Dumping and buying a BBQ in Melbourne

[Pat Churchill]

OK. Silly stuff. I'm a Kiwi living for 3-4 years in Melbourne. We want to buy a new barbecue because our rented accommodation has a pathetically stupid little Smeg oven (the owners spent megabucks on a renovation and bought this minute wall oven which was totally inadequate last Christmas. Even the turkey was a struggle).

I have decided to buy a decent hood-style BBQ to compensate this Xmas.

I need help - what's a good one to buy? Any recommendations?

Also, how do I go about dumping the one we have? In NZ I would call the Sallies (Salvos) who would relieve me of it. Or there I could dismantle it and take it to the tip or even give it away. I don't even know where the tips are in Melbourne. And the Oz rubbish disposal bureaucracy is a bit of a mystery.

It's a 3-burner so it's not small.

Any guidance more than welcome! I live in Albert Park.

Cheers

[The Chefs Office]

Well, I guess true Aussie style to wheel it up to the closest park at around midnight night and dump it.

8+)

Check with your local council, they often (a few times a year) have big item dump days where you can leave it on the foot path and it will be carted.

You can tell these days because there are mountains of crap on the footpath in every neighbourhood.

I'm buying a Hibachi this weekend!

[Pat Churchill]

Well, I guess true Aussie style to wheel it up to the closest park at around midnight night and dump it.

8+)

I'm buying a Hibachi this weekend!

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Let me know how the test drive goes!

[PCL]

Pat,

Call your local council and ask when the next 'hard rubbish' day is. You'll need to dismantle the gas bottle from the unit. You can probably take the bottle to your local 'servo' or petrol station to some, and exchange it for a new unit. Conversely, ring the salvos and they might want to pick it up. Otherwise, there is a collection centre in Victoria St, Richmond, not far from Albert Park, or even in St Kilda somewhere.

Also, I feel I should elaborate... a Hibachi is not a hooded unit, in fact, its just a generic name for a coal fired (either real coal, or briquettes) unit made of steel generally, with a grill on top. It's a Japanese term.

If you're after a BBQ unit, go to Meyer or David Jones. Sounds a little counter intuitive when there are things are Ray's Outdoors and BBQ Galore shops littered across the Nepean Hwy (also not far from Albert Park) but I've found that after sales service from those places are crap and Meyer or David Jones will do a price match in any case.

Finally, for choice of unit, for me, I'd go for a Weber. If too pricey, the Beefmaster range produces solid results.

[Pat Churchill]

Also, I feel I should elaborate... a Hibachi is not a hooded unit, in fact, its just a generic name for a coal fired (either real coal, or briquettes) unit made of steel generally, with a grill on top. It's a Japanese term.

If you're after a BBQ unit, go to Meyer or David Jones. Sounds a little counter intuitive when there are things are Ray's Outdoors and BBQ Galore shops littered across the Nepean Hwy (also not far from Albert Park) but I've found that after sales service from those places are crap and Meyer or David Jones will do a price match in any case.

Finally, for choice of unit, for me, I'd go for a Weber. If too pricey, the Beefmaster range produces solid results.

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Thanks for the pointers. PCL. Yes, I was having a brain-in-neutral over the hibachi. My first BBQ was a little Japanese hibachi. Only about 35x35cms but it was efficient. Had to get something bigger when the kids came along.

I had a Weber but gave it to sister-in-law when we left NZ. It was excellent for doing the Christmas lamb. Never had better. But I was useless at lighting it and we ended up with the current gas bbq. I've seen photos of people using them in the snow in the US!

You mention after-sales service - we bought an outdoor table from a BBQ place at Moorabbin. They delivered the wrong one TWICE - square instead of rectangular. And when we eventually got the right one the clips to hold the top onto the legs were on the wrong corners. Eventually a man came out with the right tools to fix it. So I wouldn't be holding my breath over service! And the sofa we ordered from Myer in September didn't arrive till February...

Cheers

[Taubear]

I just bought one of these last weekend from BBQ's Galore. It has enamel plates which are easier to maintain and won’t go rusty. I paid $800 and it has a 10 year guarantee and it cooks beautifully. I have cooked a traditional BBQ, roast chicken and pork all of which have been cooked to perfection. I initially went into the store to buy a Webber but decided that it was not as convenient as a gas BBQ with a hood. It has options to add a wok element on the side as well as a rotisserie option.

http://www.barbequesgalore.com.au/products...productid=17298

[Pat Churchill]

I just bought one of these last weekend from BBQ's Galore. It has enamel plates which are easier to maintain and won’t go rusty. I paid $800 and it has a 10 year guarantee and it cooks beautifully. I have cooked a traditional BBQ, roast chicken and pork all of which have been cooked to perfection. I initially went into the store to buy a Webber but decided that it was not as convenient as a gas BBQ with a hood. It has options to add a wok element on the side as well as a rotisserie option.

http://www.barbequesgalore.com.au/products...productid=17298

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Thanks for that. It looks pretty tidy and not too large. Is there room for stuff other than the gas bottle underneath? I see the sides fold down which is also useful and I like the idea of the enamel plates. The resident tong waver is a bit slack on the cleaning.

Cheers

[fou de Bassan]

I love our Weber. The web site for australia is www.weberbbq.com.au. The site is pretty navigable. Let us know what you get.

If your municipal hard refuse collection is a while off, check with a local charity to see if they need it. Clubs like the the Lions are always having sausage sizzles. They'll probably be thrilled to pick it up.

[Taubear]

[PCL]

The Webber hooded gas fired units rock.