Hiring BBQ Equipment for Events: What You Need to Know

A barbecue at an event is more than just an outdoor cooking method. It creates activity around the food, generates an atmosphere that a buffet table does not and gives the catering a focal point that guests gravitate towards. Hiring the right BBQ equipment makes the difference between a good barbecue and a great one.

Why Hire Rather Than Use a Home Grill

A domestic barbecue grill has a cooking surface designed for small family use. At an event serving 50 or more people, a domestic grill creates a bottleneck: a long queue, food not ready on time, and a host who spends the entire event cooking rather than hosting.

Professional BBQ equipment for hire is scaled for event catering. Larger cooking surfaces allow multiple items to be cooked simultaneously, keeping queue times short and service consistent. The equipment is also built for continuous heavy use over a full day, which domestic grills are not designed for.

Saves Money Compared to Buying

A commercial barbecue grill capable of catering a large event costs several hundred to several thousand pounds to buy. For an event you hold once a year or less often, that investment is difficult to justify, particularly when storage, maintenance and transport are factored in. Hiring provides the equipment you need for the event and returns it afterwards. No capital outlay, no garage space taken up.

Makes Your Event More Distinctive

A professional barbecue setup with the right equipment, including charcoal grills with adequate cooking surface, quality fuel, the right tools and a well-organised layout, produces noticeably better results than a domestic setup. The food is better. The presentation is better. Guests notice.

Pair the BBQ with the right supporting equipment: serving tables, a chiller unit for drinks and pre-prepared food, and plates and serving equipment that work outdoors without feeling improvised.

Versatile for Different Event Types

BBQ equipment hire suits a wide range of events: corporate team days, garden parties, family celebrations, sporting events, charity fundraisers. The format works informally and formally. A well-organised outdoor BBQ station can serve a corporate client hospitality event as successfully as a neighbourhood garden party. The common requirement is the right equipment for the guest count and the format of service.

Top-Quality Equipment From Expo Hire

Expo Hire's BBQ hire range includes charcoal and gas grills in various sizes suited to events from 30 to several hundred guests. All equipment is maintained and cleaned between hires, arriving in working condition. Delivery is available across England and Wales.

For outdoor events, pair your BBQ hire with a covered cooking area, a drinks chiller and outdoor heaters for the evening, all available through Expo Hire from one order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size BBQ do I need for my event?

The right size depends on your guest count and service format. As a guide, a single large commercial grill handles 50–80 covers at a BBQ event with a reasonable queue time. For larger events, multiple units are needed. Expo Hire can advise based on your specific requirements.

Is charcoal or gas BBQ equipment better for events?

Both work well. Charcoal produces better flavour but requires more skill and longer setup time. Gas is faster to heat, easier to control and faster to break down. The right choice depends on your catering team's experience and the event format.

Can I hire BBQ equipment for a one-day outdoor event?

Yes. Expo Hire supplies BBQ equipment for single-day events as well as multi-day occasions. Check stock online and order in advance to confirm availability for your date.

What should I hire alongside BBQ equipment for an outdoor event?

A covered cooking area, a chiller for drinks and pre-prepared food, serving tables, plates and cutlery, and outdoor heaters if the event runs into the evening. Expo Hire can supply all of these.