Few things are more blush-inducing than inviting all your mates over for a BBQ only to realise you’ve run out of fuel when they trickle into the garden.
The shops are out of charcoal and nowhere nearby sells the gas canisters you need for your machine. Sure, you could cook everything in the kitchen instead - and sacrifice flame-grilled flavour in the process.
Aside from setting fuel purchase reminders on your phone, investing in a BBQ grill that can support two fuel types means you always have a fallback should a barbecue crisis occur. If you burn through all your charcoal, you can switch to gas to keep the flames - and the feast - alive.
Dual-fuel BBQs are an excellent investment, especially if you live to fire up the grill come summer. They’re not as budget-friendly as portable or charcoal-only options, but you’ll be glad to spend a bit extra to include the gas capacity to ensure you can cook whatever the fuel situation or weather.
These BBQs also tend to be on the larger and sturdier side so you’ll want to measure your garden carefully to ensure the grill you’ve got your eye on will fit. Include clearance for things like bushes, branches and fences, plus space to get around the whole machine should you need to access the back for any reason.
The larger size means there’s often storage space built in too, meaning you won’t have to dirty the house with charcoal sacks or give up precious cupboard space for gas canisters. All your tools and fuels can be housed neatly inside.
If you’re thinking about splashing out on a new dual-fuel grill, we’ve scoured the web to bring you the best options.
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CosmoGrill Hybrid 4-Burner Barbecue
Best for: multifunctional marvel
- Cooking space: 86 x 84cm
- Fuel type: dual
- Weight: 47kg
A serious machine for serious grillers, CosmoGrill's barbecue will let you cook in practically any weather conditions, come rain or shine. It can run on charcoal but there are gas capabilities with a total of four burners that can be fired individually for controlled cooking.
The vast cooking areas mean you can cook for a crowd or reserve ends for veggie foods only, catering to all your guests. There's also a side burner to help make sauces and sides, all adding to the BBQ's capabilities.
A smoker can hold up to 1.35kg of charcoal or briquettes and comes with six settings to adjust the heat to the right level and there's a chimney to keep air flowing. Underneath the cast iron grates is a storage area that is big enough for gas canisters or cooking equipment and the whole show is loaded onto four castor wheels for portability.
The steel body is finished with a powder coating to help protect it against the elements, but it's best to cover it when not in use to keep it in good nick.
Buy now £349.99, Amazon
Argos Home 2 Burner Gas And Charcoal BBQ
- Cooking space: 43 x 44cm
- Fuel: propane gas, butane gas, charcoal
- Weight: 38.75kg
This dual-fuel wonder comes from Argos's in-house range and is a total bargain for the price. The design offers a spacious 43 x 44cm of cooking space with each of the two hoods embedded with a thermometer in the hood so you can monitor temperatures without interrupting the cooking process.
There's also storage space and lots of helpful features like an integrated spice rack and hooks for tea towels and cooking aprons. A set of wheels allows you to manoeuvre it around the garden to the best spot.
Buy now £198.00, Argos
UniFlame Classic Big American Gas / Charcoal 3B Grill
- Cooking space: 3,570 cm² total
- Fuel: gas, charcoal
- Weight: 43.5kg
With enough space to cook 32 burgers, this American-style BBQ is made for keen BBQ hosts. There are twin cooking areas, one fuelled by three gas burners and the other by charcoal. Once you've finished searing burgers, bangers and steaks, keep the food primed in the warming area, forged from chrome-plated steel.
There's an integrated ignition feature too, making firing up the beast as easy as flicking a switch. Comes with a one-year guarantee.
Buy now £199.00, Asda
John Lewis Grillstream 4 Burner Hybrid Gas & Charcoal BBQ
- Cooking space: 73.5 x 41.5cm
- Fuel: propane gas, charcoal
- Weight: 49.3kg
Enjoy barbecuing the way it's supposed to be with John Lewis's four-burner hybrid model. The design can cater for up to eight people at a time, using a big grilling area to get the feast on the outdoor dining table quickly. Each burner works individually, with one side burner converting to a shelf for extra space by dropping down the lid.
The USP? The Grillstream System, which streams fat from the cooking area to avoid flare-ups, burning food and keeps the grill in good shape. Excess fat gets pooled into a cup on the side, making it easy to dispose of afterwards. Add to that shelves and storage, and you're looking at a good way to spend the best part of £500.
Requires four AA batteries.
Buy now £499.00, John Lewis
Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill
- Cooking space: 64 x 43cm
- Fuel: Gas, Charcoal
- Weight: 47kg
Of course, one of BBQs top brands would offer a hybrid model to enjoy the best of both worlds. Char-Broil's grill comes in a two-, three-, or four-burner model: three should be sufficient for the average household.
The BBQ works with gas and charcoal fuel. Simply swap in the charcoal tray when you crave a smoky flavour that only live flames can impart. You can convert the grill in less than 60 seconds.
An electronic igniter works for both fuel types - simply push and go. The grill comes with a side burner to cook sides, sauces and other al fresco feast accompaniments to take your meal to the next level.
Buy now £374.29, Amazon
Homebase Dual Fuel BBQ with Smoker
- Cooking space: 43.3 x 44.5cm x 2pcs
- Fuel: Gas, Charcoal
- Weight: 44kg
Smoke, grill and cook in the beautiful sunshine with this BBQ that is loaded with helpful features to make the most of summer. The strong steel workhorse is a cooking marvel, with enough cooking space to sizzle 32 burgers simultaneously if required.
The BBQ is split into gas and coal sections, offering a hybrid way to cook that you'll love - especially when chowing down on the results. There's a warming rack to keep cooked food and a side shelf provides extra storage as well as a grid shelf underneath for other essentials.
Buy now £320.00, Homebase
Boss Grill Premium Dual Fuel
- Cooking space: 50 x 42cm
- Fuel: Gas, Charcoal
- Weight: 50kg
A sturdy, solid machine for a lifetime of barbecuing, Boss's dual-fuel capacity can accommodate both gas and charcoal-fired grilling. The design includes double-skin lids to insulate food and lock those delicious flavours in - it's also great for smoking fish, meat and cheese.
The charcoal tray is adjustable, helping to control heat levels and there's a side burner to see to the sides. There's even a built-in bottle opener to help you uncap beer bottles and keep you hydrated while you cook. Assembly is required but you can pay an extra fee to have the delivery team do it for you.
Buy now £399.97, Appliances Direct
Outback Meteor 4-Burner Hybrid Gas & Charcoal BBQ
- Cooking space: 64 x 42cm
- Fuel: Propane gas, Charcoal
- Weight: 50kg
Maybe it's the handles under the knobs giving the impression of two smiling faces, but we're getting friendly vibes from this sleek hybrid BBQ. Set on wheels to move it around easily, the grill area is wide enough to accommodate a pizza stone, putting thin and crispy pies on the menu alongside steak, chops, sausages and all the other barbecue fare. It comes with additional plates including a griddle and skillet, meaning you can stretch your cheffing prowess even further.
Buy now £499.99, Robert Dyas
