Black Friday sales are well underway and competition to grab your cash is strong. Many retailers are already offering discounts on a wide range of products including barbecues and grill accessories, with more deals expected to come this Friday 29 November and over the weekend leading up to Cyber Monday.
CHOICE experts test a range of the latest barbecues on the market each year, and unsurprisingly we typically see new models released ahead of the Australian summer around September and the beginning of October.
Retailers are unlikely to discount the newest barbecue models in this week's sales, instead using Black Friday and Cyber Monday as an opportunity to discount and get rid of older stock.That doesn't mean that there aren't some good deals to be found. There are plenty of older models of barbecues that performed well in our testing and are decent buys if you can pick them up at discounted prices.
But, no matter what you're shopping for, CHOICE experts advise you to do your research and compare the deals on offer to ensure you're not being offloaded a dud product and that you're genuinely getting a good deal.
Some Black Friday barbecue deals we have spotted:
- Weber is offering 10-15% off selected barbecues plus free delivery on eligible Black Friday orders, direct from their website.
- Barbecues are amongst the products discounted by major retailers including Harvey Norman, Appliances Online, The Good Guys, Myer and Bing Lee.
- Specialist barbecue retailers such as Barbeques Galore are offering discounts of up to 50% off a range of barbecues, pizza ovens and accessories.
- Beefeater Barbecues is offering 15% off barbecue accessories and spare parts when you order directly from their website, and free delivery.
Expert advice on buying a barbecue in the Black Friday sales
CHOICE experts suggest that when you're shopping around for deals, don't always go for the biggest barbecues, as they may not be best suited to your needs. And our experts also say you should focus more on the type and quality of the barbecue you're looking for – not just the price.
"Decide which barbecue will best suit your lifestyle and your outdoor space before you start shopping," says CHOICE kitchen expert, Fiona Mair.
We sometimes find that even though big barbecues have larger hotplates, there are whole areas that are not heated effectively
CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair
"Big four-burner barbecues can be great if you have a large outdoor covered area and entertain a lot, but they're often bulky and difficult to manouevre. In our testing we find that smaller hooded barbecues are generally more efficient and easier to maintain.
"Just because a barbecue is bigger, doesn't mean it will cook better or more evenly – we sometimes find that even though big barbecues have larger hotplates, there are whole areas that are not heated effectively by burners so won't cook the food.
"Look for barbecues with burners that run the full length of the cooking plates to avoid cold spots."
Best barbecue brands and setting your budget
On the topic of price, Fiona says you generally get what you pay for, with cheaper barbecues unlikely to go the distance because of poor-quality materials and flimsy fixtures.
"It's worth paying a little more for a quality barbecue from a good brand that will last many seasons," says Fiona.
"It doesn't have to be the biggest, it just has to be made of quality materials, including things like cast-iron cooking plates, stainless steel burners and a stable enamel-coated hood – all of this will contribute to a barbecue's longevity and performance."
It's worth paying a little more for a quality barbecue from a good brand that will last many seasons
"We see lots of barbecues come through our labs that retail on the cheaper side and you can tell – they have a thin metal hood, lightweight cooking plates or flimsy side tables and are usually difficult to assemble. You may find they only last you one season."
The larger barbecues in our latest review that come recommended by CHOICE experts start from around $900 but there are plenty that cost well over $1000. Based on test results and feedback from CHOICE members on satisfaction and reliability, brands such as Weber and Beefeater rate well against our strict criteria, whereas brands such as Jumbuck (exclusive to Bunnings) have below average test scores, and reliability and satisfaction results.
Remember to budget for accessories
If you are looking to buy a smaller portable barbecue for a balcony or for camping, for example, allow room in your budget to purchase a trolley or a cart for easy mobility. You may also like to consider extra accessories such as a hotplate and a barbecue cover, to keep it protected from the elements.
If you're heading in store for Black Friday sales, it's a great time to bargain with salespeople to see if they'll throw in extra accessories for a bundle price.
Tips to save money on a new barbecue in the Black Friday sales
- Buy once, buy well. Do your research (start with CHOICE reviews and our barbecue buying guide) to sort the best buys from the barbecues that will disappoint. Ensure you understand the type of barbecue you're after – a gas, electric, charcoal or smoker – before you start shopping, as they can come at quite different price points. If you're never going to spend hours smoking a brisket, there's no need to fork out a premium for this type of barbecue.
- Don't go too large. There's no point dropping loads of money on a barbecue that's too big for your outdoor space – and if you don't have a good cover or somewhere undercover to store it, it won't go the distance. Measure the space you have before you start shopping.
- Ask for (more) discounts on older models. Retailers may want to offload older stock – there's no harm in asking if the advertised price is the best they can do.
- Look for bonus add-ons such as free delivery and accessories. Does the barbecue come with an added trolley or cover, and can the retailer throw in free delivery (or potentially take away your old barbecue? Retailers such as Barbeques Galore and Appliances Online offer this service).
- Don't forget to account for ongoing fuel cost in your budget. The cost of charcoal and pellets can really add up so ensure you're aware of this before you buy.
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
