Help me choose a BBQ

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#1400363 5-Oct-2015 15:47

The Jumbicks from Bunnings are pretty good I think - S/S for $499 - I have friends who have them, and they like them.
I have one that I got from Countdown a few years ago (3 or 4), it will need replacing in the next couple of years. It has been a good BBQ for the money too.

I'd really like a Weber charcoal, but I think I am too lazy to get it all going before the need to use it (I like just lighting the BBQ and going, rather than planning a hour ahead :))

davidcole

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#1400369 5-Oct-2015 15:58

I've got a Weber baby q for day to day use. Great for a small family, and at a push can do 2 chickens at once. Slightly bigger would be better for more people. It retains enough smoke for BBQ flavouring that an inside frying pan doesn't give you.

For special occasions I have a customer 1.2m long wood burning bbq, that I run rotisserie spits over

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jonathan18

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#1400379 5-Oct-2015 16:08

Other threads on the same topic from the last few years, which may be useful for those of us looking for a bbq this season:

2011: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=48&topicid=88417&singlepage=yes
2013: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=141&topicid=130741&singlepage=yes
2014: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=141&topicid=154414&singlepage=yes

Kinda interested in a charcol one, but like the idea of being able to use gas if so desired. Someone in the 2011 and 2013 threads mentioned a Cadac unit that can do this - can't see it on the importer's website, but does anyone know of such a unit?

http://www.riverleagroup.co.nz/charcoal-bbq-new

DizzyD

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#1400383 5-Oct-2015 16:15

andrew027:
DizzyD: Not sure though if Weber NZ honors the 10 year Weber warranty of the warehouse imports.

I'm pretty sure Weber NZ offers a 5 year warranty.

The NZ 10 year warranty is on the Porcelain-enamelled bowl/lid/handles/Thermoplastic and thermoset parts (no rust or burn through).
All other parts on the charcoal weber are 2 years.

But not sure if Weber NZ will honor this on models bought from the warehouse (even though they identical to the models sold by Authorized NZ Stockists, Still a good buy though, My first model lasted 15years.)

http://www.webernz.co.nz/ProductAssets/PDFs/WeberWarrantiesNZ.pdf

xpd

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#1400393 5-Oct-2015 16:20

andrew027: A quick in-thread poll: How many people regularly use the side burner? My last two BBQs have had them (so we're talking about 7 or 8 years) and I think I used one once...

Not often at all..... can only remember twice off the top of my head.

XPD / Gavin

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DizzyD

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#1400403 5-Oct-2015 16:29

The other nice thing about the charcoal weber is that its also a pizza oven.

Just buy the pizza stone and place it on the grill, wait for the stone to heat up, add your pizza and close the lid.

It makes great "wood fire" pizzas.

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kiwitrc

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#1400417 5-Oct-2015 16:43

andrew027: A quick in-thread poll: How many people regularly use the side burner? My last two BBQs have had them (so we're talking about 7 or 8 years) and I think I used one once...

I only use it cook stinky sh1t that I dont want to smell the house out with, like mussels, dog tucker etc. So not often but its useful.

dusty42

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#1400448 5-Oct-2015 17:37

I read this great review on Boing about a similar search for a good cheap BBQ.

What really interested me is this section:

"Infrared Gas: Burners produce radiant heat that in turn heats a special plate. It absorbs heat and emits it as radiant heat in the infrared part of the spectrum. Grates absorb heat and produce conduction heat where they contact the surface of the food."

~Thermodynamics of Cooking - AmazingRibs.com

The grill has a barrier between the gas flame and the upper corrugated steel grill. The flame barrier radiates, heating the upper grill. The corrugated grill is pretty cool and not like other grills in that nothing can fall through. It's corrugated steel with slits on one side, not gaped wire. The corrugated steel evenly disperses the heat and prevents grillin's and drippin's from seeping through, ruining the burners and flaring up or catching fire. Infrared tech promises juicer meats and I wanted to put that to the test...

Seen similar things in the past with lava rocks and burner deflection plates beneath a cast iron grate.

Anyone got any ideas which gas machines in NZ have this type of system?

ScuL

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#1400537 5-Oct-2015 20:11

@dusty42 I am intrigued by that Char Broil grill. There is actually one Amazon seller that does free shipping to NZ, but they charge US$150 more than Amazon themselves.
I'm afraid that with the distance the risk of damage to the unit is too great. 60kg box.. too heavy for YouShop

I would use the side burner to keep my satay sauce nice and warm. Or perhaps cook eggs when using it for breakfast.

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Little

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#1400761 6-Oct-2015 10:11

I suggest looking at this:

http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Gascraft-BBQ-Serrana-III-6-Burner-with-Side-Burner?SKU=1976227

Even better, take a look at it tomorrow.

MikeAqua

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#1401060 6-Oct-2015 15:19

A couple of suggestions: -

1) Mitre10 Mega have fantastic range of BBQs now, with quality brands (Webber Broil King) at much more reasonable prices; as well as middle and budget units.

2) Make sure you find out the BTU/kW output of the units you are comparing. More heat is better. You can always turn it down.

I'm 4 years into Broil King ownership. I have a very small broil king, for camping and a very large one at home.

Both are great units to cook with and easily cleaned - heat to max for a few minutes, allow to cool and wipe the ash off with a damp cloth.

Mike

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lissie

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#1401165 6-Oct-2015 17:48

Bought a Weber last year and i have used it extensively. I'll never buy a "traditional" kiwi BBQ again. It roasts better than most stoves (and certainly better than the rubbish stove our new house came with). I've used it twice a week all year (yes you can use it in the rain - you cook with the cover down)and have only filled the gas bottle once.

I'ts in your price range - you don't need a huge one because it is so efficient - takes 2min a sde to cook pork chops (I[m just about to light it up).

Also we are right next to the sea it lives out doors - no sign of rust - that's impressive. The stainless steel you buy at the warehouse weill rust inside 6 months if you are next to the sea like us

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alisam

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#1401179 6-Oct-2015 18:04

For stainless steel components, my advice is to take a magnet.
Not all 'stainless steel' is created equal.

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Fred99

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#1401181 6-Oct-2015 18:16

alisam: For stainless steel components, my advice is to take a magnet.
Not all 'stainless steel' is created equal.

Now that's especially true with BBQs. I had a kettle style marine SS BBQ which rotted out in two seasons. Hopeless.

I'm sticking with my Weber Q. Best BBQ I've owned by long shot, and I've catered for 10 on it no probs. I've wasted enough on cheap BBQs over the years, they've all been a PITA to clean and I'm not buying the argument that you don't need to clean them 'cause the heat kills bugs. I don't like pepper 'n garlic 'n steak juice embedded in my salmon fillet.

jonathan18

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#1401249 6-Oct-2015 19:35

lissie: Bought a Weber last year and i have used it extensively. I'll never buy a "traditional" kiwi BBQ again. It roasts better than most stoves (and certainly better than the rubbish stove our new house came with). I've used it twice a week all year (yes you can use it in the rain - you cook with the cover down)and have only filled the gas bottle once.

I'ts in your price range - you don't need a huge one because it is so efficient - takes 2min a sde to cook pork chops (I[m just about to light it up).

Also we are right next to the sea it lives out doors - no sign of rust - that's impressive. The stainless steel you buy at the warehouse weill rust inside 6 months if you are next to the sea like us

Which model do you have? Cheers.

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