Heathcotes BBQ Buying Guide
Cooking on the BBQ is a way of life for many of us. It’s where we share meals and memorable moments with family and friends and our mouths water at the crisp smoky smells drifting around us. We each have our own traits when it comes to the perfect way to BBQ and thankfully there are enough options on the market to meet everyone’s fancy.
To make it easier to choose, have a think about how you like to BBQ
How do you Cook?
Do you like using the grill or a hot plate… or perhaps a bit of both? Getting the mix right is essential. Generally, you’ll find you get half-half in most models, but with a larger BBQ you have greater flexibility.
How many do you cook for?
This will help determine the size of BBQ you need. If you
cook for many, then you might want to consider a gas BBQ with many burners that
you can use as required. A rough guide of how many burners you’ll need if
you’re considering a gas BBQ - 3 people (2-3 Burners), 4 + people (4-8 Burners)
Built-in or Freestanding?
Built-in BBQ’s are mounted into cabinetry in a similar way a
cooktop is installed into a kitchen. They’re considered as a versatile way to
feature a BBQ, allowing you to add accessories like side burners and underbench
refrigeration.
Freestanding BBQ’s are essentially frame finish BBQ’s that
are installed onto a trolley, and offer end users the freedom and flexibility
of moving the BBQ around while not losing any of the performance quality a
built-in BBQ offers. These are a great option if you don’t have room for
outdoor cabinetry.
Are you a charcoal lover or a gas flamer? Do you like to slowly smoke your dish or is an electric rotisserie more your style?
If you like to use gas, do you have access to pipped natural gas or will you use bottles? If you’re not sure, see below for a quick guide on each of the fuels.
Charcoal/Heat Beads
Smoky flavoured, moist food
Flexibility of placement
LPG/Natural Gas
Fast heating with instant heat control.
Flexibility of placement unless built-in or connected to gas
pipe.
Electric
Convenient quick heating
Limited to placement near an electricity outlet
Now that you know what kind of BBQ chef you are, it’s time to look at the types available; and when you’re ready to look at the ranges available on the market, have a look at our BBQ products here.
Portable
Fuel: Charcoal, electric and gas
Where: Balconies, picnics, camping.
Compact and lightweight. Some have folding side shelves and
detachable stands for easy storage and can feed up to 4-6 people at once.
Freestanding/Hooded
Fuel: Gas
Where: Balconies, decks, garden
With its hood to trap the heat, this type of BBQ gives you
the flexibility to not only grill and fry but also to bake, roast and smoke. Many
models have an optional rotisserie as an accessory.
Charcoal
Fuel: Charcoal, heat beads
Where: Balconies, decks, garden
These BBQs produce a distinctive smoky flavour in your food.
They don’t have many features, but accessible air vents and cool handles are
musts. You may also want to consider grill and hotplate options and wheels for
portability.
Hooded - Built-in
Fuel: Gas
Where: Built into exsisting structure
This type gives you diverse cooking options with the hood
creating an oven-like environment when it’s closed. This type of BBQ can be
built into your ideal outdoor room, creating a space to enjoy and share with
friends and family.
