The Weber name needs little introduction. Since the early 1950s, Weber has become a familiar sight around backyards, campsites and outdoor entertaining areas alike. Whether you're picking up the tongs for the first time or you've got a BBQ for a bestie, these legends have got you sorted. From quick weeknight feeds and camp cook-ups to charcoal grilling and all-day smoking sessions, there's a Weber for just about every way you like to cook outdoors. That variety is great... until you actually need to choose one.
Do you want something compact enough to chuck in the car? A bigger gas BBQ for feeding the family? Maybe you're chasing that unmistakable charcoal flavour, or brisket and ribs cooked low and slow are more your thing? To make the decision easier, we've broken down some of the main Weber BBQ ranges and where each one really shines.
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Weber Q Range – The Versatile All-Rounder
It's easy to see why so many Aussies have jumped on the Weber Q bandwagon. Putting the Q in quality, these gas BBQs strike a handy balance between portability, simplicity and enough versatility to tackle much more than your standard snags and steaks.
The range stretches from the compact Baby Q, a cracker for camping, caravanning and smaller spaces, through to the Weber Q and Q+, which offer more room for family feeds while still being portable enough for trips away. At the bigger end, the Family Q+ brings plenty of cooking space for larger households and backyard entertaining.
If you want one BBQ that can comfortably move between the backyard and campsite, the Q range is a handy place to start.
There are also plenty of accessories to help you get even more from your Q. A hotplate is perfect for bacon and eggs, smash burgers and other flat-top favourites, while roasting trivets, convection trays, pizza stones and rotisserie kits open up even more cooking options. Add a cart, cover or thermometer and you can tailor your setup to suit home or the road.
Weber Charcoal BBQs – For That Classic BBQ Flavour
There's gas BBQing, and then there's cooking over charcoal. If you love taking a little more time over the tongs and chasing that unmistakable flame-grilled flavour, Weber's charcoal BBQ range could be right up your alley.
At the heart of the range is the classic Weber Kettle. It's the style of BBQ that helped put Weber on the map and remains an absolute weapon for grilling, roasting and low-and-slow cooking. Charcoal or briquettes provide the heat, while the enclosed kettle design gives you plenty of control once you get the hang of managing your vents and fuel.
Think brisket, ribs, pork, thick steaks, whole chooks and roasts – the sort of feeds where a little extra time around the BBQ is half the fun.
For something smaller, the Weber Go-Anywhere packs that charcoal cooking experience into a compact setup that's easy to bring along on camping trips, beach missions and picnics.
A few accessories can make charcoal cooking even easier. A chimney starter helps get your charcoal or briquettes burning evenly, while a thermometer, pizza stone or smoking wood gives you even more ways to experiment with heat, flavour and different cooking styles.
Weber Traveler – Built for the Road
If your BBQ spends almost as much time away from home as you do, the Weber Traveler deserves a look.
Designed around portable gas cooking, the Traveler combines the BBQ and folding cart into one setup. That makes it a ripper option for campers, caravanners and road trippers who want something they can wheel into position, fire up and pack away without too much mucking around.
There's still plenty of grill space for a solid feed too. Steak after a day on the water, burgers at the campground or bacon and eggs before hitting the road – this is the sort of BBQ that earns its keep on a trip.
Its integrated cart and folding design are what really set it apart. Better still, there's a whole range of accessories to help build out your setup, including a hotplate for campsite brekkies and other flat-top favourites, a fitted cover and compact BBQ tools. Put it all together and you've got a tidy travelling kitchen ready for the next adventure.
Weber Smokers – For the Low 'n Slow Legends
Good things come to those who wait... especially when there's a brisket involved.
If you reckon spending half the day tending to a rack of ribs sounds like time well spent, Weber's smokers open up a whole different style of outdoor cooking.
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker takes the traditional approach, using charcoal or briquettes with smoking wood to build rich smoky flavour over a long cook. It's made for classics like pulled pork, ribs, brisket, roasts, chicken and fish.
For those who want smoky flavour with a little more technology doing the heavy lifting, Weber's pellet smoker could be just the ticket. Using wood pellets for both heat and smoke, it makes it easier to hold steady temperatures while still delivering plenty of that low-and-slow goodness.
Either way, smokers are for cooks who enjoy putting in the time and letting smoke and patience work their magic.
Accessories can help take things even further. Smoking woods let you experiment with different flavours, while thermometers and temperature probes take some of the guesswork out of longer cooks. For charcoal smokers, a chimney starter is another handy addition for getting the fuel fired up.
Weber Spirit – The Backyard Entertainer
If portability isn't high on your priority list and you want a dedicated gas BBQ for the backyard, the Weber Spirit range steps things up.
Compared with the more compact Q family, Spirit BBQs offer a traditional freestanding setup with multiple burners, plenty of grill space and useful work areas either side. That extra room comes into its own when you're feeding a hungry family or have a few mates dropping by.
They're also easy to fire up for everyday cooking, while still giving you the space and power to tackle bigger weekend feeds. From steaks and snags to seafood, chicken, veggies and family feasts, the Spirit is well suited to becoming a permanent part of the outdoor entertaining area.
A few accessories can make it even more versatile. A rotisserie is a cracking option for whole chooks and roasts, while pizza stones, cookware and other cooking surfaces open up even more possibilities. Add a fitted BBQ cover, thermometer and a good set of BBQ tools and you're sorted for everything from midweek dinners to bigger backyard cook-ups.
So, Which Weber BBQ Should You Choose?
There's no single Weber that gets the nod for everyone – and that's kind of the point.
If you want compact, portable gas cooking, start with the Weber Q range. Want something purpose-built for travel? Check out the Traveler. Prefer getting hands-on with charcoal and chasing that classic BBQ flavour? A Kettle or portable charcoal BBQ should be high on the list.
For the BBQ tragic dreaming of brisket, ribs and smoky goodness, Weber's smoker range is worth a look. And if you want a larger gas BBQ that can live in the backyard and keep a hungry crew fed, the Spirit could be just the ticket.
Think about where you'll use it, how many mouths you normally need to feed, how portable it needs to be and, most importantly, what you love cooking. Once you've got those boxes ticked, choosing your Weber becomes a whole lot easier.
Weber BBQ FAQs
How long should you preheat a Weber BBQ before cooking?
Preheating helps get the cooking surface up to temperature and ready for grilling. The exact time will depend on your Weber model and what you're cooking, so check the instructions for your BBQ.
How often should you clean a Weber BBQ?
Give the cooking grills a quick clean after each use and tackle grease, ash and other build-up regularly. A deeper clean every so often will also help keep your Weber cooking at its best.
Can you leave a Weber BBQ outside?
Many Weber BBQs are designed for outdoor use, but keeping yours covered and protected from the weather can help look after it between cook-ups. Always let the BBQ cool completely before fitting a cover.
Do Weber BBQ accessories fit every Weber model?
Not always. Hotplates, covers, rotisseries and other accessories can be designed for specific Weber ranges, sizes or generations, so always check compatibility before buying.
Should you cook with the lid up or down on a Weber BBQ?
It depends on the BBQ and cooking method, but Weber BBQs are designed to make plenty of use of the lid. Closing it can help retain heat for grilling, roasting and other cooking styles, so follow the recommended method for your model and recipe.
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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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