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Gas barbecues: Gas is the most popular fuel type, according to Russell Crosdale, barbecue product expert at Appliances Online. Gas produces high heat fast and is easy to control. It burns cleaner than charcoal and is generally cheaper too. Take your pick from bottled LPG styles and natural gas that connects to your gas mains. “Gas barbecues are the most popular due to their versatility and the vast number of sizes on offer. Choose from built-in styles or ones on a cart or trolley that are easy to manoeuvre around the backyard,” says Crosdale. “Although gas barbecues heat up quickly and and will cook an amazing rib-eye steak or roast chicken, be aware that they are limited in their ability to smoke food and give you a truly authentic, barbecued flavour.”
1. Consider your needsThe key to getting the best from your budget is to decide which features you’re prepared to pay for and which you can live without. To do this, think about what you need from your barbecue – do you cook elaborate roasts or side dishes and need a rotisserie or a side burner? Do you cook for large numbers and need multiple burners? Do you have the space for a complete outdoor kitchen or can you just about squeeze in a freestanding or tabletop model? Are you after a permanent, built-in model or would you prefer the flexibility of a portable style on castors?
A barbecue is a big investment, so it’s important to find a model that not only suits your cooking needs, but your budget and outdoor style too. Barbecues have gone seriously high tech in recent years and now boast all sort of whizzbang features, including rotisseries, temperature gauges and wok burners.Generally speaking, the more sophisticated and numerous the inclusions, the bigger the price tag. Expect to pay anything from a couple of hundred dollars for a basic charcoal model to several thousand for a fully decked-out, built-in outdoor kitchen with all the bells and whistles.
5. Pay attention to the fine printWith proper care, a quality barbecue should last for years. Once you’ve settled on a model, check the warranty details and make sure that spare parts are readily available.
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