Best gas BBQ picks: tried, tested and rated by reviews experts

Best gas BBQ at a glance

• Best large gas BBQ: Everdure Furnace 3 burner gas BBQ, £599
• Best premium gas barbecue: Weber Genesis Series EPX-335 Smart Gas Barbecue, £1,929
• Best easy-to-assemble barbecue: Napoleon Rogue R425 gas grill, £641.24
• Best portable barbecue: Weber Q1200 gas barbecue, £369
• Best barbecue for serious barbecuers: Napoleon Freestyle 365 SIB, £617.49
• Best gas barbecue for feeding a crowd: Weber Genesis E-315 gas barbecue, £1,199
• Best gas barbecue for versatility: Broil King Crown 490, £949
• Best barbecue for couples or small families: Char-Broil Grill2Go, £190.99
• Best basic barbecue: Boss Grill Deluxe Portable, £249.97
• Best budget barbecue: George Foreman GFSBBQ1 Single Burner, £154.99
• Best barbecue for grilling and searing: Boss Grill Georgia Classic, £249.97
• Best barbecue for first-time barbecuers: Outback Magnum 3 Gas/Charcoal barbecue, £519.99

Jump to:

• What is the best gas BBQ?
• How we tested gas barbecues
• What to look out for when buying a gas barbecue
• What gas do you use for a barbecue
• Best barbecue recipes

What is the best gas BBQ?

Everdure Furnace 3 burner gas BBQ

• Available from John Lewis & Partners (£695), Lakeland (£699)

Best large gas barbecue

Pros:

• Large cooking area
• Attractive
• Easy to control temperature
• Intuitive design
• Quick to pre-heat

Cons:

• Assembly is quite fiddly
• Some cold spots

Star rating: 5/5

Wide and robust, this sizeable gas barbecue from Australian brand Everdure impressed us with its good looks and quick, ferocious cooking. It comes with three die-cast grills, each of which slots above a burner that works independently – so you can fire up all three at once or just use one at a time.

Getting it to 200C took a matter of minutes, and we found it reacted well to temperature changes, too. There are three hob-like knobs along the right-hand side that operate the barbecue, so there’s an element of familiarity if you’re used to cooking on gas indoors.

It can also handle a large amount of food, and there’s space for up to 28 burgers or three roast chickens at one time. Our sirloin steaks, cooked for six minutes on each side, were medium rare and juicy, and our halloumi and vegetable kebabs were well charred.

We did find the occasional cold spot on the grill, which seemed to line up with the positioning of the burners underneath. Putting the barbecue together was also fiddly and time-consuming, especially as we found some of the screws didn’t thread through properly. However, once it’s built, it can stay assembled – and there’s a cover to protect it from the elements available on the Everdure website, too.

Read our full Everdure Furnace Gas BBQ review.

Available from:

• John Lewis & Partners (£695)
• Lakeland (£699)

Weber Genesis Series EPX-335 Smart gas barbecue

• Available from Weber (£1,879)

Best blow-out barbecue for entertaining

Pros:

• Expandable cooking grate/keep warm grill
• Illuminated controls for night-time cooking
• Six utensil hooks
• Extremely high quality component parts
• Extra-large sear zone
• Grease scraper included

Cons:

• Short power cord
• Batteries required for ignition and LED lighting
• Barbecue cover not included in the price

Star rating: 5/5

New for 2022, the Weber Genesis is a professional-grade gas barbecue for home use. It's our top pick for anyone wanting to create big barbecue flavours easily year-round from a relatively seamless outdoor cooking experience.

It’s a beast, large enough to cook for up to 10 at a time. For the price, we expected exceptional quality along with bells and whistles, and we weren’t disappointed. Among the features were night vision LED lighting, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, plus alerts for step-by-step barbecue recipes direct to your phone; a modern nudge that could prove useful when distracted during busy barbecues with friends and family.

We particularly liked the inclusion of a meat thermometer for safely cooking cuts of meat. The sear zone also proved ideal for achieving the higher heat needed for giving steaks iconic grill lines and caramelised flavour, while kebabs cooked at a different temperature alongside.

An extendable rack for keeping cooked ingredients warm before they’re dished up also proved useful during testing. The same quality results could be achieved from a smaller and cheaper model, but this barbecue is as reliable as your stovetop indoors.

Read our full Weber Genesis Series EPX-335 Smart gas barbecue review.

Available from:

• Weber (£1,879)

Napoleon Rogue 425 gas grill

• Available from BBQ World (£641.24)

Best easy-to-assemble barbecue

Pros:

• Quick to heat up
• Good temperature control
• Excellent cooking results
• Thoughtful design
• Easy to move around and lock
• Striking aesthetic

Cons:

• Expensive
• Non-stick coating disappointing

Star rating: 5/5

A wonderful all-rounder, the Napoleon Rogue 425 gas grill passed every cooking challenge with ease and surpassed its rivals in terms of quality. It provided extra-fast pre-heating and the best overall heat retention – a vital tool when you’re cooking for a crowd or slow cooking large cuts.

It was one of the simpler builds, having fewer, higher-quality parts. Despite having one of the largest overall grills, it impressively folds down brilliantly (even the side hob can be tucked away) and won’t take up half your garden space.

It's also packed with well-made functional extras (a side hob, storage shelf for condiments and tools, for example) which are the cherry on top of what overall feels like a robust, well-engineered and food-focused gas grill.

Read our full Napoleon Rogue 425 gas grill review.

Available from:

• BBQ World (£641.24)

Weber Q1200 gas barbecue

• Available from BBQ World (£275), Weber (£305)

Best portable barbecue

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Cooks well
• Portable
• Compact to store
• Uses smaller gas cartridge than majority on the test

Cons:

• Expensive
• Compact-sized grill means best suited to smaller gatherings
• Non-stick coating disappointing

Star rating: 4.5/5

As you might expect with this trusted brand, the Q1200 portable gas barbecue is easy to use and cooks well, albeit without the fancy features of larger models. Despite using a small C500 gas cartridge, it heats efficiently, but the temperature quickly drops if the lid is opened for any length of time. It takes several minutes to regain heat after this, especially once the grill is covered with food.

It’s worth noting that the compact-sized grill makes it ideal for cooking a few steaks for a cosy gathering of four, rather than a prolonged burger-flipping session catering for a larger party. While it creates good char lines, sections of the grill are solid, which reduces the areas where you can achieve this authentic barbecue finish.

Clear instructions mean it’s easy to assemble, and it can be used without the stand, so it’s a sensible option if space is tight or to take out and about. One word of warning: make sure the plastic side tables don’t accidentally touch the hot grill as they are likely to scorch.

This is a versatile bit of kit, which can be used with or without the stand, making it completely portable, whether you’re in the garden or on the beach.

Read our full Weber Q1200 review.

Available from:

• BBQ World (£275)
• Weber (£305)

Napoleon Freestyle 365 SIB

• Available from BBQ World (£617.49)

Best barbecue for serious barbecuers

Pros:

• Easy to ignite
• Quick to heat
• Effective side burner
• Handy side table
• Great 10-year warranty
• Cooks precisely and delicately, easy to control

Cons:

• Grates are slightly wide
• Terrible instructions, takes a long time to assemble
• Expensive
• Noisy

Star rating: 4.5/5

Easy to ignite and quick to heat, the Napoleon Freestyle 365 is a top-line three-burner gas barbecue. The 51 x 45cm grilling area is a good size, offering lots of space for cooking without taking up your entire patio. The burners and thermometer are responsive, letting you precisely control the temperature, so barbecued chicken ended up with well-defined grill lines.

For sides, the warming rack is suspended in just the right spot to keep kebabs and corn on the cob at the perfect temperature. The side burner was the biggest hit, grilling an astonishing steak, and the bottle opener makes this model a social focal point on a patio. However, it’s difficult to put together because the instructions are poor, and it needs a screwdriver, spanner and ratchet. We also found the grates to be quite wide, so smaller, more delicate items like prawn skewers might struggle to achieve even charring.

This barbecue is expensive for what it offers. Though it has a good 10-year warranty, it’s still a lot of money for a three-burner model. Read our full Napoleon Freestyle 365 SIB review.

Available from:

• BBQ World (£617.49)

Weber Genesis E-315 Gas Barbecue

• Available from Weber (£1,199), John Lewis & Partners (£1,199)

Best gas barbecue for feeding a crowd

Pros:

• Large cooking area
• Easy to light
• Integrated thermometer included
• Hood retains heat well

Cons:

• A lot of non-recyclable packaging
• Assembly is time consuming
• Temp control dials feel cheap and flimsy
• Breaks on the wheels are stiff

Star rating: 4/5

For those who regularly entertain, this three-burner BBQ from Weber is great for a large household or feeding lots of hungry visitors. It features a 'PureBlu' burner system that generates consistent heat across the surface, and we were impressed by just how much cooking space there was to work with.

Be prepared to put some effort into assembly – it requires at least two people and took us around two hours (it's worth downloading the Bilt app for the 3D guide). This was disappointing given the price, and we felt at least some of it should have come pre-assembled. There was also an excessive amount of non-recyclable packaging used.

Hooking it up the gas and getting it lit was a much speedier process, and we could easily monitor the temperature by referring to the gauge on the hood. The hood itself has a cool-touch handle and retained heat well. The control dials feel a little flimsy, but the rest of the BBQ is robust and backed by 12-year warranty.

All the ingredients we barbecued had good charring and an excellent smoky flavour running through them. The chicken legs, which we grilled on the warming rack with the hood down, were also nicely caramelised and succulent.

Available from:

• Weber (£1,199)
• John Lewis & Partners (£1,199)

Broil King Crown 490

• Available from Keen Gardener (£949)

Best gas barbecue for versatility

Pros:

• Large cooking area
• Lots of space for different cooking options
• Intuitive dials
• Retains heat well
• Easy to move around and keep in place

Cons:

• Very laborious and difficult assembly process
• Unable to get the ignition to work

Star rating: 4/5

Equipped with a generously sized grill as well as added hob-top, rotisserie attachment and keep-warm shelf, the Broil King Crown 490 really does provide everything you need for a versatile barbecuing experience.

The controls work much like a standard hob; they’re large, intuitive and well labelled. The lid is lightweight, but retains heat well, meaning you needn’t worry about opening it up too often to check on the progress of your food. There’s also a very responsive temperature dial on the outside of the lid and the handle remained cool throughout the test, too.

We like to think we’re well-versed when it comes to building barbecues, but building this model left us worn out and frustrated. With no accompanying text in the manual, you have to rely solely on imagery to get you through the build. A lot of the bolts and screws look very similar, but serve different purposes, so matching them up was a fiddly endeavour.

Building this model took a laborious hour and half, and even then some of the screws didn’t sit flush, and we still had a big wiring job to do. We were disappointed to find we had to connect all the electrical elements; it's not something we’d expect from a model at this price-point.

We weren’t able to get the ignition button to spark, so we had to use a lighter to get this model going. However once it was up and running it took around 10 minutes to reach 200C and cooked every test recipe to near perfection. The spatchcock chicken was juicy and well browned, the steak had defined grill lines and our vegetables cooked well.

Available from:

• Keen Gardener (£949)

Char-Broil Grill2Go

• Available from Amazon (£163.18), Appliances Direct (£169.97), Robert Dyas (£190.99)

Best barbecue for couples or small families

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight for moving round the garden (9.7kg)
• Easy to set up and use
• Good cooking results
• Comes with scraper

Cons:

• Some flare-ups despite manufacturer claims
• Tricky to cook slower dishes
• Cool spot in whole front of barbecue, and hotter on right side
• No extra tools/storage

Star rating: 4/5

The Char-Broil Grill2Go gas BBQ is a simple, single-burner gas model. It reaches temperature in under five minutes and has a handy thermometer in the lid. Though it has a relatively large 44 x 28cm cooking area, it’s easy to move around the garden, so it would be a great companion while camping, too.

Burgers come off this barbecue looking picture-perfect, with well-defined grill lines. The Grill2Go is also excellent at retaining moisture, which can be tricky on a barbecue. Our vegetable kebabs had crisp, charred outsides and succulent insides. However, this model suffers from the success of its char-lines, which can quickly blacken food even at lower temperatures, making it difficult to cook through larger ingredients.

Nevertheless, we think this grill is excellent for couples and small families. Because it heats up so quickly, it’s just the thing for everyday grilling, too.

Read our full Char-Broil Grill2Go review.

Available from:

• Amazon (£163.18)
• Appliances Direct (£169.97)
• Robert Dyas (£190.99)

Boss Grill Deluxe Portable

• Available from Appliances Direct (£249.97), Amazon (£299.97)

Best basic barbecue

Pros:

• Useful screw and bolt tray with pop-out labelled pouches
• Attractive keep-cool handle
• Intuitive controls
• Large barbecuing area
• Easy to move around

Cons:

• Cord for gas is a little short
• Not the tallest
• Wobbly

Star rating: 4/5

The Boss Grill Deluxe Portable is a simple, double-burner barbecue. It doesn’t come with all the high-tech features of some of the other models on this list, instead it’s geared towards getting the basics of barbecuing right.

When it came to assembling this model, we found we’d have liked a lot more information in the manual: it was lacking in text and the accompanying imagery didn’t illustrate the assembly process as clearly as we’d have liked. But, once it was assembled, the Deluxe Portable ignited in a matter of moments and took just five minutes to heat up.

The Boss Grill model offered even and consistent heat. All of our test dishes cooked as we were expecting, showing well-defined grill lines from top to bottom.

This is a generously sized barbecue for a family of four or a small gathering, and it gets the basics right. Read our full Boss Grill Deluxe Portable review.

Available from:

• Appliances Direct (£249.97)
• Amazon (£299.97)

George Foreman GFSBBQ1 Single Burner

• Available from Amazon (£130.99), BBQ (£130.99), Robert Dyas (£154.99)

Best budget barbecue

Pros:

• Low price for a gas barbecue
• Even heat coverage
• Easy to set up with clear instructions
• Cooks well

Cons:

• Very basic with no extra tools or functions
• Have to assemble the regulator yourself, which is fiddly
• Poor one-year warranty

Star rating: 4/5

The George Foreman GFSBBQ1 is a single burner barbecue for three people, but we think you could stretch this to four. With excellent, even heat coverage, it reaches temperature in just five minutes, and the temperature is easy to control. It cooked well, and our test recipes all turned out delicious. However, what you see is what you get – there are no extra functions or hidden storage.

Though it produces good char-lines, these aren’t as good as other models on test, and it took longer to cook. We also found that the 70cm width of this barbecue slightly defeats the point of a table-top design, as it takes up a lot of room on most patio or garden tables.

Though the main body of the barbecue is easy to set up, only needing to screw in the lid, you have to put together the regulator yourself, which is very fiddly. That said, this model delivered good results, and it’s all you need for a few burgers on a sunny afternoon.

Read our full George Foreman GFSBBQ1 Single Burner review.

Available from:

• Amazon (£130.99)
• BBQ (£130.99)
• Robert Dyas (£154.99)

Boss Grill Georgia Classic

• Available from Appliances Direct (£249.97)

Best barbecue for grilling and searing

Pros:

• Comes with side burner
• Flat plate for searing steaks and burgers
• Generous cooking space
• Comes with lots of useful accessories
• Useful warming rack

Cons:

• Instructions lacking: the barbecue was fiddly to put together
• A little wobbly
• Struggled to ignite the side burner – had to use lighter

Star rating: 3.5/5

The Georgia Classic Boss Grill is the only model on this list that comes with two types of cooking plate for the main barbecue area. Choose from a classic barbecue grill or a single plate of cast iron, perfect for hard searing meat, buns or anything else that requires a tasty crust.

This model comes with four burners on the barbecue portion and an additional side hob, so you can cook food in a frying pan, skillet or saucepan.

We were let down by the complicated assembly and poor quality materials of this design. The instruction manual wasn’t overly clear and the supportive side panels were very flimsy and easily bent out of shape.

The main grill was easy to ignite, but we weren’t able to get the side burner to light, despite many attempts. The food cooked well but the front 10cm barely heated up, so was rendered unusable.

Read our full Boss Grill Georgia Classic review.

Available from:

• Appliances Direct (£249.97)

Outback Magnum 3 Gas/Charcoal barbecue

• Available from Appliances Direct (£459.97), JD Williams (£519.99)

Best barbecue for first-time barbecuers

Pros:

• Well thought out with lots of great features
• Easy and safe to use
• Very easy to clean

Cons:

• At least two people needed for build
• The side burner ignition is very close to the flames
• Sand is required in the drip tray
• Not as solid and sturdy as some

Star rating: 3.5/5

This Outback model is packed full of features, so for the money and ease of use it's a good option if you’re looking for something simple but effective. It includes a side burner, side shelf, tool hooks, bottle opener, charcoal basket, warming rack and removable grill – everything you can think of. Plus, if you shell out for a sizzle plate, pizza stone and charcoal, this is a hugely versatile barbecue. It’s a simple, methodical build, easy to use and, for occasional use and your average barbecue fare, it’s good.

This is well thought out and easy to use, so it's most useful for first-time gas barbecue users and occasional use, cooking predictable barbecue food. It wouldn't be suitable for very small gardens or courtyards as it doesn't fold for storage and takes up quite a bit of room.

The biggest drawbacks are its cooking reliability and lack of efficiency thanks to cold spots, and compared to other models in the test in the same price range, it seems expensive. Its size and storage demands and the need for sand in the drip tray also let it down.

Read our full Outback Magnum 3 Gas/Charcoal barbecue review.

Available from:

• Appliances Direct (£459.97)
• JD Williams (£519.99)

Other gas BBQs tried and tested

• Weber Spirit II GBS gas grill review, £509
• Napoleon Phantom Prestige 500 SIB review, £2,308.49

How we tested gas barbecues

We teamed up with our friends at Gardeners' World for this test and together we considered everything from the time taken to build, the quality of materials, how easy it was to cook on and the quality of the food cooked, plus more.

Safety was a must when testing these hefty bits of kit. Each reviews expert wore a robust apron and heat- proof gloves when working with the barbecues. For the best gloves, tongs and other barbecuing essentials, head over to our best barbecue tools guide.

To put each barbecue to the test, we cooked a range of barbecue staples including toasted burger buns, chunky barbecue potato slices, courgette slices, a whole aubergine and halloumi kebabs. Some of the models we tested had either sizzle plates or an additional hob, on which we cooked a simple sirloin steak. For the models with a rotisserie function, we also made a rotisserie chicken. All barbecues were tested against the following criteria:

• Versatility and efficiency: we wanted a generous cooking space for the size of the barbecue. Additions like different plates, warming racks or the option for additional cooking accessories were a plus
• Performance and cooking results: we wanted to see even and well-defined grill marks and fully cooked food at a steady and consistent temperature – no burned sausages here!
• Value for money: we considered whether the price of the barbecue was consistent with its performance and versatility in use
• Simple and easy to use: we favoured barbecues that were quick and efficient to build thanks to a clear manual, we also looked for intuitive and responsive controls, and a gas flame that was easy to see
• Sustainability: we looked at the materials used to package and ship the barbecue; excessive use of plastic and polystyrene meant it lost points
• Overall quality of materials: a high quality build with structural integrity guaranteed to withstand the elements

For more information on our test processes, read our behind the scenes piece on how we test and review products.

What to look out for when buying a gas barbecue

Assembly
For ease and speed, we suggest opting for a barbecue that is quick and easy to assemble. The likelihood is that the more advanced the model, the more likely it is to take longer to assemble. We favoured designs that had clear and concise instructions that weren’t overly complicated to put together.

Design
Practical design makes all the difference when you build a barbecue, and in the long-term, a sturdy, waist-height model with easy-to-clean parts will make using the grill regularly more appealing, and help you to cook with confidence.

Materials
We all know what the great British weather can be like, so good quality, robust materials are a must. For the main grilling plates, look for models with efficient heat conductors and retainers, like cast iron or steel.

Cooking options
A basic gas barbecue will offer enough space for a few burgers, kebabs and buns. If that’s what you’re after, then great! But other models also offer sizzle plates for meat, additional gas hobs, rotisserie functions and warming racks.

When it comes to cooking, a two-sided grill that is a good few inches away from efficient gas burners is ideal – this will allow you to manage cooking at different temperatures and avoid burning the food. This will also let you grill large cuts as well as sear smaller produce.

Size
Do you have a small courtyard garden, a decent amount of outside space or something in between? The barbecues we tested range in size from compact portable options up to real behemoths. The size of your barbecue shouldn’t dominate your garden, so work out how much space you’re willing to give up as larger models in particular are not likely to move.

Ease of storage
After use you’ll want to store your barbecue somewhere safely. Some models come with a cover to keep it safe from the elements, or these can be bought separately. Others come with side units that can be folded down and out of the way to give you a little more space. If space is at a premium, these are things you’ll want to think about.

What gas do you use for a barbecue?

So, you’ve decided to opt for one of the best gas barbecues on this list. The next thing you’ll need to do is get your hands on some gas. But which gas do you need for your barbecue and how do you go about sourcing it?

The gas models on this list require either propane or butane gas – two of the most commonly used gases for domestic barbecues. Without getting too deep into all the science behind the gases, the main difference between propane and butane is their boiling point.

Propane has a boiling point of -42C and butane’s is -2C. This means propane can be stored outside in all weathers, whereas butane is less effective in cold weather. But don’t make the mistake of thinking these gases are interchangeable – they’re not: the gas connectors for propane and butane are different. To add to the confusion, some barbecues on this list take a propane/butane blend. Always buy the type of gas stated by the brand of the barbecue you’re buying.

Gas bottles can be refilled or bought directly from suppliers like Calor and FloGas or from home and DIY stores like Homebase and B&Q. A quick Google search is the best way to find your nearest gas supplier. Do note that if you’ve never bought gas before, you’ll need to pay for the gas canister, too, which will push the upfront cost up.

The cost of the gas will vary in price depending on how much you’re buying. Expect to pay £20-£35 for 4-6L of gas. Mid-sized bottles (7-12L) range in price from £35-£55. And anything larger will cost £55 upwards.

Best barbecue recipes

Sticky chicken & chorizo skewers
Molten cheese stuffed burgers
Tamarind squash & halloumi skewers
Charred aubergine, pepper & bulgur salad
BBQ rum & caramel bananas
Best vegan barbecue recipes
Top 20 family barbecue recipes
Best ever barbecue recipes
Best family barbecue desserts
Best vegetarian barbecue recipes
Best healthy barbecue recipes
Last minute barbecue recipes

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If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.