The BBQ is the leading lady and my Med Garden is the stage for my new outdoor kitchen in 2024!
In this blog I share my outdoor kitchen design ideas, and what I have learned about what to look for in a BBQ - Plus, my review of the current BBQ market.
As you may recall from my Med Garden Planning 2024 blog earlier this year, one of my home & garden improvement goals this year is to create an outdoor kitchen space in my garden.
When I bought my Med Home 5 years ago, my lovely Dad bought me a BBQ as a house warming gift. As a child, one of my favourite summer rituals was standing beside Dad at the BBQ as he cooked our burgers and German sausages to perfection.
I’ve put the BBQ to good use in my Med Garden. As you know from my Med Food & Recipes blogs, my Med Diet taste has turned to less red meat and more fish and veg - which are dreamy when smoked on the BBQ. In the scorching hot summers in the Med, I try not to use my kitchen at all inside the house - for fear of heating up the house that I work very hard to keep cool in the 40°C heat.
I had the BBQ in a slightly awkward place, down some steps and under a tree. At the time, it was the only place I could find close enough to the kitchen and shaded. It was by no means an outdoor kitchen, just the BBQ under a tree.
As I have been developing my Med Garden, I have spotted a space that would be perfect for a more elaborate outdoor kitchen - where the BBQ will be the leading lady, she will have a chorus line of al fresco cooking accessories, and a beautiful herb garden as the stage.
Sadly the BBQ that Dad bought me is now grilled out after 5 years.
As I plan my outdoor kitchen, I have been touring the BBQ market to find my new perfect grill.
I have to say, What’s going on with the price of BBQs in 2024?
BBQs that were €350-€500 five years ago, are now €1000 and on the higher end, BBQs that were €1000 five years ago are now between €3000-€5000 - come on! Is it high demand or low supply? Are outdoor kitchens becoming the new kitchen :)
Not one to be easily discouraged I’ve been doing my research, and I've made my new BBQ selection for my outdoor kitchen design! And the Winner is... Read on !
Outdoor Kitchen Design Ideas & Planning
Simple is beautiful.
I love to cook, and so for the long al fresco dining season in the Med, I want to bring my kitchen outside.
My Med Style outdoor kitchen design will be simple and beautifully blend into my Med Garden - I want uncomplicated DIY to start enjoying it right away! My simple design includes: the BBQ with an outdoor countertop for food prep, a constructed pergola for shade, and a small bistro table for friends to join in. I am planning an elaborate herb garden around the outdoor kitchen for easy access while cooking.
Choosing Your Outdoor Kitchen Spot
There is a spot in my garden at the side of the house - on the other side of the kitchen actually - where I planted a row of Jacaranda trees when I moved in. Because I love Jacaranda trees, and to provide shade to the terrace and bedrooms on that side, which faces west - so HOT HOT HOT afternoon sun.
After 5 years since planting, the Jacaranda trees are beginning to mature and provide some shade. There is also a good amount of garden space there. That’s when it hit me - garden space next to kitchen, now with emerging shade - the perfect Outdoor Kitchen spot!
While the Jacarandas are growing nicely, there is not yet enough shade to cover an outdoor kitchen. In addition, this spot is vulnerable to the high winds that come from the north-west. So while I wait patiently for the Jacarandas to grow, and to ensure that my BBQ doesn’t take flight in high winds, I have decided to construct a small pergola over the outdoor kitchen, with a wind barrier at the back.
Leveraging the Garden Space
As I have some space, I will also plant an elaborate herb garden around the outdoor kitchen. What can be better than the smell of rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, cilantro and basil while at the grill? And of course, easy access to pinch and add to grilled fish, veg and meats.
Outdoor Kitchen Design
I did some research on Pinterest (photos in this blog) and found that I really liked the outdoor kitchen designs that are just the BBQ and an outdoor countertop - simple, functional, beautiful - and can be enabled DIY!
The BBQ will be the central feature with an outdoor kitchen countertop next to it. For the outdoor countertop, my idea is to put a 1 metre Churrasqueira bottom next to the BBQ which will blend well into the surroundings - and is easy to assemble.
For the pergola, my idea is to construct in wood in 2 dimensions - a back side and a roof. The design will be modern, vertically arranged wood (photo below) with equal open space between - and the same for the pergola roof. I will paint it white. I can already imagine some beautiful bougainvillea climbers filling in the spaces between the wood.
Finally, I will add a small bistro table with chairs for guests to join in - and as an additional food prep spot.
Et voila, simple, modern and elegant outdoor kitchen design - that will be straightforward DIY.
What to Look For in a BBQ
Grill
Size
Side Burner
Cover
Accessories
Warranty
Budget
1. The Grill
Naturally our eye is initially drawn to the aesthetic of the BBQ - how it looks. Stainless steel, black, coloured - modern, traditional, elaborate, simple.... This is important for outdoor kitchen design - however, even more important for quality food and cooking - Look under the hood! What will you be grilling on?
In my research on BBQs in the market in 2024, I found cast iron grills, stainless steel grills, ceramic grills - and beware, some grills are painted to look like cast iron… red flag! See my reviews below for more on grills.
Essentially, the grill material is the most important part. For cooking, cast iron, stainless steel and ceramic are the only safe way to cook food. More on BBQ grill types here.
2. Size
The size of your BBQ - or number of grills - depends on your intended use. They come in 1, 2 or 4 grill sizes. I love to cook and entertain, so I am looking for the 4 grill size.
3. Side Burner
It may look gimmicky at first, but the side burner on a BBQ is actually brilliant! I have had 2 BBQs with a side burner and I really use it a lot. If I’m outside cooking, why run to the kitchen to boil something? I have even done risottos outside on that side burner!
4. Accessories
Many BBQ companies will try to sell you on their various BBQ accessories - poultry rotisserie, pizza oven, smoker, etc.
I have been BBQ-ing for 20years and I have been able to achieve all of these effects without the accessories, just the BBQ grill.
The one exception for gas BBQs is the smoker. As you will see in my BBQ reviews below, my go-to is a gas vs. charcoal BBQ. Back in the day, we used to add volcanic rocks to the gas BBQ to capture the drippings and make more smoke, for that charcoal flavour. Now, there are smoker boxes for gas BBQs where you add wet wood chips for the same effect. This is the only BBQ accessory that I will add.
For pizza - I throw it right on the grill with amazing results.
For poultry - again right on the grill - or for slow cooking wrapped in foil or a ceramic dutch oven, on the grill.
Beware of the BBQ accessories trap!
5. BBQ Cover
As it is outside, a very good idea is a quality BBQ cover.
Usually the ones that come with the BBQ are super thin - and do not last even one season under the hot sun in the Med.
Investing in a good BBQ cover - thick and white (to deflect the sun) - will save the wear and tear BBQ.
6. Warranty
The warranty, in my research, is the key indicator of quality and price of your BBQ - how long it will last.
Warranties for BBQs range from lifetime to 3years.
Before you say, "well, lifetime for sure”, beware - This will cost you the same amount as a used car!
Warranty is important. But, it all depends on what you want to spend for your BBQ.
Also important to note is that many times the warranty is only good if the manufacturer or authorised dealer installs the BBQ for you. If you decide to install your BBQ yourself, your lifetime warranty could be nil.
7. Budget
Key to choosing your perfect BBQ is your budget. How much do you want to spend on a BBQ?
You can find quality at all prices as you will see in my BBQ reviews below.
Types of BBQs
Gas - charcoal - or wood?
Traditionally, BBQs were fuelled by burning wood, which turned into hot coals, or charcoal. Then, you could buy charcoal, pre-burned. And finally, gas fuelled heat.
My preference is gas for BBQs. It is what I grew up with in Canada. And, it is the healthier option. Gas BBQs are faster to heat up, and don’t infuse your food with hot coal.
The argument for charcoal grills is usually the smoked flavour. However, as mentioned above, you can now add wet wood chip smoker boxes to gas grills.
Wood burning BBQs are still quite popular in the Med - the Brazilian BBQ for example, or Churrasqueira. With the Churrasqueira you actually burn the wood into coals before cooking. This can take some time. But if it is tradition you are looking for…
My Review of the 2024 BBQ Market
Designer
Ready-to-wear
Vintage
Full disclosure, when I went looking for a new BBQ, my heart was set on a Weber. Growing up in Canada, they have been the BBQ brand of note for as long as I can remember. And, it is what we always had growing up.
What I learned in my research, is that just like other designer brands. Weber has become a luxury BBQ brand. You can find many ready-to-wear BBQs that incorporate similar features, without paying for the brand.
Finally, living the Med, we cannot discount the traditional Churrasqueira.
My reviews are categorised by Designer, Ready-to-Wear, and Vintage - with focus on gas BBQs with 4 grills.
DESIGNER
WEBER I 12year warranty
Weber BBQs are definitely quality. They don’t come with a lifetime guarantee, but 12 years is pretty substantial. Also, their grills are cast iron. Many chefs swear by cast iron grills.
The cast iron grills are the stand out feature in my view. The whole structure of the Weber BBQ is solid. I couldn’t image it tipping over in our Med tropical storms.
However, a Weber gas BBQ model with 4 grills was about €1000 when I looked at it 5years ago - and now it is €3000-€5000 depending on which size you choose.
The price was a show stopper for me - definitely not ready to spend €3000-€5000 on a BBQ.
BROIL KING I 15year warranty
Canadian brand - now popular in Spain and Portugal
Although I am Canadian, I had never heard of the BBQ brand Broil King, before my research. They are a 40 year old Canadian BBQ company.
Broil King BBQs have many similar features to Weber. Cast iron grills, very solid structure. And the price is in the same range. They do top Weber on the warranty by 3 years. Broil King comes with a 15 year warranty.
Given the exceptional quality, the price of the Broil King 4 burner gas grill was also a no-go for me due to the price.
BIG GREEN EGG I Lifetime warranty
If you are in the market for a BBQ, you will likely come across the Green Egg.
It is a charcoal BBQ with ceramic grills that is in the shape of an Egg.
It is beautiful, and the very healthy ceramic grills are impressive. However, also a designer brand. The technology actually belongs to the Kamado style of BBQ - which originated in Asia.
Green Egg claims exceptional cooking and smoking quality. The price is also in the high end - €2000-€5000 - so out of my league on price, and not sold on charcoal vs. gas.
READY-TO-WEAR
So with the designer BBQ brands out of my price range - I went looking for similar qualities, with more ready-to-wear prices. I quickly narrowed the fleet down to two:
CAMPINGAZ I 5 year warranty
Campingaz is the brand of BBQ that my Dad bought me 5 years ago. It is a popular French brand in Europe. It is a solid BBQ with cast iron grills - and it was Dad “master of the BBQ” approved.
I was totally happy with my Campingaz grill for 5 years. However, it did break down after 5 years. The structure was clearly not as solid as the more expensive designer brand BBQs.
In my research of 2024 BBQs, Campingaz 4 grill gas BBQ had the most similar features to Weber, and with a ready-to-wear price tag.
The grills are quality cast iron, not painted; it is more solid than competitors in the same price range; and has a side burner!
NATERIAL I 3-year warranty
Natural BBQs are easy to find, it is the brand of the popular DIY store in the Med, Leroy Merlin. The BBQs look really beatiful. Stainless steel, many accessories, ready-to-wear price… but beware, under the hood, the grills are painted.
I was actually considering the Naterial BBQ, along with Campingaz, mostly for the price and aesthetic. Until I looked under the hood and saw painted grills. I was not willing to cook food on painted grills. Also, the structure was noticeably less sturdy than Campingaz. Just lifting the hood you could feel the lack of gravitas.
VINTAGE
Being new to the Med, I was curious about the local tradition of BBQ-ing, Churrasqueira BBQs.
When I bought my Med Home, it had 3 different Churrasqueira BBQs. One in the house - actually it was the kitchen - one on the terrace, and one by the pool.
Not familiar with this method of BBQ-ing, I was happy with my Dad’s gifted gas BBQ that I was used to.
I was curious about the history of Churrasqueira. I learned that it dates back to pre-colonial times in the Americas. The Brazilian method included slow grilling salted meat over a wood fire. This method made its way back to Europe and is popular in Spain and Portugal.
The Churrasqueira BBQ is a simple structure of brick or concrete - it looks like a pizza oven - with a shelf for firing the wood into charcoal, a shelf below for storing the wood, and a chimney for smoke.
You can find Churrasqueira BBQ assembly parts at Leroy Merlin.
MORE REVIEWS
If you are interested in more reviews of 2024 BBQs - here are some links to reviews I considered in my research as well.
And the Winner is…!
I chose the Campingaz 4 Series Premium S Gas BBQ for my new outdoor kitchen.
A Ready-to-Wear price with designer features. The cast iron grill is the feature that sold me. No other BBQs I saw in a similar price range had cast iron grills.
I enter into my BBQ purchase knowing from experience with this brand, that it will probably only last 5 years. However, 5 years of good grilling is more important to me at this point, vs. Taking out a mortgage to buy a lifetime BBQ.
My BBQ will arrive next week, and I am excited to get my Outdoor Kitchen plans into motion.
Share your outdoor kitchen ideas and BBQ favourites in the comments below!
Coming soon in a future blog: Ladies who Grill! Stay tuned…
Jade
Lewon
Med
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