The BBQ arrives on a Thursday and everyone is coming over on Sunday. Somewhere in between you discover that the box has no gas bottle, the only level spot in the backyard sits under a timber pergola beam, and nobody owns tongs long enough to be useful. Almost every first-time owner lives some version of that week.
This is a BBQ for beginners checklist covering the whole starting kit, not just the cooking. We cover the gas bottle, where the BBQ should live, the cover that quietly decides how long it lasts, and the tools worth owning on day one. If you are still choosing the unit itself, browse the BBQs and outdoor cooking range first, then come back here for the set-up.
BBQ for beginners: the seven things you actually need
A first barbecue is really seven purchases, and only one of them is the appliance. Work through the list below before delivery day and your first cook becomes a pleasant afternoon rather than three trips to the shops.
| Item | Why it matters | Sort it out |
|---|---|---|
| The BBQ itself | Size drives every other decision | Before you order |
| Gas bottle | Almost never included in the box | Before delivery |
| The spot it lives in | Clearances, safety, how often you use it | Before delivery |
| A level, non-combustible base | Stability underfoot and heat below | Before delivery |
| Cover | Quietly decides the lifespan | Day one |
| Tongs, spatula, brush | The minimum to cook and clean | Day one |
| A cleaning routine | Stops the first-season decline | First week |
Size is the decision hardest to undo, so make it deliberately. Our guide to what size BBQ you actually need works through burner counts, hoods and footprint. Plenty of first-time households land on a compact two burner such as the Coleman Revolution 2 Burner BBQ ($1,249), which handles weeknight family cooking without swallowing a small alfresco.
The gas bottle nobody tells you to buy
Most home gas barbecues in Australia run on a standard 8.5 kg or 9 kg LPG cylinder, and it is almost never included. Buy a filled bottle outright, or take an empty one to a swap-and-go point. Swapping is faster; refilling is usually cheaper per fill. Either way, check the test date stamped on the collar, because swap depots refuse a cylinder that is out of date.
The handling rules are short and not negotiable. Keep the bottle upright and secured, in the car on the way home and in its cradle on the BBQ. Leak-test every connection by brushing soapy water onto the joints with the gas on and watching for bubbles, never with a flame. Never operate a gas BBQ in an enclosed space: not a garage with the door down, not a room, not a tent or an annexe.
Turn the bottle off at the valve after every cook, not just at the control knobs. It takes three seconds and stops a slow leak becoming an event.
Where the BBQ actually lives
Choose the spot before delivery day. A barbecue parked somewhere awkward gets used less and less until it is just a covered shape in the corner. You want it close enough to the kitchen to carry a tray out easily, off the walking path, and sheltered from the prevailing wind.
Treat the clearances in the manual as a minimum, and measure them from anything that burns: timber fences, pergola posts, cafe blinds, privacy screens, planter boxes and the eaves overhead. Heat rises, so the gap above matters as much as the gaps at the sides.
Stand the BBQ on level, non-combustible ground such as pavers, concrete or tile. On decking, a protective mat under the unit saves the boards from fat spatter.
Apartment and townhouse cooks have one extra step. Check your strata by-laws or body corporate rules first, because many buildings restrict LPG cylinders on balconies and some ban open-flame cooking outright. An electric unit such as the Crossray eXtreme Portable Electric BBQ ($1,062) removes the bottle question altogether and is often the only option a building will approve.
The cover is the cheapest thing on the list
A cover returns more per dollar than anything else here. Left uncovered, a BBQ works through UV, rain, dust, bird droppings and, near the coast, salt-laden air. The difference shows in the second and third summers rather than the first.
Measure the BBQ with the hood closed and buy to those numbers. Too tight and it will not go on when you are in a hurry; too loose and it flaps in the wind and traps moisture underneath. The Coleman Premium range runs through several sizes, including the Coleman Premium BBQ Cover - Small ($63), so match the size to your measurements rather than to the badge on the front.
One habit worth forming immediately: let the BBQ cool completely before you cover it. A cover thrown over a warm hood traps steam against the metal, and trapped moisture is how rust starts.
Tools: the short list, not a drawer full
Three tools cover almost everything a beginner cooks. Long tongs keep your hands away from the heat, a wide spatula turns a burger without losing it, and a stiff brush or scraper clears the plate. Everything else is a preference you can develop later.
The Coleman 3pc BBQ Tool Set ($63) covers that trio in one purchase, which is the easiest way to arrive at day one ready to cook. Add longer-handled options from the BBQ accessories collection once you know what you actually reach for.
The first cook, and the Australian bits nobody mentions
Run a burn-off before the first meal. New barbecues carry manufacturing residue, and running the burners with the hood down clears it. Your manual will state how long.
Then there is fire. Rules for barbecues on total fire ban days vary by state and by council, and they change with conditions. Some states allow a gas BBQ on a ban day only under set conditions; others restrict them further. Check the current declaration with your state fire service, such as the NSW Rural Fire Service, the CFA in Victoria or the Country Fire Service in South Australia, and check your council.
Finally, the Australian sun. A BBQ in full western sun is uncomfortable to stand at from about three in the afternoon. If that is your only spot, plan shade at the same time.
BBQ for beginners: frequently asked questions
What size gas bottle does a home BBQ use?
Most Australian home gas barbecues use a standard 8.5 kg or 9 kg LPG cylinder. Confirm the fitting your BBQ expects. Swap-and-go and refilled cylinders both work, so the choice is convenience and cost.
How do I check a gas connection for leaks?
Brush soapy water over every joint with the bottle turned on and watch for bubbles. Never test with a flame, a lighter or a match. If bubbles appear, close the valve, tighten or replace the fitting, and test again before lighting.
How far should a BBQ sit from a wall or fence?
Use the clearance distances in your BBQ's manual as the minimum, measured from anything combustible. That includes fences, pergola posts, screens and blinds, and the space above the hood, since heat rises straight into the eaves.
Can I use a gas BBQ on an apartment balcony?
Sometimes, but check before you buy. Many strata schemes and body corporates restrict LPG cylinders or open-flame cooking on balconies, and rules differ building to building, so read your by-laws first.
Does a new BBQ need anything before the first cook?
Yes, run a burn-off with the burners going and the hood down to clear manufacturing residue. Check the manual for the recommended time, and wipe the plates once everything has cooled.
Shop the range
Getting the whole kit right the first time turns a new BBQ into a weekly habit rather than a seasonal chore. Our BBQs and outdoor cooking range covers portables through to full outdoor kitchens, with the accessories that finish the set-up alongside them, including the Coleman Palmyra Twisted Bristle Brush ($19.99) for the weekly clean. We deliver Australia-wide, delivery is free on orders over $100, and installation is available on request.
