BBQ Buying Guide

Wanting to upgrade your BBQ? Whether you’re after one that’ll easily have you feeding all your friends and family or something a little more compact, there are plenty of great BBQ models to choose from. With so many great BBQs on the market, we’ve put together a BBQ buying guide exploring everything from the different types of BBQs available and common fuel types to the features you should be looking out for when shopping your next BBQ and more..

Very easy to install, a powerpoint is all that’s needed to get an electric BBQ cooking. With no need to worry about running out of fuel, electric BBQs are a good choice if you’re looking for reliability and ease of use. Although an electric BBQ is quite user friendly and can be used in a variety of settings, they do not necessarily provide the same smoky flavour given by charcoal or gas fueled BBQs.

One of the most commonly used BBQ fuels, gas not only provides instant heat, but allows temperatures to be easily adjusted when cooking. Two different types of gas BBQs are available, those that run on natural gas and those that are fuelled by liquid propane gas (LPG).

To use a BBQ run on natural gas, you will need a connection to your home’s natural gas line by a hose or other means. As such, this reduces the portability of the BBQ, making this fuel type best suited for built-in BBQs and units that will be used in just one location in your backyard or on your balcony.

The most commonly used gas type, LPG is typically connected to the BBQ using a portable gas bottle. Available in various sizes, LPG gas bottles are easy to move and may also be refilled. It can be difficult to know exactly how much gas is in the bottle, especially if you don’t use your BBQ often, but gas regulator gauges can give an idea of how much may be left.

Charcoal may be a good choice of BBQ fuel if you’re after a rich, smoky flavour, but it can take some time to learn how to master its use. Unlike electric and gas BBQs, charcoal BBQs can take quite a while to reach your desired temperature, especially if you choose to use lump charcoal instead of briquettes, and maintaining a consistent temperature may be difficult. Good ventilation is also required as a large amount of smoke is created when cooking. Cleaning a BBQ fuelled by charcoal may be more difficult.

The exterior finish of a BBQ can either help or hinder its longevity. Although a finish might look good now, it may not look so great a few years down the line if it’s not appropriate to the amount of use it will receive or the area that you live in. There are three main types of exterior finish that are commonly available: painted, vitreous enamel and stainless steel.

BBQs with painted exteriors typically look great when newly purchased. They may be brightly coloured and a fun addition to your home. However, when exposed to the elements, as well as general wear and tear, painted exteriors may become scratched or start to flake. If you don’t plan to use your BBQ all that often or have your heart set on making it a design feature of your backyard or balcony, a painted BBQ could be an option worth considering. If you’re after a finish that’s durable, however, there are better options available.

Tougher than paint and far more durable, vitreous enamel BBQ exteriors have a nice, shiny finish. Unlike some other materials, vitreous enamel is not porous, meaning that it won’t rust, even if you happen to live by the beach. It is heat resistant and difficult to chip or scratch, making it a good choice if your BBQ will be exposed to the sun, wind and rain.

Although a stainless steel finish may be more prone to fingerprints and smudges, it is one of the most durable BBQ exterior finishes available. The quality of stainless steel does vary, however, with a quality stainless steel finish tending to outlast one of lower quality. If you’re unsure of the quality of the stainless steel used on a BBQ exterior, place a magnet on it and if it sticks, it’s likely to be lower quality and more prone to rusting.

• Grills and hotplates: Between models, the mix of BBQ hotplates and grills can vary greatly. It’s important to find one that works for you and what you enjoy cooking. Some recommend looking for a half-hotplate, half-grill configuration, but this may not be a realistic choice if your BBQ is small.

• Hood: A BBQ with a hood gives you greater freedom when cooking. Not only can you grill as normal, but you may also use your BBQ like an oven to roast and bake. If you are considering purchasing a BBQ with a hood, you should look for a model with a handle that stays cool when cooking, a sturdy frame that won’t blow closed and that will allow you to reach the entirety of the cooking area.

• Controls: Look for controls that are not only well labelled and easy to read, but are also simple to use. You should be looking for controls that offer grip and can be easily turned to your desired position. If you are inspecting a BBQ in person, it’s a good idea to stand at the BBQ as you would when cooking and see if the controls can also be viewed from a standing position. If you’re considering a BBQ with more than one burner, be sure to find out if they are all centrally controlled or if you have the option to adjust the temperature of each individually.

• Practical design: To make caring for your BBQ simpler, look for features that may help to make cleaning and care easier. Consider BBQ models with fewer crevices which may trap food and grime, as well as easy clean drip trays and cooking surfaces.

• Additional extras and accessories: The world is truly your oyster when it comes to BBQ accessories and extras. From warming racks and pizza stones to smoker boxes and rotisserie attachments, there are countless ways to customise your BBQ cooking setup. Have fun using new techniques and expanding your culinary horizons!

• Portability: Although it may not be a feature that everyone looks for in a BBQ, if portability is important to you, look for models with a BBQ trolley with two or four inbuilt castors. A BBQ trolley with two castors will need to be lifted on one side, so it’s wise to check that the BBQ is not too heavy to allow you to do so.

Q. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE?

An important factor to consider when purchasing a BBQ is how much space you have in your backyard or on your balcony. It’s unrealistic to think that a full-size freestanding BBQ would be a good choice on a very small apartment balcony, while a small portable BBQ might not be the right choice if plan to do plenty of outdoor entertaining.

To start, measure the width, length and depth of the area you’d like to position a BBQ in. It’s important that you leave some extra room for ventilation and to be able to open the BBQ hood if the models you’re looking at have one. Next, compare these measurements with your prospective BBQ choices. By doing so, you’ll get a realistic idea of which models will and won’t fit the space you have.

Q. HOW MANY BBQ BURNERS DO YOU NEED?

The number of BBQ burners you’ll need really depends on how many people you intend to cook for. As a general rule of thumb, the recommended configurations are as follows:

2 or 3 burner BBQ: Best suited to a family of two to four people.

4 burner BBQ: A good size for a family of four to six people.

6 burner BBQ: Ideal for groups of six or more.

Q. WHAT IS THE BEST BBQ FOR AN APARTMENT?

Living in an apartment, it’s likely that you’ll have very little outdoor space. If that is the case, look for a portable BBQ model that offers a cooking area large enough for your needs, but doesn’t take up an excessive amount of room.

Q. WHAT TYPE OF BBQ IS EASIEST TO CLEAN?

Electric BBQs are typically the easiest type of BBQ to clean. Many modern electric BBQs have non-stick hotplates that are easy to wipe down once you’ve finished cleaning.