What are the best gas BBQs of 2020?

As soon as spring arrives, the itch usually starts again: it’s time to fire up the barbecue (or is it barbeque?). Of course, there are fanatics who use the BBQ all year round, often a Kamado or Green Egg. You can read all about that here. There are also barbecue lovers who swear by a charcoal BBQ, addicted to the whole ritual of prep work, monitoring temperatures, adjusting airflow and so on. For them, we’ve listed the best charcoal BBQs of 2020. But many people prefer a bit more convenience, and for them a gas barbecue is the perfect solution. Not every gas BBQ is the same though. We’ve lined up the best gas barbecues for you, and we also briefly go over the pros and cons of a gas BBQ.

The advantages of a gas barbecue

• The gas barbecue is very popular because it heats up quickly. You do not have to wait long before you can put your meat or fish on the grill. With a charcoal BBQ, that usually takes quite a bit longer. Ideal for those spontaneous barbecue moments. 
• The temperature of a gas barbecue is very easy to control. This is especially convenient if you want to cook meat slowly or you want to be sure your steak does not end up overcooked. It works just like a gas hob in the kitchen: you can regulate the temperature very precisely.
• Some people actually like the fact that the smoky barbecue flavour is less strong on a gas barbecue than on charcoal. On a gas BBQ you really taste the meat, they say, and not the barbecue itself.
• A gas barbecue can be expanded exactly the way you want. You can buy side burners that are a little less hot for preparing sauces, and there are even models where you can attach a deep fryer. There are also wok pans available for gas barbecues. If you want to go all in and create a full outdoor kitchen in your garden, a gas BBQ is the right choice.

The disadvantages of a gas barbecue

• Probably the biggest downside of a gas barbecue is the price, which is usually a bit higher than that of charcoal barbecues. If you have a small budget, charcoal may be the better option.
• Gas barbecues are often considerably larger than charcoal barbecues, which you can buy in all sorts of shapes and sizes. A gas BBQ takes up a lot of space in the garden, and remember that in winter it may need to be stored in a shed or garage, where it will also require quite a bit of room.
• From time to time, you will need to have the gas tank refilled. 

The best gas barbecues at a glance

For everyone who is looking for the convenience of a gas barbecue, we have listed the best gas BBQs of the moment. From various brands and in different price ranges. 

MaxxGarden Gas barbecue

This MaxxGarden Gas barbecue is one of the best-selling “unbranded” gas BBQs at the moment. It is basically a complete outdoor kitchen for a very sharp price.This gas barbecue has 3 large burners, ideal for creating a garden party for your family and friends. With this gas BBQ you will have a sizzling outdoor cooking experience, turning your backyard into a kitchen in no time. The gas grill has a stylish and functional design.

This BBQ has a heavy-duty lid with a built-in thermometer that shows the cooking temperature precisely. The side table provides extra workspace for preparing sauces and your favourite side dishes. A removable grease tray is included and is easy to clean. Made from solid, heavy-duty materials, this grill is highly durable. The storage cabinet offers plenty of space for your gas cylinder, BBQ utensils and other cooking tools. Thanks to the 2 sturdy castors, the grill is easy to move. You will need a gas hose and a suitable pressure regulator to connect a gas bottle to the barbecue; these are not included.

Mustang gas grill BBQ

This gas BBQ from Mustang is ideal if you do not have a large garden. For example, it is a perfect gas barbecue for a balcony or terrace. It is a lightweight, foldable, compact gas grill of the “Caravan” type that is easy to use and quick to assemble. This gas grill comes with a high-quality housing and high power output, so you can prepare the best steaks and barbecue dishes on the terrace, at the beach or at the campsite. 

This gas BBQ has an oval shape and is foldable. The lid is matte black and heat resistant, as are the handles. It even has small side tables for your barbecue tools and a powerful 3.4 kW stainless steel burner. Under the cast-iron grill and griddle plate there is a steel grease tray to easily drain off fat. Ignition is simple with the push & turn piezo button.

Boretti Addizio gas barbecue

This might well be our favourite gas barbecue, not just for the way it looks but also for its performance. You can safely and quickly grill for a large group with the Boretti Addizio. The gas barbecue has 3 burners so the cooking surface is hot enough in no time for your pork belly, sausages or pork fillet steaks. The combination of adjustable air supply and the thermometer in the lid ensures you always have perfect control over the grilling process. You are not only choosing a user-friendly barbecue with the Addizio; thanks to its stylish, industrial design with matte finish, it also looks great in any garden or on any terrace.

Weber Q1000 gas barbecue

Small but powerful: this Weber Q1000 is a compact gas barbecue you can set up almost anywhere. The gas BBQ is simple, clean and safe to use, without losing that authentic barbecue flavour. You ignite it easily with the piezo ignition. You then control the temperature precisely with the infinitely adjustable gas control knob. With a lid and body made of robust cast aluminium, the Weber Q1000 has a long lifespan so you can enjoy this durable gas barbecue for many years, whether it’s next to your caravan or on your balcony. The retail price is € 249 and you can buy it here. 

Campingaz 2 Series Classic EXS Vario gas barbecue

This more compact 2 Series Classic EXS Vario gas BBQ from Campingaz is equipped with durable and reliable stainless steel burners. It is an excellent choice for a smaller garden or for beginner barbecue chefs. 

Both burners can be controlled independently, which is very convenient because with two different temperatures your food is always cooked perfectly. The high-quality cast-iron cooking surface also retains heat for a long time. 

On the handy side burner you can prepare sauces and side dishes at the same time. The wheeled trolley of the 2 Series Classic EXS Vario can easily be moved to any spot in your garden or on your patio. You can keep all your essentials within reach on the fold-out side tables or hang them from the practical hooks.

Nancy's gas barbecue – 6 burners

Looking for a practical, large gas BBQ for the whole family? Then this gas BBQ from Nancy's Homestore is ideal – and still affordable. This BBQ has 6 large cooking zones and is perfect for a garden party with family and friends. It has a modern look and is made from durable materials. The grill is made of strong materials and therefore highly durable. The cabinet at the bottom offers plenty of space to store other essentials. Thanks to the 2 sturdy wheels, the grill is easy to move.

The gas barbecue has a stylish and functional design. It features 6 burners and a robust lid with a built-in thermometer that accurately displays the cooking temperature. Two side panels provide extra space for preparing sauces or your favourite side dishes. A removable grease tray is also included and is easy to clean. 

Weber Spirit E-320 Original GBS Black

This Weber gas BBQ is hard to beat. In addition to its modern look, it is made from high-quality materials that will last a lifetime. It is essentially a complete kitchen, but outdoors – perfect if you want more than just simple grilling. This Weber Spirit E-320 Original GBS Black has a GBS grate made from porcelain-enamelled cast iron with a removable centre section. This creates space for Weber GBS accessories such as a wok or a poffertjes pan (not included as standard), so you can barbecue in a different way every time. The cast-iron material ensures optimal heat distribution. This outdoor kitchen stands out from the Spirit Classic range not only because of the GBS enamelled cast-iron grate, but also because of the closed bottom section. The outdoor kitchen features an electronic crossover ignition system, so you can light the 2nd and 3rd main burners quickly without having to ignite them separately. The Weber Spirit E-320 Original GBS Black comes with the Weber Gourmet Barbecue System. This means you can remove the centre section of the grate to make room for Weber GBS accessories such as a wok, poffertjes pan, roasting pan or pizza stone. 

This Weber gas BBQ is a serious competitor to Boretti gas barbecues, such as the Boretti Robusto we discuss below. The Weber E-320 is available from € 699. Check it out here.

Boretti Robusto

This gas barbecue from Boretti is called the Robusto for a reason. On the cooking surface of the Boretti Robusto you can grill for up to 18 people at the same time, making this outdoor kitchen perfect for large groups. The gas barbecue has 4 powerful main burners and a side burner for preparing side dishes. When you close the lid, the heat circulates perfectly thanks to its rounded shape. With the integrated lid thermometer you can constantly monitor the temperature. Need more workspace? Use the two generous side tables, which easily hold several plates and dishes. The only downside is that there is no place to hang your BBQ tools on the side. 

It receives excellent user reviews, such as this one: “Easy to use and heats up quickly. Do make sure you shield the side burner from the wind. The fine burner is powerful enough to prepare food on. The cabinet under the BBQ is handy for storing all your BBQ gear as well as the cover when you are barbecuing. Cleaning is very easy. The grate / plancha is the most work, as with any BBQ. Almost everything else can go in the dishwasher and you can easily clean the BBQ itself with a microfibre cloth and water with a little washing-up liquid. The grease tray at the back is easy to remove and clean (I always line it with aluminium foil, then you just take it out and it’s clean). With the help of a smoker box you can also easily use the BBQ as a smoker. Do watch out: if fat drips from your meat onto the flame tamers, the flames can flare up and your meat can end up in the fire. Igniting the BBQ is also very simple. We even use it regularly just to cook our everyday meat because it’s so easy to use. We also like to use the side burner in the morning to fry an egg. All in all, this BBQ is a winner.”

This Boretti Robusto is available from € 627. See all specifications and dimensions here.

The ideal gas BBQ for your situation

Gas BBQs are available in all sizes: for the balcony, at the campsite or on the beach, or as a full outdoor kitchen. With wheels or without, with extension sets, including gas fitting or without a connector. Prices range from just a few tens of euros to several thousand. There really is something for everyone.