Australian_House_&_Garden_2017_01

Don’t miss the fabulous

barbecue recipes in

next month’s H&G.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 187

< ideal for a single person or couple, in

the $200-$350 range. Two-burner or wall-

mounted barbecues are perfect for

balconies, while families might opt for a

portable upright model with at least four

burners (costing between $300-$5000). If

you’re serious about alfresco cooking, you

can invest in a complete outdoor kitchen

built around a barbecue ($2000-$12,000).

To complement these sophisticated

features and functionality, manufacturers

have reconsidered the look of the barbecue,

too. “We’re seeing more advanced designs

with innovative styling come through,”

says Mark Kampmann, category manager

at BeefEater. “Right now, it’s all about a

sleek, linear look, intuitive controls and

even heat distribution for best results.”

BeefEater’s cute, compact Bugg model

comes in a range of colours, including

cheery red and amber. Meanwhile, Heston

Blumenthal’s collaboration with Everdure

has produced a range of sleek designs with

subtly retro design inspiration.

At the other end of the size range, larger

models continue to sell well, says Mick

Heanue, barbecue buyer for Bunnings. A

good barbecue is the most important

element of a functional outdoor kitchen,

he says. “As well as the usual features,

premium models often include extra

storage for accessories and crockery. You

can add side burners, rotisseries, marble

benchtops and even a sink to re-create a

full kitchen cooking experience outdoors.”

For a streamlined set-up, modular

elements from brands such as Heatlie

Barbecues and BeefEater can be mixed and

matched, and installed in benchtops.

“Barbecues are becoming more integrated,

which means they’re less prominent when

not in use,” says Andrea Mead, managing

director at Heatlie Barbecues.

Australians have changed the way

they’re using their barbecues, says Janelle

Gregory, marketing manager at Barbeques

Galore. “We have seen an increase in

specialty barbecues over the past two years,

with people learning to appreciate low- and

slow-style barbecuing, smoking techniques

and different ways to infuse flavour.”

Popular alternatives to traditional

hotplate models include pizza ovens

($200-$1500), smokers ($300-$2300) and

rotisseries (from $120 to $3000). True

enthusiasts will be awed by the Hephaestus

Patio-Pro, a freestanding barbecue,

smoker, grill, pizza oven and fire pit in

one, at $8999 from Nomalon (www.

nomalon.com.au). And wifi-enabled

designs, such as the Daniel Boone WiFi

range by Green Mountain Grills, allow you

to remotely monitor and control cooking

temperature from a smartphone or tablet,

so you can relax and chat to guests instead

of hovering around a hot cooking surface.

Whichever barbecue you choose, it’s

important to be sure that it meets your

needs and cooking style, says Gregory.

“How many people will you be cooking for

and how often? Which cooking style do

you enjoy? Do you want the convenience

of gas or the flavour boost you get from

traditional charcoal or wood-fire cooking?”

Make sure, too, that your barbecue will

last the distance, says Nick Di Pietrantonio,

executive director at Gasmate. “Assess its

build quality: general sturdiness and the

weight of the hood are good indications.

A one-piece firebox is also a sign of a well-

made barbecue,” he says. “Look for a quality

cooking surface that’s easy to clean, offers

great heat retention and will last, such as

cast iron, stainless steel or satin enamel.

Seek out quality cast-iron or stainless-steel

burners, and a body in stainless steel, cast

aluminium or vitreous enamel.”

Don’t underestimate the importance of

a warranty, says Paul Davidson, barbecue

sales specialist at BBQs & Outdoor. “With

premium barbecues, look for a warranty of

five years or more. This gives an indication

of how well it’s made. A quality barbecue

will give years of faithful service.” #

TLC FOR YOUR BBQ

Take care of your barbecue and it

will look and perform beautifully

for years, says Janelle Gregory of

Barbeques Galore. Here’s how:

✚ Keep the burners alight after

cooking to burn off any food

residue. While the cooking

surface is still hot, use a brush

or scraper to remove any

remaining oil and food. Never

use detergent or chemical

cleaners on the cooking surface.

✚ Use hot water and detergent to

remove grease from external

parts of the barbecue; 3M

Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish

is great for polishing and

protecting the bodies of

stainless-steel barbecues.

✚ Check gas-related components

for damage, such as kinks or

leaks in gas hoses.

✚ Look for rust or chipped paint.

Once rust sets in, the barbecue

can deteriorate quickly.

✚ Protect your barbecue with a

weatherproof cover, particularly

if you live in a coastal area.

FULLY LOADED

A top-of-the-line outdoor kitchen

with all the bells and whistles can

set you back as much as $12,000,

according to Paul Davidson from

BBQs & Outdoor. Here are some of

the features you might expect

for that kind of outlay:

✚ Frame, grills and plate in

high-quality, marine-grade

stainless steel, plus cast

stainless-steel burners.

✚ Multiple burners and added

extras such as a rotisserie,

teppanyaki plate, built-in

thermometer and infrared

burners that will help brown

meat evenly.

✚ Double-door fridge, sink and

plenty of storage.

✚ The price may also include

delivery and installation of your

outdoor kitchen: check first.

‘For those with the luxury of space, fully functional outdoor

kitchens are a great choice.’ Mick Heanue, Bunnings