I guess I should hardly be surprised in Aus, but jeez, where do you start?! Just moved in to a house with a decent backyard for the first time so want to get a BBQ that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, but also will do a decent job. Probably cooking for no more than 4 or 5 at a time but generally 2. So interested to know what works for everyone on the forum?

I've been on BBQ's galore and seen a few for $350-450, as well as one on KMart but certainly the BBQ's galore ones get slated on reviews. Everyone going on about this Weber brand, but looks like they're $650-700 at entry level. Probably more than I wanted to spend, but like I said, want something that works well.

So the cheaper ones I've seen are;

Bayfair 6 Burner Hooded BBQ | Kmart

https://www.barbequesgalore.com.au/p....aspx?id=20817

https://www.barbequesgalore.com.au/p....aspx?id=20908

https://www.barbequesgalore.com.au/p....aspx?id=20906

Then you've got the Weber brand that everyone goes on about;

https://www.barbequesgalore.com.au/p....aspx?id=20317

So hit me with your recommendations and what to steer clear of advice please.

Definitely a Weber IMHO.
We had the kmart ones and they rust badly.
The family weber is great I do roasts in them and in summer there's no way I want the oven on! Best money I've spent even though it's more expensive for us it's worth it.
J x

We went for a weber, it might not be the exact one in your picture but it looks like it.

We paid 200 dollars for one with a hood* - my word! - and it lights first go with the button and cooks sausages.

with a plate and a grill, an' all.

Even got a hook to hang the bottle.
It's now 10 years old and occasionally I have to go in and mop down the rat poo and piss - we had the little buggers up in there scratching around at night.

If you're interested in the Weber, don't get it from BBQs galore. If you buy it from a Weber specialist dealer for $10 extra you can get the model with the higher lid for roasting and built in thermometer.

Weber BBQs

Weber every time - and as bcworld says, get it from a Weber specialist retailer. Barbecues Galore only have the basic Weber range and the higher lid with thermometer is definitely the way to go.

We have a Weber familyQ, and got it from AGL gas store. We also bought a Rinnai gas heater from them, and so we got a discount. Can't remember how much it cost exactly though, but we are really happy with it. OH is going to get it out of winter hibernation next weekend.

Haggle. You might be surprised at what they will offer or throw in as a freebie.

A few bricks, a cast iron hot plate, and Bob's your Uncle (and Fanny's your Aunt)

I would go the weber, however you do need to know one thing that puts dedicated and well experienced bbq'ers off the weber, the fact that you can't cook with the lid up. Which for some people is a bridge too far. If you want similar that can cook with the lid up look at a zieglar and brown, which are very similar to webers... although definitely not as good.

Or you can go one better than everyone and become a Pom to be reckoned with and get yourself a Kamado bbq.... I'll let you look that up You'll have die hard bbq enthusiasts creaming their tweeds if you get one of those. It's probably best to to go through the apprenticeship of owning a standard one first though.

I'd get the weber and get used to cooking with the lid down if I were you though. Its a 'forever bbq" and backs up as one of the best ovens you could ever own. The Kamado can wait just in case you become a bbq'ing enthusiast.

Almost... Scrub plate and make it Grill.... The one with the slots in it.... you add a plate to the top if you have to, which should be never with direct cooking of meat.

Almost.

Brick built and with adjustable height grill. And don't forget to build in a worktop on one or both sides

Here you go :

How to Build Your Own BBQ Barrel

bogan cred

Why not doesn't it get hot enough with the lid open. I'm on the point of buying one and this sounds like a serious problem (for me anyway).

Lookin aint cookin!
Lookin’ Ain’t Cookin’ | Weber.com

They defnitely don't get hot enough with the lid open..... But although it takes a while to adjust cooking even with a non weber is far far better with the lid down. As per BC's link.

You may need to look at a Zieglar and Brown if you absolutly must have the lid open... It's a compromise but the closest you will get to Weber. Understandable that you would as well, plenty of well versed bbq enthusiasts just cant do it.

BTW A weber with the lid down gets up to around 280c which is hotter than most bbq's.