Barbecue duel: cheap vs. expensive
21.7.2017
Translation: machine translated
The price range for our charcoal barbecues is extremely wide. I want to find out whether it's worth buying a cheap barbecue or whether I should spend more money on a kettle barbecue.
The idea is to compare cheap against expensive. You're probably thinking that this comparison is completely unnecessary. The expensive grill wins anyway. That may be the case. But I'm also looking for clues as to what I really need and what is just an unnecessary luxury.
Well then. I organised two different charcoal barbecues for testing. Firstly, the Sunbiance Neptun as a cheaper version and secondly the Weber Master Touch from the higher price segment. Both are kettle barbecues that are fuelled with charcoal. The principle of barbecuing is therefore identical.
Construction
Size
The two test objects differ slightly in size. With a diameter of 47 centimetres and a height of 80 centimetres, the Sunbiance Neptune is slightly smaller than the Weber Master Touch. The latter has a diameter of 57 centimetres and a height of 107 centimetres.
As the dimensions of the Weber barbecue are larger than those of the Sunbiance, it also has more space on the grill and a larger capacity for the charcoal. Although it must be said at this point that you will never fill the entire tray with charcoal. Unless you're planning a 24-hour barbecue marathon. 😀
Materials used
The price difference is most noticeable in the materials used. On the one hand, the handles on the Sunbiance are wobbly, while everything on the Weber is stable and secure. The more expensive grill of the two also has thicker walls. This enables it to retain heat better. However, it also cools down more slowly after use. The grill grate on both test appliances is made of chrome-plated steel.
Stability
Both grills tested stand on three legs, two of which are equipped with wheels. I tested the stability on both hard surfaces and soft grass. Both test appliances had no problems with the surface and stood firmly on the ground. I think this is a killer criterion for a barbecue filled with hot coal. I can't imagine a worse scenario than a barbecue tipping over. Not just because of the delicious food, but especially because of the fire hazard.
Assembly
Assembling a barbecue is always a tedious task. Fortunately, in most cases this only has to be done once.
The assembly instructions from Weber are clearly illustrated with several pictures. It explains step by step what needs to be connected where. Assembly took a maximum of 30 minutes. Nothing rattles, nothing wobbles, everything fits. That's how it should be.
The assembly of the Sunbiance is a lot more time-consuming. The steps are not explained individually in the assembly instructions, but in just a single picture. Although I would say that I'm not a bit of a dab hand, it took me a whole hour to put it together. The screws, nuts and washers are all packed in a small plastic bag. This is not really easy to organise, which is why you have to sort through all the individual parts first. In addition, I couldn't use the right washer everywhere, as the screws were not long enough in some places. Or I lost track in the confusion and used the wrong screws.
Grilling experience
The barbecue experience is great with both barbecues tested. I personally prefer charcoal to gas. For me, the process of lighting a fire and letting the charcoal heat up is simply part of barbecuing. Both were equally convincing in this respect. They also both reach the required temperature inside the sphere. However, I believe that the Weber can store the heat better as its casing has more "meat". (It came flat.) 😀
The flavour and the result of the grilled food are the same with both test appliances. At this point, it's all about your skill and less about the grill itself. I would venture to say that no matter what kind of barbecue you buy and no matter how expensive it is, 90 per cent of all barbecue recipes are feasible.
Price-performance ratio
The price of the Sunbiance Neptune is unbeatably low. So low that it almost makes you wonder. But it offers a lot in return. You get a fully-fledged charcoal kettle barbecue that will fit on almost any balcony. It has an enamel coating that you won't find anywhere else in this price segment. Although its workmanship is not the best and it doesn't have as many great extras as the Weber, it does what it is designed to do. It grills. What more could you want?
The Weber Master Touch is more than four times as expensive as the Sunbiance Neptune. For such a proud price, a barbecue must be able to offer a lot. So what extra does it offer? The first thing you notice is that the materials used are of better quality. In addition, the Weber barbecue offers certain amenities that you have to do without with the Sunbiance. Firstly, a holder is installed on the lower part of the kettle barbecue, into which you can snap the lid of the barbecue. This means you don't have to hold the lid in your hand or place it on the floor. The air regulators are also better designed and can therefore be adjusted more precisely. The Weber offers a decisive advantage over the Sunbiance with its ash pan at the bottom of the barbecue. This collects the burnt ash and can be emptied after use. The Sunbiance only has a kind of collecting tray. Nevertheless, you will certainly have to pay a considerable amount for the Weber Master Touch brand. Weber has a good reputation and accordingly demands a high margin.
Conclusion
There are pros and cons to both barbecues tested. I would advise you to consider your budget and your needs before buying a barbecue. With the Sunbiance Neptun, you get a good and affordable kettle barbecue that is equipped for practically all possible recipes. The Weber barbecue is clearly better made and probably also more durable. Weber offers you a ten-year guarantee for a reason. However, its purchase costs are significantly higher and it requires more storage space than the cheaper test device.
For me personally, a mixture of the Sunbiance and the Weber would be the perfect barbecue. Not too big, not too expensive and still well made. But if I had to choose between the two, I would go for the Weber Master Touch. It has better quality, is more durable in my opinion and has certain extras that I missed with the Sunbiance.
To the entire charcoal barbecue range
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