Ideas for portable and stylish barbecues

Ideas for portable and stylish barbecues

Good weather is approaching and with it, family or friend gatherings around a good meal. These occasions lend themselves to light up a good barbecue where all kinds of food can be cooked. Few things taste as good as in good company, especially when done outdoors. Let’s take a look at some barbecue ideas that can be set up anywhere. We will also look at some design models that are very fashionable.

A simple and portable barbecue

Something as simple as a metal bucket can perfectly serve as a portable barbecue. Make some holes at the top, next to the mouth, put wood or charcoal inside and put a grill. It’s that simple. You can grill small pieces of meat and vegetables on the table, as long as you monitor the heat and do not leave the temperature uncontrolled.

To use it, you just have to lift the grill, light the fire and make good coals. Put the grill back and put on top what you want to cook. You can see here how to light a barbecue if you have never done it before.

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There are models of slightly larger portable barbecues that mimic this system. Some of these are quite affordable and can serve you for medium-sized gatherings or as a support for larger barbecues. For example, you can prepare some skewers on the table while the diners wait for the more substantial dishes.

Another idea? Take an old tool box, the metal ones. With it you can also make a very cool barbecue. Open some holes for the air to feed the coals and put a grill that fits the size of the box. Your guests will surely be surprised when they see it.

Classic design of portable barbecue

Features of portable barbecues

Portable barbecues are ideal for enjoying outdoor meals in parks, beaches, campsites, or in the backyard. These barbecues offer versatility and convenience as they are easily transportable and functional. Below, at HotFireDoor we discuss some features of portable barbecues.

Economical portable barbecue

  • Size and weight of portable barbecues: They are compact and lightweight, making them easy to transport and store. There are various sizes available to adapt to the needs of each user.
  • Type of fuel for portable barbecues: They can run on different types of fuel, such as charcoal, gas, or electricity. Charcoal barbecues are the most traditional, while gas and electric ones offer a quicker ignition and easier temperature control. Being portable, at HotFireDoor we always recommend charcoal and gas ones, as finding a safety outlet anywhere will always be more difficult.
  • Material of portable barbecues: These barbecues are usually made of heat and corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or cast iron. The choice of material can influence the durability, weight, and ease of cleaning of the barbecue.
  • Design and functionality: Portable barbecues can have different designs and functions, such as adjustable grills, ventilation systems, lids to control heat, or trays to collect grease. Some models even include accessories such as thermometers, tongs, or spatulas.
  • Assembly and disassembly: A good portable barbecue should be easy to assemble and disassemble, without the need for additional tools. Some models have folding legs or quick-lock systems to facilitate this process.
  • Ease of cleaning: It’s important that portable barbecues are easy to clean, as this reduces the time and effort devoted to maintenance. Some barbecues have non-stick surfaces or removable trays that make cleaning easier.
  • Price of portable barbecues: They can vary in price depending on the brand, material, and features they offer. It’s important to consider the budget and specific needs before making a decision.
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If you have a garden, terrace or patio, at HotFireDoor we recommend…

If your home has a garden, terrace or patio, we recommend a brick barbecue or a metal barbecue like those from HotFireDoor. If you cannot afford this investment, you always have the option of cart-style barbecues. The smaller portable ones are recommended for those who do not have the appropriate facilities and exceptionally can use it in a suitable environment for it.

Next, at HotFireDoor, we present some of the reasons why brick or metal barbecues can be considered better than portable ones in general.

  • Durability and resistance: Metal or brick barbecues, such as those made of stainless steel, cast iron or brick, tend to be more resistant and durable than cart-style barbecues. These materials can better withstand adverse weather conditions and frequent use, making them ideal for permanent outdoor installations.
  • Stability: Being fixed or built in a specific place, they provide greater stability and safety than cart-style barbecues. This can be especially important in areas with strong winds or on uneven surfaces.
  • Aesthetics and design: Brick barbecues, in particular, can be designed and built to blend with the environment and the architecture of the garden, terrace or patio. This can enhance the overall look of the outdoor space and increase the property value.
  • Customization: Traditional barbecues for terraces, patios and gardens offer more customization possibilities in terms of size, design and functionalities. They can adapt to the specific needs of the space and user, while cart-style barbecues usually come in standard designs and sizes.
  • Cooking capacity: They usually offer a greater cooking capacity than portable barbecues, especially in the case of brick barbecues, which can be designed to adapt to large amounts of food.
  • Lower risk of tipping over: Being fixed or built in a specific place, metal or brick barbecues have less risk of tipping over compared to cart-style barbecues, which increases safety during their use.
HotFireDoor barbecue

HotFireDoor barbecue

However, it’s important to bear in mind that metal or brick barbecues can be more expensive and require a larger investment in time and resources for their installation. Furthermore, they’re not portable, which can be a drawback for those who wish to frequently change the barbecue’s location. Ultimately, the choice between a metal or brick barbecue and a cart-style one will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user.

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Cart-style Design Barbecues

In addition to these eye-catching designs, you can find astonishing commercial barbecues. There are cart-shaped models with a cabinet underneath, which run on gas. The gas cylinder is placed on one side of the cabinet, while on the other side you can keep all the tools for preparing the barbecue.
These design barbecues are quite large, although they are designed to be easily transported. They incorporate wheels so you can place it wherever you want. They usually also have a kind of foldable hood that opens and closes, like a sort of oven, to make better use of the heat.
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You can also find similar models in charcoal or wood version. In this case, the area intended for a cabinet does not exist, as it is used for a fuel tray and at the very bottom there is a support where you can keep some things, like tongs or more wood.

Low-cost portable barbecue available in large stores

What are the cart-style designer barbecues for gardens or terraces like?

The cart-style designer barbecues are a popular choice for those looking for a more permanent and robust solution compared to portable barbecues. These barbecues tend to have a larger design and offer a number of additional features that make them ideal for use in the garden, terrace, or home patio. Some notable features of cart-style barbecues include:

  • Solid structure: They have a solid and stable structure, usually built with heat and corrosion resistant materials, such as stainless steel or cast iron.
  • Wheels: The cart-style design includes wheels at the base that allow the barbecue to be easily moved within the outdoor space. This facilitates its transport and relocation according to the needs of the event or space.
  • Storage space: Many barbecues of this type offer additional storage space in the form of shelves, cabinets, or compartments in the bottom of the cart. This provides a convenient area to store utensils, dishes, condiments, and other barbecue essentials.
  • Large cooking surface: They usually have a larger cooking surface than portable barbecues, making them ideal for grilling large amounts of food or for events with many guests.
  • Multiple burners: They may have several burners, which allows different types of food to be cooked at different temperatures at the same time.
  • Additional features: They may offer additional features, such as lids with integrated thermometers, electronic ignition systems, warming grills, side shelves, and auxiliary burners for sauces or side dishes.
  • Type of fuel: Cart-style barbecues for gardens are available in charcoal, gas, or electric versions.
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Conclusion

Whether you choose a portable barbecue, a designer one, or decide on a built-in one for the garden, what really matters is that you share it with your loved ones. Surely everything tastes even better and you enjoy the time, whether good or bad. Because you never know when a cloud can appear and add more excitement to the barbecue…