Best gas barbecues put to the test
We put this year's best gas barbecues through their paces to help find the right model for you.
1. Napoleon Triumph 410
Beautifully made with really heavy grills, and plenty of space, including a useful cupboard underneath. An optional extra is the charcoal plate which you can load up with charcoal, place over the gas flame to light and then turn off the gas once it is going – so you can cook on gas or charcoal. Napoleon also make built in barbecues that can be hooked up to the main gas supply – no more hideous gas cylinders.
Best for: getting the best of both worlds
2. Landmann Triton 3 Burner Gas BBQ
This smart red unit has good solid grills and packs a serious punch, power wise – careful, you’ll want to keep those burners low. It’s got a built in thermometer, a cupboard designed to keep the gas canister in (most manufacturers advise against this) and feels pretty solid to boot.
Best for: Heat Heads
3. Ultar 4 burner barbecue
A good price for an impressive looking barbecue with four burners, and lots of space for a big party. The pay off is that it doesn’t have quite the power that the more expensive gas bbqs do, plus there’s no thermometer and the grids are flat and lightweight so don’t sear as satisfyingly as cast iron ones do. But you are getting a lot of bbq for your money.
Best for: families on a budget
4. Landmann Grill Chef 2 burner
This might be so lightweight it feels like it came out of a cracker but the burners deliver serious heat, in the centre of the grill anyway – the edges are cooler. The viewing window is a great addition for novice barbecuers (you can watch those peppers blister), and while it probably won’t last a lifetime it’s easy to lift for storage. A bargain if you pick it up at the special offer price.
Best for: first timers and the less well muscled
5. Cadac Carri Chef 2
More of a gas-powered griddle than an traditional bbq, but this is the one recommended by camping expert Josh Sutton, aka the Guyrope Gourmet, and he should know. Ultra transportable and sturdy, it works as a hob as well, and you can put the lid on to do “indirect” low and slow cooking.
Best for: happy camping
6. Weber Q1200
Like all Weber products this table-top bbq is a reliable bit of kit and easy to put together. It’s also genuinely portable thanks to the mini gas canister and a construction that is lightweight apart from the good solid grills. Puts on a good show of heat for lid-up grilling as well as fairly low heat for low-and-slow cooking, although with just the one burner you won’t be able to cook indirectly.
Best for: Balconies and easy bbq on the move
