Barbecues

With a continuous fuel supply, natural gas barbecues are made for all seasons. With instant startup, you’ll be grilling easily and precisely. And you’ll never have to deal with messy charcoal or propane tanks again!

Benefits

  • heats quickly and evenly 
  • allows you to control the heat and flame precisely
  • cooks with different temperatures at the same time 
  • never runs out of fuel in the middle of cooking 
  • no heavy tanks to buy or carry, connect or disconnect

Natural gas barbecues use flexible hoses (usually 3 to 4 metres long) to connect to your home's natural gas supply. If the barbecue is accidentally unplugged, a built-in device automatically shuts off the gas for safety.

Contact a licensed gas contractor to extend your home's natural gas piping to your backyard or patio and install a "quick-connect." The quick-connect makes it easy for you to attach, disconnect and move the barbecue or any natural gas appliances on your patio.

Barbecue buying tips

Choosing a barbecue

  • Consider a barbecue with variable temperature controls. You’ll not only be able to grill, but also sear and slow-roast. Some cheaper barbecues don't allow for individual control over burners, but more expensive models often do.
  • Consider purchasing a rotisserie attachment.
  • Make sure the cooking grate has closely spaced, wide rods for foods like fish or vegetables that might fall through grate spaces.
  • Look for warming racks, convenient for heating buns and slow baking foods such as potatoes.

Tip – Remember to budget for the installation of a natural gas connection, or hook-up or conversion to your existing gas system. Speak to your licensed gas contractor about the potential costs of this process.

Choosing the finish & cooking grids

Barbecues come in many styles of finishes, from classic black to stainless steel and a variety of designer colours. What's most important is the finish on the cooking grid itself:

  • Stainless steel grids and burners resist weathering, clean up easily, won’t rust and last longer.
  • Cast aluminum or powder-coat finishes require less cleaning time than stainless steel and retain heat better.
  • Porcelain-coated steel also holds heat well, and is easiest to clean.
  • Cast iron is durable, heats evenly and is easy to clean, although uncoated cast iron must be seasoned with cooking oil to prevent rust.

Choosing the size

Measurements of barbecues refer to the cooking surface and are measured in square inches. Choose a size that reflects how you’ll be using your grill, where you cook, and how many people you cook for.

Grills are also measured by the number of burners. A barbecue with two burners, at around 350 to 400 square inches, should be enough to cook for four people. Barbecues with 500 to 650 square inches or more of grid space and three, four or six burners can really feed a crowd.

How many BTUs do you need?

The British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating isn’t the most important factor when choosing a grill. Though a higher BTU rating means more heat, most grilling is done within a certain temperature range so higher temperatures are rarely required.

For most cooks, the size and shape of the grill will make more of a difference to the grilling experience than BTU.

However, if one model in your price range has a much lower BTU, it might be a sign that you aren’t getting good quality for the price.

Infrared heat: is it right for you?

Infrared burners use ceramic tiles with microscopic holes to concentrate flame heat, converting it into infrared energy (like the sun). This energy means a more intense and consistent heat.

Infrared heating technology is increasingly popular with professional cooks. However, it can be more expensive than standard gas grills (though the cost is decreasing). Its super intense heat is great for quick cooking, but some experts like more control over their grill.

Note: Side burners and rotisseries often use infrared technology.

These features are also available for the griller interested in a little luxury:

Side burners

Side burners let you cook your entire meal on one appliance, but can add to the cost. They have less power than main burners, making them good for side dishes or keeping sauces warm.

Rotisseries

Rotisseries are popular for those who barbecue often or for many people. But if you don’t think you'll ever cook a whole rotisserie chicken or turkey on your gas grill, this feature may not be necessary.

Smokers

To smoke your meats or fish, a compartment or drawer is filled with wood chips which release smoke, flavouring the food. Different woods produce different flavours. Some grills have a smoker feature, or you can buy smoker box accessories for use with grills.

Additional features

To barbecue safely and conveniently, ask your retailer about these options:

  • electronic ignition system
  • flip-down tables
  • tool rack
  • free assembly (remember to consider transportation)
  • warranty