Most people see a BBQ as a noble, smoke-kissed machine built for one purpose: sizzling snags, searing steaks and transforming any humble backyard gathering into an instant party.
Your BBQ has a secret wild side - one that goes far beyond char-grilled chicken and perfectly blistered corn. With a little imagination and a cheeky sense of adventure, your trusty grill can become the hero of the household, surprising you with talents you never knew it had.
The BBQ Bakery You Never Knew You Needed
Yes - your BBQ can bake. Properly bake. Think rustic, golden loaves of bread with a crust that would make an artisan baker weep. Preheat your BBQ like an oven, pop in a Dutch oven full of dough,and suddenly the backyard smells like a countryside boulangerie. You can do focaccia, cinnamon scrolls, brownies, even a gooey skillet cookie that’s basically dessert heaven sizzling on iron. The slight smoky whisper that sneaks its way in? Pure magic.
The Smoky Cocktail Lab
Move over, mixologists. With a little creativity, your BBQ can elevate cocktail hour into a smoky soirée. Toss a handful of fruit wood chips onto the coals, place a heat-safe bowl or small tray of citrus slices, herbs or spices over the grill and let them gently smoke. Then muddle, shake, or infuse those smoky aromatics into your favourite spirits.
Imagine a smoked lemon gin and tonic or a charred pineapple Margarita - sophisticated, dramatic and guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on a rooftop bar...even if you’re standing beside the lawnmower.
The World’s Most Dramatic Pizza Oven
Every BBQ hides a pizza oven within - it’s just waiting for someone to unleash it. Crank up the heat, throw in a pizza stone and you’ll get that blistered, leopard-spotted crust people queue for at food trucks. The fun part? You can go wild with toppings because it’s your pizza, your domain, your backyard culinary empire. Want brisket and blue cheese? Do it. Want chocolate, banana and marshmallow? Absolutely no rules apply here.
The DIY Smokehouse
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like an old-school pitmaster, your BBQ is ready to deliver. Low and slow cooking, with a handful of wood and a closed lid, turns your grill into a mini smokehouse. Try smoked butter, smoked salt, smoked tomatoes, or even smoked ice. Yes, smoked ice is a thing. Use it for drinks and feel like the fanciest person who ever poured a whisky.
The BBQ That Does Your Meal Prep
Your grill is not just for weekend feasts - it’s a secret weapon for weekday sanity. Batch-cook veggies, proteins and even grains in cast-iron pans on your BBQ. Everything gets that irresistible flame-kissed flavour and opening the fridge the next day becomes an emotional experience. You’ll feel oddly proud of yourself, like you’ve unlocked a rare adulthood achievement.
The Backyard Heater (With Snacks)
Cool evening? Light the BBQ. Sit beside it like it’s your personal campfire and warm your hands while roasting marshmallows or heating a mug of mulled wine. You’ll feel cosy, content and vaguely feral in the best possible way.
