Help me choose a BBQ

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ScuL

487 posts

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#181177 5-Oct-2015 14:05

I can imagine this is a typical subject around this time of the year.

In my journey to becoming a good Kiwi I need to explore the universe of gas BBQs.
Being European I've grown up with $50 charcoal grill units and it's time to invest in something more solid.
I've looked at Webers as I know of their reputation but they're simply not within budget at the moment.
I'm looking to spend no more than $750.

I've found the following 4 at the Warehouse:

https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Gascraft-BBQ-Santorini-4-Burner-with-Side-%26-Searing-Burners?SKU=1408881
of which the first one really gets my interest because it's $300 off at the moment (expiring tomorrow!)

https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Gascraft-BBQ-Vernazza-6-Burner-with-Side-Burner?SKU=1981388

https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Gascraft-BBQ-Salerno-6-Burner-with-Side-Burner?SKU=1981479
https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Gascraft-BBQ-Roma-4-Burner-with-Side-Burner?SKU=1981478

I have no idea what the differences are between these apart from the number of burners.
Would be nice to have a separate cooking burner on the side but can't really figure out if any of them do

Thanks for any advice

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

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8044 posts

Uber Geek

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#1400291 5-Oct-2015 14:14

Be interesting to follow this thread as we're looking to replace our old model with something new also.
And also am not prepared to spend lots of money on something, which past a certain point looks to be just for show anyway.

Keen on Stainless Steel for the cover and front control section at least. The older powder coat options just don't last long before rusting and bubbling.

3 burner looks about right for us, but its hard to find without 4. Will go to four if needs be, but don't really need that much.

Want a cover, couldn't care less about a 'side burner', which seems to be the big upsell this year.

The warehouse one does look like a good deal. This was $349 including postage a day ago on their red deal site.

eluSiveNZ

189 posts

Master Geek

#1400298 5-Oct-2015 14:18

I have the Santorini. It has 2 side burners, they are hidden, the sides have covers which slide open.
You can also get some spares for this model from thegasshop.co.nz.

The only negative is the corners form a sharp point and because of this I'm onto my 3rd cover as they keep getting ripped from the corners.

sidefx

3713 posts

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#1400300 5-Oct-2015 14:19

Skip the gas nonsense and stick with charcoal, it just tastes better. :)

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

MikeB4

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#1400304 5-Oct-2015 14:23

sidefx: Skip the gas nonsense and stick with charcoal, it just tastes better. :)

Yep, Gas BBQ is just inside cooking outside. We purchased one of these and BBQ's are great now

http://www.weber.com/grills/series/master-touch/master-touch-22

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1400309 5-Oct-2015 14:31

Love our Weber Q gas barbie. Use it for smoking (sides of salmon etc), roasting whole chickens, butterflied lamb etc, as well as the more usual BBQ steaks etc.

Dratsab

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#1400323 5-Oct-2015 14:40

Here's some New Zealand links: 57cm Gold or 57cm Gold Premium. Both are well within your budget. One thing you need to factor in to your thinking is not only how often you'll actually use it, but how many people are you likely to be cooking for on a regular basis as this will be useful in determining how a big your BBQ should be.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1400324 5-Oct-2015 14:41

I usually take the option of going for the cheapest BBQ possible - usually from the warehouse or KMart, that fits my needs (4 burner, side burner, lid for roasting) I can then treat it like junk, rarely clean it, and replace after ~5 years. (current one is just about to begin it's 6th year. Will replace it this year most likely)

I wouldn't want to be spending $1000s on a BBQ because then I would need to obsessively care for it. I'm justmuch too lazy for that :)

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ScuL

487 posts

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#1400326 5-Oct-2015 14:42

Well one of the reasons I started looking out for gas is that I intend to use it on our (covered) balcony. I am afraid that the smoke coming of a charcoal BBQ might become a health & safety hazard whereas gas seems to be a bit more contained. I don't think I've ever tasted gas cooked BBQ meat so not sure what the difference would be like

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#1400330 5-Oct-2015 14:43

Weve had a 4 burner (plus side burner) hooded Jumbuck from Bunnings for almost 10 years now, been very happy with it for the money, only looking to replace it now due to it slowly rusting - prob because I havent taken best care of it ;) (along with being exposed to ocean air)

Will probably replace with similar, maybe upgrade to 6 burner as we do a lot of entertaining over the summer months....

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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DizzyD

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#1400347 5-Oct-2015 15:07

I saw some genuine Weber Charcoal BBQ's at the warehouse over the weekend. I think they were below $300.

Good brand BBQ and it will last years.

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

ScuL

487 posts

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#1400349 5-Oct-2015 15:15

Whilst searching I came across this unit
http://www.bbqsandmore.co.nz/daniel-boone-green-mountain-pellet-grill-smoker-wifi-enabled.html

LOL very geekzone-esque with the WiFi feature.

Out of scope for me though!

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

andrew027

1286 posts

Uber Geek

#1400357 5-Oct-2015 15:37

NonprayingMantis: I usually take the option of going for the cheapest BBQ possible - usually from the warehouse or KMart, that fits my needs (4 burner, side burner, lid for roasting) I can then treat it like junk, rarely clean it, and replace after ~5 years. (current one is just about to begin it's 6th year. Will replace it this year most likely)

I wouldn't want to be spending $1000s on a BBQ because then I would need to obsessively care for it. I'm justmuch too lazy for that :)

This is my approach as well. Based on the number of people we usually have over for barbecues and my cooking requirements I want four burners and a hood. A few years ago I thought about getting something fancy but I baulked when I saw the crazy prices they can go for. So my rule is to buy the cheapest thing I can find that meets my two criteria. It lives outside under a cover all year round and I give it a basic clean after each use. At the start of every summer it gets an inspection - if it's too far gone or looking unsafe (we're talking gas bottles and open flames after all) it gets scrapped and I get a new one. If it's looking OK it gets a big clean and I'm ready to go. I usually get 5 or 6 years out of each one.

The last one I got came from a Briscoe's sale three summers ago - all stainless steel Goldair 4-burner with double doors underneath for around $400 at the time. I've just moved house so made sure it was clean and ready to transport just over a month ago and it's still looking fine so will easily last this season. It had some kind of guards over the burners that were supposed to stop fat dripping onto them and catching fire but they diffused the flame too much resulting in uneven cooking - you could stick two steaks side-by-side and one would be perfectly cooked and the other would be almost raw. I just took them off and temperature across the grill is more regular and it's easier to get good well-timed results. OK, I get the odd flare-up if I'm cooking something fatty (e.g. sausages - not usually a problem with steak, chops, chicken, kebabs, etc.) but it's part and parcel of the experience and usually gets a cheer from the crowd.

[Edited for grammar]

jonathan18

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#1400358 5-Oct-2015 15:39

I'm also interested in replacing our aging (and woosy) gas BBQ this summer (perhaps a good present from the in-laws?!), and similarly don't want to spend a huge amount of money.

I had been wondering about one of the Goldair units from Briscoes, given they often have them down to 50 or 60% off, at which point the prices seem ok - eg this one hits the kind of sweet spot I'm looking for of having a stainless cover (cheaper models don't) and without too many unncessary doodadies - http://www.briscoes.co.nz/outdoor-living/bbq/goldair-gbqc200-chef-4-burner-bbq-with-side-burner-1039579

Has anyone experience with more recent Goldair models? Or recommend other brands of a similar price?

I reall an earlier thread where there were recommendations for the minimum output of the burners - can anyone recall these?

andrew027

1286 posts

Uber Geek

#1400360 5-Oct-2015 15:43

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...

andrew027

1286 posts

Uber Geek

#1400362 5-Oct-2015 15:47

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.

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