BBQ and Pizza Oven Comparisons: Weber Q, Gas vs Charcoal, Gozney and Ooni

Weber launched the Q in 2003, and by 2023 one in four new barbecues sold in Australia was a Weber Q, by Weber's own count. The big decisions are the fuel, the size of the grill and whether it needs a hood for roasting, and in fire season the fuel decides whether it can be used at all: on Total Fire Ban days, Victoria, NSW and South Australia ban solid-fuel barbecues and pizza ovens.

Gas barbecues

• The best BBQs: seven gas barbecues from the Baby Q1000N to Weber's Genesis E-325 and BeefEater's four-burner 1200 Series, with heat, grill size and warranty.
• Weber Q range compared: what the N, the + and the higher model numbers mean across ten current Q models, and the five-year warranty they share.
• Weber Family Q3100N+ vs Q3200N+: a $10 step at Weber buys the Q3200N+'s lid thermometer and electronic ignition, and the Smart QX3200N+ has a wi-fi food probe.
• Weber Traveler vs Baby Q: the Traveler has its own folding stand, a bigger grill and a thermometer, at nearly twice the Baby Q's weight.
• Weber Spirit vs Genesis: the Genesis E-325 has about 40% more grill area and a longer warranty than the Spirit E-325, and is 33cm wider.
• BeefEater BUGG vs Weber Q: the BUGG has a built-in thermometer and two burners totalling 20 MJ; the Weber Q2600N+ has a five-year warranty against the BUGG's two.
• Ziegler & Brown vs Weber: the Ziggy portable grills against the Weber Q.

Charcoal and fuel

• Gas vs charcoal BBQs: lighting, flavour and safety, and the Total Fire Ban rules in Victoria, NSW and South Australia.
• The best charcoal BBQs: Weber's kettles, Go-Anywhere, Smokey Mountain smoker and Summit Kamado, and Everdure's portable CUBE.

Pizza ovens

• The best pizza ovens: Gozney's Arc, Arc Lite and wood-fired Dome, Ooni's Koda 2, Everdure's 16-inch Kiln R, Ninja's electric Woodfire oven and Breville's indoor Pizzaiolo.
• Gozney vs Ooni: at each size Gozney's ovens have the thicker stone and Ooni's cost less, with the same five-year warranty when registered.
• Gozney pizza ovens compared: the Arc Lite, Arc and Arc XL take 12-, 14- and 16-inch pizzas on gas, and the Dome and Dome XL also burn wood and charcoal.
• Ninja Woodfire vs Ooni: Ninja's electric oven reaches 370°C and also roasts and smokes; Ooni's gas Koda ovens reach 500°C.
• Gozney vs Everdure Kiln: Gozney's Arc ovens reach 500°C; Everdure's Kilns reach 400°C, but the Kiln P and Kiln DR turn the stone themselves.

Around the barbecue

• The best meat thermometers: instant-read and wireless thermometers for checking a roast without cutting it.
• The best fire pits: steel and cast iron fire pits for the backyard and camping.
• How to clean a Weber Q: the grates, burner tube, cookbox, drip pan and lid.
• How to clean a stainless steel BBQ: the grates, the outside, and the burners and flame tamers inside.

Gas safety

Gas barbecues sold in Australia must be certified and carry a data plate with a certification number, says the Gas Technical Regulators Committee. Energy Safe Victoria's outdoor gas guide covers cylinder test dates, checking for leaks with soapy water, and why gas appliances stay outdoors.