I'm thinking of getting a new BBQ, I've always used charcoal in the past but the wife is thinking gas would be better. Having never used gas before, is there anything to watch out for with a gas bottle? Does the bottle lose pressure even when the valve is closed? Is a gas bottle safe being stored in a shed over winter? Is gas better than charcoal or is charcoal better for bbq'ing?

Thanks all! Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

You don't need a very large gas cylinder. It really does last a long time and they soon get heavy to lift !
It doesn't loose it's pressure if shut off properly. Storing in a shed is probably the best place but remember, unlike domestic natural gas, it's heavier than air. So, if there was a small leak it sinks to the ground so you should consider the area it's stored in being well ventilated, particularly at floor/ground level. Oh, and gas (LPG) doesn't "go off". If you have the same cylinder for 5 years it burns just as well. FL2 2007 57 GS
D2 2005 Td5 - gone and not missed
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I use light wait bottles, big difference👍

We have a gas cooker in our kitchen, it has burners and I can put a griddle pan on it and cook stuff. Why have the same outside? Charcoal and waiting make the bbq worth while imho

Couldn't agree more.
Love a big ham cooked on a charcoal Weber  Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Ive had a gas BBQ for years - runs on propane - great for parties. Had charcoal ones too but got fed up with the mess. In the summer we use the BBQ every day, if we can, but as I'm never quite know when I'm going to get home the speed of the gas BBQ is very useful.
Big cylinders of propane are quite cheap and last for ages. Propane and butane use different valves with different threads, Propane burns hotter I think and maintains its pressure in cold weather ( though thats only relevant winter caravanning I suppose.) Jules

Use Gaslite ( new name for the BPlite) and very light, propane and you can see the gas level. I don't use much gas with the BBQ or van, so use the same bottle. put it in the van or on the BBQ as needed.
We have an all stainless steel BBQ and it's now in it's eighth year, griddles are dying a bit, so use Aldi alloy not stick griddles now, very effective. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

I would get it from a place where all they sell is gas, I fill my car up at Bolton gas center and the owner told me Calor charge £35 for the gas and £35 for that bottle even thou you end up giving it back.
Places like B&Q have to charge this but small gas only companys dont.
He charged me £50 over all and said he will give me £10 back when its empty and dont need for another.

not sure if this was just a deal to me as im in there every week filling my car up or what he does normally but pop down to your local gas center and find out first.
You dont want to pay £300 for a new BBQ and not knowing how must the gas is. I6 WITH GAS CONVERSION
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I use Butane (blue bottle) 7kg which last ages and costs £23.00 delivered (exchange)
I think initial cost is about £60.00-ish for 7kg cylinder.
As mentioned it is a summer gas and not so good when temperatures are low.
Other options are propane and the newer patio gas, all cylinders have different regulators.
Most DIY stores seem to be pushing the patio gas and if you want to change to another gas you would need to purchase the
appropriate regulator.
Ideally flammable gas cylinders should be stored outside, away from building and as mentioned the gas been heavier than air away from drains or points of entry into cellars etc.

Happy BBQ-ing
Joe Fix it until it's broke !

We've had a few gas BBqs over the years. Much easier for a short notice BBQ...also use it for cooking a 'fry-up' on a Sunday morning without stinking the kitchen out. The mix of a grill and a griddle make great brekkies

Would recommend ceramic coated plates - much easier to clean you can be quite brutal with them - would never buy one with out them. You can scrub them with a wire brush etc

Patio Gas is propane. which has the same regulator fitting as Gas Lite, my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Thanks for all the replies guys Some good info in the threads! Iam going to have alook around at a couple of garden centers and B&Q etc and see what there is. I was looking last night at Argos, quite a few BBQ's were getting bad reviews for rusting etc. Also I see that the BBQ's can be expensive!! I'm in no rush to get one but then again summer will soon be here and gone!! Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

I have cheap gas BBQ and cheap charcoal one

My weber Q-Grill has stood out side with or without its cover on and has been great, just jetwash it clean at the start of each year after spraying it with oven cleaner

My brothers weber kettle grills are the same

Gas is a little quicker, for impromptu BBQ, charcoal better for that smokey BBQ taste Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

We have a Weber gas one, it also takes a wood chip smoker add on if you want that smokey taste.
http://www.weber.com/weber-nation/grill-sk...-gas-grill

We also have one of these fibreglass propane tanks which are super light and last forever:
http://www.gaslightbottles.co.uk/about/where-to-buy-your-gaslight

Had gas BBQ's for over 30 years. Propane better than Butane if you want to use it when its chilly. The flavour is not as good as charcoal but better than grilled or fried on a cooker! Its quick for immediate cooking temperature cleaner than charcoal to deal with. The BBQ's are not especially cheap and in my experience last about three years before they have to be replaced no matter how well you try to keep them clean and covered etc, The heat involved causes terminal corrosion in the burner units and other components especially when you use it frequently as we do (every day its not actually raining through Spring summer Autumn!).

We bought a Lotus Grill last year for the caravan and have been pretty impressed with it so far. The charcoal basket is corroding and will probably last us through this summer but at least that is replaceable. Gives us charcoal flavouring but uses tiny amount and heats up as fast as any gas BBQ. When our gas BBQ dies this year we will probably not replace it with another and use the Lotus instead.