Sun's shining ... let's talk BBQ's ..

[Millie1]

Every year we say 'let's get a BBQ' but never do - mainly for fear of only getting a week of summer weather and not making use of it. However, the sun's shining and I'm sick of slaving over a hot stove in a south-facing kitchen so can I have your recommendations please ... charcoal or gas, what to look for, what to avoid? TIA

We have an Gas 'Outback' model. I was dead against it initially, rejecting anything but real flames. Have now been won over - it's brill.

Surely gas is no different to cooking indoors? I have a big kettle one from B&Q, only cost £50 and it's been used loads already.

Will go and have a look at them on-line - thanks!

we have a Weber (charcoal) - it's fantastic and cooks really well

i love the charcoal ones, thats the point of a barbbie

ours is very old but just had a look online and think it was called the One Touch - think it would cost around £99 now

How many burners should you look for on a gas model? And, good question by Kelly1978 - do you get a BBQ taste from the food??

yes, you get the barby taste without the burnt taste.

we have 3 burners - use 1 or 2 generally unless we have people over.

Thanks Feistybird ... how does \link{http://www.flamingbarbecues.co.uk/2-Burner-Gas-Barbecues/Outback-Excel-300\this} one look? Too big/too small. Only 4 of us but don't want to buy too small & regret it - and vice versa.

How do you get the barby taste without the smokiness of charcoal? I've even got woodchips to put on my coals to get that authentic smokey taste.

I'm nto nitpcikign btw, I'mr eally iterested because we looked at those, and most gas ones do look far nicer than trad ones.

That looks really nice Millie - a bit more modern than ours (altho it's only a couple of years old) - but tbh, we have a bigger cooking area than that - altho as I've said we don't use the full capacity very often.

Kelly, yes I do know what you mean and maybe I have just adapted my tastebuds or something, but at the end of the day, I like the fact that it heats up in a matter of minutes, that there are no 'cool' spots and it's so easy to clean.

Gas - definitely. We use ours almost every day - wouldn't do that with charcoal.

The charcoal doesn't really add flavour to the food. Any special barbecue flavour comes from whatever drips off the food, hitting the coals and burning.

I'd say avoid side-burners and glass windows - both gimmicks. Unless you were going for snazzy stainless steel, I'd say don't spend a lot - they really don't last many seasons.

Thanks everyone .... bought the Outback Excel 200 yesterday. Gave it a trial last night and even hubby (who really didn't want one) is converted. Really pleased with it so thanks for all the advice