Today you have two basic choices when you are selecting which kinds of patio barbecues it is you want for your backyard. You could either select to go for one that runs on gas or you can go the more traditional route and buy one that uses charcoal in order to cook the food. But as you will soon learn both types have their advantages and disadvantage and which one you buy will come down to the one that you prefer the most.

Certainly, of the two styles of barbecues that one can now purchase the gas versions are increasing in popularity over the more traditional charcoal ones. Below we take a look at just what are some of the advantages and disadvantages to be had from either owning a gas or a charcoal barbecue for your patio.

1. The gas version is becoming increasingly popular simply as they are far easier to operate and a lot less messy compared to the charcoal ones. But the coals that you need to use (lava rock or ceramic briquettes) can prove an expensive purchase initially but they do last for a considerably long time unlike charcoal.

2. The actual cost of buying a charcoal barbecue over a gas one is much less. Remember with a charcoal one all you need to then purchase are the charcoals and starting fluid. Whilst with a gas one you need to get the coals (lava rock or ceramic briquettes) along with a gas cylinder.

3. The big disadvantage that a charcoal barbecue has over a gas one is the actual time it takes before you can actually start cooking. On a gas one once the flames have been ignited you only have to wait a matter of a couple of minutes before the coals inside are hot enough for them to be able to cook the food properly. However, with a charcoal one you need to wait quite a while after lighting the charcoals, as the flames need to die down and only then are they hot enough to be able to cook the food correctly.

4. A big advantage that a gas barbecue has over the charcoal ones is that you can buy a number of additional pieces of equipment to go with it. In some cases, you will find that often the gas version comes with a side burner, which allows you the chance to cook sauces or side dishes at the same time as the main food are being cooked. But along with the side burner for a gas barbecue, you can also get rotisseries, smokers and pan roasters that can be attached to them.

5. When it comes to the taste of the food that these types of barbecues provide there is no real difference whatsoever. The ceramic briquettes or lava rock, which you use in a gas one, provides the same heat as that which the charcoal in a more traditional style barbecue produces.

As you will see from above it does not really matter which of the various types of patio barbecues it is you choose to buy. But it is a good idea that you do make sure that the one you do select is made using only good quality steel. Plus look for ones that offer you a warranty of around 10 years on them as well.