A hybrid barbecue is a relatively new type of easy to use garden grill which offers the options to cook using either gas or charcoal fuel from the same unit.
For years the fire has raged on about whether charcoal grills or gas barbecues are best. Finally the flames of the debate can be extinguished, since with dual-fuel barbecues, users can have the best of both worlds in one grill. That’s right, these super-versatile barbecues team gas cooking convenience with all the authenticity of charcoal grills. With a dual fuel grill you can experience the steady and convenient cooking style of gas barbecuing, whilst still enjoying the authentic smoky charcoal barbecue taste, in one single grill.
Hybrid barbecues are all about offering choices. With the option to switch between the two heat sources depending on the time you have available and the style of food you are preparing, or with the option to use them both simultaneously as the mood takes you, these really are flexible barbecues that can cope with just about any outdoor cooking style.
Benefits of hybrid barbecues
The biggest benefit of a hybrid barbecue is you have two cooking set ups so you can easily adapt the cooking style to suit your situation.
If you are short on time, you can enjoy grilling with all the speed and convenience that gas grilling brings. Alternatively, when you’re playing host at the weekend you can fire up a charcoal barbecue, which is perfect for high heat searing or smoking with trademark smoky barbecue flavour.
Both fuel types will produce tender, succulent food which is delicious and enjoyable. You can experiment with the different heat sources to discover the most delicious food.
For instance, you may find that cooking on gas is more suitable for directly grilling thin cuts of meat, fish or vegetables, whereas a charcoal heat source is better for indirectly smoking deep, richly-flavoured ribs or brisket which melts in the mouth.
Buying a hybrid barbecue can also save space in the garden, as you’ll only need one grill which can cook in both styles, rather than separate charcoal and gas barbecues.
Can you use normal charcoal on a hybrid barbecue?
It is recommended to always use regular charcoal briquettes on a hybrid barbecue as they burn more evenly and at a lower temperature than lumpwood charcoal.
Most hybrid barbecues are not designed to cope with the intense heat that lumpwood charcoal produces.
As briquettes burn for longer than lumpwood, this ensures you get the best value from your fuel.
Plus, as they emit an even heat over an extended period, briquettes are versatile enough to be ideal for both direct and indirect cooking styles.
How to buy a hybrid barbecue
There are several factors to consider when buying a hybrid barbecue. Dual fual barbecues can be found in a range of different sizes, from 2 burner to 4 burner options, depending on the size of your garden, cooking requirements and to suit a range of budgets.
For instance a couple with a compact space, might find a 2 burner option will suit their needs perfectly, whilst if you have a larger family, or often find yourself entertaining guests, then you might wish to consider a bigger barbecue with more burners and more space on the grill to cook everyone’s food simultaneously.
You’ll also want to choose a sturdy and durable barbecue that’s built to last. It is recommended to search out a high quality barbecue that comes with a long manufacturer warranty so you can be certain it will last for many years.
Many hybrid barbecues have extra features which are extremely useful to bear in mind, with everything from side burners which can be used for sautéing or heating through sauces and steak shelves for dialing up the flavour when high heat searing, to spaces for griddles or poultry roasters that produce perfectly tender roast chicken with a crispy skin.
Some even include premium features such as clear lids so you can check on your cooking, or electronic smart thermometers, so you can rest assured you’ll always serve perfectly cooked food to your guests.
How to cook on a hybrid barbecue
It’s incredibly simple to use a hybrid barbecue. The gas option heats quickly and cleanly with controllable flames – just like a regular gas barbecue. To use charcoal simply lay the briquettes in the trays and switch on the gas.
As the charcoal is located above the burners it lights easily with just a twist of a dial, taking the hassle out of lighting the coals and banishing forever the struggle to get your charcoal lit. A little time needs to be given for the charcoal to heat sufficiently and evenly – this can be identified by the charcoal turning white.
Once you’ve set up your heat source, simply place your food above it and turn it as necessary until cooked. To set up the grill for indirect cooking, either use the burners or charcoal on one side of the barbecue and place your food on the other side, so that it is cooked by the heat convection as it circles around the barbecue.
This method is perfect for roasting or smoking joints and larger cuts of meat. For more tips on how to cook better barbecue food, refer to our handy blog How do you cook food on a BBQ?
Advanced cooking techniques on a hybrid barbecue
Uniquely to hybrid barbecues, you also can take advantage of multizone cooking, where one side of the barbecue is set up with charcoal that could be use for searing steaks, whilst something like a simple vegetable dish is simultaneously grilled over gas on the other side.
This flexibility allows you to create a whole meal from the one grill.
Once you have mastered the art of cooking on a hybrid barbecue, you can experiment with using it to create a brick oven effect in which you can bake more elaborate dishes, such as fresh stonebaked pizzas, homemade bread or even satisfying cookies, cakes and puddings that are guaranteed to end your parties on a high note.
We hope that’s given you a glimpse into the fascinating world of hybrid barbecues. You can browse our carefully curated collection of Hybrid BBQs from popular brand Grillstream either in-store or online. Grillstream first came to our attention when their unique double grill system was featured in an early appearance on hit TV show Dragons’ Den and we have been stocking their fantastic hybrid BBQs for several years now. The Grillstream Collection includes everything from compact two burner models, to a stainless steel 4 burner barbecue that’s packed full of gourmet features. All of the Grillstream barbecues are suitable for the cooking techniques described above.
