Barbecues — summer friends for a good rest. Features, types, choice

There are different types of barbecues, each suitable for different types of cooking and conditions of use. The main types of barbecues can be classified by material, design, heat source and functionality.

Based on the material

Steel barbecues:

• Pros: lightweight, inexpensive, heats up quickly.
• Cons: may burn out over time, especially if the steel is thin.
• use: suitable for occasional use, picnics.

Cast iron barbecues:

• Pros: strong, durable, retain heat well, create even frying.
• Cons: heavy, more expensive than steel.
• use: excellent for permanent use in the country or in a country house.

Ceramic barbecues (Kamado type):

• Pros: excellent thermal insulation, ability to maintain a stable temperature, suitable for smoking and slow cooking.
• Cons: very heavy, fragile, expensive.
• Use: Ideal for gourmets who love to experiment with cooking methods.

By heat source

Charcoal barbecues:

• Features: traditional type of barbecue, uses charcoal or firewood as fuel.
• advantages: authentic taste and aroma of dishes, possibility of heat regulation.
• Disadvantages: takes longer to light, requires skills in temperature control.

Gas barbecues:

• Features: use gas (propane, butane) for cooking, often equipped with burners with adjustable temperature.
• Advantages: quick ignition, convenience, ability to precisely adjust the temperature.
• Disadvantages: less smoke aroma, need to have a gas cylinder.

Electric barbecues:

• Features: powered by electricity, the heating element replaces coal or gas.
• Advantages: easy to use, no smoke, can be used indoors.
• Disadvantages: limited taste, dependent on electricity.

By functionality

Classic barbecues:

• Features: simple design for frying meat on skewers or grill.
• use: kebabs, grills, fish, vegetables.

Grills:

• Features: Includes grill grate, may have lid for closed cooking.
• Use: Grill, BBQ, Steaks, Slow Cooking.

Smokehouses-barbecues:

• Features: equipped with a smoking compartment, allows you to smoke meat and fish.
• use: smoking and frying.

Kazan-barbecues:

• Features: equipped with a place for installing a cauldron, allows you to cook oriental cuisine.
• use: pilaf, shurpa, other dishes in a cauldron.

By form factor

Rectangular barbecues:

• Features: universal, convenient for cooking on skewers or grill.
• use: suitable for kebabs and grilling.

Round barbecues:

• Features: distribute heat well, often used for grilling.
• use: grill, barbecue.

Transformer grill:

• Features: models with the ability to change shape or configuration, allow adaptation to different tasks.
• use: general purpose cooking.

Thus, the choice of a barbecue depends on what dishes you plan to cook, how often and in what conditions you will use the equipment. Each type of barbecue has its own advantages that are suitable for certain tasks and conditions of use.

Choosing a barbecue depends on many factors, including your preferences, frequency of use, operating conditions and budget. Here are the main criteria that will help you make the right choice:

Barbecue material

Steel:

• thickness: the thicker the steel, the better the grill retains heat and the longer it will last. The optimal steel thickness for a grill is from 2 to 5 mm. Thin steel burns out and deforms faster.
• coating: the presence of an anti-corrosion coating (for example, enamel or heat-resistant paint) will protect the grill from rust and extend its service life.

Cast iron:

• Advantages: Cast iron grills are heavy, but they retain heat well and distribute it evenly, which ensures a stable cooking temperature.
• Disadvantages: Cast iron requires careful maintenance to avoid corrosion and is heavier, making it less portable.

Ceramics:

• Advantages: Ceramic grills (like Kamado) retain heat well and allow you to maintain a stable temperature for a long time. They are ideal for slow cooking and smoking.
• Disadvantages: high price and fragility.

Size and capacity

Compact barbecues:

• suitable for small companies (2-4 people) and picnics. Easy to transport, take up little space.
• Disadvantages: Limited capacity, which may be inconvenient for larger groups.

Medium grills:

• are ideal for a family or a group of up to 8 people. Such barbecues are quite roomy, but at the same time they remain relatively mobile.
• Suitable for summer cottages and frequent picnics.

Large barbecues:

• Suitable for large events and large groups (10 or more people). They can be stationary and often include additional features such as built-in tables or smokers.
• Disadvantages: heavy weight, difficult to transport.

Design and shape

Rectangular and square barbecues:

• convenient for cooking shashlik and other dishes on skewers or grill. Easy to organize uniform distribution of coals.

Round barbecues:

• distribute heat well, often used for grilling. Suitable for cooking steaks, burgers, fish.

Stationary barbecues:

• are suitable for permanent installation, usually in a summer house or garden. They are often made of brick or metal and may include additional elements such as tables, shelves, and smokehouses.

Portable barbecues:

• Lightweight and compact, suitable for outdoor trips. Easy to transport, but usually have limited capacity.

Additional functions

Adjusting the height of the grill or skewers:

• Allows you to control the degree of roasting by changing the distance between the food and the coals.

Lid:

• allows you to retain heat inside the grill, which is useful for cooking large pieces of meat or roasting. In grill models, the lid allows you to cook using indirect heat.

Built-in thermometers:

• useful for controlling the temperature inside the grill, especially in models with a lid.

Removable ash pans and grease trays:

• make the process of cleaning the grill easier.

Wheels:

• make it easier to transport the grill, especially if it is large and heavy.

Budget

Budget models:

• simple barbecues without additional functions, often made of thin steel. Suitable for rare use or as a temporary solution.

Middle segment:

• BBQs with a good price-quality ratio often have additional features and are made from more durable materials.

Premium segment:

• High-quality barbecues made of durable materials, with many additional functions (height adjustment, lid, thermometer). Often have an exclusive design.

When choosing a barbecue, it is important to consider how often and in what conditions you plan to use it, what dishes you will cook and how many people you will serve. The material, size, fuel type and additional features — all this should correspond to your needs and preferences. Choose a barbecue that will provide you with ease of use and allow you to enjoy delicious dishes in the fresh air.