Gas barbecues make outdoor cooking as quick and easy as using the oven or the hob, but with all the benefits of cooking with an open flame. Whilst gas is often denounced as not producing the same results as a charcoal barbecue, this is not necessarily the case. We would advise a charcoal or wood pellet barbecue for low and slow smoking, but for roasting, baking, searing, and even adding smoke to shorter cooks, such as a side of fish, you won’t be impeded by a gas grill.

Weber gas barbecues

There’s a reason that the Weber brand is synonymous with barbecuing. With 70 years of expertise behind their grills, you can be sure you’re in good hands. Weber’s gas barbecues range from the compact Q range, all the way up to the behemoth of the Summit gas grill.

Weber Q range

Weber’s Q barbecues come in three sizes, the Q 1200, the Q 2200, and the Q 3200. These barbecues are compact and unobtrusive whilst still being able to feed up to six or more.

The Q range may be Weber’s smallest range of gas barbecues, but that hardly limits your options when it comes to cooking on them. A cast iron griddle is available for the 1200, 2200, and 3200, perfect for maximising surface contact for searing and cooking smaller items that may slip through the grates. A roasting shield and can also be purchased in both a small and large size, along with the corresponding small or large roast rack, ideal for protecting food from the direct heat to allow for indirect cooking and roasting.

Weber Spirit range

Weber’s Spirit barbecues are available in two or three burner sizes. There are currently two ranges of Spirits available, the Spirit and the Spirit II.

Weber’s Spirit II has an open cart design, with cast iron GBS (Gourmet Barbecue System) grates, a folding side shelf and an iGrill 3 port, ready for one of Weber’s Bluetooth meat thermometers to be attached.It is available as a two burner (Spirit II E-210), a three burner (Spirit II E-310), and as a three burner with a side burner (Spirit II E-320).

Weber’s Spirit range offers various three burner models, all with an enclosed cart with internal gas bottle storage, a removable grease tray for easy cleaning, and cast iron GBS grates. Additional features available include a side burner (as on the Spirit E-325); a sear burner to provide an additional boost of heat ideal for searing on (as on the Spirit EPX-335); Weber’s smart thermometer, which will provide a more accurate reading of the internal temperature of your grill as well as having ports for two meat probes and the ability to connect to your phone (as on the Spirit EPX-325S); and a gas bottle screen, to hide the gas bottle from view if it is stored on the side of the grill (as on the Spirit EPX-315).

Weber Genesis range

Weber’s Genesis grills are available in a three and four burner size. The Genesis range have large powerful gas burners including an additional sear burner, a double walled lid, a fold out warming rack, and cast iron GBS grates. Additional features include a side burner (as on the Genesis E-335) and Weber’s smart thermometer technology (as on the Genesis SX-435).

The Genesis grills are compatible with Weber’s new CRAFTED GBS system, as well as the original GBS accessories. So far, this includes the flat top griddle, the sear grate, the roasting basket, and the baking stone.

A rotisserie can also be purchased for both the three burner and four burner Genesis models, perfect for cooking succulent and juicy joints of meat.

Weber Summit gas range

Weber’s Summit is a gas grill of epic proportions. Available in both a four and six burner size, the Summit gas grills come with automatic handle lights, a side burner, an integrated rotisserie with an inbuilt infrared rotisserie burner, a sear burner, a built-in smoker box, and stainless steel GBS grates.

The Summit is available in either a stainless steel finish in the four burner and six burner size, or a black enamel finish in the four burner and six burner size.

All of the integrated features of the Summit allow you to expand your cooking capabilities without the need to purchase any further accessories or add-ons.

Broil King gas barbecues

Broil King Crown range

Broil King’s Crown gas grills are four burner gas grills. They have Broil King’s Flav-R-Cast Iron grates, which can be reversed to aid in cooking, with one side best for searing and the other self-basting your cooks. All the Crown barbecues come with a free grill cover included.

The Crown 410 is the basic four burner grill, with Broil King’s cast iron grates, stainless steel side ported burners, and Flav-R-Wave™ cooking system.

The Crown 480 has all the features of the 410 but also comes with a side burner and a rotisserie and rotisserie burner built into the barbecue.

The Crown S 490 has a stainless steel finish as well as an enclosed storage space on top of the inclusion of the side burner and rotisserie kit.

Broil King Baron range

Broil King’s Baron range comes in both a four and five burner size. All of the Baron grills come with a free cover and have enclosed storage, a side burner, and a rotisserie and rotisserie burner. They have Broil King’s reversible cast iron grates, a folding side shelf, a built in warming rack and four locking casters.

Take your Baron to the next level with the Baron side burner griddle, a cast iron griddle especially designed for your Baron’s side burner to help you achieve the maximum sear. Illuminate your grill by night with the addition of an LED handle light.

Broil King Regal range

The Broil King Regal grills are available from Riverside in two sizes, the S490 PRO IR, a four burner, and the 690 IR, a six burner.

The Regal grills have an enclosed storage space, heavy duty reversible cast iron cooking grates, and handle lights to illuminate your grilling space after dark. They have an infrared side burner and a stainless steel rotisserie burner for the premium rotisserie kit included with the grill. The side tables have three integrated tool hooks and a small storage shelf on each side the perfect size for your rubs and sauces.

The Regal 690 IR has two entirely independent cooking areas, giving you endless freedom to cook at two different temperatures, prepare a small meal without wasting fuel, and much more.

Adorn your Regal’s tool hooks with the silicone basting brush, stainless steel locking tongs, and Broil King’s stainless steel turner.

What gas bottle do I need?

There are two types of gas that can be used for a barbecue, propane and butane. Butane has a higher boiling point than propane, making propane more suitable for year-round use.

Most gas barbecues will come with a connector for a push-fit patio gas bottle. This is propane gas, sold in green bottles where the regulator clips onto the bottle. Patio gas is usually sold in two sizes, a smaller bottle around 5kg, and a larger bottle around 10-13kg. Many gas barbecues will have gas bottle storage designed to accommodate for these bottles.

All of the Weber and Broil King gas barbecues sold at Riverside will take a patio gas bottle, aside from some portable barbecues that take Weber’s disposable gas bottles. Gozney’s pizza ovens are also compatible with patio gas.

Patio gas can be bought either from Calor gas in a 5kg or 13kg size, or from Flogas. Flogas have two patio gas options available, their Gaslight bottle, which is a semi-transparent lightweight bottle available in a 5kg or 10kg size. Flogas also stock a patio gas called Leisure gas, available in a 6kg or 11kg size.

With all gas bottles, a rental charge is required when you first purchase the bottle. You will pay this along with the refill cost when you purchase your first bottle. When you run out of gas simply take the empty bottle to a Calor or Flogas stockist to swap for a full one at the refill cost only.

Photo by Danny Gallegos on Unsplash