Save or Splurge? Two gas barbecues with the recipe for success

Should you pay a standard or scorching price for that outdoor cooker? Bear in mind that additions can also cost more

The GoodHome Attaia 4 Burner, left, and the Napoleon Prestige 665 Connected Gas BBQ.

Just what do you get for a four-figure spend on a barbecue compared to a solid, reliable budget buy? Remember that additions, including alternative regulator hoses, griddle plates and accessorising, can seriously alter the price of any BBQ. Explore display models and notice how strong and stable they feel, and any wear to components already on show. 

Looking after your BBQ, cleaning it after every use and storing it under cover will extend its survival by several seasons.

SAVE

GoodHome Attaia 4 Burner, €600

You can expect to pick up a reasonable three-four burner gas BBQ from €350 at most large home and garden retailers, but for another couple of hundred, there’s some useful extra detailing. 

GoodHome Attaia 4 Burner, €600.

The Attaia GoodHome 4 Burner from B&Q ( Diy.ie)
is solid and robust, and comes in enamelled and powdered steel (making it easy to wipe clean and weather-resistant). 

It has an inclined control panel, a 72 cm-wide cook area, 130-degree inclined burners spread over 14.4kWh of firepower, ergonomic buttons, electronic ignition, and each burner can be zoned independently. 

There’s also a large cooking grid, a plancha for grilling, sautéing, and searing, plus a side burner (great for keeping sauces warm). With a folding side shelf, storage space, the grills, trays and diffusers can go straight into the dishwasher after use. Lifetime guarantee.

SPLURGE

The Napoleon Prestige 665 Connected Gas BBQ, €3499

This fabulous stainless steel five-burner is wifi-connected with features intended to optimise precision, improving cooking where needed with real-time temperature monitoring and smart cook-assistance direct to your smartphone. With infrared side (sizzle) and rear burners, LED SafetyGlow knobs, and integrated temperature probes, the cook width is a rangy 94cm. 

The Napoleon Prestige 665 Connected Gas BBQ, €3499.

A stow-away warming rack keeps food organised, and hidden tool hooks provide extra prep space (standard fare). 

Surprisingly, the Napoleon Prestige 665 (available at Outdoor.ie) does not include a rotisserie as standard, so expect to add from €150 to €250, depending on brand, to complete a roll together outdoor kitchen pitched as professional grade. It comes with a five-year guarantee.