Barbecue

A barbecue enthusiast eager to make the most of your outdoor space? Discover our range of barbecues and planchas. There are several ways to fire up a barbecue (wood, charcoal, gas or electric).

Make your choice and, once your food is cooked, sit down at your garden dining set and enjoy the great outdoors.

Which barbecue should you choose?

Charcoal barbecue

The traditional fuel of choice for barbecuing, charcoal remains a popular option for all lovers of good food and long summer evenings in the garden. The smoke produced during charcoal barbecue cooking envelops the food, imparting a depth of flavour and character that only this method can achieve. Furthermore, charcoal barbecues are relatively straightforward to use, provided you can successfully light the charcoal. That said, a charcoal barbecue offers very little control over flame intensity, which means you must keep a constant eye on your food to prevent it from burning.

Gas barbecue

Gas barbecues are highly practical outdoor cooking appliances. They offer exceptional convenience, particularly thanks to their rapid ignition and ease of use. Unlike charcoal barbecues, they produce no smoke — a considerable advantage for those who wish to avoid the inconvenience that smoke can cause. Moreover, gas barbecues allow for much greater control over cooking temperature, and therefore over the way your meat is cooked.

When choosing a gas barbecue, several criteria should be taken into account, such as:

• The compatible gas type: most gas barbecues are compatible with both butane and propane gas.
• Size and design: depending on the space available and your requirements, you may opt for a compact model or a larger trolley barbecue.
• Accessories: certain models come equipped with additional grills, side burners or other features to enhance the cooking experience.

Pellet barbecue

The pellet barbecue takes its name from the fuel it uses: pellets, which are wood shavings sourced from sawmills and compressed into small granules. Much like a conventional oven, it allows you to set the temperature for a perfect cook: its fan and wide temperature range enable you to smoke as well as grill. Its pellet hopper automatically feeds the combustion chamber to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking of your meats and vegetables. What is more, certain connected models offer cooking assistance via a mobile app. Finally, its removable ash and grease collector makes it one of the easiest barbecues to maintain.

Electric barbecue

The electric barbecue stands out for its ease of use and versatility. Ideal for smaller spaces such as balconies or terraces, it requires neither charcoal nor gas — simply a power outlet. This makes it a highly practical choice, particularly in urban settings.

In terms of cooking quality, the latest models deliver performance comparable to that of traditional barbecues. They reach high temperatures quickly, allowing meat to be seared effectively whilst remaining beautifully juicy. Furthermore, certain models feature adjustable thermostats, offering greater control over the cooking process and ensuring consistently excellent results. Maintaining an electric barbecue is equally effortless. Most components, such as the grill and heating element, are removable and easy to clean.

Kamado barbecue

The Kamado is a type of charcoal barbecue of Japanese origin, instantly recognisable by its distinctive egg shape. Its ceramic construction retains heat exceptionally well, whilst its ventilation system creates a constant airflow that stokes the coals, giving you precise control over the cooking of your food. It is equally suited to grilling, smoking or roasting your meats and vegetables.

Barbecue or plancha?

The plancha, for its part, is a cooking method originating from Spain, in which food is cooked on a flat plate heated to a high temperature. All food placed on the plate is cooked evenly, with no variation in temperature across different areas of the surface, as can sometimes occur with a traditional barbecue.

Just as with a barbecue, you can cook a wide variety of foods on a plancha, whether meat, vegetables, fish or even seafood. However, unlike a charcoal barbecue, a plancha can be used both outdoors and indoors, which is particularly useful in inclement weather.

Barbecue or fire pit?

The difference between a traditional barbecue and a fire pit is minimal when it comes to cooking. The distinction becomes apparent when considering versatility of use. Indeed, a barbecue can only be used for cooking your meats and vegetables, whereas a fire pit can also serve as an excellent source of warmth during your outdoor evenings. However, this particular feature means that its cooking grill sits relatively low, which may present some difficulties when cooking — especially if you suffer from back pain.