Picking the right BBQ hire depends on your guest numbers, venue restrictions and the food you plan to serve. Here's what to consider.
Picking the right BBQ hire depends on your guest numbers, venue restrictions and the food you plan to serve. Here's what to consider.
The right BBQ hire can anchor an outdoor event, giving guests a focal point around food. Getting the size, fuel type and setup right makes the difference between a smooth cookout and a stressful one. Here's how to approach it.
Before you look at the grills themselves, assess the hire company. Clear pricing, straightforward terms for delivery and return, and a range of sizes and types are the basics. You want to know exactly what's included, what state the equipment needs to go back in, and who to call if something isn't right on the day.
The hire service should fit around your event, not the other way around. Delivery windows that align with your setup schedule, collection that doesn't leave you waiting around after guests have gone, and equipment that arrives clean and ready to use.
A complete outdoor event needs more than a grill. Catering equipment hire, outdoor furniture and patio heaters round out the setup, and sourcing from one supplier simplifies the logistics.
BBQ size should match your guest count and the volume of food you plan to cook. A small domestic grill won't serve 60 people efficiently; a large commercial unit cooking for 20 is overkill. As a rough guide, plan for each guest to need two to three items cooked during the event, and choose a grill with enough surface area to keep up with demand.
Fuel type shapes the cooking experience. Gas grills heat up quickly, allow precise temperature control, and are straightforward to manage throughout service. We hire gas BBQs only. Electric grills are the right choice for venues where open flames are not permitted, including some garden venues and indoor event spaces with restricted ventilation.
The grill is the centrepiece, but a well-run BBQ requires supporting kit. Cooking utensils, fuel (for gas units), adequate worksurface near the grill and food prep areas all need to be accounted for.
Think about the guest experience around the BBQ area. Seating from the outdoor furniture range keeps guests comfortable while they wait for food. Outdoor heaters extend the usable evening hours once the temperature drops. A gazebo or canopy over the grill area protects both the cook and the equipment from rain.
For the food service side, linen hire finishes the serving tables, and fridge hire keeps drinks, marinades and prepared ingredients at a safe temperature before cooking.
Timing matters. Confirm the delivery window with your hire company well in advance and make sure someone from your team is on-site to receive and check the equipment. Build in enough time between delivery and the start of the event to get the grill up to temperature and run any setup checks.
Expo Hire covers events across England and Wales, with live delivery tracking so you know exactly when your equipment is arriving. This avoids the uncertainty of waiting for a delivery window during the final stages of event prep.
Check the return conditions before the event, not after. Most hire companies ask for equipment to be returned clean: either by the hirer or by using a cleaning service. At Expo Hire, both options are available: clean and return the grill yourself, or book the cleaning service and hand it back without the extra work.
Returning equipment on time matters too. Prompt returns keep the hire cycle running and avoid late-return charges. Build the pack-down and handover into your post-event schedule so it doesn't become an afterthought.
What BBQ types are available for hire?
Gas and electric BBQs are available, suitable for different event sizes and venue requirements.
Can I hire other equipment alongside a BBQ?
Yes. Catering equipment, outdoor furniture, linen and patio heaters are all available to complete the outdoor event setup.
How does BBQ delivery and collection work?
Expo Hire delivers and collects across England and Wales, coordinating delivery times to fit your event schedule, with live tracking available.
Do I need to clean the BBQ before returning it?
You can return it clean yourself or use Expo Hire's cleaning service for a straightforward handover.
Can Expo Hire advise on the right BBQ for my event?
Yes. The team can advise on size and fuel type based on your guest count, venue type and menu.
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