Buying a beaut barbie

By Chris Walker
Money Magazine,

Let's start at the cheap end. You can still buy those small, circular barbecues with three rickety legs at barbecue outlets and camping shops. I seem to remember from my uni days that they drip fat and are easily knocked over when stumbling around for another beer. Fuelled with heat beads or bottled LP gas, they sell for about $100 and from my experience, can cook well enough for the average punter.

Moving upscale somewhat, Barbecues Galore (Brookvale, NSW) has a simple barbecue that's basically a rectangular metal plate with two gas burners underneath, on a frame with legs. Called the Patiomaster 2, it costs $149. The Downunder 4 is essentially the same design, but bigger with four burners, and costs $179.

From here, things get more complicated as the range of options and permutations increases. Apart from differences in price, one thing you'll need to consider is whether you should you go for an enamelled steel or stainless steel unit. The latter is more expensive and longer lasting. Then there are the internal fittings, where the choice is usually cast iron or stainless steel grilles and hot plates, with stainless steel once again costing more.

You also have choice in the type of pedestal or trolley — if any — the barbecue sits on, whether or not it has a cooking lid for roasting, whether it comes with a wok burner, whether it comes with a sink and tap (I'm not kidding), how many burners it has, and whether it uses charcoal/heat beads, bottled gas or mains natural gas. The units selling at Barbecues Galore, Brookvale, in late September included:

• The Weber Compact, using heat beads for $199.
• The Weber Q100 — a small, egg-shaped gas barbecue for $299.
• The Downunder 4 Roaster — with hood, wok burner, four main burners, cast-iron internals and enamel box: $359 ($71 off).
• The Turbo Classic 4 on Cart — with four burners, enamel box, lid, cast iron hotplate and grill, and sturdy feel, for $1299.

The BBQ Factory at Chatswood NSW has a range of stainless steel units, with package prices (including a hood and trolley) from $1330, up to $3075 for a five-burner with hood and cabinet.

For those who wouldn't consider driving anything smaller than a V8, Barbecues Galore has the imposing stainless steel Turbo Elite 5 Island that comes complete with a commercially rated fridge, granite topped work area plus tap and sink for $5990.

Then there's the truck-like Grand Turbo 6 on Island, with eight burners, a smoker, infrared rear burner (whatever that does), granite work benches on both sides of the cooking box and massive storage space in the underlying cabinet. At $9900, this one’s for the truly ravenous.

For the complete story see Money Magazine's November 2007 issue. Subscribe now.