Barbecuing for beginners - choosing your perfect bbq

There are a huge number of different barbecues available, varying massively in terms of price, size, features and quality - and if youre new to the world of outdoor cooking, it can be difficult to know which model is right for you.

In this guide, we examine at some of the things to look out for when choosing your perfect barbecue, so you can make the right, well informed purchasing decision.

Gas or Charcoal

The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you want to buy a gas or a charcoal bbq. Both kinds of barbecue have their advantages and disadvantages, and in the end, it comes down to personal preference.

Charcoal barbecues are generally cheaper, and traditionalists value the authentic taste of barbecue food cooked over charcoal. However, they take a while to heat up (unless you use a chimney starter), making them less useful for impromptu meals.

Gas barbecues tend to be more expensive, but do have a number of advantages. It is easier to control the heat on a gas barbecue, and they are ready to cook on pretty much straight away, making them easier to cook on and use.

Generally they also tend to be safer, as they can be switched off. In addition, many gas barbecue models tend to offer a more versatile range of cooking options.

Usage

When choosing a barbecue, its important to consider what you are going to be using it for, how often youll be cooking, and how many people youll need to feed.

For example, if you want to be barbecuing at home every weekend for large numbers of people, then youre going to want to invest in a large, well-built model with a high cooking capacity.

In the same way, if you want a barbecue for when youre camping or travelling, then a small, portable and lightweight model will probably serve you better.

As a general rule, a two burner gas barbecue or medium sized charcoal grill will be enough to cook for around 4-6 people at any one time, but if you need to cater for more, youre going to need to look at a larger model.

What you want to cook

One thing you need to take into account when purchasing a barbecue is the kind of food you want to cook. If youre just looking to grill your standard burgers and sausages, then an open topped barbecue will suffice.

However, there is a whole world of outdoor cooking to explore, and if youre feeling more adventurous and want to try your hand at outdoor roasting or smoking, then youre going to need a model with a lid. For charcoal models, this means choosing a ˜kettle barbecue “ most gas barbecues will come supplied with a lid.

Many barbecues can also be fitted with a range of additional cooking accessories, including rotisseries, griddles, skewers, rib racks and poultry roasters, so its worth checking that there is something available to meet your requirements.

Budget & quality

The final important factor to look out for when choosing a barbecue is the materials and build quality “ as they vary massively from model to model, and have a huge impact on ease of use, cooking performance, ease of cleaning and lifespan.

Barbecues vary massively in price, and you can spend anything from £20 on a small, flimsy model from a local garden centre, right up to many thousands of pounds on a top quality, specialist commercial grade gas barbecue.

When it comes down to it, you really do get what you pay for, and you cant expect a £20 charcoal barbecue to deliver the same in terms of food quality and cooking performance as a more premium model.

Cheap barbecues are manufactured to a price point, which means that the maker has had to compromise on something.

In the long run, spending a little more on a higher end barbecue will pay dividends, in terms of the materials, design and build quality, meaning that they will last longer, and provide better tasting bbq food!

How we can help

At Keen Gardener, we offer a huge range of barbecues to suit every budget and barbecuing requirement, and were always happy to provide advice on the right barbecue for you. Simply get in touch with a friendly member of our expert BBQ team today on 01789 763336.