With summer just around the corner, what’s the best BBQ for you. BBQing is one of the greatest pleasures in life. The popularity and joy of cooking; eating outdoors, has grown worldwide, and makes a welcome change from the standard, everyday meal. But did you know that barbecuing isn’t the same as classic grilling at home? The slow-cooking over direct heat gives foods a very distinctive flavour. We’ve taken a closer look at this special cooking method.
The Story of Barbecues
There’s a lot of myths surrounding the etymology of the word ‘barbecue’. It was probably derived from the Spanish word ‘barbacoa’, which has its origins in the Taino dialect of the Arawak American Indians. At the time when the Spanish conquered America, slow cooking meat over smoke was already a widespread practice throughout the Caribbean and right down the mainland coast to Brazil. The barbecue evolved from village feasts, which were probably one of the very earliest kinds of get-together. They were held outdoors, attended by many people and central to family parties, local fetes, and church celebrations.
Before hamburgers became a firm fixture in the fast-food scene, travellers would stop for meals at barbecue roadside stands and restaurants. So, alongside the hot dog, the barbecue was one of the first successful take-away food concepts.
BBQ vs. Grilling
People often use the word barbecue as a synonym for grilling. But there are two distinct methods of cooking, they actually differ in several important respects. When you grill food, you cook it right on top of the heat source. When you barbecue food, you slow cook it in aromatic smoke over direct heat. Barbecues aren’t for the impatient. You have to cook sausages for longer on a barbecue than you would on a grill to achieve crispy brown results. But it’s worth the wait because you can genuinely taste the difference.
The more experimental barbecue food lovers have smokers. Special barbecues with an extra chamber where wood is burned. The hot smoke is drawn from the burning chamber into a cooking chamber where the meat is slow cooked. The smoke then exits the cooking chamber via a flue. Large smokers have a big vertical chimney instead of a small flue, and they can be used to keep meat warm or smoke fish.
To find out what cooks best, we turned to Canstar Blue, who grilled more than 700 Australian consumers on the gas or electric barbecue(s) they’ve purchased and used in the last two years. Respondents reviewed brands on cooking performance, ease of use, ease of cleaning, extra features, durability, design, value for money and overall satisfaction. Those that received the minimum required survey sample size of 30 responses are compared in our latest report.
This year, BeefEater and Ziegler & Brown were both rated best for barbecues, after receiving five stars for overall satisfaction and in other areas.
What is the Best BBQ
Canstar Blue’s 2021 BBQ review has seen BeefEater, Ziegler & Brown, Weber, Matador, Jumbuck, Beefmaster, Bull, and Gasmate compared on cooking performance, ease of use, ease of cleaning, extra features, durability, design, value for money and overall satisfaction.
Here are the best brands of BBQs in Australia, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s 2021 review:
- BeefEater + Ziegler & Brown
- Weber
- Matador
- Jumbuck
- Beefmaster
- Bull
- Gasmate
BeefEater and Ziegler & Brown burned the competition with five stars for durability and overall satisfaction. BeefEater was also rated best for extra features and Ziegler & Brown for ease of use. Runner-up Weber scooped top marks for cooking performance and design, alongside Matador. For the best bang for buck, Aussies rated Jumbuck five stars and Bull took the lead for ease of cleaning.
Before we jump into what to consider when buying a new BBQ, let’s first take a closer look at each brand in our ratings.
BBQs Compared
BeefEater
BeefEater sports a solid range of both freestanding and built-in barbecues, most with shiny chrome designs resembling a premium option for your home. In the freestanding BBQ range, BeefEater packs between three to five burners, which makes it a strong candidate for cooking, and eating, that beef. In the built-in range, you’ll find a range of styles to seamlessly complement all outdoor areas, according to the brand. Certain models additionally come with a side burner. BeefEater also has a variety of BBQ islands to let you create your perfect outdoor kitchen. The brand’s outdoor line also includes BBQ rangehoods and outdoor refrigeration products.
Most BeefEater BBQs are gas-powered and feature roasting hoods with an onboard temperature gauge and warming racks. The BeefEater mobile barbecues start at about $1,800 for a basic LPG five-burner unit, while portable units are available from around $500, with the built-in systems starting at just over $2,000.
BeefEater was rated five stars for durability, extra features and overall satisfaction. It got four stars for ease of use and cleaning, cooking performance and design, plus three stars for value for money.
Ziegler & Brown
Ziegler & Brown is an Aussie brand that offers gas BBQs, with the number of burners ranging from two to six. Some collections to choose from include the Grill range (portable), Turbo series and built-in gas BBQs. Whether you’re looking for a BBQ to take with you camping, or you’re thinking a little bigger to impress the neighbours, Ziegler & Brown is likely to have you covered.
Its Turbo classic BBQ incorporates a ceramic burner and quartz dome that’s claimed to increase radiant heat and minimise flare-ups. For small spaces and grilling on the go, you might like to consider the portable two-burner range, featuring a number of colour options. Despite the smaller size, the Grill burners are stated to have high dome roasting hoods for additional capacity. Prices usually start from $469 for its two-burner models and go up to the $6,000 mark for the six-burner Grand Turbo model. Certain models are exclusively available from Barbeques Galore.
- Ziegler & Brown achieved a five-star rating for durability, ease of use and overall satisfaction. It got four stars for ease of cleaning and cooking performance, plus three stars everywhere else.
Buy the Ziggy by Ziegler & Brown on Amazon
Weber
Weber has four main categories of BBQs – electric, charcoal, premium gas, and a wood pellet range. The electric series is one of the latest additions, featuring electronic temperature control and smart technology such as monitoring food from your smartphone. The charcoal line is claimed to offer authentic coal grilling for that unique smoky flavour, and if ashes are a concern, these beauties come with a cleaning system to make the clean-up easier.
Weber’s premium gas range will see you get a more traditional ‘barbie’, with the Genesis II Series stated to have upgraded features and stainless-steel components for grilling versatility and premium looks. The Weber Q is arguably the most popular series, suitable for small-time grilling, with many grills able to be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Prices for the top-range Weber Summit models start in excess of $5,000, while Weber Qs start at around $349.
- Weber scooped five stars for cooking performance and design, plus four stars for durability, ease of use and overall satisfaction. It got three stars in the remaining areas.
Buy a Weber Q 1000 Titanium series on Amazon
Matador
Matador serves up a fairly bite-sized line of barbecues, ranging in size from two to six burners. They’re either standalone or built-in for those outdoor kitchen enthusiasts. Most Matador BBQs are gas-powered, with the brand sold exclusively in Bunnings Warehouse hardware stores, making it easy to pop in and get your spanner and walk out with a BBQ. Two-burner BBQs start around $450, while the top-of-the-range six-burner units go from $799 and up to $1,099.
- Matador was rated five stars for design and four stars in most other categories including overall satisfaction. The only exception was ease of cleaning where it got three stars.
Jumbuck
Jumbuck’s range mainly focuses on barbecues with at least two burners, though some come with up to six. In the range is a series of portable, kettle and charcoal barbecues that start at around $65, ideal for those on a budget. Flat top BBQs come with a minimum of two burners, and while they might have basic designs many feature hoods to promote roasting. Jumbuck also has a few wood-fired and gas pizza ovens to deck out your outdoor area even more.
For the more serious grill enthusiasts, six-burner BBQs are on offer, starting from about $300. Expect powder-coated steel frames, castors wheels for easy movability, and easy-access oil collection cups. Jumbuck was one of the cheaper brands to be featured in our ratings, but still has a range of models to handle all types of snags and roasts depending on what you’re craving for dinner.
- Jumbuck rated five stars for value for money, plus four stars for cooking performance, ease of use and overall satisfaction. It got three stars in the remaining areas.
Beefmaster
Whether you’re a master chef or not, Beefmaster might just have the right BBQ for you. There’s an option to suit a variety of budgets. It produces a relatively concise range of both built-in and mobile BBQs, with two, four and six burners being the standard across the range. Prices for a Beefmaster Classic four-burner BBQ on wheels start from $899 and go up to $1,259 for a six-burner unit, which is not too shabby. Most are finished with an attractive black and stainless-steel design if you’re looking for something to stand out or blend into your décor. All Beefmaster BBQs are gas-powered with LPG as standard, but natural gas conversions are also available. This requires a licensed plumber to install the conversion.
- Beefmaster was rated four stars for ease of cleaning, extra features and overall satisfaction. It got three stars everywhere else.
Gasmate
Gasmate splits its BBQs into two key categories – outdoor living and camping. The outdoor living BBQs range from the compact ‘Odyssey’ style, to the full-blown outdoor kitchen units. Traditional barbecues are also on offer, most being powered by gas. The Odyssey range represents a convenient and portable grilling option, while the outdoor kitchen range is described as being the ‘bee’s knees’ when it comes to outdoor cooking, and would be suitable for a comprehensive outdoor setup for the modern home.
Camping barbecues are available, which usually feature only one burner. The range is designed to be compact and lightweight, making it easy to take with you for your time in the great outdoors. Traditional Gasmate barbecues are available from around $600. Portable barbecues are generally cheaper, while built-in outdoor kitchen barbecues start at about $3,000. But keep in mind that outdoor kitchens also require professional installation.
- Gasmate rounded up the scores on three stars across the board, including for overall satisfaction.
Get a Gasmate Portable BBQ on Amazon
Other BBQ Brands
The eight bands featured above are certainly some of the most prominent in the market, but there are others worth keeping an eye out for.
Everdure
Everdure offers a number of products from heaters to kitchen appliances and indeed BBQs. It covers the full spectrum, producing portable, charcoal and freestanding BBQs. It even features an electric ignition charcoal model, which is stated to allow you to get your charcoal burning to the right temperature in 10 minutes. Expect a range of bright colours with prices ranging between $200 and $1,800.
Buy an Everdure portable BBQ on Amazon
Napoleon
Napoleon’s range features gas, charcoal and portable grills, plus built-in barbecues. Napoleon’s prices start from just under $400 for a charcoal kettle grill with a temperature gauge, and go up to $2,995 for a stainless-steel LPG BBQ. Certain built-in models come with an infrared rotisserie burner and are designed to cater to people who love slow spit roasting or prefer to cook on high heat settings.
Get a Napoleon Grill BBQ on Amazon
Billabong
Billabong offers a small range of BBQs at affordable prices, ideal for beginners. Its range features kettle models, an offset smoker BBQ, and a two-burner on trolley BBQ. While its range isn’t extensive, expect features such as an integrated warming rack to increase cooking volume or for roasting.
The brand’s offset smoker model – pictured courtesy of Barbeques Galore – is boasted for a durable steel lid and firebox, enamelled steel grills and a temperature gauge. It also has a warming rack, a side shelf and a temperature gauge to help you with the cooking process. Billabong BBQs come with a price tag of between $70 and $300.
How much do BBQs cost?
Our survey indicates that Aussies spend an average of $498 on new BBQs, a slight decrease from the $515 respondents were paying last year. This is obviously a big hit to the hip pocket, so it’s worth doing your homework on what type of unit will suit you.
Factors that usually affect the price of BBQs include:
- Number of burners
- Size of barbecue
- Quality of build materials
- Extra features (such as storage shelves and hooks, tiered shelves, and side grills)
With the price of barbecues ranging anywhere from around $100, to more than $5,000, it’s also useful to check out which brands offer Afterpay to help manage the cost.
Aside from cooking some snags and steaks, BBQs can also be somewhat of a ‘social statement’. Almost one in five (19%) survey respondents said they don’t use their barbecue as much as they thought they would, so that $500-odd price tag could in fact be going to waste.
How do I choose the right BBQ?
There are a few questions you’ll need to ask yourself to make sure you choose the right barbecue and don’t end up wasting money on something you don’t need. Our survey indicated some key drivers of satisfaction, listed in order of importance:
- Value for money: 21%
- Durability: 20%
- Ease of cleaning: 18%
- Cooking performance: 13%
- Ease of use: 12%
- Design: 12%
- Extra features: 4%
Below is a list of considerations you may want to run through before purchasing a new BBQ.
Portable, freestanding or built-in barbecues
There are three main types of BBQs to choose from:
- Portable BBQ: portable BBQs are great for camping, beach trips, or for those with very limited storage space.
- Freestanding BBQ: can range from the traditional kettle BBQ to a great big heavy-duty grill that takes two people to pick up. Some have two or four wheels for manoeuvrability, while some just sit on castors, so there’s variable ability to move it around. That means you’re not trapped with your BBQ in just one place if you like being able to change things around or want to take it with you if you move house.
- Built-in BBQ: are designed to be permanently built into your outdoor entertaining area. They look great, but once installed you can’t move it.
FUEL TYPE
The debate over which produces the better flavour – charcoal or gas – has been ongoing ever since both types existed. If you want to be able to grill without getting a smoky flavour, go with gas.
- Charcoal: gives that authentic hot coal roasting experience but produces ashes that can be a pain to clean up.
- Gas: is faster, more efficient, and easier to control the heat, but has more intricate parts to keep cleaned and maintained.
- Natural gas: means you’ve always got access to fuel supply, while with LPG you’ll need to keep getting the gas bottle refilled. However, not all homes have a natural gas connection and you’ll need a licensed professional to connect it to your barbecue.
- Electric: requires access to a power point and has a quick 10-minute heat-up time. It’s ideal for casual BBQ fans without the hassle of a gas connection. Most electric models are portable, so you can take them with you on holiday.
How many BBQ burners do I need?
The debate over which produces the better flavour – charcoal or gas – has been ongoing ever since both types existed. If you want to be able to grill without getting a smoky flavour, go with gas.
- Charcoal: gives that authentic hot coal roasting experience but produces ashes that can be a pain to clean up.
- Gas: is faster, more efficient, and easier to control the heat, but has more intricate parts to keep cleaned and maintained.
- Natural gas: means you’ve always got access to fuel supply, while with LPG you’ll need to keep getting the gas bottle refilled. However, not all homes have a natural gas connection and you’ll need a licensed professional to connect it to your barbecue.
- Electric: requires access to a power point and has a quick 10-minute heat-up time. It’s ideal for casual BBQ fans without the hassle of a gas connection. Most electric models are portable, so you can take them with you on holiday.
Extra features & accessories
Aside from price, cooking capacity and brand, our survey found that some people also chose their BBQ based on its features, so it’s certainly something to consider thoroughly. These are some you might come across:
- Movability: consider how often you’ll need to move the barbecue – if the answer is ‘frequently’, you should test how easily you can move it before making the purchase. Four wheels make it super easy, but lighter and smaller barbecues often have two wheels at one end with a handle at the other to lift and push/pull.
- Side tables: can be super handy for keeping food ready before and after you’ve put it on the grill, and meaning you still have a bit of elbow room to work with.
- Shelves: underneath the barbecue and hooks on the sides make it easier to keep all of your barbecue tools and other bits and pieces together and easily accessible, meaning you won’t have to spend time looking for your tongs!
- Two-tiered grills: have an extra grill suspended over the main one, usually for keeping food warm or steaming vegetables.
- Rotisserie: either built into the barbecue or a removable one is good for slow roasting meats and vegetables. A rotisserie is a long metal rod suspended horizontally across the grill, slowly rotated, usually by an electric motor, to roast food.
What food can I cook on my BBQ?
You can grill pretty much anything that won’t fall, melt or disintegrate through the bars or mesh. Vegetables grilled on a BBQ have a different taste and texture, particularly those that go very well with smoky flavours, such as mushrooms and eggplant. Pineapple is a classic barbecue staple, as the flames caramelise the sugars for a fresh, sweet and juicy addition to your burgers or kebabs.
We asked our survey respondents about what foods they generally cook on their BBQ and they reported:
- Steaks: 72%
- Sausages: 71%
- Kebabs or skewers: 53%
- Burgers: 52%
- Chops or cutlets: 52%
- Fillets: 42%
- Ribs: 32%
- Fresh seafood: 29%
- Breakfast food (i.e. bacon, eggs, etc.): 28%
- Meatballs: 23%
- Fruits & vegetables: 23%
Despite the stereotype about prawns, steaks and snags are what Aussies prefer to chuck on the barbie! It’s certainly an easy BBQ choice in backyards and on decks across the country, and all you need is some bread, sauce and onions, and you’ve got the lunch of champions.
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