There’s nothing better than good barbeque and beer in Australia. Barbeque food is a staple here for both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. It goes without saying that for a decent backyard barbeque you need a decent electric, gas or charcoal barbeque.
Not sure where to begin? You’re not the only one. The world of outdoor barbeques is vast, with so many barbeques available on the market. If you’re wondering which barbeque to buy, read on and we’ll help you get to the bottom of it.
Barbeques Fuel Types
Barbeques used different fuel types that affect the taste of the food: charcoal, gas and electric. There are a few things to consider when choosing which fuel type you want, including convenience, heat-up time, the result of your food, portability and space.
GAS BARBEQUE
Gas barbeques are the most popular in Australia; they’re affordable and simple and cook delicious barbequed food. Gas is an instant heat source and you can easily adjust temperatures while cooking. All you need to do is hook up a gas bottle to the barbeque and you’re good to go. Gas bottles are easy to find, affordable and come in a variety of sizes. You can easily refill your gas bottle and also take advantage of Swap ‘n’ Go at a local store, in which you can switch your empty bottle for a full one for a low price.
Ultimately, gas barbeques are affordable, easy to use and need very little maintenance. They’re durable and fast, with good grilling power.
Advantages
High Heat & Temperature Adjustment
Most gas barbeques can get up to 371 celsius and can be adjusted while cooking.
Instant ignition and Fast Preheating
With a gas barbeque, there’s no need to wait around for it to heat up. You have fuel instantly and can get cooking right away.
Versatile
Some fas barbeques are capable of smoking and grilling, depending on the model–you’ll need one with multiple burners.
Easy to Use and Maintain
Unlike charcoal barbeques, gas grills are pretty easy to use, especially if you have experience with a gas stove. Individual burners can easily be turned on and off and have adjustable controls for temperature. With removable drip trays, gas barbeques don’t leave a huge mess behind and are fairly easy to clean.
CHARCOAL BARBEQUE
It’s no secret that charcoal barbeques result in delicious barbeque food. This is due to its temperature versatility. Charcoal barbeques can produce direct heat and indirect heat, on their own and together. They are perfect for high-heat grilling and low-heat smoking. Not only that, but charcoal barbeques create that tasty, smoky flavour by infusing the food with smoke from hot coals and wood chips. On the flip side, charcoal barbeques require more patience than grilling on an electric or gas barbeque. It takes a bit of practice to get right. Charcoal can also take up to 40 minutes to get to the right temperature, and you’ll need a lot of ventilation. A large outdoor space is best. Charcoal can be expensive, but charcoal barbeques themselves are usually more affordable than other fuel types.
Advantages
High Heat
A charcoal barbeque has no max temperature setting, unlike its gas and electric counterparts.
Versatile
Charcoal barbeques produce both direct and indirect heat, allowing you to smoke, grill, sear and bake. You can also arrange dual zones on your charcoal barbeque by moving the coals around, so you can work with various cooking styles.
Delicious Results
Due to the direct heat from the coals, charcoal vaporises food drippings like juice and oil into a smoky flavour that enriches the food and produces a truly distinct flavour. You can even add wood chips to your coals for a wood-fire flavour.
Juicy Meat
Infrared heat is used in charcoal barbequing so less moisture is lost during the cooking process, resulting in juicier meat.
ELECTRIC BARBEQUE
Electric barbeques are ideal for smaller spaces. If you have a small outdoor courtyard or balcony, an electric barbeque may be for you. Electric barbeques, as you may have guessed, need a power outlet close by. An advantage to electric barbeques is that they will never run out of fuel. They’re also easy to use, compact, portable and usually come with a trolley or stand.
Advantages
Compact and Portable
Electric barbeque are compact and easy to move around. Since they use electricity rather than fire, they’re safer to use in smaller spaces like apartment balconies. .
Less Smoke
Electric barbeques don’t produce smoke unlike charcoal and gas barbeques.
Convenient Fuel Source
With an electric barbeque, you’ll never run out of fuel. As long as you’re close to a power outlet, you’re good to go.
High Heat
Electric grills can get to a high heat, with some capable of getting to 370 degrees celsius.
Tasty Grilled Flavour
You may not get the same smokey flavour as a charcoal grill, but electric barbeques create a delicious grilled flavour on high heat.
Easy to Use and Clean
Electric barbeques are super easy to use. You simply plug in your barbeque to a power outlet and can easily control the temperature through digital controls and simple, clear knobs. Most components of electric barbeques are removable and dishwasher safe, making them easy to clean and maintain.
Safety Features
Top-quality electric barbeques come with automatic shut-off functions and built-in timers to avoid overcooking.
Which Barbeque is Best For Your Backyard
Once you’ve decided on the best fuel type for your barbeque, next you should consider what build works best for your space. Most barbeque designs can be bought as charcoal, gas or electric, whether you are after a built in barbeque, hooded barbeque, round kettle barbeque or flat-top barbeque.
PORTABLE BARBEQUE
Portable barbeques are convenient, especially if you move houses often. They’re compact and light and perfect to take with you camping. You can buy a gas, electric or charcoal portable barbeque.
BUILT IN BARBEQUE
Built in barbeques are a great addition to your home. Although you’ll be paying more upfront, there are residual benefits to having a built in barbeque. First up, if you choose a gas barbeque, there’s no need to refill your gas bottle every couple of months–you can use your natural gas source, which is cheaper and more energy efficient than using your electricity. This will also save you time and energy heading out to the store for a new gas bottle or refill.
You can customise your built in barbeque to suit your cooking needs and space from building extra bench space to adding in a side burner or rotisserie. Not to mention, having a built in gas barbeque can increase the value of your home if you ever decide to sell, as it’s a valuable asset that will help your home stand out.
FREESTANDING BARBEQUE
Freestanding barbeques are the most common. Ideal for the backyard, they’re affordable, easy to move around and make cooking a breeze.
BBQ SPIT ROTISSERIES
There’s nothing quite like cooking on a spit. Generally, BBQ Spit Rotisseries make cooking easier and result in juicy meat with no moisture loss. BBQ Spit Rotisseries allow excess fat and grease to drain off your food as it rotates, resulting in less fatty meat that is evenly cooked throughout. These barbeques are great for cooking large portions of food and will create a crispy outer crust.
ROUND KETTLES
Round kettle barbeques are compact and portable. Perfect for roasting with charcoal, they circulate heat to cook your meat in its own juices, resulting in delicious and tender food. Kettle barbeques can also use electricity and gas.
HOODED BARBEQUE
Hooded barbeques are versatile as you can use both the grill and hotplate, or turn your BBQ into an outdoor oven. These barbeques are ideal for roasting, smoking, steaming or baking, as the hoods work to trap heat, giving your food extra flavour.
FLAT TOP BARBEQUE
If you’re looking for a large cooking surface, a flat top barbeque is a great choice.
What Barbeque Features to Look For
Keep an eye out for these key features that’ll make grilling easier and safer.
– Built-in Thermometer: a useful tool in determining whether your food is ready and keeping your grilling consistent.
– Side Burner: ideal for preparing side dishes while grilling
– Burners Surface Material: stainless steel and brass are the most durable materials
– Controls & Ignition: easy-to-use controls that are clearly labelled are best
The Bottom Line
The Aussie barbeque market is extensive and there are plenty of options available. Keep in mind your budget, your space, how often you will use your barbeque and how many people you plan to cook for on a regular basis. Once you’ve decided whether you want a charcoal, electric or gas barbeque, next decide on the barbeque design that is most suitable for you, and you’re on your way to becoming a barbeque connoisseur!
