Buying Guides
Outdoor Entertaining Buying Guide
HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING AREA
Want to host that perfect alfresco entertaining experience for friends and family? As we all know, in Australia we’ve got (generally) the ideal conditions for the outdoor occasion: whether you’re looking to host a golden summer soiree or a winter dinner under the stars (albeit possibly by the heaters). To help you out, we’ve put together this guide full of outdoor entertaining ideas. And where better to start than with that beloved centrepiece of the outdoor entertaining area: the BBQ!
TYPES OF BBQ
FREESTANDING GAS BBQS
One of the most popular of all barbies out there, freestanding BBQs are - for many people - the go-to choice. Here’s why:
You can park them straight in the backyard, no installation required.
They have some portability, which gives you flexibility in your entertaining arrangements.
Offering plenty of space for a big cook up, they are available in various sizes and with plenty of accessories.
They can be converted to natural gas.
Why they might not be quite so suitable:
Can often be pretty heavy and often cumbersome to shift. This might be an issue if you’re tight on space and regularly need to move your BBQ about to accommodate guests. Or you want to stash it undercover out of the way when not in use.
BUILT-IN GAS BBQS
Offering the potential for a seamlessly integrated look, built-in BBQs (as the name obviously suggests) are literally built-into an alfresco benchtop. It’s another popular choice, and for good reason:
They are an ideal choice if you’re looking to build a complete outdoor entertaining area and want something to fit stylishly into your grand design.
If you’ve got big events in mind, they offer large cooking surfaces - plenty of room to cook up a storm.
On the flip-side:
They’re obviously not portable - so it’s best to choose carefully where you initially put it! There will also be more expense at the installation stage - and, unfortunately, additional costs if you want to convert the BBQ to natural gas.
A popular brand of Built-in Gas BBQ: Beefeater.
PORTABLE BBQS
Commonly a down-sized version of a free-standing BBQ, Portable BBQs are a great option when you’re hankering to barbecue up a storm but space is kind of at a premium.
Light-weight and easily moved into position, they are a compact alternative that’s just right for limited spaces such as apartment balconies.
Are typically a bit more affordable than their larger BBQ cousins.
Where you will compromise a little:
Being more compact, they naturally offer a smaller cooking surface - so it’ll be harder to entertain on a large scale.
ELECTRIC BBQS
An extremely convenient BBQ solution, these products range from the ultra-portable for taking on the road and camping, to those that are suitable to be used on apartment balconies.
Running off a power source (240v wall socket), they are a good option particularly when it simply isn’t safe or practical to have a gas-canister present (such as small balconies).
With their compact designs, they make barbecuing very manageable - being quick to heat up and cool down. And, importantly, clean-ups tend to be a cinch.
To be aware of:
Okay, although the standard of many electric models is very good - it can sometimes be hard to achieve the truly, faithfully delicious flavours so beloved by the ardent BBQ fan. Plus you’ll typically be dealing with a much smaller sized cooking surface.
Popular brands of Electric BBQs: Everdure
CHOOSING THE BEST SIZE OF BBQ
Obviously, the scale of your barbecuing will depend greatly on your available space. So make sure you’ve measured the depth and height of where you’re thinking of installing/using the BBQ. Oh and don’t forget to consider the clearances available above it to allow for proper ventilation - and to avoid setting fire to anything such as overhanging trees! From there, you could figure things out based on your typical cooking requirements and the plans you’re making for regular alfresco entertainment.
SIZING THINGS UP
A BBQ with 2-3 burners: will be excellent for an average sized family of 2-4 - and will also serve small-to-medium sized entertaining as well.
4 burners: (two under the plate and two under the grill), gives the user considerable space to work with - including the flexibility, for example, of employing two different cooking styles simultaneously. Able to deliver the goods for a large family, it’s also an excellent option when you’re entertaining a crowd.
6 burner: A plus-sized option, typically presented in a configuration of two grills and one plate, each sitting over two burners for heat transfer. A great choice if you’re regularly throwing grand events - but make sure you have the space for it over the long haul. Because, as we all know, sometimes less is more.
AN ALFRESCO KITCHEN
EXPANDING THE POSSIBILITIES
With that essential BBQ-building block in place, you might start to feel a bit adventurous. For example, maybe you want to augment the space into an al-fresco kitchen area - complete with an outdoor sink and tap area. The enthusiastic entertainer may even consider installing a smoker or an alfresco pizza oven (why not?). Of course, with all these considerations (without wishing to rain on your alfresco parade), be sure to consider the availability of power and water to the space. If utilities need to be installed, we always advise the services of a licensed professional - it’ll not only be worth it for your safety, but time and money in the long run!
OUTDOOR FRIDGES
An outdoor fridge is a great way to build on the potential for alfresco entertaining. A bar fridge, for example, will be able to keep a ready supply of chilled drinks available for guests (while also giving you the handy option to keep prepped-meat cool and ready for the BBQ). If you’re going to take a fridge outside, it almost goes without saying that it necessarily has to be more heavy-duty than those that remain inside. So it’s definitely recommended to look for products clearly primed for the great outdoors.
Outdoor fridges have the advantage of:
Having plenty of internal space to augment the capabilities of the main fridge inside, without overwhelming your entertaining area.
Being specifically designed to work in sheltered outdoor environments, with features such as high quality 304 grade stainless steel exteriors and details, as well as double-glazed glass.
A popular brand for Outdoor Fridges: Husky
OUTDOOR RANGEHOODS
Meanwhile, if you’re concerned about BBQ smoke and odours (particularly if you’re dealing with somewhat enclosed spaces such as a courtyard) an outdoor rangehood is another very practical addition to an alfresco entertaining area. These impressive products are custom-built to withstand the elements, while providing high-powered air extraction.
A popular brand of Outdoor Rangehoods: Sirius
ALFRESCO IDEAS
At Bing Lee, we always want to make sure our customers are getting the best value from their purchases. We encourage you to build the most amazing alfresco space possible - so you can create great experiences with family and friends. Here are a few other points to consider to make sure you get the most out of your outdoor investment:
EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS:
As with all things inevitably - subject to prolonged time outside - your products will experience some deterioration. Even the most hard-wearing appliances need a certain degree of protection. So we recommend putting things undercover where possible - and applying fitted fabric covers to the likes of BBQs whenever they are not in use. You should also be sure to clean them regularly. It takes a little bit of extra effort, but it’s the best way to avoid a build-up of grime that impedes performance, as well as mitigating the chance of bugs and pests making a home for themselves.
COUNCIL APPROVAL:
Bigger projects, such as an al-fresco entertaining deck, will be classed as extension or addition - therefore it’ll be absolutely important to check with local building codes and regulations.
HOW WE CAN HELP
At Bing Lee, we’re always here to offer great advice and service - so if you need any more information, please feel free to get in touch. Additionally, we want to make great entertaining experiences more accessible for all our customers, so please note we offer flexible payment options, including Zip and Afterpay.
As a proudly Australian-owned family business, Bing Lee is dedicated to providing great service for all our customers, with simple pickup and delivery options across both Sydney and Melbourne*.