New BBQ - Need advice!

[Jesterarts]

Hey guys,

Me and the missus are looking to buy a nice BBQ since we have some extra cash we got at our engagement party.

I've been looking around and I found one I really liked at BBQ's Galore.

Barbeques Galore - Products - Cordon Bleu Islands

Its a Cordon Bleu Islands BBQ, modular setup which has a 4 burner bbq, a wok side burner, a corner module with a bin and a tap/sink module that also had an extendable tap hose and teflon chopping board included.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this brand? I've been searching the web and not much in the way of reviews for them. There was one that said that it's good for roasting chicken but that was about it lol.

It seemed like a well finished anf solid product when I inspected it at the store, but due to my limited 'BBQ Knowledge' I was basically doing the BBQ equivelant of tyre kicking.

I've for a 2G absolute limit for this purchase is if anyone else knows of a decent setup of this sort, please share that.

[Troy711]

Only advise I can give is to make sure you thoroughly burn the plates off before you cook food on them. Get them as hot as possible, scrape them pretty hard and put some oil on them. Otherwise your meat will taste like shit first time around

[jakbob]

Bah! All you need is a bit of thick steel plate with steel pipe or rods welded on for legs and a fire underneath!

[VNexecutive]

Bah! All you need is a bit of thick steel plate with steel pipe or rods welded on for legs and a fire underneath!

wheres the "like" button when we need it. seconded!

howcome you want such an expensive barby? not having a go but i cant justify spending that much money on something you probably wont use that often. or you might, i wouldnt know i guess.

[maginoodle]

why dont you build something like this? I know it isnt finished, it will look heaps better once i do the front of the bonnet.

With all the types of cars you like i am sure you could find one you would like to do.
Doesnt have to be a front either, my last barbie was in the boot of an eh sedan.

[Trevor 062]

4 burners are the go, but I found unless the burners are close to the hot plate you need to have it on med - high serrings to maintain the heat ie uses a bit more gas & the side burner a bit of a waste, used mine like 3/4 times in 10 years, so if there's a cheaper one out there without the side burner go for that one.

[danja]

It's a BBQ, it's a metal plate/grill with fire underneath, there really isn't that much in it. You'd be mad to spend more than $800 IMO. Side burners are useful only if you plan to stir-fry in a wok, or to heat oil in a pan for making chips etc - they tend not to get used all that much, but depends on you really if you'll get value out of it.

You go into the BBQ shop and they'll sell you all the bridges in New York, but really to have a good BBQ all you need is fire, some metal, and a pair of tongs. And beer. Spend the other half of that $2,000 on beer, it'll be more worth it

[Jesterarts]

Yeah, the side burner and sink are mainly for the missus as she wants them.

Yeah, it's alot of money to spend on a BBQ I know, but I love nothing more than throwin some snags, a couple steaks and some kebabs on a BBQ with a beer in one hand and tongs in the other... rain, hail or shine.

Plus I'm only 24 and still enjoy shiny things...

I've always wanted essentially an outdoor kitchen setup, and this is the first step... down the track I can buy a mini-fridge module too...

But yeah, I was mainly keen to heard if anyone has had experience with the brand as it seems to be a BBQ Galore in house brand. Looked good, good quality finish and seemed well built but I'm always keen to hear peoples experiences.

[mummbles]

Mate, I've had a couple of the Cordon Bleu range, and have recommended them to mates. Never had any isses with them. THey get good and hot quickly, and retain heat well.
Drop the side burner, they are a pain in the a$$ unless you cook with a wok alot. I'd rather have the extra bench space.
I've never had one *that* $$$ tho.
Enjoy it

btw. my current Cordon Bleu BBQ is 9 years old and still going strong. Needs new rock plates and burners tho.

[Jesterarts]

Ah brilliant, thats exactly what I wanted to hear!

Thanks mate!

[Jesterarts]

why dont you build something like this? I know it isnt finished, it will look heaps better once i do the front of the bonnet.
image
With all the types of cars you like i am sure you could find one you would like to do.
Doesnt have to be a front either, my last barbie was in the boot of an eh sedan.

Nice, that's pretty cool.

Main reason I'm not planning on building one is I don't really have the time or motivation.

Cool idea though.

[MasterOfReality]

One thing I found when I went shopping for bbq's was the thickness of the plates varied with cost. If the plates are too thin, then its shithouse.

Also, the cheap arse ones from bunnings don't cook evenly as I found out the other weekend when at a mates house.

I ended up with one from bbq galore, a 4 burner plus wok burner (the Beefmaster Premium) for $599 down from $799 as it was the previous years model.

The only downside is I had to go to 2 different franchises to get all the parts together for it but they threw in a case of beer with it

I couldn't really justify getting a bigger one with sink and taps, as the bbq sits in the entertainment area which is close to the kitchen anyway

[Jesterarts]

Ah K, yeah the plate on the one I'm looking at was very solid and seemed about average in terms of thickness....

Cool cool, might try and make time this weekend to go buy it now!!

Very excited!!!

[Jesterarts]

Ok, final questions. The cooktop on this BBQ is Matt Enamel Cast Iron.

How durable is that?

[acex1138]

Theres a guy who comes into my work who makes BBQ trailers out of ute's. He has a VE ute 4 burner barbie with fridge & keg holder / dispenser with foldout table and shade for $6000.

Could maybe get a VT one for $2000?

[coolngroovy]

IMHO......get a full plate.

Those charcol grills are junk!

[Jesterarts]

The one I'm looking is half/half.

I usually start my steaks off on the plate and then pop them on the grill for a minute or so a side.

Also I find I use the grill side more with fish so it's handy.

[Hotblack]

If u have a permenant place for it get it plumbed into the house gas supplie never run out then....

[Jesterarts]

Just a quick update... I GOT IT!

Got a good deal for it too, wrapped up in $1900 including the extra side burner and rotisserie, plus the bloke threw in some S/Steel BBQ tools and cleaning pack. Only thing I didn't get is a cover as they don't make then due to it being a modular thing.

Pix:

[one_and_only2004]

Oh my lord, it's like a mobile kitchen!

[illusionalvr]

feeling pretty insulted actually. thats how much my car is worth.

[quick308]

wow, they seem to get bigger and bigger these days, good choice on the stainless, looks good.

[ARATIC]

Wow nice ! I'm in the market for a BBQ at the moment too, although I'm not planning to spend quite as much

[danja]

That's not a BBQ, that's a kitchen unit on wheels!

[Jesterarts]

Thanks guys, yeah it's pretty good I have to admit.

PS, if anyone is looking to get a BBQ, I have to recommend BBQ Galore, they were very helpful, they knew their shit and they seemed to have fairly competitive prices.

Love the hooded BBQ though, cookes everything so evenly and nicely.