Which BBQ????
#1
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Joined: Dec 2005
Location: Mango Hill, Qld
Posts: 25
Which BBQ????
Hi
We're about to let ourselves loose in the January sales and want to buy a barbie cos we've been here nearly a month and feel that somethings missing...what would you guys recommend? Go for the gas ones or do they do charcoal ones here too?...don't know too much about them at the mo. We had a tiny charcoal one in the UK that you could fit about 5 burgers on!! Don't know which ones are best...can anyone shed any light??
We're about to let ourselves loose in the January sales and want to buy a barbie cos we've been here nearly a month and feel that somethings missing...what would you guys recommend? Go for the gas ones or do they do charcoal ones here too?...don't know too much about them at the mo. We had a tiny charcoal one in the UK that you could fit about 5 burgers on!! Don't know which ones are best...can anyone shed any light??
#2
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Posts: n/a
Re: Which BBQ????
Originally Posted by Gym Junkie
Hi
We're about to let ourselves loose in the January sales and want to buy a barbie cos we've been here nearly a month and feel that somethings missing...what would you guys recommend? Go for the gas ones or do they do charcoal ones here too?...don't know too much about them at the mo. We had a tiny charcoal one in the UK that you could fit about 5 burgers on!! Don't know which ones are best...can anyone shed any light??
We're about to let ourselves loose in the January sales and want to buy a barbie cos we've been here nearly a month and feel that somethings missing...what would you guys recommend? Go for the gas ones or do they do charcoal ones here too?...don't know too much about them at the mo. We had a tiny charcoal one in the UK that you could fit about 5 burgers on!! Don't know which ones are best...can anyone shed any light??
Gas: Very fast to begin cooking, just like Kitchen stove. You may find you use this very often, especially during hot weather when you dont want to heat the house up further by cooking inside.
Make sure you get one with a side burner, as you may find it invaluable, once you get used to cooking outside instead of in the kitchen. Especially for those foods that create a smell that you would rather not have working itself around the entire house, more so with the open plan houses.
Ideal solution....... get both and use the charcoal for special occasions, and the Gas for day to day use.
#3
Re: Which BBQ????
You'll find gas is more popular here than charcoal/wood. While this at first might go against your Aussie image of the only real barbecue being a fire one, the risk of bushfires means there are total fire bans on certain days and I think this applies to charcoal bbqs as well (no open flames - and you need flames to get it going).
That said, I roasted the turkey on a Weber (kettle bbq, charcoal) on Christmas day, but this was only after I heard on the news that the NSW fire ban had been lifted - I suspect the fact that it was Christmas day had something to do with this.
Anyway, the missus was more than happy for me to sort out the turkey, so I set it up in a shaded part of the garden. All you do, once the charcoal has the grey ash around it (after about 30 mins), is separate it using tongs into two piles on each side, put a drip tray in the middle, put the grill on top and slap the turkey on top of that. I put a few slices of bacon over the breast to keep it moist, put the lid on top and let it go. Delicious, even if I do say so myself.
As for buying one: We went to Barbecues Galore determined to get a basic one that was easy to use. Of course they tried to sell us the huge thousand dollar ones, but we stuck to our guns and ended up getting a two-burner with gas bottle (you have to fill it separately at a garage, about $30) for $300. They sell them usually in two, four and six-burner sizes, depending on the number of people you want to cook for. If the first question they ask you is 'how many are you going to cook for?' think usually rather than maximum, otherwise you end up with this trailer-sized thing on your deck/garden. Also, they usually come packed, so bigger means more assembly.
We've found we don't need anything bigger than the two-burner, even when we're cooking for guests. More often than not it's just for the two of us, but even if you were cooking for, say, 2 adults and 2 kids I'd still say 2 burner is big enough - you don't have to cook everything at the same time anyway. I'd also go for one with a hood so it can keep stuff warm - and a cover for when you're not using it so it doesn't rust.
Another big advantage of gas over charcoal is that you can get it going in a couple of minutes rather than messing around with firelighters and charcoal (and shouts of 'have you got it going yet?').
Hope this helps.
Big.
That said, I roasted the turkey on a Weber (kettle bbq, charcoal) on Christmas day, but this was only after I heard on the news that the NSW fire ban had been lifted - I suspect the fact that it was Christmas day had something to do with this.
Anyway, the missus was more than happy for me to sort out the turkey, so I set it up in a shaded part of the garden. All you do, once the charcoal has the grey ash around it (after about 30 mins), is separate it using tongs into two piles on each side, put a drip tray in the middle, put the grill on top and slap the turkey on top of that. I put a few slices of bacon over the breast to keep it moist, put the lid on top and let it go. Delicious, even if I do say so myself.
As for buying one: We went to Barbecues Galore determined to get a basic one that was easy to use. Of course they tried to sell us the huge thousand dollar ones, but we stuck to our guns and ended up getting a two-burner with gas bottle (you have to fill it separately at a garage, about $30) for $300. They sell them usually in two, four and six-burner sizes, depending on the number of people you want to cook for. If the first question they ask you is 'how many are you going to cook for?' think usually rather than maximum, otherwise you end up with this trailer-sized thing on your deck/garden. Also, they usually come packed, so bigger means more assembly.
We've found we don't need anything bigger than the two-burner, even when we're cooking for guests. More often than not it's just for the two of us, but even if you were cooking for, say, 2 adults and 2 kids I'd still say 2 burner is big enough - you don't have to cook everything at the same time anyway. I'd also go for one with a hood so it can keep stuff warm - and a cover for when you're not using it so it doesn't rust.
Another big advantage of gas over charcoal is that you can get it going in a couple of minutes rather than messing around with firelighters and charcoal (and shouts of 'have you got it going yet?').
Hope this helps.
Big.
#4
Re: Which BBQ????
Originally Posted by Gym Junkie
Hi
We're about to let ourselves loose in the January sales and want to buy a barbie cos we've been here nearly a month and feel that somethings missing...what would you guys recommend? Go for the gas ones or do they do charcoal ones here too?...don't know too much about them at the mo. We had a tiny charcoal one in the UK that you could fit about 5 burgers on!! Don't know which ones are best...can anyone shed any light??
We're about to let ourselves loose in the January sales and want to buy a barbie cos we've been here nearly a month and feel that somethings missing...what would you guys recommend? Go for the gas ones or do they do charcoal ones here too?...don't know too much about them at the mo. We had a tiny charcoal one in the UK that you could fit about 5 burgers on!! Don't know which ones are best...can anyone shed any light??
- Bart
I prefer gas but charcoal has its own taste...
#5
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Which BBQ????
Originally Posted by Big Galah
We've found we don't need anything bigger than the two-burner, even when we're cooking for guests. More often than not it's just for the two of us, but even if you were cooking for, say, 2 adults and 2 kids I'd still say 2 burner is big enough - you don't have to cook everything at the same time anyway. I'd also go for one with a hood so it can keep stuff warm - and a cover for when you're not using it so it doesn't rust.
Another big advantage of gas over charcoal is that you can get it going in a couple of minutes rather than messing around with firelighters and charcoal (and shouts of 'have you got it going yet?').
Big.
Another big advantage of gas over charcoal is that you can get it going in a couple of minutes rather than messing around with firelighters and charcoal (and shouts of 'have you got it going yet?').
Big.
I reckon a 4 burner is good, 2 for a grill, and 2 for a plate.
I think you're right about 6 probably being overkill.
Both Aldi and Bunnings are doing New Year specials on 4 burners (120 bucks) but they don't have hoods - only a lid which probably serves the same purpose.
cheers
#6
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Joined: Dec 2005
Location: Mango Hill, Qld
Posts: 25
Re: Which BBQ????
Originally Posted by BartSimpson
which ever suits your pocket
- Bart
I prefer gas but charcoal has its own taste...
- Bart
I prefer gas but charcoal has its own taste...
Hadn't thought of the fire ban thing so thanks for that too.
So do you just turn up at a garage with your empty gas bottle and they'll fill it up for you??
#7
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,487
Re: Which BBQ????
Originally Posted by thatsnotquiteright
Gas needs to be left to warm up to cook. I wait 20mins and I'd like to wait more.
You meant charcoal I hope....
#8
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Re: Which BBQ????
Originally Posted by Gym Junkie
So do you just turn up at a garage with your empty gas bottle and they'll fill it up for you??
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Which BBQ????
Originally Posted by A dogs life
your username is quite appropriate
You meant charcoal I hope....
You meant charcoal I hope....
#10
Re: Which BBQ????
Originally Posted by Gym Junkie
Hi
We're about to let ourselves loose in the January sales and want to buy a barbie cos we've been here nearly a month and feel that somethings missing...what would you guys recommend? Go for the gas ones or do they do charcoal ones here too?...don't know too much about them at the mo. We had a tiny charcoal one in the UK that you could fit about 5 burgers on!! Don't know which ones are best...can anyone shed any light??
We're about to let ourselves loose in the January sales and want to buy a barbie cos we've been here nearly a month and feel that somethings missing...what would you guys recommend? Go for the gas ones or do they do charcoal ones here too?...don't know too much about them at the mo. We had a tiny charcoal one in the UK that you could fit about 5 burgers on!! Don't know which ones are best...can anyone shed any light??
1 there are only four of us
2 we`re skint
3 it`s portable
sorry should have added that it`s gas with a 2 kilo bottle costs $4.10 to fill
Last edited by wengerboy; Dec 28th 2005 at 8:59 am.
#11
Re: Which BBQ????
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=bbq
Have a look here, some people posted some crap but there is some useful advice.
Have a look here, some people posted some crap but there is some useful advice.
#12
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Joined: Dec 2005
Location: Mango Hill, Qld
Posts: 25
Re: Which BBQ????
Originally Posted by Siren & Brian
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=bbq
Have a look here, some people posted some crap but there is some useful advice.
Have a look here, some people posted some crap but there is some useful advice.