| The tantalizing aroma of sizzling steak fills the air. A | | | | The number of variables are almost infinite however |
| gentle breeze stirs the umbrella, silhouetted under a | | | | the answers to these questions will direct you to |
| cloudless summer evening sky. The first ice-cold beer | | | | exactly what you want. |
| slides down without touching the sides. Excited | | | | With the advent of Chinese imports BBQ equipment |
| laughter echoes around the patio...The BBQ is under | | | | can be obtained at very competitive prices. If price is |
| way! | | | | a major consideration, search around, you will see |
| A Barbecue according to Webster's is, "a metal | | | | some great deals. |
| frame for grilling food over an open fire" or "an | | | | A hood or lid is to keep the heat in is fantastic but |
| open-air party where barbecued food is served" | | | | only if you are going to be doing whole chickens, |
| BBQ's, the open air party, hasn't changed over the | | | | turkeys and such like with slow indirect cooking. Also |
| years and is still that very pleasant summer evening | | | | a rotisserie would also be a huge advantage with |
| ritual in a huge number of places around the world. | | | | chickens and turkeys as well. |
| On the other hand BBQ, "a metal frame for grilling | | | | A complete stainless steel BBQ has the benefit of |
| food over an open fire" has undergone a huge | | | | not going rusty and lasting almost indefinitely. If you |
| changes in recent years. Yes, you still get the | | | | are close to the beach or a geothermal area, |
| traditionalists who like to make a fire with either | | | | stainless steel would be a must. Either that or buy a |
| wood or charcoal and heat a plate or grill to put their | | | | cheap BBQ each year and then throw it away. A gas |
| sausages on. They just love the crackling of the fire, | | | | hob on the side is very popular now for heating soup |
| the smoke wafting through the air and the taste of | | | | or boiling potatoes or frying vegetables. You can get |
| a "real" barbecued sausage. | | | | a smoke box also to inject your favorite smoke into |
| At the other end of the spectrum the hardware now | | | | your cooking to spice up the flavour. |
| available for BBQ cooking has evolved into what can | | | | Accessories |
| only be described as a revolution. Whole kitchens | | | | You are going to need some BBQ tools in order to |
| situated outdoors on the patio, all running on clean | | | | cook the food. |
| burning, smokeless, easy-to-use, easy-to-control, | | | | You are going to have to keep the BBQ clean and |
| non-smelling gas. | | | | maintained so that it will give you years of service. |
| It is now absolutely limitless what you can have in | | | | To protect your new BBQ you probably need a |
| the way of a BBQ setup on your patio. You have to | | | | cover to protect it from the elements. In the winter |
| ask yourself some questions: | | | | it needs to be put away in covered storage. Some |
| How much entertaining are we going to do? | | | | evenings can get cold even in the summer. You may |
| How many people do we need to cater for? | | | | need to think about a Patio gas heater to keep your |
| How much do we want to pay? | | | | guests warm and comfortable. If you live at the sea |
| What is our preference, gas, electric or charcoal? | | | | and catch lots of fish then a separate smoker is a |
| Are we going to build it in or purchase a complete | | | | great addition to your BBQ scene as well. |
| set? | | | | And of course you are going to need a picnic or BBQ |
| Do we need a stainless steel or ordinary steel? | | | | table to seat all of your guests. These come in all |
| Does it need to be portable? | | | | shapes and sizes so all you have to do is work out |
| Do we need a hood? | | | | how many guests you want to seat. The hexagonal |
| Do we need a rotisserie? | | | | and octagonal tables are a great innovation these |
| Do we need a smoker? | | | | days. Barbecuing is the quintessential summer pastime |
| Do we need infra red warmers? | | | | and any aspiring chef, with a little bit of time effort |
| De we need a gas burner on the side for boiling or | | | | will be able to find the perfect barbecue for the job |
| frying? | | | | from the enormous range of options currently |
| Do we need a roasting dish? | | | | available. |
| Do we need a wok? | | | | Summer parties just aren't complete without a |
| What accessories do we need? | | | | barbecue. |