In order to end up with the barbecue best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of barbecues are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a barbecue.
Research the market: Barbecue essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the barbecue market. The range of options can seem overwhelming, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Type: There is a diverse range of barbecues on the market, from the older-style kettle barbecue, to the more popular shiny, high-tech models complete with hood, to a permanent backyard brick barbecue.
Materials: Grills are made from a variety of materials, depending on the cost of the barbecue. There is chrome-plated which looks smart but needs careful cleaning after use; stainless steel which is durable, easy to clean and maintain; cast iron which is a good heat source but will rust without proper care; porcelain-coated which is non-rust, easy cleaning, and found on top-price models; and griddles which are solid metal plates on which you can fry eggs .The barbecue frame can be either metal or timber.
Size: Barbecues come in all shapes and sizes, from a single ring burner barbecue ideal for the smallest patio, to an extensive outdoor 'kitchen' with multiple gas burners and all the options. Your choice depends on your requirements and the size of your wallet. The traditional-size barbecue when cooking for four is a two-burner design.
Cost: Depending on the design, size, and options you prefer, costs range from affordable for a basic barbecue for two, to extravagant for a stainless steel six burner barbecue with every option. A built-in brick barbecue is a relatively easy DIY project of moderate cost.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a barbecue. For example, will you use the barbecue only for an occasional family meal or will you be barbecuing every weekend?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| What is the main purpose of the barbecue? |
| | You may require it for the occasional weekend family cook-up (perhaps its dad's turn to cook), to feed your son's football team, or for regular large outdoor gatherings, or even for all of these occasions. |
| Have you used a barbecue before? |
| | If you have used a barbecue, work out what you did or didn't like about the barbecue. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| What type of barbecue would you like? |
| | Barbecues come in gas, charcoal and wood burning types. You might like the trolley model or maybe you would prefer built-in brick. Perhaps you prefer the basic round kettle design or it could be that a high-tech gas model with all the added features is more your style. |
| Do you want an easy-to-use, low-maintenance barbecue? |
| | Depending on the type of barbecue you're after, some will need regular maintenance (in addition to after-use cleaning) to keep them sparkling like new, while others will look brand new for years with an occasional soapy wash. If you don't want to spend your weekends scrubbing and scraping to keep your barbecue up to par, then you need a low maintenance model. |
| How long do you want the barbecue to last? |
| | You may want to update to the latest model every year, however a built-in model may add value to your house. You may not want to spend a lot of money on a built-in barbecue if you will soon be moving house. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of barbecues and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:Buying GuideGuide to barbecue typesDiscussion of barbecue grillsGeneralAll about the barbecueGreat Information on barbecuesHistory of Barbecue in USATypes and SizesGas BarbecuesCharcoal-Wood barbecues Overview of different types of barbecue grills