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What is the difference between gas and charcoal BBQ?

Charcoal barbecues burns solid fuel to provide the heat which cooks the food. During this burning, smoke is emitted which also imparts a flavor to the food, depending on the type of fuel used. Gas barbecues burn gas to provide heat which cooks the food. There is no appreciable smoke which is produced from burning gas, but there is some smoke which results from fats and juices from the food dropping onto the flame diffusers, and this may impart some flavor onto the food surface.

What size barbecue should I buy?

The main factor to consider before determining what size barbecue you need is the number of people you wish to cook for. With gas barbecues, you have the a range of BBQs with different numbers of burners to choose from. When cooking for two to three people, a 2-burner BBQ should suffice. For medium crowds, it’s recommended to use 3 to 4 burners, and for larger groups, you can consider a 6-burner BBQ. You should also consider how much food you plan to be cooking on your BBQ. The number of burners your gas barbecue has also determines your capacity for direct and indirect grilling (i.e. cooking directly over the flame, or to the side). For example, with a two-burner model, you can simply turn down or switch off one burner and place food over the side that is switched off. A four-burner model gives you even more options – you can switch off two or even three burners and use that space for indirect grilling.

Do I need to purchase a hose and regulator for my BBQ?

All Outback BBQs come with a hose and regulator. It is recommended to purchase a new set of hose and regulator after a few years of usage.

What are the recommended essential/must-have accessories and tools to purchase for my Outback hybrid BBQ?

Read all about the must-have accessories and tools in this blog post.

Barbecues

What is the difference between gas and charcoal BBQ?

Charcoal barbecues burns solid fuel to provide the heat which cooks the food. During this burning, smoke is emitted which also imparts a flavor to the food, depending on the type of fuel used. Gas barbecues burn gas to provide heat which cooks the food. There is no appreciable smoke which is produced from burning gas, but there is some smoke which results from fats and juices from the food dropping onto the flame diffusers, and this may impart some flavor onto the food surface.

What is the difference between lava rocks, hot rocks and coconut shell briquettes?

Lava Rocks are made from a porus material that absorbs grease, which may lead to flare ups. Hot Rocks are consistent in shape, which allows the grease to run off. Hot Rocks should last longer than lava rocks and do not absorb grease. Coconut shell briquettes are made from 100% recyclable material, heat up quickly and give the authentic charcoal flavour to your food and are for single use only.

Why is my barbecue not coming up to temperature?

There may be several reasons why your barbecue is not heating up. First, check that your gas level is enough. Second, perform a leak test. Third, please check that your burners have been cleaned thoroughly.

Where I can find a copy of my user manual?

Click here to locate the user manual that corresponds to your Outback BBQ.

Where can I browse exclusive Outback BBQ recipes?

Click here to see Outback’s exclusive recipes.

What gas bottle do I need for my BBQ?

Outback’s barbecues come fitted with a Propane (Patio Gas) regulator. However, you can also use butane gas with an Outback barbecue but you will need to be additionally change to a Butane regulator. Please consult your nearest gas provider for more information.

Is it normal if my thermometer is fogging up?

Condensation forming in your thermometer (thus the fogging up) can happen from time to time while your BBQ is in use and is considered normal. The condensation should go away when not being used.

How to prevent and control grilling flare-ups

Flare-ups and grease fires are not the same thing. Flare-ups are temporary upsurges of flame that result from fat dripping onto hot coals. They’re a normal part of grilling and not something you have to “put out.” The best way of dealing with them is simply by moving the food to a different location on the grill.

Flare-ups occur mostly on charcoal grills, since the hot coals underneath are what ignite the dripping fat. Most gas grills feature drip trays designed to divert the liquid fat from the heating element. However the grease can build up over time, and the accumulation can cause a full-blown grease fire.

3 methods for prevent grilling flare-ups:
1. Trim excess fat from food
2. Minimize oil in your marinade – make sure the meat isn’t dripping when you put it onto the grill, especially if the marinade is heavy on oil. Minimizing the oil you brush onto food before grilling is another way of avoiding flare-ups.
3. Create a two-zone fire (read more below!)

Brief flare-ups are normal and usually you don’t have to do anything at all, but if one lasts for more than a couple of seconds, your first move should be to move the item to another part of the grill.

A two-zone fire simply means adding coals on one side of the grill and leaving the other side empty, creating a hot zone and a cool one. If a flare-up occurs, simply move the dripping food to the cool part of the grill and let the flare-up subside.

When using a charcoal grill, don’t pile the coals too high, though, since the closer the coals are to the food, the more likely flare-ups become.

If you have a gas grill, simply leave one section of burners turned off to produce a two-zone fire.

Chicken, especially thighs and whole legs, are particularly susceptible to flare-ups because they drip a lot of fat. A two-zone fire is ideal for grilling chicken since high heat can cause it to burn on the outside before it’s all the way done.

If your grill is equipped with an upper warming rack, place the items there while the flare-up subsides. If you haven’t built a two-zone fire—or if your grill is already full—you can always move the items to a plate.

Always remember: you should never try to control a flare-up and/or a grease fire by spraying it or dousing it with water. Spraying the coals will only stoke the flames and blow ash onto your food.

If the flames continue to burn even after you’ve moved the food, or if they spread to the inside of the grill, or to the food, your flare-up has become a grease fire. During an actual grease fire, you’re won’t be able to save the food. You can often extinguish a minor grease fire by covering the grill and closing all the air vents to deprive it of oxygen. Again, NEVER put water on a grease fire, as it will only spread the fire around.

You can also try dumping baking soda or a box of salt on top of it. You can also keep a fire extinguisher nearby when you’re grilling just in case. But if the fire spreads and becomes too hot for you to get close to it, or if the flames get to the gas hose or tank, call for help immediately.

Once the flames are out, it’s time to make sure your grill is thoroughly cleaned, both to remove the baking soda or fire extinguisher residue, as well as any cooked grease that’s still sticking to the insides of the grill, including the lid and grates.

If your grill has a drip tray, you should scrub thoroughly and remove, which will significantly lessen your chance of another grease fire.

What is a hybrid BBQ?

Since 2020, Outback has released a range of hybrid BBQs to allow customers to enjoy the best of both worlds — the convenience of using gas burners and still get the great taste of charcoal cooking using Outback’s eco-friendly, recycled Coconut Shell Briquettes. All hybrid BBQs are compatible with the MCS system.

Click here to browse Outback’s range of Hybrid BBQs.

How do I use hot rocks?

Click here to watch our video on using hot rocks with your Outback BBQ.

What are the recommended essential/must-have accessories and tools to purchase for my Outback hybrid BBQ?

Read all about the must-have accessories and tools in this blog post.

Outdoor Heating

What gas bottle do I need for my firepit?

You will need to purchase a 5KG propane patio gas bottle to use with your Outback fire pit.

What gas bottle do I need for my patio heater?

You will need to purchase a 5KG propane patio gas bottle to use with your Outback fire pit.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Recommended cleaning agent to use for different types of material

Material 
Porcelain Enamel

Where Used 
Grills, Griddles and Hood

Cleaning Method Recommended
Enamel is a thin, glass-based coating fused onto metal which needs treating with care. Cooking oil, together with fat from food being cooked can turn to carbon as a result of heating and result in black flames coming away from the cooking surfaces – these are not harmful. Porcelain should be cleaned using warm soapy water and non-abrasive cleaning cloth (Please see 3 in 1 Grill Brush O/BACK31011441) Due to the Weight of the Grills and Griddles we do not recommend cleaning in a dishwasher.

 

Material 
Chrome Plated

Where Used 
Warming Rack

Cleaning Method Recommended
Wash with hot soapy water. A chrome cleaner may be used if required. To prevent rusting, wipe with cooking oil after rinsing and drying.​​​​​​​

 

Material 
Wood

Where Used 
Shelves and Inserts

Cleaning Method Recommended
Wipe with a cloth wrung out in hot soapy water and dry.​​​​​​​

 

Material 
Plastic Paint

Where Used 
Trolley (not shelves) Body and Utensil Trays

Cleaning Method Recommended
Wipe with a cloth wrung out in hot soapy water and dry. Excess fat and debris can be removed from inside the body using a plastic or wooden scraper. Do not use abrasive cleaners. If rust appears on the body it should be treated with a suitable rust inhibitor and painted with a heat resistant paint.

 

Material 
Galvanised

Where Used 
Drip Tray and Foil Liner

Cleaning Method Recommended
Excess fat and food debris must be removed using a plastic or wooden scraper. This needs to be carried out between every use of the BBQ. Excessive build up is likely to lead to a fat fire, which can be hazardous and damage the BBQ. This is not a manufacturing fault with the BBQ and is therefore not covered under the terms of warranty.If required the tray and foil liner can be washed in hot soapy water.

 

Material 
Cast Iron

Where Used 
Burners

Cleaning Method Recommended
Any food debris should be removed on a regular basis. It is normal for rust to form on the cast iron. This can be cleaned using a wire brush. Burners should be removed on a regular basis for inspection and cleaning. They should be checked for general condition and ensure the portholes are not becoming blocked. These can be cleaned with a wire brush and also a pipe cleaner. Care should be taken not to damage the gas valve or ignition electrode when removing or replacing the burners

 

NB Guidelines only please refer to your own instruction manual.

Accessories

What is MCS?

MCS stands for Multi-Cooking Surface — which is a system integrated in all our Hybrid BBQs, made compatible with a range of different cooking surfaces. You can interchange between surfaces, depending on what you are cooking.

Click here to see list of available cooking surfaces.

What BBQ models are compatible with MCS?

All Outback Hybrid BBQs are compatible with the MCS system. Click here to see the list of Outback Hybrid BBQs.

What are the recommended essential/must-have accessories and tools to purchase for my Outback hybrid BBQ?

Read all about the must-have accessories and tools in this blog post.

Are covers included with my Outback BBQ?

All BBQ covers are sold separately from BBQs. Click here to browse for BBQ covers to fit your BBQ.

Warranty

How do I make a warranty claim?

To file or make a warranty claim, please fill in our Warranty Claim Form.

Online Orders

What is the delivery policy?

Read about our delivery policy here.

What is the refund policy?

Read about our refund policy here.

Create The Ultimate Outdoor Dining Experience

With all Outback barbecues, quality is built in. Choose from exceptional charcoal barbecues and stunning firepits or create the ultimate dining experience with a 4 burner or 6 burner barbecue, in eye-catching stainless steel. With Outback it’s so easy to enjoy the outdoors season after season.

With premium barbecues and stunning, summer-and-beyond firepits, Outback has a range that includes some of the world’s most trusted products for the best in outdoor living.

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Outback Barbecues