Hi - I'm in the market for a new BBQ. It seems like the Weber Family Q is still the default purchase (in OzBargain circles as well as general public). Should I continue to do research or is there 'nothing more to see here'?
I am more of a fan of traditional, rectangular BBQs and so was considering the BeafEater 1200 series - interested in people's thoughts and experiences with either this or the Weber.
Thanks!
Agree. If you need more grilling area and/or desire a sear burner go for a Genesis. I often do racks of pork ribs which need plenty of space. Family Q is 2535 cm², smallest Genesis 3310 cm². I purchased my Genesis in 1992, acquired a another one years later for $100 to scavenge the burners, still in regular service with no rational need to replace/upgrade. I upgraded the flavorizer bars to stainless and replaced the gas igniter once.
Q brah
Very versitile, very easy to clean, no flare ups.. My Weber Family Q was the best purchase I made about 3 years ago!
could at least tell us how often you bbq, and what you are going to cook with it. and budget. how many you cook for. shez.
1-2 times per week, mainly chicken fillets, steaks and vegies and the BeafEater is ~$1k so happy to spend up to this or fraction more - does this help?
If you're gonna use it once a month, just get a portable BBQ with a 4kg gas cylinder
Isn't that exactly what a Family Q is?
That comes with the whole stand and bench and everything. I was referring to the ones you can carry around without the extras.
Weber Q - have had mine for 10 years, still goes strong. Probably used about 6-10 times a year and stays outside.
Should be able to pick one up off gumtree cheap.
BBQs are one of the things so many people buy and never use. You can easily pick one up for cheap on Gumtree or FB Marketplace, or a local garage sale.
Not a non charcoal weber.
Make sure you get the new model.
Buy the Q. It's great. I have the large family Q and the small one for camping.
yes, just do yourself a favor and grab a premium model Q with high lid and thermometer
Yep.. get the Q. Was in David Jones the other day and they were going for 50% off to make way for the new model.
Have a family Q. It’s great for roasts etc. not as good for grilling sausages. We use the Q for most cooking while camping. At home use the rectangular plate BBQ as it has a bigger plate and better for cooking for a group. If we want a summer time roast (Christmas) I’ll drag the Q out
I regret my Weber q after having a Ziggy, wish I had just bought the bigger Ziggy.
We had a Family Q natural gas and it was great. Then we moved and needed a bottle gas BBQ. We got a Weber Spirit II instead and it's basically got all the good points of the Family Q but better. Bigger grilling area. More flexible burner placement. Flavourizer bars. Warming rack. Bottle scale tells when nearly empty. Thermometer on the lid. Meat sensor probes option. Better side trays and cover. IMO it's a no brainer.
I have a Blackstone 2-burner hot plate-style griddle BBQ from Bunnings ($449). In my view it is much better than Webber, generates heaps of heat, easy to clean. there are loads of reviews about it on YouTube. Bunnings also sells a high-end version of it for $849 with a built-in air fryer. I regret not getting that.
$449
https://www.bunnings.com.au/blackstone-on-the-go-2-burner-ga…
$849
https://www.bunnings.com.au/blackstone-2-burner-hooded-gridd…
All webers are great including the Q. I’ve had the genesis for almost 15 years and it’s amazing how it cooks and retains flavour. The Q is ideal if the size suits you.
If you're near Glen Waverly, check out
Outdoors Domain - Melbourne Store & Showroom
28 Lionel Rd, Mount Waverley VIC 3149.
They are an importer and have a large range of BBQ's/Pellet burners etc. New and seconds.
I bought a "Broil King" from them a few months ago. It's a very good BBQ
We have Weber Family Q and have had it for a number of years. We have had 2 issues and Weber have sent replacements no questions asked. One was recent and we've had the thing for years.
They made some changes since we got ours. We bought the new mobile one for our son and wife. It's good if you are going to get out and about. Not so good if you want to do the roasts and things utilising the hood. Their lid is not very deep. After all it has to collapse and can be taken in the car very easily.
I would suggest it depends on what you want to do with it. If you want some alternatives, ask a South African BBQ foodie. My dil is from there and her Dad had plenty of recommendations - many of which cost so much here or were not available. BBQ'S are an important part of life there and if there is a major event, then there is a BBQ happening!
If you do go Weber, then don't OZBargain it. Go to the official Weber distributor. Yes, you can get them cheaper elsewhere or the same price. However, they differ. The main advantage is the temperature gauge in the hood. So useful, especially if you do other things like cakes, pizza etc. . Secondly, our store gives us a lifetime of discounts on any Weber purchases there forever (only that store). They also have the details of our purchases, so they can be sure your accessory choice is right. They know and use the products, so their advice is supreme. Try getting all that at BunningS OR elsewhere.
A Weber is the same no matter where you buy it so no need to go to a specialized store. Spares are readily accessible and available to anyone and they only have a handful of models.
Only the ones from the Weber stores have the high lid and thermometer. They make a big difference.
The reason you buy a Weber is the availability of spare parts.
99% of other barbecues - as soon as anything breaks on it, the entire BBQ is dead because you can't get spare parts for it.
Hey @Armadeal, what did you end up going with?
I'm now in the same situation so wondering which one to get.
Had family recommend the Ziggy Brown bbq too.
I actually went with the BeafEater 1600 series in the end, got an insane deal on a floor stock model. Really like it so far and fits our space perfectly
If you get the weber get the light, also buy the weber scrapper thing, it looks useless but actually works well.
In my opinion, a Weber Gensis is such a leap from the Weber Q. Never looked back from a Weber Q, however if I had to choose, the Genesis just performs so much better. Your space will dictate however religiously covering you BBQ is a must and the secret to longevity. Even if under cover, put a cover on it.
Weber higher series like spirit, genesis etc fit this category.
I have a spirit and no issues with it