So you have settled on which is the best BBQ for you, however, there are still some important factors to consider beyond the style of BBQ. Below are some of the most important decisions to be agreed upon before you purchase a new grill.
What’s the main style cooking you will do?
To answer this question you have to consider what the main dishes you will consistently cook will be. Do you quite often cater down at the local soccer field with 100’s of sausages in each cook or do you do small amounts of open grill searing of steaks? These factors will determine not only the style of BBQ to suit your lifestyle however what accessories you may need to purchase along with your new grill.
How many people are you cooking for?
Are you a large family with lots of kids or extended relatives always staying over? Consider a BBQ slightly larger than what you think you will need as you can always use fewer burners however if you get a unit too small you will have to worry about your loved ones eating at different times or trying to keep the food hot for all to enjoy together.
Is it just you and a partner or a small family? Maybe you go camping with your significant other and it will just be the two of you constantly enjoying the wonderful flavor of BBQ grilling. You would look at smaller BBQs with smaller plates, maybe even a portable unit to be able to take away with you but also have a smaller footprint creating less hassle and mess.
What is your budget?
A very important question when purchasing not just a BBQ but any major household domestic appliance. You may think that the Weber Performer is just the absolute grill for you, however, can your budget allow such an expense plus the ongoing fuel costs. Or, maybe you have fallen in love with one of the Gasmate premium built-in units but you don’t have the finances to install an outdoor kitchen.
Remember more expensive necessarily doesn’t always mean a better grill or better features so it’s always handy to be mindful of just how much your grill will cost, and how much you are happy paying for the grill of your dreams.
Do you have a lot of outdoor space? Will storage be an issue?
A grill is not only a big investment, most of the time are they quite big pieces of cooking equipment so space definitely has to be a factor in your decision.
Is the new BBQ destined to be installed in an outdoor kitchen and if so, is there sufficient room in your alfresco area to install all the necessary components to get the most from your outdoor kitchen. What about that 6 burner Beefeater that has caught you and your families attention, can you safely store the BBQ in your outdoor area whilst also being mindful of the air clearances required for such a unit.
If you are looking at a portable BBQ like the Weber Baby Q or maybe the Beefeater Bugg ask yourself when you aren’t traveling with it, do you have somewhere to safely store it away from the elements? Have you got a space to mount onto a table or stand or will you put it in a bag in the back of the shed?
What will be your primary fuel source?
This is one of the more important questions to make sure you tick off on your BBQ buying journey.
Does your home have a Natural Gas supply and if so, do you plan on connecting your new grill to the supply?
What about bottled gas? Generally the most available and prominent fuel source, however, certain building and planning strata laws do not allow bottled gas at the residence.
If looking at a charcoal grill or smoker, do you have a safe and clean way of discarding of the ashes? How about excess smoke from smokers, are you close to your neighbors and think they will make complaints? Smokers work primarily on heavy smoke in periods of the cook so it’s best to consider those around you and whether a charcoal grill or smoker is right for you.
When making the right choice for a new BBQ, an upgrade to an existing grill or expanding your backyard collection it is important to know what to look and what grill will suit your needs. Your environment, budget and cook style will all heavily influence your decision so let’s take a look and have a quick overview of some very important factors to consider.
Size
Portable BBQ
These small BBQs are designed to be taken away with you on family vacations, picnics at the park or impromptu grill sessions by the river. The majority can run on 2kg and 4kg gas bottles with the even smaller camp stoves using the butane cans.
More cost-effective for smaller families or holidays than larger units or renting one, they are great to throw in the back of the car and go and enjoy your time outdoors.
Freestanding 2/3/4/6 Burner BBQs
These are the most popular unit for Australian families as they are tried and tested for the conditions they are put through, versatile in their cooking methods, large enough to feed the modern family and look the part in your backyard.
This style of BBQ usually comes with a trolley or cart to hold your BBQ in place safely and securely. The cart or trolley will have under unit storage, perfect for hiding away a gas bottle or your BBQ cooking utensils.
These units are large and heavy and depending on how many burners on your grill, can take up a lot of room so be aware of space in your alfresco area.
The freestanding style of BBQ will in almost all cases have plates and grills to cook on to give you more versatility in your cooking style and prepare different dishes all at once. They will also have a hood and sometimes a hood thermometer. These are beneficial for when you want to do a roast or pre-heat your BBQ plus they give it a cleaner more professional look when not in use.
Built-In 3/4/6 Burner BBQs
Built-In BBQs are very similar to the freestanding units, however, they differ in that they do not come with a trolley, they are just the main body. These will require a bench, table or a cavity in your alfresco area to be installed.
These can be purchased alongside a prebuilt bench or you can build one to suit not only your style but your budget as well.
In some cases, you will need to purchase brackets to mount your BBQ on and keep it safe in your cabinet which will allow it to be strong and sturdy and allow for maximum airflow around your BBQ.
Charcoal BBQs
Completely different from the other style of grills as this unit uses natural hardwood charcoal as its heat and flavor source. Generally, these units will have top and bottom air vents to help with oxygen air flow in the chamber as well as helping to regulate the temperature.
These still of grill take longer than a gas BBQ to heat up and be ready to use - allow up to 30 minutes for the charcoal to ash over (turns a grey/white) and then you are ready to start cooking.
If you are using charcoal as a heat source for a smoker you will have to allow extra time for the unit to preheat.
Using natural wood charcoal as a heat source lends itself to creating more smoke than a gas or electric BBQ therefore unsuitable for some areas like high-density living or apartments.
Electric BBQs
Designed for the modern family in high-density urban living the electric BBQ gets you allows you to cook outdoors without the reliant need on fossil fuels. They simply plug and play units, so with the proper access to a powerpoint, you can be cooking outdoors.
These generally don’t get as hot as an LPG or charcoal BBQ and don't transfer the outdoor grilling flavor to your food like other BBQs on the market, but for those with restricted strata laws, these are a great alternative.
Maintaining a clean grill is paramount for food taste and texture but should also form part of your safety checklist around your home to protect you and your family.
As BBQs use combustibles (LPG, Natural Gas, Charcoal) they can be extremely dangerous if not properly cleaned and maintained, however, with some small and easy tips and tricks you can rest assured you will get the most from your appliance for years to come.
We're here to help!
Hi, I'm Russ, the BBQ product expert at Appliances Online. If you have any questions on BBQs and picking the right unit for you and your family, the correct charcoal to use or any cooking tips please don't hesitate to reach out to me or the team here at Appliances Online on 1300 000 500.
Happy grilling!
