Gas or charcoal barbecue? Choose your Weber barbecue

When we considered adding barbecues to the store, I was very clear about which manufacturer to choose. We analyzed several alternatives, but in the end Weber Stephen was confirmed as the best option .

This Chicago-based manufacturer is synonymous with quality barbecues around the world and is the benchmark for the mature and highly competitive North American market. In the United States, we can say that there is no balcony or garden where we don't see a Weber barbecue .

And since I mentioned the popularity of having a barbecue at home in other countries, I think that this trend is crossing borders, and that it is becoming more and more popular to have a barbecue, whether gas or charcoal , and, more importantly, to get the most out of it: the barbecue is and always will be a symbol of lively outdoor meals, but they are increasingly used for daily cooking.

The evolution of barbecues means that they are becoming more and more common, and I really love the idea! Many modern barbecues are used as kitchens in the garden: more pleasant, the food comes out perfect and we make less of a mess in the kitchen.

As for our review of the different gas or charcoal barbecue alternatives, it was certainly not in vain, as we also decided to add Eva Solo barbecues to the store. All the products from this Danish manufacturer, which we have known for a long time (and I am convinced that many will be familiar with it due to the brand's category), have their own design and exceptional manufacturing quality , and their barbecues do not disappoint in the least.

Eva Solo porcelain tabletop barbecue (left) and Eva Solo To Go portable barbecue (right)

Gas or charcoal barbecues?

Returning to Weber, we have decided to incorporate both their most popular gas models and some charcoal ones. We love charcoal barbecues . At home we often prepare them when we have guests and I am more than used to serving some snacks and a good wine while the charcoal is taking color . That wait always helps to create a pleasant atmosphere and enjoy the meeting even before sitting down at the table.

However, I must also confess that after trying gas barbecues , I have been completely won over by their advantages. Being able to start cooking in a couple of minutes and not making any smoke has allowed us to use the barbecue on a daily basis . There are even days when we use it for all meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Believe me, even the most staunch defenders of charcoal switch to gas if they have the chance to try a good barbecue.

Contrary to popular belief, it is quite difficult to tell if a meat has been cooked on a gas or charcoal grill based on its flavor. If the meat is well seasoned, it is already an impossible task. This is a very controversial issue, so there are many comparisons and studies (although it may sound strange in the United States, it is almost a scientific subject) and it has been shown that the flavor of barbecue is due more to the direct fire than to the smoke from the charcoal itself .

In addition, gas, together with the thermometer that some Weber barbecues have, allows us to perfectly control the cooking temperature , so we can cook everything by closing the barbecue lid, from a roast chicken well done on the inside to a risotto in a cocotte (it is cooked in a Weber barbecue as if it were an oven).

Advantages of Weber barbecues

Since 1952, the year Weber produced its first barbecue, this company has been fully dedicated to the concept of outdoor cooking. All of its models inherit all these years of experience and allow us to enjoy the authentic outdoor cooking experience that Weber has been able to create. Not in vain are they the best-selling barbecues in the world .

Their barbecues are safe, beautiful, robust and full of details so that you can enjoy the Weber experience, regardless of the model you choose. Thanks to the lid they are equipped with, you can use the barbecue both for grilling and for cooking as if it were a traditional oven . The lid allows for uniform and homogeneous cooking, preserving all the flavour and aroma of the food.

The barbecue lid and its large interior space allow us to prepare a multitude of recipes, using accessories and utensils such as pizza trays, steel vegetable trays, skillets, iron grills or even a Le Creuset cocotte .

In addition, with a gas barbecue we can control the cooking temperature exactly , so we can brown the food and then lower the temperature so that it cooks evenly over a low heat (on some occasions we have cooked meat for more than two hours on the barbecue at a low heat). With charcoal barbecues we can achieve a similar effect by moving embers to the sides of the barbecue so that cooking is indirect.

Which barbecue model should you choose?

If we talk about gas barbecues , the first thing we must decide is whether we want a fixed barbecue for our terrace or we want a portable barbecue.

Among the fixed barbecues we have two barbecues with very similar features, but different styles. The Weber Spirit E-210 , with a sober and classic design, has a cooking surface of 52x44.5 cm. The Weber Q3000 has a more modern and informal design and an even larger cooking surface: 64x44 cm.

On the left, the classic Weber Spirit E-210 barbecue model, and on the right, the Weber Q3000 model. Both barbecues are gas-powered.

We also have the Weber Q1200 , a more portable model than its older sister (Q3000), but which maintains a good cooking surface (43x32 cm). This Weber gas barbecue has practical folding side tables and the possibility of being used on specific optional legs ( a table-trolley ).

Weber Q1200 Gas Grill, Standard and Table-Cart Mounted

If you're thinking of buying the best charcoal barbecue on the market, the traditional Compact Kettle from Weber is one of the best charcoal barbecues. Available in 47 cm and 57 cm diameters, they are robust barbecues created to enjoy outdoor cooking with all the features of Weber barbecues and a good cooking surface.

Another option if we want a portable barbecue is the Smokey Joe Premium model since it maintains the same concept as its older sisters but with a smaller size (37 cm in diameter).

The popular Weber Compact Kettle model (left) and the Smokey Joe Premium takeaway model (right). Both charcoal grill models.

We also have two models of charcoal barbecue from the manufacturer Eva Solo. The beautiful porcelain barbecue , ideal for cooking at the table or for very small spaces.

Remember that in our barbecue section you will find a multitude of accessories and complements for your barbecues. We have Weber accessories such as covers, iron plates or ignition kits, as well as various utensils ideal for barbecues such as skewers, cast iron grills or stainless steel trays and pans.