Barbecue buying guide

There are two main considerations when deciding which size BBQ you should buy: how much space you have to entertain, and how many people you’ll usually feed – there’s no point investing in a big barbie if you’ll rarely feed a large crowd.

Patio/deck barbecues

A larger patio/deck barbecue is the best option for feeding the whole whānau. But you’ll need somewhere to store it. If you leave yours outside, get a heavy-duty cover.

Pros:

• ideal for feeding big groups
• typically have large cooking surfaces and three to six burners
• often have a side table and side burner (good for boiling a pot).

Cons:

• usually made of heavy parts, so can be tough to assemble
• mobility is generally limited to rolling between your cooking area and garage.

Portable barbecues

Some portables offer features once confined to larger models, such as hoods, hotplates and side tables.

Pros:

• ideal if you’re feeding fewer mouths
• easy to pack up and transport for a day out.

Cons:

• considerably smaller cooking areas than patio models
• only have one or two burners.

Gas

Gas is the most common fuel used for barbecues – the instant heat and adjustable temperature make for easy cooking. There’s a bit of maintenance required with a gas barbecue, as you need to regularly test the connection to make sure it’s not leaking. Running out of gas mid-cook can be a disaster, so check the levels before starting out. Gas bottles can be filled at some petrol stations, or you can take advantage of swap stations dotted around the country.

Charcoal

Charcoal lumps or briquettes are found at your local hardware or barbecue stores. There’s a bit of an art to lighting charcoal, and it can take a while to get up to temperature. The hot charcoal produces smoke that infuses into the food when the juices and fats drip down from the grill above. It’s certainly a lengthy process to cook with charcoal, but some swear the food is more flavoursome.

Electric

Electric barbecues require an outdoor power outlet or a lengthy extension cord running into the house. A benefit of going electric is you’ll never run out of fuel, so there’s no gas bottle anxiety. Most incorporate an element below the grill plates to provide the heat. One drawback is you can’t cook if the power goes out, unlike gas or charcoal grills that can keep on trucking.

Electricity and pellets

These barbecues cook food with the heat and smoke generated by slowly burning wood pellets that are fed from a hopper onto an electric element. Top models have a set and forget temperature control meaning the barbecue will automatically control the flow of burning pellets to maintain it. That means you can also cook with a “low and slow” method and let the smoke really impart its flavour into the food. These grills are a sizeable investment, and the costs can add up if you cook things hot and you chew through a lot of pellets.

Hybrid

These are a mix of fuels, usually a combo of gas and charcoal. You can run the barbecue on either fuel type. You can also easily light the charcoal with the gas burner to get things going quite quickly. You don’t see many of these models around, the ones we’ve seen haven’t blown us away with their gas cooking abilities.

Consider the materials in your barbecue’s body, trolley, burners, flame diffuser and cooking surfaces – they have a big effect on its lifespan.

Stainless steel

Stainless-steel models are the most corrosion-proof – and expensive – option, but they’re harder to clean and show smudges and fingerprints more than other surfaces.

Not all stainless-steel barbecues are created equal. The best are made from 304 grade stainless steel, which is more resistant to rust than other grades used for barbecues. When you’re shopping, take along a fridge magnet – it won’t stick to 304 grade stainless steel.

Painted- or powder-coated steel

These models will rust wherever the paint or powder wears through, which is likely after a few years of use. Aluminium is less corrosion-prone than untreated steel, but can develop oxidation (“white rust”). This is unsightly but won’t destroy your barbecue. Some steel or aluminium models are finished with vitreous enamel, which is far more durable than paint.

Cooking surfaces and burners

Cooking surfaces and burners are generally either cast iron or stainless steel. Cast iron can rust out quicker and need replacing, so we recommend stainless steel (or cast iron coated with vitreous enamel) for burners, cooking surfaces and flame diffusers.

Barbecues have a hard life. They often live outside year-round and operate at very hot temperatures. Cheap ones may quickly deteriorate, but good ones also need regular maintenance and cleaning to keep them working well.

Before buying a secondhand barbecue, check it still works (don’t just trust the seller!) and inspect it thoroughly for damage, wear and tear. Here’s our top tips.

• Inspect the exterior. Are any knobs missing? Are there dents or holes? In particular, check for rust. Deep-set rust makes barbecues unsafe to use, so if you see it, walk away.
• Inspect the interior. Check the inside for rust damage. Check the drip tray is clean (or cleanable), and the burner holes are unclogged. Check the gas connections are secure.
• Check the barbecue works. Ask the seller to turn it on. Does the grill ignition light? Do the flames come out evenly from the burners?
• Ask about maintenance and storage. Was the barbecue covered? Was it kept in a shed or garage over winter?
• Check the availability of spare parts. You might be able to get a steal and make the barbie as good as new with a new hot plate or burner. You can also buy replacement gas hoses and regulators.
• If you buy from a second-hand dealer and then discover the barbecue is faulty, you’re covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. If you buy privately, you’re not.
• If you buy a secondhand barbecue and it needs a good clean, check out our advice about How to get your BBQ ready for summer.

Your rights if things go wrong

Bought something and want to take it back? Here's what you need to know about your rights. Consumer members can contact our Consumer Advice Line for help. Our advisers will talk you through your rights.

Buying new

If a product you buy is faulty or not of acceptable quality, you don’t have to put up with it. The Consumer Guarantees Act has got you covered – you don’t need a warranty. Here's more about how you can get a refund, repair or replacement for a faulty product.

Buying used

What are your consumer rights when purchasing a secondhand barbecue? It depends on the seller. If you’re buying from a second-hand dealer (including those listed as “In-trade” on Trade Me) and discover it’s faulty, you're covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. It should be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and match the description. However, if you’re dealing with a private seller, you’re not covered by the act. Here's more info about your rights when buying second-hand goods.

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