Buyer Guide – Barbecues

As the weather warms up we all like to take our cooking and entertaining out of doors. And if you are cooking outside on a regular basis you will want a good quality barbecue. But which one? Charcoal or gas? How do you choose?

Which Barbecue - Gas or Charcoal?
Charcoal Barbecues
Gas Barbecues

Which Barbecue - Gas or Charcoal?

The first thing to decide is whether to go for a gas or a charcoal barbecue. Some people think you can't beat the taste and smell of grilling over hot charcoal and there is something unique and quite primitive about cooking over an open fire. Indeed, the whole process of starting the fire, carefully nurturing it and bringing it to the right temperature for cooking, is all part of the fun.

Others like the convenience and reliability of gas - ignition at the touch of a button and quick, responsive temperature control. There's no messing about with dirty charcoal and no ashes to clean up and dispose of when you've finished.

In fact, it's all down to personal preference. Whether you use charcoal or gas, there is no real difference in taste. Gas barbecues are generally more expensive to purchase but they are cheaper to run and will cost less in the longer term. Whether you choose charcoal or gas, the important thing is to choose a good quality barbecue that will give you years of reliable service.

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Charcoal Barbecues

A charcoal barbecue needs to be well-constructed if it is going to last. Look for heavy-duty steel or stainless steel. A stainless steel grill will be easier to clean and will resist rust. If the barbecue has multiple or split-level grills this will make it easier to adjust the cooking temperature, or to cook different items at different temperatures. Work surfaces and tool racks will add to the barbecue's usability.

Ideally, a full-size grill should be at a comfortable cooking height, but if you require the barbecue to be portable you will probably have to compromise and go for something smaller. One very important consideration is how do you want to cook? Grilling is fine for smaller cuts of meat - burgers, chops, sausages etc. - as well as fish and vegetables, but if you want to roast larger joints of meat or whole birds you will need a barbecue with a lid.

The Grilltech Space Grill (formerly known as the Hotspot Space Grill or Hotspot Deck Grill) is constructed from heavy-duty steel with stainless steel cooking grills. The grills are adjustable to different heights while the small top grill can be used as a wok holder. There is no lid but a rotisserie is available as an optional extra.

The Blistering Barbecue is made of heavy-duty enamelled steel with multi-level stainless steel cooking grills giving an amazing amount of control over the cooking temperature.

The Eva Solo Barrel Grill is all stainless steel and is small enough to be portable, although it would also make a focal point in a contemporary garden. An optional lid enables the barbecue to be used for roasting.

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Gas Barbecues

A gas barbecue is clean and reliable. Look for heavy duty steel or stainless steel construction. Choose one with a grill surface big enough for your needs. Multiple burners will allow you to vary the temperature on different parts of the grill. A side burner gives you the option of cooking vegetables or sauces. A lid will allow you to roast as well as grill but make sure there is a thermometer to check the temperature. A rotisserie will give you even greater flexiblity in your cooking. Many gas barbecues include storage space and worktops.

Gas barbecues use either a system of cast iron or steel bars or lava rock beneath the grills, to heat up the oils and juices from the food, creating smoke to flavour the food. A cast iron or steel system is preferable to lava rock as it reduces the risk of flare-ups and is much easier to clean.

Grilltech Gas Barbecues (formerly known as Hotspot) are constructed from heavy-duty steel or stainless steel. All have multiple burners, lids with temperature gauges, cast iron grills, storage space and work space. Some models have rotisseries included while some have them as an optional extra.

The Eva Solo Gas Grill is a gas powered version of the Eva Solo Barrel Grill. The gas bottle is hidden away inside the barrel and it has three separate burners that can be controlled independently, giving complete control over the cooking temperature.

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