DUAL BE IN MY HEART: WHAT TO LOOK FOR
● Most models tested here let you choose to cook on charcoal, gas or both, with a regulator to connect to a large gas cylinder. If nothing else, combining fuels means you’ll never struggle to light your BBQ again: you can turn the gas on for a bit just to get it started.
● Most of these hybrids let you run half of the cooking area on gas for convenience, and half on charcoal for a traditional barbecue experience… and flavour.
● You can cook directly, with the heat source under your food, or indirectly, which is good for slow-cooking larger items: just put the food in the middle and light the burners (or coals) on either side.
● Some also feature a griddle, a solid hotplate that works a bit like a frying pan. These are great for cooking thinner, more delicate ingredients and bits of halloumi that could fall through the gaps.
Char-Broil Gas2Coal SE 4
What’s the story?
Char-Broil pretty much carved out the hybrid barbecue category. This new special edition, a John Lewis exclusive, has an extra sear burner on the left-hand side instead of a gas ring. It cooks at up to 900°C for top flavour and perfect griddle marks.
The whole main grill is convertible: there are four gas burners but you can swap in one or both stainless steel charcoal trays, letting you cook both ways at once. You can
