Lifestyle

With Garden Centres in Wales reopening, what’s new & trending in outdoor cooking for 2021

Published

3 years ago

23rd March 2021

Editor

One of the best things about the warmer season has to be making the most of longer days and sunshine in the garden by dining alfresco.

Helping to furnish your garden to its fullest, Dobbies Garden Centre in Llansamlet, Swansea has something for every style of outdoor space. From the latest high-tech barbecues for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, to smaller more compact portable models that can be taken on beach trips and camping weekends – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Outdoor Living Buyer at Dobbies, Lynsey Abbott, said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of cooking outdoors, it’s such a staple of the spring and summer seasons. Quickly transforming your garden into a space for entertaining, from BBQs, pizza ovens, multi-functional firepits and chimeneas – we have something for everyone.

“This year’s range features eco-friendly alternatives, Bluetooth integrated controlled fans and wood-fired pellet grills to name a few. When warmer weather allows, it’s time to give the oven a break and rediscover the joy of cooking up delicious flame grilled food in your outdoor space.”

Dobbies outdoor cooking buyer’s guide…

Traeger Pro D2 575 Pellet Grill £899
With over 30 years’ experience, Traeger continues to lead the industry as the world’s number one selling wood pellet grill. With build in WiFIRE® technology, this versatlile model can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ, with consistent, perfect results every time. Enjoy the best of both words – as convenient as a gas grill, with even better taste than a charcoal grill.

Weber genesis II E-310 GBS gas barbecue £979
Open cart design; 3 burner; infinite control burner valves; stainless steel side tables.

Biolite firepit+ & BBQ £279.99
Burns wood and charcoal; USB rechargeable powerpack; Bluetooth integration to control fan intensity.
Broil King porta-chef 120 gas barbecue £249
Cast iron cooking grates for great heat retention; 3 burners; portable with detachable snap-in legs.
Eco grill barbecue £9.99
100% bio-degradable; usable anywhere; can be used in other grills. Simply requires a match to light, gives 2.5 hours cooking time. Perfect for camping and to take on the go.

LotusGrill BBQ £150
Made from steel and shock-resistant plastics; small and convenient to transport; double skinned bowl stays cool on the outside. Available in red & anthracite.
Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven £499
Gas fuelled for ease and control; extra large cooking area for pizza, meat, bread and more.

Lynsey’s top 5 tips for BBQ beginners when it comes to choosing the right one for you…

Decide what fuel source is going to work best for you. Gas and electric have the advantage of being very easy to light and to control temperature, whilst charcoal and cooking on fire can take some getting used to but is definitely worth the time investment.
How often will you be using the BBQ? If you plan on using it regularly, you should consider investing more.
What size do you need, which is usually determined by how many people you will likely to be cooking for and, of course, how much storage space you have. If you don’t have a garden shed or garage to store it in the colder months, you’ll need to think about a protective cover.
Get a thermometer – some models will have one built in, but it’s still handy to make sure temperatures are right to start cooking on.
Be creative on the grill! As much as you can’t beat a classic burger, there is so much more that can be cooked outdoors, from halloumi to whole joints and delicious grilled desserts. Just because you’re a beginner doesn’t mean you need to feel restricted, there is plenty of inspiration to be found on Instagram and Pinterest.

Did you know… If you find an identical product from one of Dobbies Garden Centres at a cheaper price in any UK retailer, in-store or online, Dobbies will match it and refund the difference. Find out more about Dobbies Price Guarantee at dobbies.com.

For more expert growing advice and seasonal trend insights, listen to Dobbies gardening podcast, available on Apple Music and Spotify. There’s a podcast with BBQ experts, Weber: https://www.dobbies.com/content/podcast.html

(Lead image: Char-broil gas to coal 2.0 3-burner barbecue £469)