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“If you intend on buying a new BarbY this summer I...”

written by ferkessedougou. on 13/02/2003

Good Points
Excellent build quality, easy instructions, all replacement parts are available, massive range.

Bad Points
The glass smokes up quickly.

General Comments
If you intend on buying a new BarbY this summer I personally reckon you should splash out a bit and buy something decent.

The old cheapy at the local market or DIY, is just no good.

I bought a Charbroil 8000 model from the USA 5 years ago however they are now available in the UK is most places.

The 8000 was at the time the mother of all Barbeques. Huge cooking area and 2 shelves above, side burner to keep the onions warm and 2 gas controls.

This model does not have the lava rocks but the ceramic briquettes at the bottom, but this in no way reduces the flavour.

Anyway I have had mine for 5 years and although the paint is a little flaky in parts where it gets hot the whole thing is almost as good as new.

It's American built and very solid, the heavy enamalled grill racks stand the test and all the working parts are solid. It starts almost first time all the time despite being left dirty all winter in the shed.

The solid cast Alu body never rusts or develops holes.

In 5 years I have never bought a spare part as none have gone wrong or rotted away.

This one is big, I use it for the school fete and big parties, I once had 50 burgers on the go at one time, none burned (thats the chef not the grill).

I bought a smaller model for my friend who's also is still going well.

So if you are thinking of buying a decent barby, then get a charbroil, you won't be disapointed.

The glass window always gets gunged up, but that's smoke and fat for you.

Oh and one final thing... Don't leave it out in the rain, all Barby's hate rain and generally corode and die after a winter of British weather.