Hiring BBQ equipment for an event involves more than picking a grill size. This guide covers gas versus charcoal, site planning, food safety, and what else to hire alongside your BBQ.
Hiring BBQ equipment for an event involves more than picking a grill size. This guide covers gas versus charcoal, site planning, food safety, and what else to hire alongside your BBQ.
A BBQ event requires more planning than most hosts expect. Grill selection is one part: you also need to think about fuel supply, food safety, queuing logistics, and how you will keep cooked food at the right temperature while more goes on the grill. BBQ equipment hire from Expo Hire covers gas grills of all sizes, with delivery across England and Wales.
Gas BBQs heat up in around ten minutes, maintain a consistent temperature, and are straightforward to clean. For events where you need to serve food quickly and consistently, such as a corporate event, a large garden party, or a wedding, gas is the more reliable choice. Expo Hire stocks gas BBQs in sizes suited to different event scales, along with gas bottles for hire.
Site selection matters. Position the BBQ downwind of your seating area and away from any gazebo or awning. Smoke in an enclosed space becomes a problem fast. Allow enough space around the grill for the cook to work safely and for a queue to form without blocking other areas.
For outdoor events, outdoor catering equipment extends beyond the BBQ itself: you need prep surfaces, waste disposal, a handwashing station, and shelter for the cook if weather turns. Expo Hire's outdoor equipment hire range includes gazebos and patio heaters that help keep the event running regardless of conditions.
A BBQ is one of the few catering formats where guests can participate without causing problems. Offering a designated grill station for guests who want to cook their own food works well for informal events: provide tongs, a clear briefing on the grill controls, and a designated area separate from the main cooking station.
This approach takes pressure off the host and makes the BBQ part of the event itself rather than just the food supply. Keep one grill under host control for food that needs close attention: chicken, sausages, anything where food safety requires specific temperatures.
BBQ food safety is the part most hosts underestimate. Poultry and pork must reach 75°C at the thickest point before serving. Keeping raw and cooked meat separate on the grill and on prep surfaces is non-negotiable. For events with more than 30 guests, a temperature probe and a designated food safety lead are worth having.
Cold storage for raw meat prior to cooking is also essential. Expo Hire provides fridge and freezer hire suitable for outdoor events, keeping raw ingredients at safe temperatures until they go on the grill.
A checklist for a well-run BBQ event:
Expo Hire provides BBQ hire and a full range of supporting equipment across England and Wales. Our outdoor catering range, furniture, and kitchen equipment can be booked alongside your BBQ through a single order. Live stock checking lets you confirm availability before committing, and live delivery tracking means you know when equipment will arrive.
Our minor damage waiver scheme covers accidental damage during the event. Delivery and collection are included, so you can focus on running the event rather than the logistics.
As a rough guide: a standard gas BBQ can handle around 20–30 portions per hour. For larger events, hire multiple units or a commercial-grade grill. Contact Expo Hire for advice on sizing based on your guest count.
Yes. Gas bottles are available alongside BBQ hire. Always order a spare, especially for longer events.
Poultry and pork must reach 75°C at the thickest point. Keep raw and cooked meat separate throughout. Provide cold storage for raw ingredients and have a handwashing station on site.
BBQ equipment, outdoor furniture, and supporting catering kit can all be ordered together through a single hire.
Expo Hire delivers across England and Wales, including outdoor event sites. Use the online ordering system to confirm delivery logistics for your location.
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