Barbecues

Barbecue grills are a fun addition to any backyard or patio. Whether you just want to be able to grill a couple of steaks for your family or you plan the big summer bash for the whole neighbourhood, there is a barbecue for you. If you choose to go with charcoal, keep in mind that most charcoal barbecues work very well -- the differences are mainly in the features. Gas grills have a wider range, and can be small and portable or large and built into your deck.

Good luck and happy barbecuing!

Buying a Barbecue

Charcoal vs. Natural Gas/Propane

• Charcoal
• Some people say that good charcoal imparts a delicious, smoky flavour.
• Charcoal barbecues require more time and effort and can sometimes be messy.
• They still beat out gas barbecues price-wise because of their small size.

• Gas
• Gas barbecues inevitably impart some hints of butane flavour to the food
• Starting is as easy as flipping a switch and waiting a few minutes.
• Prices are dropping and features are improving.
• Some built-in gas barbecues can be attached to your home gas line, so you never have to worry about changing the tank.

Location, Location, Location

• Where do you plan to put the grill? Make sure that you have room for the size grill you want to purchase and that the surrounding area has adequate space.
• Wherever you put your grill, if it is a free-standing grill make sure the surface is level so it won't tip.
• Do you want a pedestal, a cart with wheels or a grill that's built right into your deck?
• If you live in a flat with a balcony, be advised that it may violate local fire codes to use a barbecue on the balcony. Read your lease or covenants. Call the fire department to check.

Barbecue Types
Pedestal  Pedestals barbecues are somewhat portable and can be taken on picnic trips. They have about the same capacity as portable barbecues and usually run on charcoal. Portable can be fun for tailgating or taking to the beach or on camping trips, but don't expect large capacity or great performance.	Cart  Cart barbecues are the most common for home use. They are, of course, built into a cart. Can easily be moved around even though they are heavy and bulky. Some cart barbecues have "sidecars" which can be additional burners or just extra preparation space. The majority of the best barbecues are gas-run cart barbecues.	Built-In  Built-in barbecues are usually pricey, and you'll need a solid cabinet and base to install it on. Also convenient if you have a gas line to your house -- no more changing tanks! Fewer built-in barbecues are reviewed than any other type, since there are plenty of mobile grills that do an excellent job.

Size, Price and Features

Dinner for two or pool party for twenty; how much barbecue do you need? (The price ranges here apply mainly to gas barbecues.)

Basic Barbecues Small to medium size barbecues will run from £30-150 and are good to serve from 4-6 people. Cart or pedestal models; minimal features on some. The firebox and hood are usually cast aluminium. The grates are usually thin steel rails. A side burner is a nice feature available on some models. Stainless steel trim will increase the price. What you won't get in this price range: Durable, thick steel grates, or cast-iron grates. Extra features, e.g. extra drawers, rotisserie or smoker. Long, full-coverage warranty.

Mid-Range Barbecues These enhanced barbecues will cost from £120-300 and can cook for up to 15 people. Larger with more features. They usually have nice preparation areas and storage space on-board. All come with igniters. Guaranteed higher heat capability. Grates are stronger and more durable -- either stainless steel or cast iron. Look for rotisserie or smoker options if they appeal to you -- many barbecues in this price range will have them. Better warranties. Full stainless steel options are available. There may not be a grill with the exact combination of features you want -- you may have to sacrifice a little or get a larger grill than you planned, depending on how much you want to spend.

High-End Barbecues Large barbecues are stylish and sturdy in stainless steel. They also cook for up to 15 people but they will cost more than £300 -- prices rocket beyond £2000 for some models. Frequently part of an outdoor kitchen. Despite the hefty appearance of the priciest models, they do come on four (hidden) wheels for portability. You can expect good heat control on these models, but keep in mind that a great barbecue is only as good as the person doing the barbecue. Even a £2000 barbecue will not help a bad cook. Look for an excellent warranty -- you don't want to find your beautiful grill unprotected from malfunctions. Storage space and preparation areas are optimised for a truly incredible outdoor cooking experience. If you do a lot of outdoor entertaining and really want to put your masterpiece barbecuing on show, then this might be the way to go. For the average consumer, a mid-priced model will do a fine job without breaking the bank.

Summary of Important Features

• Great Grates
• Porcelain-coated cast iron or thick stainless steel are the best. They are durable and are excellent at heat conduction and retention.
• The heavier cast metal grates have a higher thermal mass and retain heat better when cold meat is applied.
• After several seasons of use expect the porcelain-coating to flake off and a rust problem to develop unless you apply vegetable oil to the grates after each use.

• Controls
• Controls should not be mounted on a horizontal surface.

• Fabric covers
• Will keep your barbecue clean.
• Are useless in areas with lots of wind. You may have to tie them on with bungee cords.
• They require another trip outside to recover the barbecue after it cools.

• Burners
• Add up the BTUs of just the burners under the grates. More is better. More than 50,000 BTU is much better. Most manufacturers add in the side burner and the rotisserie (if any). This is misleading.
• Home Appliance magazine recommends stainless steel burners as the most durable.
• Warranties are most important on the burners. Three to five years is the minimum, but a premium warranty will last 10 years or more.

• Grease Catcher
• These make cleaning up a breeze and reduce the chance of flare-ups.
• Look for deep, easily accessible pans. Shallow, cookie sheet-like pans may overflow.

• Stainless Steel
• Everyone likes the look of stainless, but it's also durable and weather-resistant.
• Aluminium clam shells under high heat can lose their shape and sag, reducing their ability to interlock when closed.
• Watch out for low-quality stainless. It may rust.
• Watch out for non-stainless fittings and hinges on a stainless barbecue. They will rust.
• It adds cost but is probably worth it in the long run.

• Side Burners
• These are an extra feature that some cooks enjoy having.
• Basic models don't usually feature them, but they have become more common in recent years.
• Let you prepare other foods on the burner while barbecuing.
• Save trips in and out of the house; allow you to keep an eye on everything you are cooking.

• Smoke Box
• A smoke box allows you to use fragrant wood to flavour your food when cooking.
• If your dream barbecue doesn't have a smoke box, you might want to invest in a separate smoker. 

• Warming Rack
• Larger barbecues with hinged lids may have a warming rack some distance above the main part of the barbecue.
• Handy for reheating foods or keeping finished foods ready to eat.

• Inboard Storage
• As with side burners, this is a nice feature that is found on many midrange models. It really depends on personal taste and on how much you barbecue during the summer.

• Igniter
• Piezoelectric sparker igniters are just a press of the button to ignite a gas burner. They will stop working after a couple of years because the spark gap will gradually open. Adjust them with a pair of pliers to narrow the gap, or switch to matches.
• Simple and fool-proof for charcoal. Why mess around with matches and lighter fluid?

• Rolling Cart
• Four wheels instead of two are easier when you need to move the barbecue around.
• Look for something better than office furniture casters, especially if your deck or patio is rough surfaced.
• Make sure the wheels are easy to lock and unlock.

• Removable Grill Tray
• Makes clean-up that much easier.

• Thermometer
• There is no doubt about whether or not the barbecue is ready when there is a thermometer on the exterior. Plus, it keeps you from wasting gas by letting the barbecue heat up for too long. If your barbecue doesn't come with one though, you can always purchase a magnetic one that will do the trick.
• Note however that the factory thermometers are notoriously inaccurate. Buy a separate digital oven thermometer with a remote if you are very particular about the temperature of the barbecue.

Related Guides and Products

Smokers	Indoor Grills	Barbecue Tools	Outdoor Dinnerware

External Links

• JohnLewis.com -- guide to buying a barbecue.
• Tiscali.co.uk -- short guide covering all the important features.