| A gas barbecue is a quick and easy option when it | | | | this case less is more. |
| comes to al fresco cooking. Its simple, push-button | | | | A good quality, well-built gas barbecue will feel solid |
| ignition provides an instant flame and you can start | | | | and sturdy, and the wheels should roll easily. A poorly |
| to cook in about 10 minutes, making it far more | | | | made barbecue may rock when pressure is applied, |
| efficient than its charcoal counterpart. | | | | and the wheels may stick. Choose one you have |
| Above the burners are 'flavouriser' bars, ceramic | | | | seen assembled and don't be afraid to run a few |
| briquettes or lava rocks that disperse the heat in the | | | | manual tests on it. If a barbecue is not sturdy on the |
| same way as charcoal - but they don't generate ash | | | | sales floor, the chances are it will be even less so in |
| and so they don't need cleaning. And above these lie | | | | your garden. |
| the cooking grates. | | | | Cooking grates are generally made from heavy-duty |
| Most models - even the most basic - come with | | | | plated steel or chrome-plated aluminium. A thicker |
| burner controls, similar to a cooker, so that you can | | | | grate will last longer and distribute and retain heat |
| regulate the temperature. This helps you to cook | | | | better. Premium grates are made of cast iron, |
| food more evenly, with less chance of burning. | | | | stainless steel or porcelain-coated aluminium or cast |
| Most lower-priced barbecues have only one burner, | | | | iron. |
| shaped like an H or a bar, some with one control, | | | | When choosing your barbecue, look for models (and |
| some with two controls. Some high-end models will | | | | companies) that offer a comprehensive after-market |
| allow you to cook on multiple burners at different | | | | service including thorough, easy-to-read information |
| temperatures - ideal if you're preparing foods with | | | | about the product, and a free customer service line. |
| different cook times. | | | | Some will also supply you with recipes and cooking |
| Other options include side burners, useful for sauces | | | | tips, maintenance advice and even long-range |
| or vegetables, and warming racks to keep grilled | | | | weather forecasts so that you can plan the perfect |
| food warm. Flip-up side tables give you extra space | | | | barbecue evening! |
| for food preparation. | | | | A good gas barbecue lights effortlessly, controls heat |
| A gas barbecue usually burns propane, sometimes | | | | easily, has handles that stay cool to the touch, and |
| called 'patio gas', which is supplied in a red cylinder. It | | | | has added safety features. Once you have finished |
| is not uncommon to pay a deposit or hire charge for | | | | cooking it should be easy to maintain. A long life is |
| the cylinder as well as for the gas, thereafter you will | | | | assured by easy access to replacement parts and |
| just pay a refill rate. | | | | service through a well-established servicing dealer |
| The volume of gas a barbecue can burn is measured | | | | network. |
| in British Thermal Units (BTUs). Tightly engineered | | | | A gas barbecue offers you all the flexibility of a |
| barbecues use fewer BTUs and cook food more | | | | traditional cooker but with the added benefit of |
| efficiently. Too many BTUs can cause damage to | | | | enjoying the great outdoors with minimal fuss in the |
| burners and reduce the life of the barbecue, so in | | | | summer months. |