Devon TRF Group Forum

KronreifTrunkenpolzMattighofen · Devon's Best

Gas Barbecue

John Leah · Clubman A

I bought a cheap one from LIDL about three years ago as I also found charcoal a faff. It was good enough to help me decide that I wanted to stay with gas but not with the LIDL one.

Build quality wasn't great but the real problem it had, and one I expect is shared with other cheap barbecues, is that despite being a 'twin burner' model it actually only had one burner assembly.

It was a long burner running from side-to-side with each end having its own control but this meant the area heated was quite small and I found it impossible to cook anywhere other than the middles of each side (I hope that makes sense).

I now have an 'Outback Trooper' (bought from a flog-it on here) that is far better made with two separate long burners running front-to-back each with its own control meaning a greater area is heated.

I ought to confess that I haven't actually lit it yet but the build quality, design and reputation pretty much guarantee I won't be disappointed.

Cheers,

John

jt · Powermonger!!

End of last year I was in Waitrose with SWIMBO and saw a Weber stood in the doorway (ex display) with no price on it so I asked an assistant if it was for sale and if so how much. I got it for £100 and its bloody brilliant - I didn't know about Webers at the time I simply got it as it looked 'tough' and 'simple'.

Its easy to clean, bomb proof, cooks fantastically cause its got a gert thick cast iron grill and can be packed up, shoved in the boot and taken on picnics.

I'd never got back to charcoal and am sure the Weber will out live me smile

Spend the dosh and get one - or wait till Autum and go to Waitrose wink

This is the one I have Don't know if its big enough for your needs but I cook up enough for 4 of us easy on it in one go and its less than £250

KronreifTrunkenpolzMattighofen · Devon's Best

Cheers guys, the Q200 is looking good. Like the option for camping trips too!

Wheely · Expert

mmm you got me thinking about one of those now.

We bought a cheapy gas one last year - works ok, but unlike by brothers more expensive version my one doesnt heat any stones, so its more like a grill really. I think the ones where the gas heat the stones give a far more uniform heat and a better BBQ-y taste.

So the question is does the Q-200 have stones/lather-rock in it?? Reviews dont mention it.

KronreifTrunkenpolzMattighofen · Devon's Best

I think the ones where the gas heat the stones give a far more uniform heat and a better BBQ-y taste.

So the question is does the Q-200 have stones/lather-rock in it?? Reviews dont mention it.

Damn good point! I was always led to believe that it is the lava rocks that store the fat / flavour.

John Leah · Clubman A

The gas jets play on the lava which give a reasonably uniform spread of heat. Any fat absorbed by the lava burns off to providee the food with that essential BBQ flavour. Excess fat runs down through the lava and collects in the tray/pot beneath the burners.

Cheers,

John

jt · Powermonger!!

No rocks in mine but you could put them in no problem - however I have to say that the food tastes as good if not better than my last one which did have rocks. Its got a gert heavy thick cast iron grill plate that spreads the heat and gets a nice layer of 'gunge' wink

Bob Adams · Clubman A

This thread is well timed, I was just about to go out and buy a charcoal BBQ because I wanted a change. Just thrown out my old Broil King which was very good and lasted a long time. Gas with rocks. Another useful item is a temperature dial on the hood. It was Canadian made and the Canadians will tell you to cook with the hood closed so its like an oven. The new Broil Kings aren't as well made hence I was looking at charcoal BBQ's....but maybe thats a wrong move.

I will watch with interest, anybody tried a smoker??

jt · Powermonger!!

Maybe we should arrange a day out where we all meet in a nice spot with our BBQ's and do some taste tests wink

KronreifTrunkenpolzMattighofen · Devon's Best

Good idea JT!

My last gasser would cook for up to 10 people or so, and we occasionaly do need that function, (every other weekend in the summer disbelief ).

So I will probably get the Q320 as it's a bit bigger, and the wife has no idea how much they cost! wink

Have wanted a Weber for a couple of years now, time to take the plunge.

My uncle bought one of these, http://www.wowbbq.co.uk/Products/Weber-Charcoal-Performer-57cm-Black-Gas-Ignition-1421004--1421004.html

He rated it as the best one he has ever used, but it seems a bit fiddley using gas and charcoal. confuse

The verdict is still open..............

Simmo · Expert

Slightly OT but I was walking down Longbrook St. in Exeter this morning and the small butchers on the right hand side near the exit of the multistorey had a BBQ outside with a hog roast on it! £3 a pop, bangers too.

Bob Adams · Clubman A

We had friends over from Canada in last summer and he runs a Canadian Tire Store, great boys toys store. Sell all kinds of BBQ's but a big seller is the natural gas ones. You just have a gas supply to your patio and plug it in. I'd quite like to try it but I don't want to blow the house up, singes the chicken apparently.

Any gas engineers out there with pro's and con's