Different Types of Barbecues: What You Need to Know

There are many different types of BBQs, each with their pros and cons and with a different intended use. Let’s take a look at the different types here.

Introduction

There are many different types of barbecues on the market these days, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. In this blog post, we will take a look at the different types of BBQs available and discuss the pros and cons of each one.

We will also talk about what each barbecue is suited for cooking and how much they cost. So, whether you are looking for a traditional charcoal barbecue or something a little more innovative, like a pizza oven, we have you covered!

Propane Barbecues

One of the most popular types of barbecues is the propane gas barbecue. These barbecues are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. They are also very versatile, as they can be used for both cooking and grilling.

Propane grills are fueled by a large propane tank, typically 9L or so, which hangs underneath the barbecue and is plumbed into the burners. By turning the tank and the burners on, you start the flow of propane. You simply light the propane with a match, lighter, or using the barbecues inbuilt ignition button.

Propane is one of the easiest ways to cook as you have superior control over the temperature of the flame, and you can simply turn the gas grill off whenever you are done and there is no ash or charcoal to clean up. I think everyone should own a propane BBQ before progressing to other types.

Woodfire barbecue

Another popular option is the woodfire barbecue. These barbecues add a unique flavor to your food that you just can’t get with other types of barbecues. They are also very easy to use, as all you need is wood and a match!

Woodfire is the most widely used cooking technique due to the availability of wood as a cooking fuel. Wood burns quite hot, and its important to carefully stoke the fire to provide a constant heat throughout your cook. The woodfire barbecue needs a constant supply of air to the fire, and if overfilled can easily choke out the fire, turning your barbecue into a makeshift smoker!

You also need to know that certain types of wood should never be used as cooking fuel, such as oleander wood which is deadly poisonous if used.

Charcoal Grills

If you are looking for something a little more traditional, then the charcoal grill is the way to go. Charcoal barbecues have been around for centuries and charcoal grilling is still one of the most popular choices., favoured for cooking things like charcoal spit roasts and kebabs. They are perfect for cooking meats and vegetables, and they add a great smoky flavor to your food.

Charcoal barbecues are fuelled by charcoal lumps – that is wood that has been charred at a very high temperature and then starved of air, this drives out most of the volatile chemicals from the wood. The end result is a stable and very good barbecue cooking fuel that is relatively smokeless and consistent in its burn.

Briquette (Compressed Charcoal) barbecue

If you are looking for something similar to the charcoal barbecue in terms of flavour but a little more compact fuel storage, then you might want to consider a briquette barbecue. Briquettes are made from compressed charcoal, which makes them perfect for creating a hot and even cook.

These barbecues are perfect for cooking meats and vegetables over a long period, and they add a great smoky flavour to your food. You can use briquettes similar to charcoal, or you can use techniques such as the ‘ring’ or ‘snake’ to provide low and slow cooking environments for delicate cooks.

One of the most popular types of barbecues on the market is the Weber briquette barbecue (or kettle grill). Weber barbecues are known for their quality and durability. They are also very easy to use, as all you need is your charcoal briquettes, a firestarter cube and a match! They also make for pretty good portable grills!

A Kamado grill is another type of kettle-type grill which are usually ceramic and can withstand extremely high temperatures which means food retains its moisture inside. Kamado grills can be used as an oven as well as a grill. You can read more about Kamado grills here.

Smokers

If you are looking for something that can do it all, then you might want to consider a smoker. Smokers are perfect for slow cooking meats and vegetables over a lower temperature for a longer time, creating irresistibly tender food with a unique smokey flavour. Smokers are also quite simple to use – many use a flame to heat a metal dish or plate which holds woodchips or sawdust to generate the smoke, or simply use a small wood fire that generates both the heat and smoke for your cooking.

If you are looking for something a little more unique, then you might want to consider an offset smoker. Offset smokers are a little more expensive, but worth every cent. An offset smoker is made up of two chambers – the firebox and the smoking chamber. The firebox is where you build your fire, and the smoking chamber is where you cook your food. The smoke from the firebox passes through the smoking chamber, cooking your food with indirect heat as it goes. This means that you can get a very even cook on your food, as well as a unique smoky flavor.

Pellet Grills

Pellet grills (or pellet smokers) are outdoor grills that use wooden pellets as fuel and they can smoke, grill, bake and sear. The wooden pellets are usually made of compressed sawdust and the grills can often look like a wood stove but they work a bit differently. The pellets are able to give a smoky flavour to the food without it being a smoker.

They use indirect heat to cook food in a temperature-controlled environment. They are powered by electricity and have an electronic display, making them super easy to use.

“Wood pellets are poured into a storage container called a hopper. The pellets are then fed into a cooking chamber by an auger that is powered by electricity. Thru combustion, the wood pellets ignite, heating the cooking chamber. Air is then brought in by intake fans. Heat and smoke are then dispersed throughout the cooking area. Much like an oven, pellet grills give you precise temperature control digitally or with a dial, usually ranging from 180°F to 500°F. So, you can cook “low and slow” or searing hot.”

pitboss-grills.ca

Pizza Ovens

If you are looking to add a woodfired pizza oven to your backyard, then you have come to the right place! Pizza ovens use woodfire to cook pizzas, as well as other breads and meats. They are very easy to use, and only require a few simple ingredients to get started.

The first thing you need is a good quality pizza oven. You could build your own clay brick woodfire pizza oven, or you can buy a portable pizza oven – There are many on the market. One of the most popular brands is the Forno Bravo. Forno Bravo makes high-quality pizza ovens that are perfect for cooking delicious pizzas. They also have a wide range of accessories, such as pizza peels and wood-fired oven tools, to make your cooking experience even better.

“Pizzas should be cooked directly on the hearth and roasts in cooking trays. The ideal hearth temperature for cooking pizza is around 350-425 degrees centigrade. The pizza dough should rise quickly but should not burst. Water content in your dough is important and relevant to the temperature of the oven.”

pizzaoven.co.nz

Once you have your pizza oven, you need some fuel – and most people use a mixture of charcoal and hardwood such as redgum, as well as special wood for adding smoky flavours. The type of wood you use will depend on the flavor you want for your pizzas. If you want a smoky flavor, then you can use hardwoods such as oak or hickory. If you want a sweeter flavor, then you can use fruitwoods such as apple or cherry.

You will also need some pizza dough and your favorite toppings. Once you have all of these things, you are ready to start cooking! Woodfired pizzas are delicious and easy to make. Just preheat your oven, stretch out your dough, add your toppings and bake!

Summary

Whether you prefer gas grills, charcoal grills, smokers or a pizza oven, using outdoor barbecue grills is a great way to bring family and friends together, and experiment with different cooking styles, as well as recipes and different foods that can be barbecued.

There are many types of grills and the cooking process can be slightly different with each.

Over time, you could experiment with the different types, just ensure you follow the care instructions, clean the grill grates and keep your BBQ covered when not in use to ensure your BBQ stands the test of time.

Do you enjoy outdoor cooking? Do you prefer gas or charcoal grilling? What kind of BBQ have you used? Let us know in the comments!

If you want to check out our list of the ten best BBQ blogs, click HERE.