If you’re partying through the summer
and feeding lots of friends and family, it could be time to invest in alfresco
cooking equipment that’s up to the job!
At
last… barbecue time is here!
Charcoal or gas which is best?
For impromptu outdoor dining, gas is the
winner (52% of homeowner agree), but you can’t beat charcoal for an authentic
barbecue flavor. “If you want the best to both worlds, choose a gas barbecue
that has either lava rocks around the burners, or metal plates or vaporizer
bars over them,” says GHI’s head of testing, Trisha Schofield. “This means that
when grease and meat juices vaporize they will infuse the food with smoke.”
Choosing and using
·
For cooking roasts and thicker foods, get a
barbecue with a domed lid and an integral temperature gauge, so you can control
the heat. We found whole chickens took around an hour and a quarter on a low
setting, and were evenly browned with a crisp skin and moist flesh.
·
Choose a barbecue with a griddle plate to cook
smaller items, such as prawns, sear meat or fry eggs.
·
Cut cleaning time: line the drip tray with foil
and add a layer of sand to absorb the grease. Turn gas barbecues to high for
five minutes to burn off cooking residue.
GHI choice: gas
Outback spectrum flatbed 3 burner
Price: $449.99
GHI verdict:
·
Takes nearly an hour for the initial assembly
·
Burners powerful but easy to regulate
·
Even heating across the grill
·
Food evenly browned, and chicken and sausages
stayed moist and tender
Features: grills, griddle, cover and
propane regulator
Size: 88 x 140 x 59 cm
Cooking area: 63.5 x 42 cm
Website: outbackbarbecues.com
Ready in minutes
Weber Q220
Price: $449.99
GHI verdict
·
Circular burner provides gentle heat so food is
cooked evenly without burning
·
Chicken is moist with crispy golden skin when
cooked with lid down. Oil food to prevent sticking on grill
·
10 mins to assemble. Easy to store.
Fat-collector tray speeds up cleaning
Features: grill, hose and gas regulator,
disposable drip tray
Size: 100 x 125 x 47 cm
Cooking area: 54 x 30 cm (grill)
Website: weberbbq.co.uk
GHI choice: charcoal
Asda the big American grill
Price: $188
GHI verdict
·
Adjustable grill is great for cooking foods of
varying thickness – you can move coals towards or away from food as required
·
Lid can be closed for cooking thick items such
as chicken or be opened for use as a windshield
·
Sturdy design and easy to clean
Size: 119 x 152 x 71 cm
Cooking area: 71 x 47 cm (grill)
Website: asda.co.uk
Party on!
Outback cook dome 702 charcoal barbecue
Price: $209
GHI verdict
·
Grill sits quite low in the barbecue so food
cooks quickly – but keep watch as it can easily catch fire and burn
·
Grill has lifting side sections making it easy
to replenish charcoal
·
Rain cover included
Size: 102 x 66 x 66 cm
Cooking area: 51.5 cm diameter
Website: outbackbarbecues.com
