Is Gas BBQ Cooking Better Than An Oven?

As we draw closer to summer it’s just about time to talk about one of the best warm weather activities. Outdoor cooking. And we mean a day in the sun cooking on a gas BBQ.

For most of us, summer days are paired with snags and steak sizzling on a barbecue, a few drinks, and maybe some cricket.

But a gas BBQ, whether natural or LPG gas, is much more than a simple tool to cook meat. It’s a great way to bring a variety of flavours to your meals. Expert grillers will stand by its versatility for a range of foods.

Now, what if you don’t have a barbecue? What if you’re meant to host the next Christmas family get-together, or Australia Day activities?

The kitchen oven might not live up to lofty expectations. If you’re ready to try something different you certainly want a basic understanding of how a barbeque will help you.

The Heat Your Gas BBQ Produces

Firstly, let’s talk about the heat. Gas BBQs produce heat through an open flame and so their cooking style is vastly different from traditional ovens.

Direct Heat/Conduction

Known as conductive cooking, the heat energy produced by naked flames is absorbed by the grill grates or barbeque hot plate. That same heat is then transferred directly into the food as direct heat.

This process is how the trademark grill marks appear on food as it’s the hottest part of the gas BBQ.

Indirect Heat/Convection

Both ovens and barbeques use a type of convection heating. It’s the process of hot air (or in some cases liquid) cooking food.

Food does not necessarily make direct contact with a flame. Instead, the heat comes from the air which provides an even, prolonged cooking experience. It’s perfect for baking or roasting something.

What’s Best: Grilling or Oven Cooking

Now, this is going to be a bit of a spoiler. In reality, the debate between an LPG or natural gas BBQ or an oven will come down to one thing… your preferences.

We’ll still take you through some of the major benefits below, but you have to remember the final choice is always yours.

The Benefits of a Natural Gas BBQ

When it comes to grilling, barbequing or smoking, the major difference is flavour. Even then, you’ll notice differences between natural gas BBQs and a charcoal BBQ.

It’s certainly not because your oven can’t produce some intense flavours, nope. But when it comes to a gas BBQ they can be even more intense.

The taste benefits from the smokiness of open flame, which mixes with natural juices and fats produced by the meat. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to invest in their cooking and create tender, juicy, tasty food.

Cooking time with a barbeque is generally quicker, too – if you choose. Slow cooking on a gas BBQ can build up some mouth-watering flavours.

Versatility is also a big plus. The control over a gas flame means you can cook food with intensity using direct heat. Or, you can bring that intensity a step or two down with indirect heat. You can also alternate as some food cooks more quickly, ensuring everything comes out just right.

The Benefits of an Oven

No matter what, there are just some things you can’t cook on a barbeque. The precision an oven offers with set temperature control for baking is unique, to start with.

The ease of use means you can often stick something in the oven, set the temperature and go do other things. While you can do the same on a barbeque, the risk of food developing too much of a charcoal taste is high. Likewise is some unsupervised burning.

How Metropolitan Plumbing Can Help You

Do you have your heart set on adding a gas BBQ to your home? Let us help! Metropolitan Plumbing can provide a licensed gas fitter for all gas BBQ installation.

The process of connecting a barbeque to the gas mains must be completed by a licensed professional. So if your gas BBQ will take pride of place, we’re here to help. Contact Metropolitan today to find out more about our gas barbeque and gas fitting services!