How to Buy a Charcoal Barbeque – Buyers Guide

How many do you want to grill for?

One of the most important factors to consider is size. Charcoal barbeques come in various sizes and options, and as daunting as they can be, weigh up your answers to the questions below and choose the right size for your needs.

1. How many people do you usually grill for?
2. While hosting a crowd, how many people do you intend to grill for?
3. How often will you be cooking for that maximum number of people?

Portable & small BBQ

If you have a small family or it's just you, portable charcoal barbeques will be perfect for you.

They are compact and lightweight. Some options come with detachable shelves and can be used as a table-top BBQ.

They are great for travel – camping, road trips, picnics and other outdoor ventures.

However, due to their size, these grills limit you to direct heat for cooking.

Medium BBQ

A medium-sized barbeque will be beneficial if you are constantly grilling for your family of up to 6.

Often easy to move around, their cooking surface area can be limiting if you plan on hosting bigger parties.

But are great for firing dishes in batches during a small gathering.

Large charcoal grills

Large charcoal grills are great for massive cookouts and those who entertain regularly.

These full-sized models take up a lot of space and are ideal for those with large decks and a designated area for storing and firing up this beast.

With the large cooking surface, you can set up and cook using any style of techniques, while simultaneously, the side trays and storage space can store and keep your dishes warm for al fresco dining.

Charcoal fuel types

Charcoal BBQs use two different types of fuel: charcoal briquettes and lumps.

Charcoal Briquettes

Charcoal briquettes are an inexpensive fuel from mostly charcoal mixed with sawdust and leftover wood chips. They provide a good burn time and maintain a steady temperature for an extended time. However, briquettes produce tons of ash and sometimes have a chemical smell.

Lump Charcoal

Lump charcoal on the other hand, burns quickly and is extremely hot. Ideal for searing meat, they produce little ash compared to briquettes, are easier to light and contain no additives – they are 100% natural and pure. They are known for imparting a better flavour, and some lumps are made of a single type of wood, making them excellent for smoking. Despite this, lump charcoal takes more experience to manage and can be tricky for beginners.

What features should you look for when buying a BBQ

• Hood – the barbeque's hood or lid must fit snug and tight to keep heat from escaping. The lid's construction also must be reasonable enough against accidental closing due to gusts of wind. Roasting requires the top to be down to create a convection heat that surrounds the meat.
• Size – your size depends on how many people you'll be cooking for regularly and the space available on your deck/patio. A general rule of thumb: small is an ideal option for serving couples or small families. Medium-sized BBQs are for smaller groups, but you can still cook for a large group in batches. Large BBQs are ideal if your home is the go-to spot for cookouts and parties.
• Removable ash trays or pans – this makes for easy clean-up. They can either be easily accessible by sliding out the ash catcher or have to be lifted out from under the grate.
• Storage – medium to large-sized barbeque grills come with storage space that can be used to store your tools and cleaning gear. They can double as a warming area for food & plates as well.
• Material for grill grates – arguably the most used area, your food makes constant contact with cooking grates. They are typically made of steel, stainless steel, porcelain or cast iron. Steel and stainless steel grates are the most affordable but are also the least durable – steel grates are more likely to chip and lose their non-stick abilities. Stainless steel grates last longer in comparison to steel. Stainless is easier to clean and best suited for beginners.
  
  If you're choosing porcelain-coated grates, ensure they are of good quality since they tend to chip. Porcelain-enamelled grates retain heat better, providing those bold sear marks without the hassle of caring for cast iron. Pro tip: don't clean with metal scrapers.
  
  Pro grillmasters will tell you cast iron grates are a must for getting those sears on meats. They are the heaviest and most efficient at heat distribution and retention, leading to beautiful sears and helping food cook faster. They also last for decades but require more maintenance and proper care.
• Direct and indirect heat – charcoal grills come in various shapes and sizes, but placing your food and charcoal in certain configurations will help cook the food better and offer better control of the temperature. With direct cooking, you'll place the food directly above the hot coals. It's the only way to achieve grill marks, perfect for steaks, burger patties, sausages, kebabs, grilled vegetables and seafood. Indirect heat is when you cook the food away from the coals with the lid closed. They are perfect for whole birds, ribs and thick cuts of meat. You can also use this as an opportunity to infuse extra flavour using wood chips.