The best gas BBQ of 2021 will be easy to ignite, and offer all the room you need to cater to your family. In our guide to the best gas BBQs we've included some top picks from Char-Broil, Weber, Kuhn Rikon, Argos, Outback, Everdure and more. Some are portable, designed for taking on trips to the beach or campsite, and others come with as many as four burners - perfect for a summer full of barbecues with family and friends.
The best gas BBQs of 2021 are selling out everywhere, so it's best to buy now if you want your dream grill to arrive in time for plenty of entertaining. It may still be a little chilly outside, but we've got a feeling it'll be summer before we know it.
Gas BBQs make grilling outdoors easy. They can be ignited with the push of a button, and come with extras such as warming racks, side burners and in-built thermometers to take the guesswork (and darting back to the kitchen) out of the equation. Simply get your tongs and start flipping those burgers. For other options including charcoal and electric models, check out our complete guide to the best BBQs. For the best gas BBQs of 2021, keep on reading.
Our best gas BBQ picks to buy in 2021
If you want to keep your summer BBQs small, the Weber Q3200 is a great choice. It comes with two burners, and the grill is covered by high-quality porcelain enamel that's easy to clean. The frame is lightweight and has a bottom shelf for storing plates and any other gear.
The Weber Q3200 has two side shelves that fold down. Combined with its frame, which is on two wheels, it's super easy to transport at only 45kg. Ignition is easy as could be thanks to the electric controls, and the burner valves offer complete control over your meal. It's the best small gas BBQ in our guide.
Entertaining on a budget? We've got you. The CosmoGrill 4+1 Gas Burner Garden BBQ is a large four-burner option and it even comes with a side burner. The hood is double-walled for insulating your food as it cooks, and there's a thermometer to allow you to keep tabs on temperature. For the price, it's a top choice.
Heston Blumenthal is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to cookery gadgets, whether it’s his Sage range or this rather snazzy gas BBQ. There are two burners, so you should have ample control over the heat, and you also have the option to cook with the hood off or on, enabling you to infuse your food with the smoky flavour which charcoal BBQs are more renowned for. Available to purchase in Graphite, Mint and Orange, this best gas barbecue would make the perfect addition to a patio, decking or balcony.
Looking for a BBQ that cooks with gas but also charcoal? Look no further than the Char-Broil Gas2Coal. We've tried this hybrid BBQ with both gas and charcoal, and it does an amazing job of cooking food evenly on both. Heating it up only takes about 10 minutes, and it retains heat very well (which we could tell thanks to the gauge on the lid).
Even when you do cook with charcoal on the Char-Broil Gas2Coal, it uses gas to heat up the coals and you can use the gas side burner all the while. This didn't fare so well in the windy weather, but when the sun is shining it's a belter.
You can buy the Char-Broil Gas2Coal in two, three or four burner dimensions, sothere's something for every family. The arms don't fold down though, so prepare to store it before buying.
No storage space? No problem. The Kuhn Rikon Table Top BBQ doesn't come on a stand, meaning it will fit snugly onto an outdoor table for use all through the summer. Then just pack it away in a cupboard when you're done.
Its arms fold out, and they're made of an attractive beech wood. The lid has an in-built thermometer which is great for slow cooking meats. The total cooking area is 47 x 35cm, so it's on the smaller side for family meals. It does only weigh 19kg though, making it the most portable option in our guide to the best gas BBQs.
Leave your joints of meat to slowly tenderise and infuse with smoky flavour as you enjoy the full swing of your party thanks to this best gas BBQ. The handy roasting basket lets you slowly cook whole chickens and lamb legs, alternatively, you can hook racks of ribs to the basket and there’s a grill for placing smaller cuts of meat such as sausages and chicken wings. For an easy and healthy way to feed the five thousand, invest in this handy smoker.
The Weber Genesis II E-310 comes with everything you need, but at a pretty reasonable price. It features the flavorisor bars, which are essential to recreating that charred flavour that charcoal BBQs are renowned for.
Three burners is also a great amount for most families - not so large that you'll lose all your shed space, and not so small that you can't cater to a crowd. Featuring a porcelain enamel grease tray for easy cleaning and plenty of prep area, this is the best gas BBQ for most people.
Looking for the best gas BBQ on a budget? The Outback Excel Onyx 2-Burner Gas Trolley BBQ has two burners plus that coveted side burner, and other smart features include a warming rack and porcelain-coated wire grill for easier cleaning.
The bottom shelf can be used to store dishes and other extras, and there's another fold-out arm for convenience. It even has hooks for tools and a cup holder for the grill master themselves.
This gas barbecue ticks all the right boxes; it's convenient, easy to use and great value for money. It enables you to keep two rings on and two off if you’re looking to slowly cook meat all the way through. There’s a handy heat rack to keep food warm without burning and a smaller side burner gas ring perfect for cooking side dishes at the same time as your mains.
This one’s got plenty of storage with a bottom shelf and useful condiment rack, too, which is great for seasoning food as you cook. The best value gas BBQ for size and price.
The Campingaz 4 Series Classic LS Plus is a seriously premium option. We're impressed by the cast iron grid which is sure to last many summers, and the modular system features a removable grid that can be swapped out for extras such as a wok or even a pizza stone, making it a great stand-in for the best pizza ovens.
Featuring four burners and a steel lid with an in-built thermometer, this is a seriously smart option. It has a combined cooking area of 3,500 cm squared, and one of the side shelves folds away for easier storage. Even though it comes on four casters, this is still a tricky option when it comes to easy storage.
What is the best gas BBQ in 2021?
So, let's recap... if you want a gas BBQ that will last a lifetime, and money is no object, you really can't do much better than the spectacular
. This gas barbecue is approaching an outdoor kitchen in its sophistication. Want something much more affordable? Try the .How to choose the best gas BBQ
Best places to buy the best gas BBQ
Gas barbecues come in all manner of shapes and sizes, with two burner units often sitting along side the more serious-looking six burner BBQs. This means that there are a few factors you'll need to consider before making a decision..
Single or multiple burners?
Gas BBQs with multiple burners are the best. You can seal your food on the heat, then turn half the burners off, close the lid and allow your food to cook super slowly off the direct heat. The is the king of all BBQs, with 6 burners for careful cooking control and flavouriser bars to help circulate smoke produced from dripping meat juices and marinades.
Material?
The best material for a gas burner is stainless steel – sturdier than aluminium, but more portable (and easier to clean) than cast iron.
Extra features?
The best gas barbecues will have some kind of food prep area – pull-out side shelves, for example – and perhaps additional cooking features such as a roasting basket. Look out for technologies that address the potential lack of flavour from a gas bbqs - the best should compensate for the lack of charcoal with structural features that maximise the smoky infusion effect.
How much to spend on a gas BBQ
As we now know, gas BBQs feature a wide range of gadgets and burners, which all come in various sizes. Depending on which make and model of barbecues you are drawn to, you will ultimately see differences in price.
There are big price differences amongst the well-known brands and those available in supermarkets, and also notable differences in the built quality. Plus, the more burner and more special features you opt for, will also rack up the amount you spend.
And beyond the initial purchase of the BBQ, there will be further costs to use and maintain it such as replenishing the fuel; charcoal can often be picked up from DIY stores, garages or supermarkets, and gas canisters will need to be refilled or replaced at DIY stores.