British BBQ Society Forums

Hi all! I've been reading the forum for some time now and as I have a few specific questions thought I'd join up

It's only January I know but I'm planning this years "summer" barbecuing already. Now having had several, ranging from a crappy Weber kettle barbecue to a rather expensive cast iron job, I'm still not happy with my equipment and I'm looking for feedback on pre-cast barbecues.

I've used them on holiday and my parents had one before they emigrated some years ago and I've always preferred them because of their ability to draw the smoke up the chimney. But here's the thing, £500+ is a lot to get it wrong (again).

I'm looking at something like this: http://www.planetbarbecue.co.uk/sfteneredlarge.htm and at the very least want to have a rotisserie for slow cooking joints of meat etc. It also has to be wood compatible so we can use it as a heater as well.

Now, here's the killer, does anyone have any feedback on getting a door custom made for the front to also give me the option of using it as a smoker or would the design simply not lend itself to this?

Looking forward to your feedback and absolutely gagging for a bbq!

Thanks for the response Dr.

I'm thinking the biggest problem with getting a door on a pre-cast will be keeping a good seal on it. I can use fire-rope around the edge and apply pressure to the fixing but I doubt that's gonna last.

This is definitely something that I'll work on over time so won't be a deal breaker for the actual BBQ, any more feedback on the pre-cast ones? Worth the money long term, or just a rip off?

Like I said I've used one before but only very briefly. I suppose my ultimate aim is to have something "built in" so in that sense they fit the bill.

The biggest problem you will find is they are designed to be used as a grill and the open area looks quite shallow so not only do you have to think about a door but a baffle of some sort between the coals and food. My family has a place in spain and these are on pretty every veranda, normally with "literally" the kitchen sink next to it. If you list exactly what you want to cook, and styles, maybe there will be a few other suggestions to look into.

Based on the luck we had this weekend can I suggest you spend a while with a charcoal BBQ sited in different areas of your garden to see what havoc and mayhem the different wind directions will have on your cooking before committing to a fixed site