FAQs

At BBQs R US, there are always specialist staff on hand to help you make the right decision. Research is very important, as there are many types, styles and qualities of BBQs available.

There are several important things to consider and questions to ask. Location of the BBQ, what you want to cook and your budget are all important considerations. If you have a beautiful new deck and lots of space, and Outdoor Kitchen may be the answer. Or, if you have downsized or have only a smaller area a 3 or 4 burner BBQ could be more suitable. 

Stainless steel is a very popular material as it is very durable and weatherproof. Powdercoated cabinets can look good, but are generally best in a more sheltered area.

We have an extensive range of BBQs and accessories which allows great flexibility to create the best BBQ for your cooking needs.

This can be a tricky one, as there are pros and cons to most cooking surfaces.

Cast iron is very popular as it has excellent heat conduction and heat retention. However it is very prone to peeling and rusting.
For that reason, we recommend enamel coated cast iron - this is still cast iron, but has a ceramic based (or sometimes a glossy vitreous enamel based) coating that is highly effective at preventing rust. An enamelled cast iron plate offers all the benefits of cast iron without the rusting. 

Stainless steel is also an increasingly popular cooking surface. It is extremely durable and therefore is easy to clean - steel scrubbers and scrapers won't cause any damage. However stainless steel can discolour and stain, showing grease stains and food. Stainless steel hotplates are not as efficient at cooking as cast iron, so you will need to allow a longer pre-heat time and may find some parts of the plate are hotter than others. 

But don't stress out too much about the cooking surface - most BBQs offer spare parts and therefore the hotplates and grills can usually be swapped later on if you don't like the cooktop. 

Grills:
The grill is designed for cooking steaks, kebabs and other meats.

It cooks food directly over the BBQ tile set or flame tamer, allowing juices to fall onto the tiles or flame tamer, which then smokes and flares up giving your food a distinct barbecue flavour.

Food cooked in this way is low in fat content and is the healthiest option. Just remember that what you cook on the grill will fall through - so sausages or marinades are best done on the hotplate to minimise mess and flare ups.

Hot Plates:
The hot plate is generally used for cooking food like sausages or chops which have a higher fat content. Dripping and oil does not fall through the plate, so it is easier to clean and won't flare up. Many plates are reversible and have griddle lines on one side, so they can still be great for cooking steak and getting the lines and grill effect. Hotplates are also ideal for cooking foods that would fall through the grill, such as eggs, tomatoes and mushrooms. 

Baking Dishes:
Baking dishes are uncommon now as most BBQs offer a roasting hood which can operate in a similar way. 

The portable model is by far the most popular as it offers greater flexibility.

However, built in models can look great on paved areas and complement your entertaining area.

Also, as more and more people are integrating the BBQ as an extension of the kitchen, a new range of BBQs called Outdoor Kitchen BBQs  are becoming increasingly popular.

These Outdoor Kitchens can incorporate sinks and fridges into the cabinet to make the ultimate outdoor cooking area.

Whether you purchase a portable, built in, or Outdoor Kitchen BBQ depends on personal choice and budget.

Natural Gas is the best option as it provides an inexhaustible, economical gas supply.

The new, flexible natural gas hose allows the BBQ greater flexibility of movement.

Natural Gas BBQ’s are only available from specialist retailers and require conversion of the BBQ injectors, so make sure you advise your salesperson you want natural gas injectors.

Alternatively, there is bottled gas. This is easy to fit but requires regular refilling.

The preferred cylinder sizes are the 4.5kg and the 9kg. The 9kg is the most economically viable in the long run as it requires less refilling.

There are several types of ignition systems: the push button and rotary piezo ignition systems as well as the new battery powered rapid-fire ignition system.

The latter is the best; with a simple touch of a button, the burner will light instantly.

If you are apprehensive about lighting BBQ’s, you will appreciate this feature.

The best finish for you BBQ is dependant upon where your BBQ is going to be situated.

The two options are:

BAKED ENAMEL: 
Does not resist heat or UV rays very well, and so is only suitable for areas that are well covered. These BBQs are generally built at a lower price point and will generally begin showing rust after a couple of years.

VITREOUS ENAMEL: 
A hard finish that is easy to clean and heat resistant. It is absolutely ideal for a BBQ built within brickwork or outside in the elements. Vitreous enamel is a glass-based finish that is also found in ovens, old bathtubs and old washing machines. It is impervious to rain, sun and lack of cleaning and is a low maintenance and durable finish.

STAINLESS STEEL: 
The most durable finish, perfect for salt air conditions. Make sure that the complete body is stainless steel and not just the front, as many BBQs advertised as being stainless steel are in fact only superficially stainless steel with the inside made from mild steel. There are many different grades of stainless steel; the only two to consider are 430-grade or 304-grade stainless steel. 430-grade is found on most mid – upper range products and is very durable and does not rust. It does require a bit of maintenance to prevent ‘tea-staining’ which occurs when the stainless steel becomes weathered. 304-grade stainless steel is the best grade of stainless steel, but is price-prohibitive and therefore only found on high-end models such as the Gasmate Platinum 2.

The size of the BBQ is determined by the amount of burners: two; three; four five, six or seven.

The larger the BBQ, the greater the flexibility in cooking surface.

There are four types of BBQ trolley to choose from. Of course BBQ’s R US supplies all of these:

METAL TROLLEYS: 
There can be a big variance in quality. Look for solid construction with a durable finish. Their main advantage is their low maintenance.

STAINLESS STEEL TROLLEYS: 
These are extremely durable and look fantastic. They are ideal for a salt-air environment, as they will never rust. Another plus is their low maintenance.

CABINET TROLLEYS: 
The area underneath the BBQ is completely enclosed, providing a useful storage area for all your BBQ accessories. Features of the cabinet trolley include swinging doors and a side burner. These are good looking trolleys that complement any patio.

Ensure that the trolley you buy has 4 wheels (not two) to allow easy movement.

Side burners are an optional, stove-like cooking area attached to the side of your BBQ.

They are useful for boiling water, making gravies and allow you to cook wok style foods such as a stir-fry.

An inexpensive and worthwhile addition to any BBQ is an infrared back burner. Infrared back burners are for people who want to do spit cooking in a traditional manner (for instance, at a fish and chip shop).

Whether you decide to purchase a back burner on your BBQ is once again purely a personal choice, and may depend on what applications you are going to use the BBQ for.

Roast Hoods on BBQs open up a whole new world of outdoor cooking!

However they can be added at a later date – ask the specialist at BBQ’s R US whether your chosen BBQ caters to having a Roast Hood added.

Check the quality of the hinge system, handle and temperature gauge, and that the finish is Vitreous Enamel or Stainless Steel (avoid painted Roast Hoods as these are low quality).

BBQ’s can come with a Flame Tamer that can be either metal or cast iron.

The alternative is BBQ rock; the preferred type being genuine lava rock.

Both are extremely good, however the lava rock is susceptible to flaring.

We would recommend flame tamers as opposed to lava rock as flame tamers enable more controlled cooking.

All BBQ’s approved by the Australian Gas Association must be supplied with a hose and regulator.

Check that the regulator you are given will fit the cylinder you have. Adapter fittings are available if there are any problems.