The gas barbecue is an essential cooking equipment for lovers of grilling. Equipment with multiple advantages which is now available in several models.
In this buying guide you will find advice and tips you need to know before buying a grill. The gas barbecue is an essential cooking equipment for lovers of grilling. Equipment with multiple advantages which is now available in several models. In this buying guide you will find advice and tips you need to know before buying a grill.
How to choose a good gas barbecue?
The number of burners and the power
The number of burners and the power are the first things to check when buying a gas barbecue.
Manufacturers offer models equipped with 2 to 6 burners with a power between 7 KWh and 18 KWh. It all depends on how often you use it and how much food you want to cook. The more burners the equipment has, the more it allows you to prepare a substantial amount of food.
As for the power, if a barbecue with a power of 7 to 9 KWh is sufficient for occasional use, a version offering more than 9 KWh is necessary for frequent use.
The cooking surface
The cooking surface is also an important point to consider when choosing the right gas barbecue.
Like the number of burners, the dimensions of the grill or plancha can be chosen according to the number of guests and the volume of food you wish to prepare.
A gas barbecue for 10 people, for example, must have a minimum cooking surface of 2800 cm² on which you can sear the right amount of food. On the other hand, if you are less than 8 people, a 1600 cm² model will do the trick.
The materials
In addition to the power and the cooking surface, the materials that make up the barbecue are also criteria that should not be overlooked.
For cooking grids, prefer enamelled cast iron to enamelled steel which has the particularity of taking on its own heat, thus contributing to the proper functioning of the barbecue. The tank, on the other hand, is better when it is made of cast aluminum.
A material that is characterized by its thickness, its resistance as well as by its heat distribution. Finally, as for the burners and the lid, opt for a stainless steel gas barbecue which is both resistant and easy to clean.
Why buy a gas barbecue?
Ease of use
The comfort of use is undoubtedly the main asset of the gas barbecue. Better equipped than the charcoal barbecue, this type of grilling equipment is much more pleasant to use.
In addition to being lighter, it is in fact mounted on wheels so that you can move it with ease. Some models are also equipped with retractable side shelves for cutting and preparing food before cooking, a front panel for storing spices or a receptacle for collecting grease.
But that’s not all. Note that there are also gas barbecues with grills and a plancha. More versatile materials that offer a variety of cooking options.
Perfect grills
The other advantage of the gas barbecue is that it saves time. Indeed, compared to a charcoal model and an electric version, this one offers a faster rise in temperature.
You will no longer have to light the wood or wait for the plate to heat up slowly. By opting for this grilling equipment, you will enjoy instant ignition by piezo or electronic ignition as well as adjustable heat at any time. In addition, manufacturers nowadays offer gas barbecues for 20 people that allow you to grill, sear or cook a large amount of food simultaneously.
The different types of gas barbecues
Fixed gas barbecue
The built-in or fixed gas barbecue is a model that cannot be moved or transported.
It is indeed intended to be embedded in outdoor kitchens offering different cooking methods with its grill.
This type of device is more expensive, since it takes between 300 to more than 4,000 euros.
Mobile gas grill
Unlike the fixed model, the mobile gas barbecue is movable.
This is fixed neither to the ground nor to the wall. It is a grilling equipment that is easy to move and is in fact mounted on a cart with wheels.
This type of barbecue is very practical, since you can store it when not in use.
portable gas grill
As its name suggests, the portable gas barbecue is a foldable piece of equipment that can be carried anywhere.
This is ideal for camping or a picnic day.
Multifunctional, it not only allows you to grill food, but also roast it, fry it and even cook it.
How much does a quality gas barbecue cost?
The price is often the criterion that we favor when buying equipment such as a gas barbecue. However, you have to be careful, because the most affordable models are not necessarily of good quality.
These are materials that are offered over a wide price range, ranging from 50 euros to more than 1,000 euros depending on the number of burners and the power, the cooking surface and the different functionalities.
The entry-level ones cost less than 80 euros, the mid-range between 80 and 500 euros and the top-of-the-range gas barbecues at more than 500 euros. Anyway, we advise you to lean towards the models designed by major brands, such as Campingaz, Alice’s Garden or vidaXL which guarantee functionality and durability.
How to use a gas barbecue?
The location
The first thing to do is to properly install your gas barbecue. First, for a matter of safety, put your equipment away from the sun, especially if it works with a canister in order to avoid it bursting. Also choose a location where there is not too much wind so that the heat does not move only to one side and the cooking is not homogeneous.
ignition
For a first use, it is essential to operate the gas barbecue without food. Switch on and close the lid keeping at a medium temperature for about 15 minutes.
Open the lid and let the barbecue burn for another 5 minutes. If you have purchased a second-hand gas barbecue, you can immediately use it. Start by opening the lid and then the valve of the gas bottle slowly.
Open the adjustment knob of a single burner and ignite by pressing it. Go through the next burner and so on. Always set the control knob to “high” when lighting. It is also best to let the barbecue heat up for about ten minutes with the lid closed.
How to maintain your gas barbecue?
Since the gas barbecue represents a certain investment, it is essential to take good care of it in order to ensure its proper functioning over time. Remember to clean your equipment after each use.
Start with the grid, as it is easier to clean when the appliance is still hot. Simply brush it to remove burnt-on food residue.
You can then put it in the dishwasher once it has cooled if it is compatible of course. For the other elements, it is best to clean them cold.
You may use abrasive detergents and scouring pads for enamel parts. The stainless steel parts, for their part, can be cleaned using a neutral cleaning product and a soft cloth. Be aware that there are specific products in the form of foam for cleaning the grid and the enamel elements. After spraying them, you must wait for them to act before rinsing with a sponge and water.
Where to place your barbecue in the garden?
If you do not yet know where to turn for the location of your electric or gas barbecue, here are some tips that could help you find the ideal location! Indeed, with the acquisition of an Alice’s Garden gas barbecue for convivial cooking on the terrace, in the garden or around the swimming pool, you could choose to place it anywhere, but this will not always have a very good effect…
To avoid making mistakes, try to choose a place that is far enough from the main table (to prevent odors and smoke from bothering your guests) but also far enough from neighbors to avoid nuisance or reproaches! In other words, it can give you the impression of being totally isolated, but it remains for the good of all… Indeed, if you place your gas plancha or your electric grill too close to your home, then you will quickly notice that the smoke will engulf you and become a nuisance for you, and perhaps even for the whole neighborhood! In addition, this will also tend to create a danger for children, if they are likely to touch the embers or the grill of the barbecue when it is open.
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