Can’t decide between a gas or charcoal BBQ? Discover the pros and cons of each, plus pellet grills and smokers, from our team of experts.
One of the questions Martin and the team at Hildreth’s Garden Centre get asked is:
“Should I buy a gas or charcoal BBQ?”
The honest answer is… it really just depends.
The ‘best’ barbecue isn’t necessarily the latest model, top of the range – or the one with the longest list of features. It’s the one that suits the way you love to cook, entertain and spend time outdoors. But whether you’re flipping burgers for the family on a Tuesday evening or slow-cooking a brisket for friends at the weekend, there’s barbecue at our place that’s perfect for you!
Here’s our guide to help you choose.
Gas BBQs – Perfect for convenience
If you love the idea of cooking outdoors more often, a gas BBQ is hard to beat. Turn the burners on, preheat for a few minutes and you’re ready to cook. There’s no waiting for charcoal to reach temperature and no worrying about whether you’ve lit it correctly. Modern gas barbecues are also capable of far more than burgers and sausages too. You can roast joints of meat, bake pizzas, cook delicate fish and even prepare desserts.
Get a gas BBQ if…
- You want to BBQ regularly throughout the summer
- Want quick weeknight meals outdoors
- Like precise temperature control
- Cook a wide variety of foods
- Prefer easy cleaning and maintenance
As gas BBQs go, we stock Weber, known worldwide for outstanding build quality and innovation, their gas barbecues combine reliability with excellent cooking performance. Powerful burners, flavouriser bars and accessories make outdoor cooking simple and enjoyable.
We also have a unrivalled range of Broil King gas BBQs in our South Bucks showroom and available to buy from our online store, www.garden-space.co.uk
If you’re serious about your grilling, Broil King offers exceptional heat output and cooking versatility. Their cast aluminium cook boxes and stainless steel burners are built to last, making them a favourite with enthusiastic home chefs.
Charcoal BBQs – For traditional BBQ flavour
For many people, nothing quite matches the ritual of cooking over charcoal. Lighting the coals, waiting for them to reach the perfect temperature and cooking over glowing embers is all part of the experience. Charcoal also produces that distinctive smoky flavour many people associate with traditional barbecue cooking.
Get a charcoal BBQ if…
- You love authentic barbecue flavour
- Enjoy cooking as part of the occasion
- Don’t mind spending longer preparing
- Like experimenting with different charcoal and wood
- Enjoy entertaining at weekends when prep time isn’t an issue
Today’s charcoal barbecues also offer much better temperature control than older models, making low-and-slow cooking easier than ever.
Looking beyond gas and charcoal
Outdoor cooking has evolved dramatically over the last few years, and today’s barbecue enthusiasts have more options than ever before.
Traeger has transformed outdoor cooking with its wood pellet grills. Using compressed hardwood pellets as fuel, Traeger barbecues combine the convenience of digital temperature control with authentic wood-fired flavour.
They’re incredibly versatile, allowing you to:
- Smoke
- Grill
- Roast
- Bake
- Braise
- BBQ
Simply set your chosen temperature and let the grill do the work, making them ideal for everything from smoked ribs to freshly baked bread. If you love experimenting with food, a Traeger opens up a whole new world of outdoor cooking.
Masterbuilt – The home of smoking
If low-and-slow barbecue is your passion, US brand, Masterbuilt, is well worth exploring. Their range includes charcoal grills and innovative gravity-fed charcoal smokers that offer exceptional temperature control while still delivering authentic charcoal flavour.
Perfect for:
- Brisket
- Pulled pork
- Beef ribs
- Smoked chicken
- Pork shoulder
For barbecue enthusiasts looking to recreate authentic American-style BBQ at home, Masterbuilt offers impressive performance with surprisingly straightforward operation.
Still not sure which one is right for you?!
That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Rather than trying to compare dozens of models online, visit our showroom at Hildreth’s Garden Centre and chat to our knowledgeable team. We’ll help you find the barbecue that suits your cooking style, your garden and your budget.
Meantime, here’s a sneaky peek…
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