Gas BBQ recommendations

[lauda]

Having been making the most of lots of lazy weekends and the recent good weather, my little Weber Smokey Joe has seen more action so far in 2020 than any other year I've owned it. However since we're only a family of four (including two young kids who don't eat much more than a sausage and half a burger each) it seems like a bit of a faff lighting it, waiting to heat up and then cooking a handful of bits on it so I'm thinking the convenience of a gas BBQ would be great.

Yes, I know the flavour won't be quite the same but I figure the practicality will outweigh this.

In expectation of actually being able to host slightly larger groups later in the summer, I'm leaning towards a Weber Spirit II E320. All the reviews seem positive and my Smokey Joe has stood up really well to being left out in the garden uncovered year round since I got it about five years ago so the Weber reputation for quality and durability seems well-founded.

Before I hit the order button, are there any other alternatives I should be considering? Napoleon ones seem similar in spec and price to Weber but I don't know if the quality is as good. Any thoughts or experience would be appreciated.

[Puggit]

Get a charcoal chimney starter?

[Oil Trash]

We have a cadac gas bbq and although designed for camping - we bought it for use at our caravan - it really is very very good and is now getting lots of use on our patio -

[OriginalFDM]

Not sure which specific model it is but I have a Weber Spirit and it’s absolutely fantastic. Was about £450 a couple of years ago IIRC.

In my experience, cheap gas BBQs are a total false economy. I could see this lasting 20 years and still doing the job perfectly, the quality of the materials is so much noticeably better than the cheaper £150-250 ones I’ve had in the past.

EDIT - just googled, mine is the original Spirit E310, and it’s bombproof

Edited by OriginalFDM on Tuesday 19th May 12:40

[Mogsmex]

another vote for Weber spirit here, got ours a few years ago now and so much better then the cheapys that preceeded it

It cooks well and is built well

[85Carrera]

I’ve had a Weber Q3000 for about 12 years. I need to replace the igniter but other than that it’s been a good bit of kit

Also have a charcoal Weber but midweek evenings if I’m just grilling I tend to use gas.

[XJ75]

85Carrera said:

I’ve had a Weber Q3000 for about 12 years. I need to replace the igniter but other than that it’s been a good bit of kit

Also have a charcoal Weber but midweek evenings if I’m just grilling I tend to use gas.

I have a Q3200 and every year the igniter fails to work after sitting over winter. I take it off the BBQ, remove all the wire connections (they are just push fit), give it a good scrub with a brush and stick a new battery in and it works.

You might not be as lucky but it's worth a go.

[sgrimshaw]

XJ75 said:

I have a Q3200 and every year the igniter fails to work after sitting over winter. I take it off the BBQ, remove all the wire connections (they are just push fit), give it a good scrub with a brush and stick a new battery in and it works.

You might not be as lucky but it's worth a go.

Used to have the same problem with an Outback BBQ.

Once bitten, twice shy ... so at the end of each summer I just removed the igniter and kept it indoors

[lauda]

Puggit said:

Get a charcoal chimney starter?

I do have one of those for my Smokey Joe. I know it makes things quicker and easier but it's still a hassle to clean out all the old coals from the BBQ, sort the charcoal/lighters, wait 20 mins for the coals to heat up, empty the starter, put the grill and lid on, wait another five minutes for it to warm up when with a gas one, you turn it on and five minutes later you're ready to cook. I'm impatient!

But thanks all for the feedback. It does sound like the Weber is the way to go. I'll make sure I get a cover and take the igniter in over winter and hopefully it should last me for many summers to come.

Although I can guarantee that we won't see a day of sunshine for the rest of the summer as soon as it gets delivered.

[sgrimshaw]

I have a Char-Broil X200 which is a portable gas bbq, might be a bit small for you ... but ... the build quality is excellant.

They do bigger ones, including one which is gas and charcoal ..

https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/char-broil-gas2coal-3...

Full range here:

https://www.charbroil.eu/

[Geffg]

I’m looking at a Webber for my next one and will be gas. Got an outback dating back to 2002 and it’s still going good apart from some of the coating has come off the cast iron grilles. It is kept in a garage so not left out but even after 18years it’s still good and the ignition on mine doesn’t take battery’s just turn the knob to ignite. Only ever hear good things about webbers and think my outback must be one of the last decent ones.
Definitely be gas again as I like the quickness and convenience of it. Switch on, few minutes later cook, switch off and put away. Flavour still decent so can make a slight compromise for the convenience.

[Pickled Piper]

Not overly impressed with our Webber Spirit. The cooking is great, but I find it a bit rickety. Whatever you do don't waste your money on the Webber branded cover. Mine started to disintegrate after just a few months.

I personally think you should be able to stand on a BBQ, like the ones they have in Canada.

[RammyMP]

I’m on my third gas bbq, the first was a B&Q one which lasted about 3 or 4 years before it rotted away, that was a good one. The second was from Outback, it was crap. They were both freestanding so they were a pain to get to the tip. I then bought a Nextgrill table top bbq from Costco and it’s great. 3 years now and still going well.
https://www.costco.co.uk/Garden-Sheds-Patio/Barbec...

[85Carrera]

XJ75 said:

I have a Q3200 and every year the igniter fails to work after sitting over winter. I take it off the BBQ, remove all the wire connections (they are just push fit), give it a good scrub with a brush and stick a new battery in and it works.

You might not be as lucky but it's worth a go.

That worked last year but not this.

If I remember, I'll remove it before I put it away for winter this year.

[Squadrone Rosso]

I run an Billyoh hooded 4 burner.

2 burners heat the hot plate & the other two do the penrocks.

4 years on & aside from the “charcoal” basket (which is starting to fail, replacements are available), it’s in great condition.

It lives outside under a tailored cover through the winter.

Very happy with it. Cost c£300 from memory. Self assembly was easy enough.

[AC43]

RammyMP said:

I’m on my third gas bbq, the first was a B&Q one which lasted about 3 or 4 years before it rotted away, that was a good one. The second was from Outback, it was crap. They were both freestanding so they were a pain to get to the tip. I then bought a Nextgrill table top bbq from Costco and it’s great. 3 years now and still going well.
https://www.costco.co.uk/Garden-Sheds-Patio/Barbec...

I like the look of that. Not really getting on with the faffing about with my charcoal BBQ - quite fancy something I could fire and forget.

Was planning electric but that might do the job.

[RammyMP]

It is handy as it’s quite compact so doesn’t take up much space in the garage. It’s the right size for cooking for four. I sit it on a table in the garden when using it. I paid £100 when I got it a few years ago.

[Matt Harper]

My trusty Great Outdoors Pinnacle gave me sterling service for about 10 years - which included annual trips to Daytona and Sebring. But on it's last use flames started coming out of places they had no business coming out of - so out to the curb it went.



I replaced it with this one from Nexgrill - not sure if they are available in the UK, but it is a very well made product and so far all the indications are that it will provide similar good service to it's predecessor.

I did look at a Weber equivalent - but paying an extra $400 for the name and not much else, didn't really make sense to me.

[AC43]

RammyMP said:

It is handy as it’s quite compact so doesn’t take up much space in the garage.

Tick

RammyMP said:

It’s the right size for cooking for four.

Tick

RammyMP said:

I sit it on a table in the garden when using it.

Tick

RammyMP said:

I paid £100 when I got it a few years ago.

It still looks good value.

Quick question; if there are juices and fat where do they go? And how do you keep it clean in general?

[RammyMP]

There’s a removable tray under it to catch the grease. I clean it with a steam wire brush (it drops water on to the grill which turns to steam).