As a rule, I would always go for a lower BTU if the unit is excellent and maintaining consistent heat levels with very little temperature fluctuation. Air Vents or Dampers This small size also has its own advantages. Obviously maintenance is one, but also it makes it extremely fast to cook on as the heat is more concentrated.

A Napoleon gas BBQ may feature a rear infrared sizzle zone or side zone. Both offer the same features and the same cooking capability, and this means improved energy efficiency and reduced energy waste, as well as an improved cooking experience. This is a beast, and boasts separate chambers for charcoal smoking and gas grilling, as well as a propane side burner and offset firebox.

Frustratingly, not all hybrids have dampers and will instead have a different airflow system. I have yet to find a setup for charcoal grilling that works as well as dampers, so I recommend only getting a model that has these in place. Easy Access to Charcoal A gas BBQ gives you control over your cooking. You can alter the temperature, which makes it easier to grill more delicate foods such as vegetables and fish. Additional features: Generally, these are nice to haves, but it’s worth thinking about what else comes in the box. For example, one of our joint winners, the Whistler, comes with a rotisserie system that can be added to the BBQ. The Weber, another one of our winners, comes with an additional temperature probe for even more controlled cooking. The infrared burner is a great addition. While gas grills often have side burners, the one provided here is ceramic, which you often see with high-end infrared grill models. Ceramic is a great material for efficient heat distribution, which means you can heat food properly with less energy or heat leakage. Where some people invest in one charcoal grill as well as a corresponding gas model, combo grills reduce the waste of cost and space that this brings and streamline everything into one. Save Space

At 168 pounds, it’s a heavy unit, but it’s easy to move around. Besides, when it comes to outdoor grills, I like to bit of heft.You can use charcoal in a combo grill, but only in the charcoal component of that grill. What’s a Good BTU for Gas Grills? What I would add though is that, when compared to its propane element, the charcoal grill here just feels… a bit… cheap. It’s an odd quality imbalance here, as you would assume that the gas grill would be more demanding to design and assemble, but for some reason it’s the charcoal grill that lets this model down. However, if you’re mostly after a gas grill but with the option of charcoal grilling, then this is a great option to have. Then consider what you’ll need while cooking. Some have shelves or hooks for tools, so you can keep everything you need nearby. You won’t have to compromise at all in favor of getting gas over charcoal or vice versa. These grills are just how they sound: The convenience of gas lighting, with the authentic tastes and aromas that charcoal gives you.