas on one side and charcoal on the other, at the same time. Everyone eats their favourite BBQ taste. This made testing easier as we could cook the same food side by side at the same time.

This Gas2Coal BBQ has four high-quality stainless steel burners. There’s a fifth burner on the side that you can use for a frying pan or saucepan to cook the side dishes that go with your BBQ meal. If you’re BBQing everything, then flip down the side burner lid to create a working area that matches the one on the other side of the BBQ.

It’s easy to start this BBQ with the piezo ignition – you just press a button. No messing around with lighters or matches. The cooking racks are solid cast iron that won’t weather or rust. They also don’t move around as you flip your food. The trays in which you put your charcoal briquettes are of a patented design. They’re designed to reduce flare-ups and to cook your food evenly.

The temperature gauge in the lid lets you keep track of how hot it is inside the BBQ without having to open the lid and let all the heat out. The storage cupboard underneath is a good place to store your utensils (there isn’t a hanging rack for them) and all the other necessary items for BBQing.

If this four-burner BBQ is too large for you, take a look at the two-burner model and the three-burner one.

Pros

  • Hybrid gas BBQ that lets you also cook with charcoal.
  • Four high-quality stainless steel gas burners with a fifth one on the side.
  • Preparation space on the other side.
  • Piezo electronic ignition.
  • Porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grills.
  • Warming rack above the grilling racks.
  • Patented charcoal tray.
  • The temperature gauge in the lid.
  • Switch from gas to charcoal in 60 seconds.
  • Storage cupboard underneath.

Cons

  • Difficult to assemble – many pieces.

Our recommendation

The Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 Hybrid Grill Gas Barbecue is a great BBQ to have if sometimes you need the speed and convenience of gas BBQing and other times you crave a charcoal-grilled burger. Being able to use both BBQ modes at once is an awesome plus. The four burners of cooking space (plus a side burner) and the weighty cast-iron grill give you ample opportunity to experiment with new BBQ recipes.

The Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 Hybrid Grill Gas Barbecue is my Best Hybrid BBQ. If you’re unsure about whether to buy gas or charcoal? Then this is a great alternative, and it has the same great features as the other Char-Broil BBQs with the TRU-INFRARED cooking.


3. Royal Gourmet GA5403B 5-Burner BBQ Cabinet Style Propane Gas Grill with Rotisserie Kit

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Royal Gourmet 5 burner grill with sear and rotisserie

The Royal Gourmet GA5403B 5-Burner BBQ Cabinet Style Propane Gas Grill with its Rotisserie Kit makes a statement on your patio or deck. This is a BBQ that goes far beyond the usual burners to give you more options for cooking your food, including a rotisserie. Something t note, it seems to struggle with large chicken, it does still work, just something to note.

Royal Gourmet 5 burner grill with sear and rotisserie with lid closed

This Royal Gourmet BBQ has seven burners, yes, seven. There are four main burners (as usual) plus a side burner with a lid. The unusual burners are a sear burner, for you to add additional sear on your steak or chicken wings; plus an infra-red burner which you can see below, that works alongside the rotisserie for crispy chicken with little chance of a flare-up. The infrared burner can also sear with high heat.

Royal Gourmet 5 burner grill with sear and rotisserie grill area

The combined cooking surface area of the main grill plus the warming rack lets you cook 18 burgers simultaneously. The grill is porcelain-covered cast iron like the Char-Broil BBQs, which I really like. This is rust-proof and is heavy enough that it won’t shift around when you’re cooking and flipping food. It really is a premium piece of kit but let’s be honest, at the price, it needs to be.

Clean-up is simple with the removable grease tray and grease cup, this is better designed than any other BBQ. Having two places in which drippings are collected makes it easier to clean the burners. Plus, there is a flare-tamer above the burners to avoid flames coming up onto your food.

Royal Gourmet 5 burner grill with sear and rotisserie being tested

There’s ample preparation space on this BBQ unit. One side table is permanent. The other side houses the side burner, but there’s a lid that folds down when the burner is not in use. This is the second prep space.

Pros

  • Gas BBQ in blue with silver trim.
  • Seven high-power burners of a variety of types.
  • An electric motor powers the rotisserie.
  • Electronic ignition button.
  • Grilling temperatures for searing, roasting or cooking.
  • The temperature gauge in the lid.
  • Removable grease tray and grease cup.
  • Storage cupboard under the grill.
  • Side table on one side; side burner on the other has a lid that serves as another side table.

Cons

  • Have to manually ignite some burners.

Our recommendation

The Royal Gourmet GA5403B 5-Burner BBQ Cabinet Style Propane Gas Grill with Rotisserie Kit is the BBQ to consider if you’re ready to move beyond just straight BBQing and grilling. The rotisserie lets you roast a whole chicken or a joint of meat. Use the sear burner or the infra-red burner to put an extra sear on anything. Cook a side dish or sauce in a saucepan on the side burner. I like this BBQ because it’s a good middle ground between the Charbroil BBQ of a similar size and the more expensive Webber BBQs. This sits right in the middle when you consider the price.

The Royal Gourmet GA5403B 5-Burner BBQ Cabinet Style Propane Gas Grill is a great choice for anyone looking for a premium gas BBQ. You won’t be disappointed.


4. CosmoGrill 4+1 Gas Burner Barbecue

Best Budget Gas BBQ

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CosmoGrill 4+1 Gas Burner Barbecue

The CosmoGrill 4+1 Gas Burner BBQ is one of the gas barbecues you can get at a budget-friendly price. My review was not really aimed at budget models, but this did make it into the review as it is a great BBQ.

It has four primary burners, and you can adjust the amount of heat each burner emits through the piezo ignition, something we prefer over any other ignition. Then there’s a fifth burner on the right side that’s great for frying or boiling food. This area also doubles as an extra preparation space thanks to the fold-down cover, which is very handy.

The grill has a sleek construction that not only looks good but is also pretty lightweight for its size. There’s also plenty of storage in the cupboard underneath. You can use this for extras such as gas bottles and utensils. The BBQ’s double-walled aluminium hood features a temperature gauge that lets you know how your food is cooking without having to open it. This keeps the heat where it belongs – next to your food.

The last thing you want is fat dripping all over the floor, and this barbecue grill comes with a removable grease tray that catches excess juices to make for easy cleaning.

This CosmoGrill is also fitted with two caster wheels. These make it easy to move to the desired cooking area or roll away into storage. 

Unfortunately, this gas barbecue doesn’t come with a gas regulator, nor does it include a gas hose. You have to purchase these yourself separately, which is a little annoying but not too much of a problem. I recommend ordering these items at the same time as you purchase your BBQ if you order online or nip to B&Q. They have them for a few pounds.

Pros

  • Gas BBQ with 4 primary burners + 1 side burner ensures you can fry and boil alongside barbecuing your burgers and steak.
  • Piezo ignition ensures the gas burners are easy to start.
  • Temperature gauge for ensuring you have the correct temperature.
  • Grease trap included makes cleaning easier.
  • Stainless steel and enamel build to ensure a longer-lasting BBQ.
  • The two caster wheels make it easy to move around the garden.
  • Eye-catching design with storage underneath.
  • One-year warranty for full peace of mind.

Cons

  • A little difficult to put together.
  • Comes without a regulator and hose.

Our recommendation

The CosmoGrill 4+1 Gas Burner BBQ provides value for money, which is something we all look for in a BBQ. With four main burners plus an extra one for additional cooking, handy storage space beneath, a temperature gauge and piezo ignition, this is a multi-functional gas barbecue that anyone can use.

The CosmoGrill 4+1 Gas Burner BBQ fully earns the ranking of my Best Budget BBQ, this is what I would consider instead of getting the cheap ones from Supermarkets. You get much better quality from a trusted brand for around the same price.


5. Fire Mountain 4 Burner Premier Plus BBQ

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Fire Mountain 4 Burner Premier Plus BBQ

The Fire Mountain 4 Burner Premier Plus BBQ is a premier BBQ and a good alternative to the Char-Broil BBQs. It’s made of stainless steel with a brushed steel finish and looks amazing. A practical and stylish touch is the blue LED lights around the control knobs. Switch them on in the evening to easily see how hot you’ve set each burner, plus add an ambient glow to your BBQ. It’s more of a talking point, but you got to admit, it looks great.

This Fire Mountain model has four burners, plus a side burner for creating delicious side dishes in a frying pan or saucepan. You don’t have to worry about fussing around to light the burners as they operate on a piezo electronic system. Just press a button, and they’re on. And the large cooking surface means it’s easy to produce food for a family or a party.

The removable stainless steel grease tray is easily accessed by a front door. This saves you from having to fumble around to pull it out. The design of the tray is such that it channels all the drippings from your BBQing food to the centre of the tray for easy cleanup.

This BBQ has four wheels for you to move it around to the best BBQ spot. The wheels have brakes, so you can be sure that the unit stays where you put it. And if you always seem to have too many cooking utensils, store some of them in the cupboard under the grill, ready for when you need them.

Pros

  • Gas BBQ has a dual grill and griddle surface made from cast iron.
  • Brushed stainless steel exterior.
  • Cooking surface capacity is 3050cm2.
  • Four burners plus one side burner.
  • Removable stainless steel grease tray.
  • The temperature gauge in the double layer stainless steel lid.
  • Control knobs for the burners are lit by blue LED lights.
  • Electronic piezo ignition.
  • Four wheels with brakes for ease of moving the unit.
  • Full-size storage cupboard under the grill.
  • Comes with a regulator, gas hose and storage cover.

Our recommendation

The Fire Mountain 4 Burner Premier Plus BBQ is both a stylish and functional BBQ. It’s large enough to produce food for a crowd, and looks good while doing so. The extra side burner is useful for cooking non-BBQed food. And the locking wheels make sure that the unit is stable and secure.

The Fire Mountain 4 Burner Premier Plus BBQ is a great choice for a large family or if you entertain outside often in the warmer months.


6. Charles Bentley 7 Burner Premium Gas BBQ

Best Large Gas BBQ

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Charles Bentley 7 Burner Premium Gas BBQ

The Charles Bentley 7 Burner Premium Barbecue is perfect for large families or a large cookout. The six stainless steel independently ignitable burners allow you to cook using a variety of temperature zones across the grill and prepare a wide range of foods simultaneously. The seventh burner is a side burner with a lid. fold down the lid when it’s not in use for extra prep space.

This Premium Gas BBQ also has a permanent side table (on the other side) for the additional convenience of food preparation and includes a removable drip tray for stress-free cleaning.

This robust grill features a large cooking area along with a double-layered hood that provides extra insulation. This feature allows for food to stay warm for up to thirty minutes after the grill has been turned off. Charles Bentley also makes a large waterproof cover for this model (BBQ.COVER/6)

Unlike any other BBQ model in this review, this Charles Bentley model has three utensil hoods, a sauce rack and a bottle opener. As these are all on the unit itself, you won’t be searching around for them at a crucial time in your cooking process. You can keep everything else in the storage cupboard under the grill.

Pros

  • Gas BBQ with seven stainless steel burners.
  • Electronic ignition.
  • Side burner with fold down lid.
  • Side table.
  • Lid thermometer.
  • Three utensil hooks, one bottle opener and a sauce rack.
  • Two-door storage cabinet.
  • Easy to assemble.
  • Easy to store away.

Our recommendation

The Charles Bentley 7 Burner Premium Gas BBQ gives you a lot of cooking area for your meals. The seven burners (six main plus one side) with electronic ignition let you cater for large families and dinner parties. The extras of utensil hooks and so on are not standard with many other BBQs.

The 6. Charles Bentley 7 Burner Premium Gas BBQ is our choice for Best Large BBQ.

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Buyer’s Guide for Best Gas BBQs

At first glance, it may seem that gas BBQs are all the same. That’s not quite true. This Buyer’s Guide informs you of the features to consider and what your choices are.

Gas Grill Burner Size

Some grill manufacturers build a large casting with a little burner, which can cause a lot of cold and hot spots. Your grill’s cooking performance does not solely depend on the number of burners or output of BTUs. It’s at its best when the heat is evenly distributed across the entire grilling surface. With even heat distribution, your grill will give you a supreme cooking experience. Check out the size of the burner in relation to the size of the grill to make sure all parts of the grill receive heat.

Flame Taming Devices

When searching for a gas grill, you need to make sure that the entire burner is covered with some sort of flame tamer because salt and grease from cooked food cause damage to the grill. The more exposed the burner is, the faster it burns out. You will also want to make sure that the flame tamer is positioned over the top of the gas grill burner.

Cooking Grills

Always inspect the material used to construct the grill grates. Stainless steel, cast iron or porcelain coated will all work very well as long as they are cleaned properly. This is where it is well worth investing in a good BBQ kit that includes good cleaning brushes and scrapers.

Grill Housings and Frames

Most, if not all, grill housings and frames are good and generally last the longest on any grill. This has a lot to do with the welding during the grill’s construction. High-quality grills are fully welded and have fully polished seams. 

Build Quality and Construction Materials used

There are a lot of cheap BBQs around that are cheap for a reason, and it’s usually down to the quality of the materials used in their construction. You can’t always see the quality of a BBQ when buying online. The online reviews usually give it away if the quality is not up to scratch. It is often the first thing that people notice when they get the BBQ and start to build it. In the end, you get what you pay for. It goes without saying, if you purchase a cheap barbeque, don’t be surprised when you open the box and are disappointed with the quality.

Temperature

Temperature gauge to monitor temperature inside while cooking
Temperature gauge to monitor the temperature inside while cooking

A high-quality gas grill has the potential to reach very high temperatures to cook meat, but will also grill delicate items, such as fruits, at lower temperatures or on the warming rack. Look for models with built-in thermometers so you can close the hood and keep an eye on the temperature. Most good models have it built into the lid.

But be aware that the temperature on the gauge is how hot it is in the lid, not down where the food is sitting. You need to experiment to figure out the temperature difference to know fully how hot the burners are.

Hose and Regulators

Gas regulator and hose that come with some BBQs but not all

Some models don’t include the hose and regulator, some don’t include the regulator but have the hose already attached, and some come with both. This shouldn’t be a deal-breaker because they are readily available at local stores and online. Just remember to check if your BBQ comes with one because it’s much easier to order one at the same time if needed.

How easy is it to build

build BBQ with easy to follow instructions
Building BBQ with easy-to-follow instructions

Most barbeques are fairly easy to build. Smaller BBQs often come with just a few bits to attach and take a few minutes to build. Larger models can take much longer to build and often come in a very large box. Two to three hours is about right for larger BBQs though some online reviewers complain that it took them much longer. It seems best to have someone around who’s very competent at DIY.

Warranty

Search for grills that provide a long warranty in order to keep from replacing parts that should not have broken in the first place. The FirePlus 4+1 Gas Burner Grill is one such grill that provides a one-year warranty. Gas BBQs do not become faulty very often, as there is very little to go wrong on them. Most complaints are usually down to poor quality parts and mis-aligned holes, and these comments are usually associated with cheaper models.

With this list of key features to have an eye out for, you should now have a greater understanding of what to look for when choosing the best gas BBQ. To look further into individual barbecues, read our full gas BBQ reviews for each recommended grill.


FAQs

Can you add charcoal to a gas grill?

It is not a good idea to add charcoal to a gas grill. The heat from the charcoal will cause damage to the grill, and the ash may obstruct your burners. If you want to impart flavour into the food you can use a smoke box.

However, there’s one hybrid model in this review, the Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 Hybrid Grill Gas Barbecue, that lets you cook with gas and/or charcoal.

How do you preheat a gas grill?

Simply turn your burners on high for 10-15 minutes. Ensure the lid is closed to promote quick heat distribution, and remember to check the thermometer for perfect cooking temperatures.

What’s better, gas or charcoal BBQ?

This is a matter of personal preference. Both ways of grilling have their benefits and disadvantages. For example, charcoal BBQs impart a uniquely delicious taste on food while gas BBQs offer better temperature control while cooking. Charcoal BBQs take longer to preheat while gas BBQs are more expensive. Depending on what you need from your barbecue, you can select either one.

What kind of gas does a gas BBQ use?

Gas barbecue models use propane or natural gas. Check the model to confirm which gas the manufacturer recommends.


Final Conclusion

A gas BBQ is a reliable, quick and easy way to cook outdoors in the glorious summer months. These grills heat up quickly, and you control the cooking temperature to ensure that your steak, fish, chicken, vegetables, whatever, is perfectly done to your guests’ liking. All the models in my review also have a side burner in case you want to whip up a quick sauce to add to the meal.


Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Welcome to my site, my name is John and I have been lucky enough to work in horticultural nurseries for over 15 years in the UK. As the founder and editor as well as researcher, I have a City & Guilds Horticultural Qualifications which I proudly display on our About us page. I now work full time on this website where I review the very best gardening products and tools and write reliable gardening guides. Behind this site is an actual real person who has worked and has experience with the types of products we review as well as years of knowledge on the topics we cover from actual experience. You can reach out to me at john@pyracantha.co.uk

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