Barbeque buying advice..

[vkurup]

we have had some small charcoal BBQs over the years and never had any luck with it. It has more to do with skills rather than the BBQ itself (could never work out how long the coal to go before popping the food on it). Now thinking of taking the plunge and getting a gas/propane one. It would probably get used about 3-4 times a year but will sit exposed on deck.

Assuming that we dont need one with about 20 burners on it, what else do we need to look out for while buying a 'barby'. What is the best advice out there...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

we have had some small charcoal BBQs over the years and never had any luck with it. It has more to do with skills rather than the BBQ itself (could never work out how long the coal to go before popping the food on it). Now thinking of taking the plunge and getting a gas/propane one. It would probably get used about 3-4 times a year but will sit exposed on deck.

Assuming that we dont need one with about 20 burners on it, what else do we need to look out for while buying a 'barby'. What is the best advice out there...

I don't wish to seem rude and it's your money, but that seems a big splurge for something that will only get minimal use and sit outside for 11 months unused. Surely the charcoal ones and some practice would be a better option

 

[williamalex1]

I'm on my 3rd Outback Excel 200T barbecue from BnQ , gas or propane with lava rock instead of charcoal. I use mine at least once every week from March till October rain hail or snow , and the odd time over winter too
They last for around 3 years if they're kept covered, they do come with a pvc cover .
Cheap at £ 140.

 

[Tashyboy]

Yup know I started a blog on this a couple of months ago and ave still not got one. I tried finding the blog again without any success. The one I had was a charbroil which was excellent until it "fell over" when my lad was using it. Still struggling to find one that ticks all boxes.
i did find one which B an Q did, but it turned out to be last years model, Blooma 450 or summat.

how do I find my post?

 

[sawtooth]

Got to be a basic charcoal or lumpwood BBQ for me. Isn't using gas just like cooking in the kitchen?

 

[Tashyboy]

It was until you could start using wood/smoke chips for that charcoal flavour

 

[D4RK1]

Sounds like the disposables would be what.you need. Take up no space and cost about £3 a go. No cleaning either. What's not to like.
I have a Webber BBQ. Has a very long warantee (20 years I think) lives outside all year with just a cover over it. Looks brand new. Its about 4 years old now. Well worth the money. We buy the coal in small packs that you light in the bag and in about 15/20 minutes you're good to go.

Mark

 

[Crazyface]

Just get a kettle drum one. When the coals have been lit, WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE WHITE BEFORE COOKING. Don't over load the grill. Don't buy cheap rubbish burgers, the fat ignites and you end up with a wall of flame shooting out of the coal. Don't turn your back, things burn quickly. Keep things moving on the grill. Some people have the skill and some don't. The brother in law thinks he does, has a BBQ all though summer, but burns everything except the fish (done in foil). My son, MacDonalds employee, highly skilled. Yum yum !!!!!!

 

[Khamelion]

Depends on what you want to do? If it's just to cook outside to be sociable during gatherings then a gas <spit> BBQ will do you fine. However if you want to go down the smoked side of things then a charcoal BBQ would be better, then again if it's lo and slow smoking you want to do, then buy a smoker.

Plenty of variety out there, big green egg, Weber has a good selection of charcoal fired smokers/BBQ's and also gas fired ones.

My BBQ is similar to this, this is Weber's new version, mine is older with a more domed lid. Great bit of kit for smoking or BBQing

 

[vkurup]

Depends on what you want to do? If it's just to cook outside to be sociable during gatherings then a gas <spit> BBQ will do you fine. However if you want to go down the smoked side of things then a charcoal BBQ would be better, then again if it's lo and slow smoking you want to do, then buy a smoker.

Plenty of variety out there, big green egg, Weber has a good selection of charcoal fired smokers/BBQ's and also gas fired ones.

My BBQ is similar to this, this is Weber's new version, mine is older with a more domed lid. Great bit of kit for smoking or BBQing

I think we had something similar a while ago (was left behind by the owners of our previous house)... we could not figure it out and so it got rusty and even less used. The only advantage of the gas one is the low cleanup (i think).. also the Mrs who is a better cook can fire it up and do it - goes against the grain of a BBQ being a 'man thing'.

We have used the disposable ones and they are useful when u got only a few prawns to do or something.. but time to be bold.

 

[Khamelion]

I think we had something similar a while ago (was left behind by the owners of our previous house)... we could not figure it out and so it got rusty and even less used. The only advantage of the gas one is the low cleanup (i think).. also the Mrs who is a better cook can fire it up and do it - goes against the grain of a BBQ being a 'man thing'.

We have used the disposable ones and they are useful when u got only a few prawns to do or something.. but time to be bold.

The brother in law who is a chef has a gas BBQ and can produce a good steak from it, but then I can do the same with a griddle pan on top of the cooker. I don't tend to use my BBQ to BBQ in the classic sense, mine is used to cook large chunks of meat low and slow for any where between 4 and 8hrs or more at between 180 and 250 Fahrenheit 80 to 125c

 

[Val]

I'm on my 3rd Outback Excel 200T barbecue from BnQ , gas or propane with lava rock instead of charcoal. I use mine at least once every week from March till October rain hail or snow , and the odd time over winter too
They last for around 3 years if they're kept covered, they do come with a pvc cover .
Cheap at £ 140.

I agree on the cocking front, I cooked steaks for dinner of Christmas Day 2014. It's only for seasonal use if you want it to be.

I've no experience of the Outback model but they get good write ups, my next one will likely be an Outback

 

[williamalex1]

I agree on the cocking front, I cooked steaks for dinner of Christmas Day 2014. It's only for seasonal use if you want it to be.

I've no experience of the Outback model but they get good write ups, my next one will likely be an Outback

As long as you don't cock up Martin, sorry mate I couldn't resist .

 

[vkurup]

I'm on my 3rd Outback Excel 200T barbecue from BnQ , gas or propane with lava rock instead of charcoal. I use mine at least once every week from March till October rain hail or snow , and the odd time over winter too
They last for around 3 years if they're kept covered, they do come with a pvc cover .
Cheap at £ 140.

This is indeed interesting, as i think the lava rocks might allow me to cheat by giving it a BBQ look & taste. Plus the side burner gives more option.. So dug around and the bloke in the video below says lava rock is old world, and the new world is about diffuser thingi..
https://youtu.be/KNO3muFRPjo

BTW, how easy is it to clean? It is in the BBQ store for about £130.. tempting..

 

[williamalex1]

This is indeed interesting, as i think the lava rocks might allow me to cheat by giving it a BBQ look. So cook on the burner and then transfer it to the lava rock section or something. So dug around and the bloke in the video below says lava rock is old world, and the new world is about diffuser thingi..
https://youtu.be/KNO3muFRPjo

BTW, how easy is it to clean? It is in the BBQ store for about £130.. tempting..

Easy to clean just leave the burners on for a few minutes after you've finished cooking, then use a barbecue wire brush to clean the grill. The lava rock is instead of the charcoal . You could perhaps add lump wood or some other smoke taste effect, but I'm not sure.

The secrets of cooking a good barbecued steak = 1st, Marinate steaks for at least 4 hours in a Soya sauce [ my preference ] b4 hand if possible , season with salt pepper, then brush over with olive oil just before placing on the grill.
2nd- Use a good cut of steak and you can hardly go wrong, fillet is my choice].

If you use Rib-eye , Rump, Lamb, Sirloin or Chicken you have to watch carefully as the fat will drip down, ignite and cremate your efforts very quickly. No Cock ups I hope.:thup:

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Got an outback 4 burner hooded gas bbq about 8 years ago, got it online in the clearance section of a bbq website as it was last years model. Paid around £200.

It sits in the garden all year round and I give it a really through clean once a year (other than brushing / burning off the grill and emptying the drip tray)

It has a grill and a hot plate, I cook everything from a full English breakfast to fish and the regular bbq meats. I know people always say they do not taste the same but I think they are great and the taste great the dispersion plates burn the fat the same as coals for the smokey bbq taste. We use ours at least twice a week around eight months of the year baring the depths of winter, just walk out light it and withing five to ten minutes your cooking.

One thing I will say is i know a few people who have bought the £80 B&Q gas bbq and they do suck, they are generally too small and do not get hot enough. As with everything you get what you pay for.

 

[vkurup]

Got an outback 4 burner hooded gas bbq about 8 years ago, got it online in the clearance section of a bbq website as it was last years model. Paid around £200.

It sits in the garden all year round and I give it a really through clean once a year (other than brushing / burning off the grill and emptying the drip tray)

It has a grill and a hot plate, I cook everything from a full English breakfast to fish and the regular bbq meats. I know people always say they do not taste the same but I think they are great and the taste great the dispersion plates burn the fat the same as coals for the smokey bbq taste. We use ours at least twice a week around eight months of the year baring the depths of winter, just walk out light it and withing five to ten minutes your cooking.

One thing I will say is i know a few people who have bought the £80 B&Q gas bbq and they do suck, they are generally too small and do not get hot enough. As with everything you get what you pay for.

Interesting.. i was looking at the Excel all along with no intention to spend more than 150 quid.. but had a look at the Meteor 3 range.. it is at 199 for last years model and it is looking v interesting... http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/outback-meteor-3-burner-gas-barbecue-with-free-regulator-red

I think i should stop the research, else wont have any money left for the medals this month,..