I should bite the bullet, concentrate on the product, not the production process.
Find a way to disguise the gas thingy: I suggest a strap-on replica of a big Weber to place between the onlookers and the thingy. Or, the cheapo option is a placard, saying in several relevant languages:
"This may look like a gas BBQ but it is an authentic charcoal-burning Weber in drag".
As a footnote, some 20 years ago [as a long-time Weber afficionado] I went to stay with friends in Australia. Not only did they have an ELECTRIC BBQ, just about all of their neighbours had lecky or gas ......... I never saw a proper BBQ either then or in 4 subsequent holidays.
Last edited by langleybaston; 22nd Jun 2017 at 14:48.
Reason: speeling