The backyard BBQ is a quintessential part of the Aussie way of life. Whether it's a family gathering or a catch-up with mates, nothing beats the smell of bacon, snags, or a sizzling steak. When you're on the road, portable BBQs and camping stoves are a go-to, thanks to their lightweight and compact design.
At BCF, there's a huge range of portable stoves and BBQs instore. Available in all shapes, sizes, and fuel types. But what actually sets them apart?
The BCFing experts have put together a handy buyer's guide to help you pick a portable stove or BBQ that suits your camping style. We'll cover the key things to look for, answer some common questions, and share a few handy tips so you're all set to fire things up.
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What to Consider When Buying Portable Stoves & BBQs
Any decent portable stove or BBQ will help you cook up a great meal, but the right choice really comes down to your needs. What suits one camp setup might not work for another, so it pays to think about what you're after. To make things easier, here are a few things to consider before choosing your next portable stove or BBQ.
How Many People Will You Be Cooking For?
Are you taking a weekend away with your mates, hitting the road with the fam, or planning a BBQ at the local park? Ensuring you have a stove or BBQ that is large enough to cater for the correct number of people is paramount. Using larger cookers will also allow you to use multiple pots and pans for larger meals and speed up cooking times.
Where Are You Using It?
The fuel types used can make some BBQs and cookers better suited than others for cold weather climates. LPG (liquified petroleum gas) and propane gas are ideal for producing more heat while butane stoves tend to be smaller and easier to transport but may lack power in cold or windy conditions. Thinking about the temperatures you are likely to experience at your campground will ensure you choose the right cooker or BBQ for the conditions at hand.
How Often Are You Using It?
Think about how often you'll actually fire up your BBQ or cooker. If it's only getting a run once or twice a year, there's not much point splurging on a top-of-the-line setup with all the bells and whistles. But if you're cooking outdoors most weekends, it's worth investing in something that can keep up, because the cheap and cheerful option might not go the distance.
Does It Need to Be Lightweight?
Whether you're camping with the family or heading off on a solo hike through the bush, it's important to choose a cooking option that suits the trip. Portable stoves are a great lightweight option when space and pack weight are limited. BBQs are ideal for the campground or 4x4 setup, but keep in mind, that you will need an LPG gas bottle to fire them up.
How Much Would You Like to Spend?
The right cooking gear can make camp meals a whole lot easier, but you don't always need the flashiest setup to get the job done. Although the high-end range of cookers and BBQs can be expensive, the old adage of "you get what you pay for" rings true. There are plenty of budget-friendly cooking options out there that are ideal for the occasional camper that can still produce quality meals for you and your family.
What Are the Different Types of Portable Stoves and BBQs?
Single Burner Stove
The single burner stove is a lightweight and portable cooking option that attaches directly to your gas bottle. It's a great pick for solo adventures and small groups of up to three people, with a sturdy nickel-plated frame that'll handle any of your pots and pans no worries.
Single burner stoves pack down small, making them easy to take on overnight camping or fishing trips while still handling your all-important meals with ease. Just keep in mind they need an LPG bottle to run, so they're better suited to camp setups than hiking trips.
Fits directly onto bottles with a 3/8" connection. If using larger bottles with a POL connection, an adapter is required.
Double Burner Stove
Whether you are hitting the dirt in the 4WD or cooking meals for the family over the school holidays, double burner stoves are a great addition to any camp kitchen.
With two fully adjustable burners, you can simmer, boil and cook with multiple pots or pans at the same time. The built-in side shields also help protect the flame from the wind, which is always a win when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Some double burners also include a 600mm gas hose with 3/8" connection, so with the additional purchase of a gas bottle, you're ready to go.
Hiking Stove
Designed with hikers and bushwalkers in mind, a hiking stove is the ultimate compact cooking companion. Lightweight, portable, and easy to pack, these handy stoves slip neatly into your backpack without weighing you down.
Don't let the small size fool you, though. A quality hiking stove packs serious performance, making it simple to boil water fast or heat up a hearty meal after a big day outdoors. Perfect for quick day hikes, multi-day trips, kayak adventures or minimalist camping setups.
From a quick cuppa to a warm meal under the stars, this bit of gear proves that good things really do come in small packages.
Weber BBQ
The Weber name is synonymous with high quality, reliable BBQs that have been the market leader in this country for many years. Its product range includes 4 different sizes of BBQs and a huge lineup of accessories - there's a Weber setup to suit just about every kind of cook-up.
Weber BBQs have a sleek design and come standard with stainless steel burners and cast alloy lid and bowl placing them high on everyone's most wanted list. Whether you're a camper, looking for a simple and compact cooking solution to add to the camp kitchen, or you're in need of a family BBQ for the veranda at home, you can't go past a Weber.
Butane Stove
Butane cookers have been embraced by many as a must-have addition to the camping kitchen. Not only are they compact and portable but also cost-effective and simple to operate with a push turn piezo ignition. Take a butane stove to the park for a sausage sizzle or pack it for a last-minute overnight camping trip, it's easy to stash away in a handy carry case and runs on disposable butane gas canisters you can grab just about anywhere, including your local BCF store.
Keep in mind a full butane canister will last approx. 90 minutes at a moderate flame. If you're going for extended trips, ensure you pack multiple cans.
Ring Burner
A ring burner could be the perfect addition to your next camping, fishing or touring setup. Safe, clean and efficient, ring burners distribute heat evenly and give you plenty of control thanks to their individual flame adjustments. Available in a range of sizes including double and triple burners and constructed from heavy-duty cast iron, the ring burner will provide many years of enjoyment for you and the whole family.
Can a Portable Stove Be Operated Indoors?
This is a commonly asked question among campers, and the simple answer is no. The biggest danger involved with using a portable stove indoors isn't the actual flame or risk of fire, it's the carbon monoxide (CO) which is produced whenever carbon-based fuels are burned. Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and can be deadly, so it's not something you want to mess with.
Always use your portable stove in a well-ventilated outdoor space, follow the product label and check all hoses and connections before lighting it up. An incorrectly fitted hose or poor ventilation can quickly turn a simple camp cook-up into a serious safety risk.
What Are BTUs and How Many Do I Need for My Camping Stove?
If you've ever checked out the range of portable stoves and BBQs at BCF, you've probably spotted a BTU rating in the product specs. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and it's a way of measuring how much heat your camping stove or BBQ can produce.
As a general guide, a stove with a minimum of 10,000 BTU per hour is a solid place to start. This is perfect for smaller groups and basic camp cooking, like boiling water, cooking brekkie or putting together a simple dinner. Larger gatherings, or if you're feeling a bit more adventurous with your cooking, BBQs and portable stoves with a BTU of over 20,000 per hour will provide the appropriate power and heat.
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BCFing Experts
The BCFing Experts have done more than their fair share of boating, camping, fishing, hiking, four-wheel driving and much much more! Whether you're tackling tough tracks in Tassie or chasing big barra up North, the BCFing Experts have the know-how to make your next outdoor adventure a pearler
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