Once upon a time, there weren’t that many BBQs to choose from! Now there are so many different types and models - with an array of extra features, buying a new one can be bewildering.

Charcoal vs gas, or electric? The first thing to decide upon is your fuel. If you live in an apartment complex that bans smoke on balconies, you will have to go electric. The pros are you never run out of gas - but with no open flame, can it really be called barbecuing? Most of us get to choose between gas or charcoal - and the choice really comes down to convenience vs taste. Gas just turns on, no messy ashes to clean up and gas models offer lots of features, like wok cooking. Charcoal lovers claim this fuel offers a much better taste and smokey, moist food. However it’s debatable as some taste tests say there’s little difference. Want the best of both worlds? The latest charcoal gas grills use gas to light the charcoal.

What type of barbecue? Portable, flat-top, hooded, built-in, modular - prices vary from $50 to well over $10,000.

Portable models are ideal for balcony cooking, camping or picnics. A detachable stand or table-top is best. A flat-top barbecue is the traditional Aussie basic BBQ, ideal for sausages, steaks etc, usually complete with legs. Increasingly popular is the moveable hooded barbecue on a cart, which means you can roast, cook pizza etc as the hood creates an oven effect. Rotisseries are usually an added accessory. A built-in model is usually just a hooded barbecue with no cart - you build the unit into a fixed outdoor cooking bench. The latest BBQ extravaganzas are expensive modular units - usually stainless steel - that come with sink, storage, food fridge, wine cooling and prep table matching units. Basically with a modular barbecue, you are building your kitchen outdoors and you will pay for the privilege.

Barbecue basics There’s nothing quite like inconvenience to dampen the thrill of the grill so think about the following before you buy:

Charcoal barbecue buying tips They’re relatively inexpensive, made from steel with a baked-on porcelain-enamel finish. They need a heavy charcoal grate and a deep, easy-to-remove ash catcher for a quick clean-up. Look for a hinged cooking rack so that you can add more charcoal. Portables need a locking lid for transporting.

Gas barbecue buying tips Sturdy steel construction with baked-on porcelain-enamel finish. If you are buying stainless steel, check the gauge is OK. Choose two separate burners each with controls so that you don’t have to heat the whole cooking plate. Some come with enamel-coated burners to prevent them from corroding. Burners come with different outputs of megajoules which determines the amount of heat in the barbecue.

Environmental concerns Electric grills are best option with no open flame, gas grills use propane or natural gas - less noxious than charcoal beads which are the worst environmentally with their smoke and lighter fluid fumes. You can get rid of the latter with a gas ignitor to start the coals.

Give it the shake test…in the showroom, before you buy. Generally speaking, too much horizontal movement is a sign of a poorly built frame with insufficient materials used to cut costs.

Find barbecues on Lasoo.