How to Choose the Right BBQ for Your Home
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A barbecue is one of the most used appliances in an Australian household, and choosing the right one means thinking through more than just burner count. Gas type, cooking surface format, whether you want a freestanding unit or a built-in installation, and how much space you are working with all factor into a purchase that will likely last a decade or more. This guide walks through the key decisions so you can choose a BBQ that suits your household, your outdoor space, and how you actually cook.
LPG vs Natural Gas
The first practical question is fuel type. LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) runs from a standard 9 kg or 4 kg cylinder that you store under or beside the BBQ and swap when empty. It works anywhere — no fixed gas line required — making it the default for most Australian homes without a reticulated gas connection. Natural gas connects to your home's gas line, eliminating the need to monitor and replace cylinders. If you entertain frequently or cook on the BBQ most days, the convenience of natural gas is meaningful: you will never run out of gas mid-cook, and there is no ongoing cost of cylinder swaps. The trade-off is that installation requires a licensed gasfitter and the BBQ's position is fixed to wherever the gas outlet is located.
BeefEater offers natural gas conversion kits for most series in the range, so an LPG BBQ purchased today can be converted to natural gas later if your situation changes. This is worth knowing if you are in a home where a gas line installation is possible but not yet done.
How Many Burners Do You Need?
Burner count determines cooking flexibility more than raw heat output. A 4-burner BBQ can run two heat zones simultaneously — high heat on one side for searing, lower heat on the other for resting or cooking through — without the zones bleeding into each other. A 3-burner works well for households of two to four people who mostly cook straightforward meals. A 5-burner gives you more independent zones and is the right choice for larger gatherings, complex cooks, or kitchens where you regularly run the BBQ at full capacity with food spread across the whole surface.
A side burner, included on many BeefEater models, adds a separate gas ring beside the main cooking surface. It is useful for heating sauces, cooking side dishes, or boiling water without using indoor kitchen space. Whether you will actually use a side burner depends on how you cook outdoors: if you treat the BBQ as a self-contained outdoor cooking station, a side burner is a genuine practical addition. If you mostly grill or fry on the main surface, it adds complexity without much benefit.
Freestanding vs Built-In
Freestanding BBQs sit on a trolley that includes gas storage, a shelf, and often a side burner. They can be moved around the outdoor area and do not require any permanent installation beyond connecting to a gas cylinder or natural gas outlet. A freestanding BBQ is the practical choice for renters, for outdoor areas without a fixed bench or alfresco structure, and for households that may want to take the BBQ with them if they move.
Built-in BBQs are designed to drop into a custom bench or outdoor kitchen cabinet, giving a finished, intentional look to the outdoor area. They sit flush with the bench surface and typically look cleaner than a trolley unit in a well-designed alfresco space. Built-in models are the standard choice for new outdoor kitchen builds and renovation projects. Once installed, they are not easily relocated. See the freestanding vs built-in comparison guide for a more detailed breakdown.
Flat Top vs Grill vs Combination Surfaces
Traditional BBQ cooking surfaces use a combination of a grill (raised ridges that allow fat to drain and produce char marks) and a flat plate (solid surface suited to eggs, bacon, fish, and smaller items that would fall through a grill). Most BeefEater models include both in a split cooking surface, giving you the flexibility to use whichever suits what you are cooking.
Flat top BBQs, like the BeefEater Clubman and Discovery Clubmate, use a single continuous flat cooking surface across the full width. This format is borrowed from professional plancha cooking and suits households that cook a wide variety of food including seafood, vegetables, and anything that benefits from full contact with the cooking surface rather than grill marks. The flat top also makes cleaning more straightforward: scrape, wipe, done.
Portable BBQs for Camping and Travel
The BeefEater Bugg and Bigg Bugg are compact LPG BBQs designed for portability without sacrificing cooking performance. The Bugg runs from a standard LPG cylinder and fits on a camp table or picnic bench. The Bigg Bugg offers a larger cooking surface in a similarly portable package. Both are suited to camping, caravanning, beach trips, and park gatherings where a full-size BBQ is not practical.
The Bugg is also available on a cart — the Bugg on Cart — which adds wheeled legs for use as a compact freestanding BBQ on a balcony, courtyard, or small outdoor space where a full-size trolley BBQ would be too large. For apartment dwellers or renters with limited outdoor space, this is a practical middle ground between a portable and a freestanding BBQ.
The BeefEater Series Explained
BeefEater's main BBQ series are the 1200, 1600, 1500, and Signature 2000 and 3000, each positioned at a different specification level. The 1200 Series is the entry point into the BeefEater range, offering solid stainless steel construction, cast iron cooking surfaces, and reliable burner performance at an accessible price. It is available in both freestanding and built-in formats in black enamel and stainless steel finishes.
The 1600 Series steps up in cooking surface quality and burner specification, and is available in a Dark (near-black) or Stainless Steel finish. It suits households that cook on the BBQ regularly and want a more premium specification than the 1200 Series without going to the top of the range. The Clubman and Discovery Clubmate offer the flat top format at a mid-range price, suited to households that prefer the plancha cooking style.
Browse the full range in the BeefEater collection at Everyday Home Living.
BBQ Maintenance and Longevity
A well-maintained BBQ lasts considerably longer than a neglected one. The key maintenance habits are straightforward: clean the cooking surfaces after each use while the BBQ is still warm, empty and clean the drip tray regularly, cover the BBQ when not in use to protect against weather and UV exposure, and check the burners and gas fittings annually for signs of wear or blockage. BeefEater's long service parts availability means that worn burners, cooking surfaces, and ignition components can be replaced rather than requiring a whole new BBQ, which is a meaningful long-term cost advantage.
Stainless steel construction resists corrosion better than painted or enamel finishes, particularly in coastal environments where salt air accelerates surface degradation. If your outdoor area is exposed to salt air — near the coast or on a high-rise balcony — a stainless steel model is worth the investment over a black enamel finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many burners do I need for a family of four?
A 4-burner BBQ is a comfortable fit for a family of four for everyday cooking, with enough surface area to cook a full meal and enough independent burner zones to manage different heat levels simultaneously. A 3-burner works for smaller or simpler cooks. A 5-burner makes sense if you regularly cook for larger groups or want the maximum cooking flexibility.
Is natural gas or LPG better for a BBQ?
Both fuels produce comparable heat output and cooking performance. The practical difference is convenience and flexibility. LPG works anywhere and requires no fixed installation, but you need to monitor cylinder levels and swap cylinders when they run out. Natural gas requires a fixed connection installed by a licensed gasfitter, but once connected you have unlimited fuel with no cylinders to manage. For households that cook outdoors frequently, natural gas is more convenient day to day. For households without a gas line or in rented properties, LPG is the only option.
Can I use a BeefEater BBQ in a covered outdoor area?
Yes, provided the covered area has adequate ventilation. Gas BBQs produce combustion gases including carbon monoxide and must not be used in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces without sufficient airflow. A pergola, alfresco area, or patio with open sides and natural airflow is generally suitable. An enclosed outdoor room with minimal air exchange is not. Check with your local council if your alfresco structure has specific ventilation requirements, particularly if a rangehood is not installed.
What is the difference between a grill and a flat plate cooking surface?
A grill surface has raised ridges that elevate the food above the cooking surface, allowing fat to drain into the drip tray below and producing characteristic char marks. It is suited to steaks, chops, sausages, and thicker cuts. A flat plate is a solid cooking surface that retains heat evenly and is better for seafood, eggs, bacon, vegetables, and anything that would fall through grill ridges or that benefits from full surface contact. Most BeefEater freestanding BBQs include both in a combined cooking surface, giving you the option to use either side depending on what you are cooking.
How do I protect my BBQ in a coastal environment?
In coastal areas, salt air accelerates corrosion on painted and enamel surfaces. Choose a stainless steel model where possible, as it resists salt corrosion significantly better. Keep the BBQ covered with a quality fitted cover when not in use, and rinse the exterior with fresh water periodically to remove salt accumulation. Check and clean the burners and gas fittings more frequently than you would in an inland environment, as salt and moisture together accelerate burner degradation.
Summary
Choosing the right BBQ comes down to four core decisions: gas type (LPG or natural gas), burner count for your household size and cooking style, freestanding or built-in for your outdoor space, and cooking surface format (grill-and-plate or flat top). BeefEater covers all of these configurations across a well-structured range built specifically for Australian conditions. Browse the full BeefEater collection at Everyday Home Living, and read the BeefEater Buyer's Guide for more on the brand and its history.