The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect BBQ for Your Garden

It's important to choose the right BBQ. Ultimately, this can be the difference between having good and bad outdoor cooking experiences. Whether you're an experienced barbecuer or you're a new to the world of BBQ, this guide will aid your selection process and help you select your ideal BBQ based on size, budget, and how you prefer to cook. 

What are your BBQ needs?

The first thing to think about is your grilling habits. There are four key points that need to be considered when choosing a BBQ. The four key points are;

• Frequency: How often do you use the BBQ?
• Fuel Choice: Would you use Charcoal, Gas or Electric to fuel your BBQ?
• Space: What outdoor space do you have for your BBQ?
• Budget: What are you willing to spend on your BBQ?

Types of BBQ

There are different types of BBQ and the fuel will influence the flavour and the cooking outcome. 

Charcoal BBQs to produce a rich, smoky flavour but require more effort to use and maintain temperature.

• Pros: Smoky flavour, high heat.
• Cons: Longer preparation time, harder to maintain, more cleanup required after use.

Gas BBQs are the easier option. They're easy to use with quick heating and precise temperature control.

• Pros: Convenient, easy to use and maintain, little cleanup.
• Cons: Higher initial cost, less natural smoky flavour.

Electric BBQs are ideal for small spaces, offer similar use to a gas setup, but need electricity.

• Pros: Easy to use, safe for small spaces.
• Cons: Limited flavour, needs electricity.

Pellet Grills combine both the smoky flavour of the charcoal with the temperature control of a gas grill, but are generally more expensive than the others.

• Pros: Excellent flavour, versatile.
• Cons: Costly, requires electricity.

Size and Space

Size matters. You need to make sure you have enough space in your outdoor area and you're choosing the correct size based on your needs. BBQs come in different sizes, from your smallest bbq to your bigger grills.

• Small BBQs are great for small families or limited outdoor space.
• Medium BBQs are the perfect balanced option for regular family use and an good sized patio area.
• Large BBQs are ideal for frequent entertainers, large families, or a large outdoor space.

What's your budget?

• Entry-Level (£50-£200): Basic models and lower quality brands for occasional use.
• Mid-Range (£200-£600): High-Quality options with extra features. Perfect for regular use.
• High-End (£600+): Top-tier brands, high-quality models with advanced capabilities and great for longer term use.

Additional Features

Many mid-range to high-end BBQs have gadgets and added features to assist your cooking. Make sure you look for features like side burners, warming racks, rotisserie kits, and temperature gauges to maximise your grilling experience.

Maintenance

Like with a car, the best way to keep it your BBQ running for long durations, is to keep it well maintained and clean. Here's a few tips for keeping your BBQ in top shape with regular maintenance:

• Clean grates after each use. This prevents grease and grime build up over time.
• Check for gas leaks regularly. Checking for gas leaks is not only a safety habit, but also, it can save you money as you'll be using more gas than you should be if there's a leak.
• Store the BBQ properly with a cover when the BBQ is not in use. Make sure to check our our accessories tab, and get yourself a high-quality cover to keep the wet weather out of your BBQ.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect BBQ isn't always an easy process. It involves combining and balancing your cooking habits, the space available, your budget, and any additional features. Whether you go for a charcoal BBQ, gas BBQ, or pellet smoker, we're sure you'll be happy with your selection following these considerations. 

Remember, cook it your way!

The Sizzle & Smoke Co Team.