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 Ever since Paul Hogan famously (or infamously) told America to "Put another shrimp on the barbie," Australia has been known as a country that loves barbeques. Back then, most barbeques were pretty basic charcoal grills. Today, even high end manufacturers like DeLonghi and Smeg offer barbeques with so many features they make burning a hot dog a near impossibility. That's not to say that there are no longer any basic barbeques on the market that all do what barbeques do best - cook mouth watering dishes over an open grill. Do you need a top of the line barbeque with all of the bells and whistles or will a basic model be a better choice for you?
Bare Bones Barbeques
The bare bones barbeque is basically just a container for a heat source with a rack on top for holding whatever is being grilled. The cheapest barbeques are small kettle style barbeques. Sometimes they come with two wheels to make it possible to move them limited distances even when they are fired up and cooking. They also come with a removable lid that serves as a roasting hood. Smaller ones have a cooking area with a diameter of about 40cm - not huge, but the nimble barbequer can pack a lot of sausages onto one of these. The average family who just wants a basic barbeque for occasional use would probably be happier with a 57cm diameter model, though.
Portable Barbeques
Aussies love to barbeque at the beach, so it's no wonder that portable barbeques are so popular. You can take these cleverly designed barbeques with you just about anywhere. One person can easily carry  the smallest portable barbeques in one hand. While they won't sizzle enough sausages at one time for a large family (unless everyone is very patient), they are great for a spontaneous trip to the beach. If you want to do more serious beach barbequing, look for a freestanding 2 burner kettle BBQ.
A Word of Caution
Some portable barbeques are more portable than others. Occasionally, the addition of wheels will be enough for a manufacturer to call their BBQ "portable." While that may be technically correct, if you want one that will fit into the car boot and can be easily carried by one or two people from the car park to a coveted shady spot under a tree, look for a BBQ that has collapsible or removable legs and sturdy carrying handles.
Semi-Portable Barbeques
Sometimes labelled as "portable" and sometimes simply called barbeques, semi-portable barbeques come with either 2 or 4 wheels or casters and can be moved across the lawn or across the patio with  relative ease. To truly qualify as having portability, these barbeques have a maximum of four burners, but can have a lot of extras like warming racks, rotisseries, drawers, storage cabinets and fixed or removable side trays.
Another Word of Caution
In our opinion, in order to qualify as semi-portable, barbeques should have two large wheels and a sturdy handle for lifting the fixed or caster side of the BBQ off the ground. Casters are fine on flat, smooth surfaces, but only wheels will readily roll across lawns or over the crevices between pavers.
Barbeques for Big Boys and Girls
Are you serious about your barbeques and like to cook for a crowd? No worries - there are plenty of barbeques for big boys (and girls) available. You can pull out all the stops and get a 9 burner spit barbeque with a roasting hood, rotisserie, warming rack, gas fuel gauge and even a temperature gauge if you want to take the guesswork out of barbequing. Side burners and the latest thing - infrared rear burners - are also available on these barbeques.
How to Get What You Paid For
Needless to say, the more bells and whistles you get, the more you will pay for your BBQ. Most mid-range barbeques come with a roasting hood, some storage features, side trays and either casters or casters and wheels. These are the more costly extra features to look for:
• Rotisseries
• Fuel Gauges
• Temperature Gauges
• Infrared Rear Burners
Aside from these, the quality of construction and the materials used in the construction of barbeques will determine their cost. Many barbeques even in the under $1000 range will be of stainless steel construction, but if you're wondering why a cheap BBQ can boast being stainless steel, it is probably because of the gauge of stainless steel. Thinner stainless steel will not be as durable over the long haul as thicker stainless steel. Don't overlook porcelain enamel on mid-range barbeques. These can be longer wearing than stainless steel if the steel is of poorer quality.
You may have to do some digging to uncover all of the specs, but if you're looking for a barbeque that will go the distance, look for a model with a 304 gauge stainless steel frame and hood and cast iron cooking grills. Cast iron is becoming increasingly rare because it is becoming expensive to produce, but nothing beats it for heat retention and distribution. Cast iron adds the sizzle to steaks like nothing else.
Charcoal, Gas or Electric?
While some old-school outdoor chefs still cling to the idea that only charcoal barbeques are real barbeques, those who have turned to gas have never turned back. Gas is cleaner burning and arguably safer than charcoal and gives you total control. Most barbeques will take either LP (Liquid Petroleum) or NG (Natural Gas), but check the specs to be sure. There are very few electric element barbeques on the market and these are only on cheaper models, but many mid and high end models have electronic features and infrared rear burners that require a supply of electricity.
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