Firing up the big barbecue

Our guide to barbecues

We can distinguish between several basic types of barbecue - traditional charcoal, electric and gas. When buying a barbecue - whether for the garden or for home use - it's worth asking yourself a few questions: are you planning big parties or rather small family barbecues? Do you want to take the barbecue with you on trips? Do you want your food cooked quickly or are you prepared to wait patiently for the food to cook slowly at its own pace? Then let's go looking!

The most popular type of barbecue is the charcoal barbecue, which probably needs no introduction. It's a variant we've all been familiar with for years and is available in many different shapes and sizes - both the stationary version and the portable one, which is ideal for holidays. To light a charcoal barbecue you need - as the name suggests - coal, briquettes and firelighters. The actual lighting and preparation of a perfect meal takes a little longer in this case than with an electric or gas barbecue. However, the longer grilling time is reflected in the taste of the food. Charcoal barbecues come with and without a lid and some also have a plate rack or a special ash pan for easy cleaning after grilling. If you appreciate the classics, a charcoal garden barbecue will certainly meet all your expectations.

Electric grills with a non-stick coating are also hugely popular - which doesn't surprise us at all. This variant of the appliance allows you to prepare your favourite grilled dishes all year round, even in the comfort of your home. It is the ideal choice for those living in blocks of flats who do not have the option of a classic barbecue in the garden.Many of these types of appliances have a temperature control option and allow you to prepare your meal much faster than the charcoal version. With an electric barbecue, you can prepare not only sausages or steaks, but also delicious grilled sandwiches, and it doesn't generate eye-popping smoke.

Extremely stylish hearths with original shapes are becoming increasingly popular. This is a solution created with contemporary gardens, terraces and balconies in mind. In their design, hearths are somewhat reminiscent of fireplaces. Most of them change colour from grey to platinum with use, which makes them even more original. What is more, thanks to their special design, hearths protect the flames well from the wind and stand out for their very high durability. If you have decided on this type of barbecue, pay attention to the material from which it is made. This is most often stainless steel, which guarantees rapid heating. A cast iron hearth will also prove to be a good choice, which, although it heats up more slowly, is extremely durable - our barbecues and hearths will certainly not let you down.

When buying the barbecue of your dreams for your garden or flat, you mustn't forget a few essential accessories that will significantly improve your barbecue. One of these is special meat cutlery, ideal for cutting and serving steaks or sausages. You may also find it useful to have an additional grate to give you even more options. It allows you to cook the main course and side dishes at the same time. It is also worth investing in serving boards, which are especially useful for barbecues with larger groups. You can serve grilled vegetables or meat elegantly to your guests and use them to cut up the ingredients beforehand.

Speaking of barbecue essentials, it's also worth mentioning plates - for an outdoor dinner, the best choice is one in an unbreakable plastic version. Or do you need an apron to protect your clothes from getting dirty when you're flipping meat or applying ketchup? These are also available in our assortment! If you're planning a barbecue out of town, also consider buying a thermal food bag and a picnic blanket. In our Picnic and Bar becue category, you will find suggestions that will delight you in colour and design. All these barbecue accessories will make grilling outdoors a pure pleasure!