- Posted on May 26th, 2008 in Chief Shopper, Garden, Home and Garden
Close your eyes and quickly picture your perfect warm-weather weekend (unfortunately…not this past weekend alas). For some it will be lounging on a beach in Spain and for others (and you know who you are) it’s flipping burgers on the barbecue. And while you may think that all barbecues are created equal, in fact, the ease with which you prepare your burgers, chicken and sausages is equal to the quality of the equipment you use – so be sure to do your research and get a barbecue that doesn’t let you down.
If you grill quite a bit and have space in the yard then an outdoor ‘cook center’ may be the name of your game. This type of gas cooker can consist of features such as ovens, hobs, grill and storage space. You can find them in gas, electric, or dual fuel as well. Electrolux offers a couple of models that range from £900 - £2,000 – so this needs to truly be something you’ll use enough to see returns. If you can afford the initial investment, a good rule of thumb is to multiple the average number of people you’ll be cooking for by the number of times in a year that you’ll use the machine (and it doesn’t have to just be Summertime), if the factor is 100 or higher, it’s definitely a good investment.
If you are looking for some of the same features but you’d like to invest a little less, there are a number of gas ‘wagon style’ grills that are a bit more mobile, but also have workspace, temperture control and a large hood. Landmann is a great brand with models that will run you from £150 - £250. The nice thing about the Landmann is that, while an attractive grill, it can be easily moved to a corner if you want to store it away.
Like the taste of barbecue but live in a city space so tight you’ve been known to use your kitchen cabinets to store shoes? Well there is no need to give up on a good burger! If you have just a little bit of outdoor space you can choose a smaller, portable barbecue. While lacking the features of the big ones you can simply secure yourself an invitation to a party with a large grill butstill enjoy a taste of it at home. At just £50 they are great for camping too.
Whatever your lifestyle or situation, a barbecue can mean more than just good food, it’s a time when family and friends come together and enjoy that precious time of year that is never long enough.
