Can anyone recommend me a bbq?

[alrightfella]

Meant to buy one last year, never got round to it and then it was too late. Was thinking about one with a pizza oven attachment to go on top? I saw these in aldi but our current bbq is round so wouldn't have worked.

Weber coal - also has a pizza stone accessory.

We got a weber original kettle bbq 3 years ago and it is brilliant. They are a bit more expensive but should last years.

The bbq game changer for us was getting a chimney starter to save time and get perfect coals ready for cooking. The charcoal dividers are also very good to give you areas with direct and indirect heat.

We have a Weber gas bbq bought in 2004 and still going strong. We also acquired a Weber round charcoal bbq about 5 years ago due to DH doing a deal with someone. Totally above board. We have the chimney starter as well which is good but we would only use it for entertaining a large crowd and the gas one when just the two of us or just 2 to 4 guests. We did get new bars 3 years ago for the gas one.

Weber Gas, been in the garden uncovered for 10+ years, no rust lights first or second click. We use it all year round, for burgers, sausages and steaks. (used it last night!).

Charcoal is a PITA, after the first year you'll only use it a couple of times.

Weber. Just buy it. Ours is still going strong after years of use.
We too use it in winter
Lamb chops going on it later

Liking all the recommendations for the same brand, makes my search easier! Unsure about gas though, never had one.

We're a convert from gas to coal, and I don't think I could convince DH to go back - and we use it heaps!

I might be being unreasonable as I have never had food from a gas BBQ (Webber charcoal user for about 25 years, changed once in that time), but isn't a gas one just like having a gas grill, but outside?

The reason I like what I consider to be the real thing is the taste and texture of meat and corn on the cob cooked that way. IMO it also makes it a more fun meal, and more of an occassion with having to light the coals, then catch them at just the right time when the flames have burned down, but the coals are still piping hot.

Of course it is also a faff to go through all of that, and it does mean that we have less BBQs than we might if it was less of a production, so if we could afford it maybe we should have both types - nods to herself...

@alrightfella

Liking all the recommendations for the same brand, makes my search easier! Unsure about gas though, never had one.

It all comes down to personal preferrence. Gas is great and convienent if you are looking to enjoy cooking outdoors regularly, switch it on and it is ready to use. If you want to bbq and get the distinct bbq taste you need charcoal, we have tried gas with seasoned bricks or woodchips and they come nowhere near replicating that taste.

Charcoal takes a bit of practice and you'll need to light the coals around 30 mins before you want to cook, but the chimney and charcoal separaters really do make it much easier with reliable results.