GO SUN SOLAR BARBECUE €279
When it comes to the novelty factor, this barbecue cannot be touched. On a sunny day, this promises to cook your food to perfection in 20 minutes using only energy from the sun. Even on a not-so-sunny day, it will take no more than an hour to cook your al-fresco feast. You just open the chrome-like panels to the elements, put the food in the chute at its core and wait. It is portable, compact and eco-friendly and you can even drain your food of accumulated oil to make it crispier. But is it a barbecue? Is there charcoal? Are there burned sausages? Uncooked chicken? Is it a satisfying experience? No, no, no, no and no. Is it expensive? Yes.
Verdict: Good but not for us.
Star rating: ***
CALOR MINI BBQ €169.99
Staying with innovative, 21st-century reinterpretations of the humble barbecue, we sort of like this from Calor. Only sort of, however. It is very portable and very reliable and is ideal for barbecues on the move. The ergonomic design is pleasing, as is the fact that the lid doubles as a handy chopping board. The cooking area is small, as you might expect, although it will get through a bunch of sausages and burgers handily enough. Because it is gas, heat regulation is not a problem, so cooking evenly is a doddle. But it's gas, and that is kind of cheating. And it's not cheap, so you would want to be taking it out a lot.
Verdict: It has its place.
Star rating: ***
BAR-BE-QUICK FAMILY BBQ €9.99
This is at the very opposite end of the scale to the Go Sun option in terms of price, food quality and environmentalism. Having said that, we still like it well enough. It is a one-time-use-only product, so you don't have to make any big investment that relies on Ireland's temperamental summer weather. And it is very easy to get going. The 48cm x 28cm cooking area allows you to get through a surprisingly large amount of food. Patience and care are needed, however, unless you want your food to smell of lighting fluid or to be burned to a crisp. On top of all that, of course, you have to dispose of it when you are done. Oh and the "Mum's night off, let's barbecue" slogan on the packaging infuriates us with its lazy, stupid sexism.
Verdict: The lazy but handy option.
Star rating: ***
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OMAHA CHARCOAL BARBECUE €29.99
This barbecue was selling at the above price in Woodies last week, down from a regular price of €44.99. At the lower price it is excellent value for money – and even at the full price represents a pretty good deal. It is easy to assemble and, although it is not as high-quality as some other barbecues sold by well-known companies such as Weber, it is still perfectly functional. We're not sure it is the kind of barbecue that would be passed down the generations, but for the short haul, it is fit for purpose.
Verdict: Cheap as charcoal chips.
Star rating: ****
