BBQ Buyer's Guide

Ready to ignite your grilling game? A BBQ isn't just a Kiwi backyard staple; it's your ticket to easy entertaining and delicious meals all summer long.

Whether you're a grill master or just starting out, the right BBQ can help you cook up tasty dishes and spend more time with friends and whānau outdoors.

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What size BBQ do I need?

Before firing up the grill, make sure you have the right BBQ for your space and crowd. Here's a quick guide to help you size things up:

How many people are you cooking for?

Couples or smaller families (2-3):

Go for a 2-burner BBQ — compact, efficient, and perfect for couples or small households.

Families of 4-5 people:

A 4-burner BBQ gives you room to cook mains and sides at once. Great for weeknight dinners and weekend feasts.

Large families or gatherings:

6-burner BBQ is your party powerhouse. Plenty of space to feed a crowd without breaking a sweat.

Consider your space:

Small or enclosed areas → Opt for a smaller BBQ to ensure proper ventilation and safe clearance from walls or flammable surfaces.
Spacious outdoor zones → You've got room to play! Choose a BBQ that suits your cooking style and entertaining needs.

Barbecue features

There are numerous types and features available. We're here to simplify the process and walk you through the key things to look for:

Burner count: more burners mean more cooking flexibility. Great for cooking multiple dishes at once.
Cooking surface area: choose a size that suits your household and how often you entertain.
Fuel type: decide between gas, charcoal, or hybrid, based on your flavour preference and convenience.
Build quality: look for durable materials that can handle the elements.
Extra features: think side burners, warming racks, rotisserie kits, and built-in thermometers for added versatility.

Check out our range of BBQs

Types of BBQs

Portable BBQs

Portable BBQs have become increasingly popular because they make it easy to cook a great meal on the go. They are a great choice due to their compact size and easy cleaning. Perfect for picnics, camping, or at home.

Flat top BBQs

A flat top is a BBQ with no lid or cover, a great option for cooking everything at once and the flat top creates an even cooking surface, which provides a reliable, great taste every time you cook.

Hooded BBQs

Hooded BBQs are a great all-around option because the hood traps the heat, giving your food more flavour, which is ideal for baking, roasting, steaming, or smoking.

Kettle BBQs

Charcoal provides a smoky flavour and the distinctive chargrilled quality of fire-cooked dishes. With a chimney starter and a high-quality grill, you can cook quickly or slow roast by banking coals. It demands effort but delivers captivating flavour and texture.

Harvey Norman BBQs

BBQs by fuel type

The most common fuel types used for barbecues are charcoal and gas. Charcoal is popular because of the smoky flavour it gives your food. Gas is favoured for speed and reaching higher temperatures.

Charcoal BBQs

For those who aren't in a hurry and happy to put more time into their cooking, a charcoal barbecue is for you.

Charcoal is ideal for achieving a rich, smoky, chargrilled flavour that comes from a longer cooking time, perfect for searing and charring.

While it is trickier to maintain and adjust the temperature, your patience will be rewarded with that unbeatable chargrilled flavour, melt-in-your-mouth food.

Check out our charcoal BBQs

Gas BBQs

One of the biggest advantages of a gas barbecue is that it heats up quickly, and you can easily adjust the temperature. With direct heat coming from the burners, your food will be more evenly cooked throughout.

Indirect cooking zones can also be set up by using either the warming racks or turning off one of the burners with the hood closed while grilling.

Check out gas BBQs

Combination BBQs

If you can't choose between charcoal or gas, or want to enjoy the best of both, gas/charcoal or gas/charcoal and smoker combo BBQs are the perfect solution.

These hybrid grills make it easy to switch between gas and charcoal grilling, as well as smoking meats, or even do all simultaneously.

Featured: Oklahoma Joe's Canyon charcoal/gas smoker & grill BBQ combo

Full outdoor BBQ kitchens

If you're serious about outdoor entertaining and cooking, a full outdoor BBQ kitchen will take you to the next level. Step up from a standalone grill into a dedicated outdoor chef's dream setup.

It's great for entertaining; allowing you to chat to guests while you wow them with your bbq skills. No more having to disappear inside, you can have everything in reach and ready to go. Best of all you can keep the mess outside, and the aromas wafting across to the neighbours instead of through the house.

Fully equipped with a prep area, sink, fridge, and BBQ, it offers everything you need to enjoy the day outdoors in the sun. Modules can be purchased separately, to build your outdoor kitchen your way.

Check out BBQ kitchens & accessories

BBQ type comparison

BBQ type	Fuel source	Cooking style	Best for	Highlights	Considerations
Gas BBQ	LPG or natural gas	Fast, even heat	Families, frequent use	Quick start, easy temperature control	Requires a gas bottle or connection
Charcoal BBQ	Briquettes or lump wood charcoal	Smoky, traditional char-grilled flavour	BBQ enthusiasts, flavour lovers	Rich flavour, high heat	Longer prep time, more cleanup
Portable BBQ	Gas or Charcoal	Compact, versatile	Camping, picnics, balconies	Lightweight, easy to transport	Smaller cooking surface
Combo BBQs (charcoal & gas)	Charcoal, wood pellets and gas	Slow cooking, smoky flavour	Smoking meats, low & slow fans	Great for smoking, consistent heat	Higher investment, but provides greater flexibility for BBQing
Full BBQ kitchens	Gas, electric	Multi-functional (grill, oven, sink, fridge)	Entertaining, large households, and outdoor chefs	All-in-one setup, premium features, built-in storage	Premium priced for built-in convenience, requires installation and a bigger space

What material should I look for?

The material of your BBQ affects its longevity, especially if kept outside or near the coast. For durability, consider rust-resistant options like porcelain enamel-coated cast iron, known for its exceptional durability and protection against the elements. In any case, a quality BBQ cover is recommended.

Barbecue accessories

Grill smarter, cleaner, and with more flavour. Harvey Norman offers a range of BBQ accessories, including wood pellets, charcoal, basting spoons, cleaning brushes, and tongs, as well as rib racks, BBQ covers, and outdoor BBQ kitchen modules with sinks and prep tables to enhance your outdoor cooking experience.

Check out BBQ accessories

Speciality option: pizza oven

Bring authentic wood-fired flavour home! A dedicated pizza oven isn't just for pizza night. It's a versatile cooking appliance that can roast vegetables, bake bread, sear steaks and delight your guests. Our latest pizza oven features a 360° rotating base for a much more even, crispy pizza crust.

Check out our range of pizza ovens

BBQ cleaning tips: keep your grill in top shape

Cleaning your barbecue immediately after use helps it perform well and prolongs its lifespan. Here's a step-by-step guide to make it easy:

Turn off and check
- Switch off your gas BBQ and disconnect the hose.
- Take a moment to inspect the hose for any cracks or leaks.
Let it cool
- Wait until the grills and hotplates are cool to the touch before cleaning.
Remove and scrape
- Take out the drip tray and scrape off any fat using a metal BBQ scraper.
- Wipe down surfaces with BBQ wipes to remove leftover residue.
Soak and scrub
- Place grills and hotplates in a bucket of hot, soapy water.
- Scrape off remaining grease, then use a metal scourer for a deep clean.
Dry and protect
- Dry everything with paper towels.
- Lightly spray with cooking oil to prevent rust.
- Reassemble your BBQ, ready for next time!
Store it
- Keep your BBQ in a weather-protected spot like a shed or garage.
- Use a BBQ cover for extra protection.
- Before your next cook-up, give it a quick dust-off.