How to use a Gas BBQ

Here at Bottle Gases, we stock a wide range of BBQ and patio gas bottles suitable for domestic and commercial use.

Preparing food quickly on your gas BBQ will certainly be a hit with your family and guests this summer. We’re on-hand to supply high-quality LPG gas which is regularly tested to guarantee safety and condition.  

In this blog, we’ll discuss how to use your gas BBQ, including choosing the right gas, connecting the bottle and tips for cleaning.

How to connect BBQ Gas 

To connect your gas bottle, make sure your regulator is turned to the ‘off’ setting, then push down the regulator onto the valve until you hear a click. Once the regulator is in place, turn the switch to ‘on’, and you will hear a hiss indicating that the gas is flowing.

Your gas BBQ is now ready to use. Simply ignite your burners and get ready to enjoy delicious BBQ food with the whole family. 

Cooking Tips for your Gas BBQ

After you have connected your gas, you should light the burners and turn them up to full power. If your BBQ has a hood, close it to heat the grill quicker and keep the heat in. Ideally, you want your BBQ to reach 200-250 degrees Celsius before starting to cook — this will take approximately 10 minutes.

To start cooking, turn the heat down and place the food in the centre of the grill. We’d recommend closing the hood to allow the food to cook thoroughly and only exposing food when turning or removing it.

Some modern BBQs come with ‘flavourizer bars’, which give your food a smokey taste. They work by vapourising meat juices and producing a chargrilled flavour.

Choosing the Correct BBQ Gas

The two main types of gas for BBQs are propane and butane. Propane is a popular choice due to the capability of cooking all year round. With both gasses, you can easily connect the canister and let the gas flow straight away.

Although butane will light instantly and reach the desired maximum temperature almost immediately, it’s important to note that butane gas will not flow when it’s cold outside. If you are environmentally conscious, then butane may be the best choice for you — it burns cleaner than propane and only produces CO2 when lit.

Bottled butane and propane are extremely popular and versatile. You can use them for your BBQ, then when it starts to get chilly, you can connect them to your outdoor patio heater.

Our patio gas bottles are available in 5kg or 13kg refillable bottles.

How to Clean a Gas BBQ

One of the main benefits of a gas BBQ is that it is much easier to clean than a charcoal one.

Each time you use your gas BBQ, you should wipe it down to remove grease and leftover food. Depending on the frequency of use, we would recommend cleaning your BBQ’s interior at least once every three months. Always make sure that the gas bottle is disconnected before cleaning.

To clean your gas BBQ, you should start by heating the grill then close the lid and let the heat reach maximum temperature. After about 15 minutes, you can dip your non-scratch wire brush or non-abrasive cleaning pad into warm, soapy water and scrub the grill. Stuck-on food or tough grease may need up to 30 minutes of heat to soften before scrubbing.

To keep on top of the regular maintenance of your BBQ, you should keep a microfibre cloth to hand — they’re great for scrubbing up or polishing the front and sides of your BBQ, and they can be washed and used repeatedly. 

At Bottle Gases, we are one of the leading suppliers and distributors of Calor Gas in the UK. If you’d like to learn more about any of our products, please get in touch.

Planning a trip on the road? Check out our blog on the best Gas for Motorhome Owners, Caravan Trips and Camping Holidays.