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December, 17 2020 - 7min read
Whether you’re after outdoor BBQs for cooking and camping, or in the mood for a BBQ at home, you’ve come to the right place. Many contemporary BBQs are packed full of features, so choosing one can be difficult. To help you narrow your search, let’s explore the wonderful world of portable BBQs and check out the wide range of options.
Put simply, portable BBQs are moveable BBQs you can take camping, to a friend’s house or even move around your patio or yard. They’re light enough to transport but powerful enough to cook all your meats, vegetables and BBQ essentials. Typically less expensive than a full BBQ, they’re a great option if you don’t have a big backyard or are working with a smaller outdoor space.
Sizzling snags, grilling steak and frying up your favourite veggies – is there anything better or more Australian than a summer BBQ? Outdoor cooking on a portable BBQ in warmer weather gives you the opportunity to entertain friends and family, whip up a feast at the campsite or just enjoy those BBQ flavours on your own. Depending on the type of small BBQ you choose, all you’ll need to fire up the barbie is either a gas bottle, some charcoal or access to electricity (plus those tasty ingredients and cooking utensils).
“Outdoor cooking on a portable BBQ in warmer weather gives you the opportunity to entertain friends and family, cook up a storm at the campsite or enjoy those BBQ flavours on your own.”
When it comes to portable BBQs, there are three main options for fuel: electricity, LP gas and natural gas. Next, you’ll need to pick a size – think about how many people you’ll be cooking for and where you’re going to use your portable BBQ.
If you’re cooking for less than five people on a camping trip, a smaller BBQ will suffice, but if your plans are much grander (like a Christmas BBQ for the extended family) you might need to look into bigger options. To learn more about the different types of BBQs, check out which type of BBQ do you need this summer.
One of the best and most trusted BBQ brands nation-wide is Weber. Their range of portable BBQs are great for any cooking skill level and can turn any meal into an outdoor cooking experience. Let’s take a look at our top picks for portable gas BBQs and some of their key features.
Some might consider this BBQ the best portable gas BBQ for camping. Feed up to six people quickly using natural convection cooking, but don’t stress about the gas, up to 100 meals from just one bottle. With a removable drip tray for no fuss cleaning and a single spark ignitor, you can get things going fast so your hungry crew aren’t waiting long.
The Baby Q also comes in black, making it a stylish option to match with most outdoor entertainment areas or aesthetic. Another benefit of this portable BBQ is that you can turn it into an oven in seconds with the optional Baby Q Convection Tray and Baby Q Half Hot Plate (sold separately).
Slightly bigger than the Baby Q, this portable BBQ can feed up to 10 people at home and is lightweight enough to pack up and take away on your next family vacation. One of the most versatile BBQs on the market, you can switch out one side of the grill for a Weber Q hotplate (sold separately) and sizzle some chicken skewers or whip up a stir fry at the same time.
Also available in black, the Weber Q has convenient swing out work tables to hold your utensils and other cooking accessories while you grill. With a durable cast aluminium lid and body, this is a BBQ that’s built to last.
Another popular option for portable BBQs is to choose electric, especially if you want to enjoy outdoor cooking on an apartment balcony. Electric BBQs offer that beautiful BBQ taste but are often easier to store and keep clean, plus you don’t have the hassle of lighting charcoal (like a regular BBQ) or connecting a gas bottle.
What makes this BBQ so impressive is the amount of temperature control you can have between the different cooking zones. Grill steak on one side and cook eggs or vegetables at a lower temperature on the other. Designed for urban living and the tech savvy chef, you can monitor temperatures via the Weber iGrill app, right on your smartphone
Much like the model above, this Weber Pulse has really levelled up the game for electric barbecuing. From its LED temperature display to its porcelain-enamelled, cast-iron cooking grates, this BBQ might be small but it sure is powerful!
Another option to consider for your portable BBQ is natural gas. It’s cheaper than propane and there’s less exhaust (so less of an obvious odour), plus it connects right into your home gas tap.
Much like its LPG gas counterpart, this Weber Q is great for everyday barbecuing at home or out on the road. You can fire it up in less than 10 minutes and keeping the lid down will turn it into a fast cooking oven!
Also available in titanium, the natural gas model of the Weber Q has a cool touch thermostat handle so you can check on your food without touching the lid.
When you’re researching portable BBQs, here are a few important things to look out for:
When you’re looking to buy a portable BBQ, first take into account how much space you have and where you’re going to use it. A great place to start your journey is by reading our BBQ Buying Guide. It gives you a run down on the different types of BBQs and what to look out for.
Are you looking for something a little more permanent? If you’re renovating or wanting to build an outdoor kitchen, check out our tips on what to consider when creating a DIY outdoor kitchen.
We love our BBQs. It’s why we carry some of Australia’s best brands – Weber and BeefEater – both in store and online. We also offer a range of delivery options to get you up and grilling in no time.
