There’s not much better than stepping outside to the delicious smoky aroma of food grilling on the BBQ, but traditional BBQs require a lot of preparation when it comes to loading the coals and waiting for them to heat.
If you love hosting, but you also value efficiency, you’re probably considering a gas BBQ. These are perfect for spontaneous get togethers given that gas BBQs heat up in just 5 – 10 minutes. You’ll be ready to go just seconds after the sun comes out!
Perfect for large households and parties, 6-burner gas BBQs have ample cooking space. Each burner can usually be controlled individually, so you can sear steak at a high temperature while simultaneously cooking vegetables, sausages or chicken at a lower heat.
If you’re considering purchasing a 6-burner gas BBQ but you’re not sure what to look out for, the following tips should help to inform your decision.
Benefits of a Gas BBQ Over Charcoal
The topic of whether to go for a gas or charcoal BBQ can be quite divisive, but there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Gas BBQs
Advantages:
- Heat up in around 5 – 10 minutes
- Temperature can be precisely set on each individual burner
- Provide a direct and constant heat
- BBQs often come with side burners that allow you to cook sauces or sides
- Relatively easy to clean as there’s no messy charcoal to deal with
- Cool down faster than charcoal BBQs
Disadvantages
- Gas canisters will need to be purchase, stored and disposed of when empty
- Won’t provide the same smoky taste as charcoal BBQs
Charcoal BBQs
Advantages:
- Usually cheaper to purchase than gas BBQs
- Suitable for indirect grilling
- Food takes on a delicious smoky flavour
- Can be easier to buy and store charcoal than gas canisters
Disadvantages
- Temperature regulation is harder than with gas
- Take longer to heat up – usually around 40 minutes
Advantages of a 6-Burner Gas Grill
Gas BBQs are available in a range of sizes, with the number of burners ranging anywhere from two to ten burners.
6-burner gas BBQs are a popular option for those who want a large cooking area but don’t want an outrageously enormous BBQ to deal with. For most parties and family gatherings, a 6-burner gas BBQ will be all you need – they can generally cater for over 15 people at a time.
With 6-burner BBQs, each burner will be able to be set to a different temperature. This is one of the benefits of a 6-burner BBQ, as you’ll be able to cook lots of different foods at once, even if they have different temperature requirements. Steaks can be seared at a high heat, while sausages can be cooked through at a lower temperature. 6-burner grills give you ample flexibility when it comes to the temperature.
Selecting the Right Size BBQ
The 6-burner BBQs that I’ve recommended on this page have cooking areas measuring in the region of 80 x 45 cm. This should be able to accommodate around 15 people (or even more). BBQs with a warming rack are better suited to catering for more people, as cooked food can be kept warm whilst additional items are still being cooked.
6-burner BBQs are around 150 cm long. They’re not enormous but you’ll still need a fair amount of space to store them. Most have side tables for storage which will add considerably to the width. In some cases, you may be able to remove these side tables (if they’re not fitted with a side burner) which will help with storage in a smaller area over winter.
Weight is a priority to consider – particularly if you have steps or uneven surfaces in your garden. Some gas BBQs can weigh over 60 kg, making them relatively difficult to manoeuvre unless your garden is flat. Depending on the terrain in your garden, you may need to look for a lighter 6-burner BBQ; some of them weigh closer to 40 kg.
Due to their size, most 6-burner BBQs are fitted with four wheels instead of just two. These are often small castor wheels. Generally speaking, these move well across hard surfaces (like patios) but may struggle over soft grass.
These are worthwhile features to look out for on a new 6-burner gas BBQ:
Side shelves: These are a common extra feature. These can be used to store bread rolls, condiments, plates and cutlery. They could also be used as an additional food prep area.
Underneath storage: This can be used to store your gas canister when not in use, or it’s a great place for plates and crockery. Those with a cabinet are safer than open storage areas, especially if you’ve got kids or pets running around!
Side burner: Most 6-burner BBQs come with an additional side burner (most of which can be covered up while not in use and used as a side table). Side burners can be used to heat sauces or make sides such as beans or onions. This means that all the cooking can be done at the BBQ, instead of requiring you to split your time between the kitchen and the outdoor grill.
Temperature gauge: If you’ve got a temperature gauge on the lid you’ll be able to see when the BBQ is adequately pre-heated without lifting the lid and losing heat. Most 6-burner BBQs should come with this feature.
Warming rack: These are another handy feature, keeping food warm while other items are cooking. Some warming racks can be used for roasting and baking.
Cover: I recommend storing your BBQ under a cover even if it’s inside, purely to protect it from dust and debris. Some BBQs come with a waterproof cover included, which allows your BBQ to be stored outside. If you’re planning on leaving your BBQ outside in bad weather, a good quality and fully waterproof cover is essential.
Working Out What Type of Gas to Use
When it comes to gas BBQs, you’ve got two main choices – butane and propane.
These are the most common gases used for home BBQing. Butane comes in blue cylinders, and propane comes in red.
Propane will burn in temperatures as low as -42°C. Therefore, it’s a good choice for winter BBQing! Whilst not the most popular time to have a BBQ, if you do fancy some grilled sausages in 0°C weather, it’s nice to know you’ve got the gas for the job!
Butane is a great choice for year-round BBQing, it just doesn’t burn well in temperatures below -2°C. For most typical UK BBQs, this won’t be problematic. Butane flows very well in warm temperatures, so it’s a great choice for summer BBQing.
Butane fuel is also slightly cheaper than propane, and it doesn’t burn as fast. This can make it a good choice economically as you may end up buying less butane than you would propane.
What about a Regulator?
A regulator is needed to connect the gas to the BBQ. This will control the amount of gas flowing into the BBQ, stopping too much from being used at once.
While some gas BBQs come with a regulator included, others do not. If your BBQ comes with a regulator, it would be compatible with either butane or propane gas. You’ll therefore need to buy gas based on the type of regulator included (unless you fancy purchasing a separate regulator).
If your BBQ doesn’t come with a hose and regulator included, then these will need to be purchased separately.
Regulators are either clip on or screw on, so this is another thing to check when buying gas. Make sure the gas canister is compatible with the regulators connecting style.
Back To Contents