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Preparing dinner outside on a warm weekday on a gas barbecue on your patio or terrace can be as fast and easy as boiling spaghetti on your stovetop. A gas BBQ grill can let you entertain guests or experiment with dishes like slow-cooked ham or grilled Caesar salad on the weekends. But selecting the proper model might be a tricky task.
Whether you grill a hot dog, sear a thick sirloin, or smoke a turkey breast, we're here to help you find the most excellent barbecue regardless of your budget.
Are Gas Grills Worth It?
Ready-in-a-flash and efficient gas grills are incredibly convenient, making them ideal for after-work grilling, even in the winter. Here are their key benefits, which make a gas grill a worthy investment.
Simple Pre-Heat
You can easily manage the heat with the flick of a knob to produce steaks that are crispy on the exterior and rare on the inside or chicken quarters that are burnished to a golden brown yet perfectly cooked. They only require approximately 10 minutes to warm.
Easy Maintenance
Gas barbeque maintenance is minimal. After cooking, you need to empty the drip pan, and the grates require a fast brushing.
Accurate
You can set temperatures precisely with a good gas barbeque, which improves overall control.
Consistent Heat
The heat is quite direct and steady, typically emanating from two to three burner sets, making it simple to sear, which is ideal for grilling classics.
Speed and Instant Adaptability
In addition to producing food for larger groups, the speed and instant adaptability are perfect for midweek cooking during the summer.
Is a Gas Grill the Same As a Propane Grill?
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Unless extremely cold, there is no performance difference between propane and a natural gas BBQ. Do you want to be grilling when it's 45 degrees below zero? The inability of the liquid to evaporate reduces the efficiency of propane. Other than that, propane or natural gas grills are all calibrated to operate in the same way.
How? Grills discharge less propane into the burner than natural gas, although propane has more energy and more than double the BTU power of natural gas. All gas comes out of tiny holes at the burner's entry to create the ideal flame. Compared to natural gas, propane orifice pores are substantially smaller, making it crucial to consider your intended fuel source when shopping for a grill barbecue.
Another big difference is convenience. If you use natural gas, you’ll never run out of gas. We can’t say the same about using propane – you can never know when you’ll run out of it. Therefore, we recommend keeping two propane tanks on hand to avoid running out mid-cookout since it can be very frustrating, especially during a long and slow cook time.
How Do I Choose a Good BBQ?
Aussies adore BBQ, and you can extend the season all year round by choosing the right grill. To select the best gas BBQ, you must assess some chief considerations, such as whether the grill cooks evenly without flaring up, making it as convenient to cook chicken parts as burgers and hot dogs. Another crucial consideration is how easy they’re to use and what special features they offer.
Last but not least, is the model within your budget? There are more affordable grills and splurge ones, so there’s an option for every type of backyard cook. Here are some other factors to help you pick the best option.
Where Do You Want to Grill?
There is a gas BBQ to match any outdoor cooking location. From small, portable BBQs for small courtyards to large outdoor kitchens for your new deck, everything in between.
For How Many People Are You Cooking?
You can determine how many people a BBQ can accommodate by counting the burners, whether for a family lunch or the entire football team. Two-burner gas BBQs are a good starting point because they can easily feed four people, or you can get serious by adding up to six burners.
What Are You Cooking?
Even though steaks and sausages are perennial favourites, you can also buy BBQs with additional functions like side burners and rotisseries for baking, roasting, and smoking. Or you may use a spit roaster or pizza oven.
What Basic Features to Consider?
The flat-top grill and the round kettle both employ direct and indirect heat to cook food. These are the two basic gas BBQ designs. Hooded BBQs are another fantastic option, given that they give you a combination of both.
Check for these essential features when shopping for a gas grill:
- BTU ratings as they serve as a gauge for the grill's gas consumption, but don't worry too much about them, as more BTUs don't always equate to more heat or better cooking
- At least two wheels or casters, preferably from bronze or stainless steel, to make it simple to move the grill
- A sturdy metal frame or rust-resistant stainless steel retains more heat and is less likely to be easily knocked over or even blown over the heavier and thicker it is
- Grease-directed grills that’ll prevent flare-ups by directing grease away from the burners
- Area for preparing on a bench
- Integrated thermometer
- Rotisserie or a side burner
