10 BBQs of 2023 | Best gas, electric and charcoal barbecues
Whether you’re after an electric, gas or charcoal barbecue to keep in your backyard or bring on the go, we’ve got the pick for you.
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Is there anything more Aussie than cooking snags, grilling skewers and throwing a veggie patty on the hotplate?
If you haven’t yet invested in a barbecue – or if your old one needs upgrading you might be a little intimidated by all the options on the market. After all – there’s everything from compact options for grilling on-the-go, to built-in units that blend seamlessly into the patio and heavy duty four burner options that can feed a large party.
To help narrow down your search, we’ve rounded up some of the top-rated BBQs in the country.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
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OUR TOP PICKS
In this article
- How do I choose a barbecue?
- Is a charcoal or gas barbecue better?
- What are the best barbecue brands to buy?
BEST ELECTRIC BARBECUES
Gasmate Black Portable Electric BBQ, $349 at Harvey Norman
What you need to know
Fuel type: Electric
Cooking dimensions: 41x55cm
Whether you’re looking for an electric BBQ to take with you on outdoor trips, or you’re hunting down the perfect size to fit on your apartment’s balcony, the Gasmate Portable Electric BBQ is easily one of our top picks.
It’s a compact size without compromising on cooking space, and it comes with an adjustable thermostat, convenient utensil rack and both a flat and ribbed plate, depending on your cooking needs.
Five-star rating Harvey Norman customers have called it the “best small electric BBQ”, noting it’s perfect for apartment living as it “doesn’t take up much room and is easy to clean”.
BEST GAS BARBECUES
What you need to know
Fuel type: LPG
Cooking area: 43cm x 32cm
If you’re short on space or want something you can take with you on camping and beach trips, Weber’s Baby Q is perfect. Use it to feed up to six people, with a single nine kilogram gas bottle powering up to one hundred meals. The drip tray makes cleaning easy, and the add-on accessories (like a Convection Tray, Half Hotplate, and Pizza Stone) make it super versatile.
“The BabyQ is perfect to take camping, it's the perfect size for cooking. Couple it with the Half hotplate and you have everything you need,” one reviewer posted.
Beefeater Bigg Bugg Mobile LPG BBQ, $799 at Bing Lee
What you need to know
Fuel type: LPG
Cooking area: 131.8cm x 65.6cm
“Seriously can’t rate this BBQ higher,” one satisfied shopper wrote. And who can blame them? It has a whole lot of clever features, including a half grill and half hotplate design, hood thermometer, removable drip tray, side tables and an integrated shelf for holding cooking tools or condiments. You can detach the main body from the stand if you want to take the BBQ out and about, too.
“It not only looks great, is efficient and works extremely well with nice even heat distribution on the cooking plates. It’s easy to clean which is a huge benefit. It’s very stylish and compact but doesn’t compromise on the cooking space,” another person commented, giving it a five-star review.
BEST PORTABLE BARBECUES
UCO Flatpack Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire Pit, $80.95 at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
Fuel type: Charcoal
Cooking area: 10 x 13 inches (25.4cm x 33cm)
This brings a whole new meaning to ‘portable BBQ’, boasting a flatpack design that folds to less than 1.5 inches thick and weighs just 3.2 pounds (approximately 1.5kg). There’s even a mini version weighing two pounds (which is just under one kilogram) that can be used for backpacking.
The item is pretty versatile since the sides of the grill can be used as a wind break, while the entire unit itself can be turned into a fire for a cosy night. It’s no wonder why this portable BBQ is listed as one of Amazon’s top picks and received an average customer rating of 4.6 stars from more than 3,000 reviews.
“Really well made and great for a quick BBQ in the backyard or at the beach – it is small but that makes it very efficient on fuel and time. Love it,” a happy customer posted.
Gasmate Voyager Outdoor Portable BBQ, $231.06 at Catch
What you need to know
Fuel type: Universal LPG (ULPG)
Cooking area: 46cm x 33cm
Prefer to use your energy lifting a tray of snags than a BBQ? The Voyager is Gasmate’s lightweight beauty and features a roasting hood with a built-in temperature gauge and stainless steel burner. Plus, it’s easy to set up – just fold out the legs and connect it to the gas cylinder.
This budget-friendly portable Gasmate BBQ is also suitable for caravans with a direct hose and regulator connection to the gas cylinder.
Hundreds of customers on Catch agree its great bang for buck. One person described it as the “best value for money item to go for camping”, while another said it’s easy to clean and “ticks all the boxes”.
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Barbecue, $149.99 at BCF
What you need to know
Fuel type: Charcoal
Cooking area: 49.5cm x 29.2cm
For those who love hibachi style cooking, this is worth checking out. It features adjustable air vents, which lets you adjust the temperature without lifting the roasting hood, and a porcelain-enamelled lid and base to seal in the heat and maintain the temperature. The model also has a Cool To Touch handle, keeping your fingers safe.
BEST BUILT-IN BARBECUE
Beefeater Signature 3000E 4 Burner Built-in LPG BBQ, $1499 at Bing Lee
What you need to know
Fuel type: LPG
Total measurements (lid closed): 52.5cm x 81.cm x 57cm
Are guests constantly lifting the lid and disrupting the cooking process? The four-burner BBQ features an integrated cooking hood with a large window as well as a built-in thermometer, so you can monitor what’s happening inside. The model also has a full-length warming rack to toast buns, keep veggies warm or cook bits and pieces that need ‘just that little bit longer’.
“It is extremely well built and cooks meat beautifully. Easy to clean and the black hood does not show any dirt or fingerprints like stainless does,” a reviewer posted.
“It can be used in a range of different ways, including using a rotisserie attachment, a smoker box or BBQ frypan as well as the usual methods for meat, fish, poultry and vegetables. I am keen to try making a cake in it as I have heard it works a treat.”
Beefeater 1200 Series 4 Burner BBQ, $699 at The Good Guys
What you need to know
Fuel type: LPG
Total measurements (lid closed): 49.9cm x 83.7cm x 56.8cm
The Beefeater 1200 Series 4 Burner BBQ is a serious workhorse. Four powerful cast iron burners provide that delicious barbecue flavour you’re after, and the extra large (and rust-resistant) grill and hotplates ensure you’re always ready to cook for a crowd. One push ignition makes it easy to get things started, a flame tamer ensures even heat distribution, and the cabinet underneath makes it easy to store all your BBQ essentials. There’s even a built-in wok-friendly burner on the right benchtop, in case you needed even more versatility.
“Bought as a replacement for a 20 year old beefeater signature. These BBQs last a billion years and don't rust which is perfect for coastal homes,” a reviewer wrote on The Good Guys website.
“This BBQ is cheaper than the Signature but I have not noticed a difference with our basic cooking.”
BEST CHARCOAL BARBECUES
Primst Multifunctional Charcoal Barbecue Grill, $68.78 at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
Fuel type: Charcoal
Cooking area: 23.5cm x 35cm
Who doesn’t love Korean BBQ? This portable grill can be used to cook juicy cuts of meat and roast peppers, and create warm kimchi soup on the side thanks to the stove. The model comes with everything you need, including the grill body, charcoal bowl, charcoal burning plate, roasting pan, roasting mesh, pot stand and handle.
Weber Original BBQ Kettle, $389 at BCF
What you need to know
Fuel type: Charcoal
Cooking area: 2342 square centimetres
The iconic Weber Original BBQ Kettle has been a mainstay of Aussie backyards since the 1950s. Throw some charcoal or briquettes into the bowl and you’re well on your way to enjoying a traditional charcoal style barbecued meal. The wheels help you easily move it around, while the no-rust ash catcher keeps things safe and tidy.
“Purchased a Weber a month ago and haven’t stopped using it. You won’t regret purchasing one of these bad boys,” a happy reviewer wrote.
HOW DO I CHOOSE A BARBECUE?
Wondering how to narrow down your search even further? Here’s a few factors to take into consideration:
• Size: How much space do you have? Are you looking for something that can be stowed away when not in use, something to be built-in to an outdoor entertainment area, or a basic freestanding barbecue?
• Usage: Are you planning on using your barbecue just at home, or do you want a portable one that can be taken on outdoor adventures?
• Food preferences: If you’re big on meat, you’ll likely be happy with any sort of grill to provide the perfect sear. However, if you also want to use your BBQ to cook small vegies, or even a bacon and egg brekky, you’ll want one that comes with at least a half hotplate.
• Fuel type: Barbecues come in many forms, including electric, gas and charcoal powered options. Electric is great for convenience if you have an outdoor power outlet, while gas and charcoal offer a more traditional – albeit expensive – grilling experience.
IS A CHARCOAL OR GAS BARBECUE BETTER?
This depends on what you’re after from your barbecue. Charcoal is unmatched for its distinctive smokey barbecued flavour, and charcoal barbecues are generally less expensive to buy. However, gas barbecues can be better for less experienced cooks, as it’s easier to control their temperature and they can be a little safer – they won’t give off sparks or ash like charcoal can.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BARBECUE BRANDS TO BUY?
According to their many fans, you can’t really go wrong with barbecues from Weber or Beefeater – hence our multiple inclusions from each brand on this list. If you’re interested in smoking as well as barbecuing, Traeger’s range of pellet grills are highly recommended.
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