BBQ Consolidation isn’t something I thought I’d ever consider…
If you’re anything like me, your BBQ collection has gotten a bit out of hand over the years. It’s not that I’m a hoarder (okay, maybe just a little), but when I first started out on my BBQ journey, it felt like I needed every cooker under the sun. Maybe it was a bit of impostor syndrome, like I had to prove I could cook on anything thrown at me. Or maybe I just loved having all the options.
I think a lot of us fall into that mindset when we’re first getting into BBQ. We see the big names on social media cranking out epic cooks on every kind of grill imaginable, and it feels like you’re not a “real” pitmaster unless you can do the same. So, I set out to build a collection that would make me feel versatile and prepared for any challenge. At the time, it felt like the right move, but now I’m starting to wonder if it’s just a bit over the top.
My Current BBQ Collection
My current setup looked like this:
- 1987 J Code Weber Kettle – My Dad’s original, can’t let it go.
- 1983 C Code Weber Kettle – Birthyear kettle, sentimental as hell.
- Weber GA – Great for portable grilling.
- Z Grills Mini Pellet Smoker – Perfect for small cooks.
- Z Grills 700E-XL Pellet Smoker – Absolute workhorse.
- Fornetto Razzo 18” Bullet Smoker – For the true low and slow sessions.
- Outi Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven – Seen better days.
- 24” Kamado Ceramic Smoker – Versatile beast.
- Argentine Parrilla Asado Grill – For open fire grilling.
- A second pizza oven and a couple of Weber Q gassers.
That’s a bloody lot of gear, and while it’s been awesome to have so many options, it’s also become a bit of a space killer. Some of these cookers barely get used, and others are just taking up valuable real estate. Plus, the Outi pizza oven is falling apart and probably needs to be retired. It’s made me think about simplifying things and cutting back to a core setup that still covers all the essential bases.
The Reality Check
Space is at a premium, and I’m starting to feel like it’s better to have a smaller, more versatile setup rather than being swamped by cookers. I don’t want to feel guilty for not using something often enough or worried about maintaining it all. It’s more about quality over quantity, having just the right cookers to handle everything I throw at them without the clutter.
My Core BBQ Selection
If I were to consolidate, here’s what I’d keep:
- Z Grills Pellet Smokers (Mini and 700E-XL) – These cover my pellet smoking needs, from small quick cooks to big low-and-slow sessions. Reliable and consistent.
- Weber GA – Still my go-to for portability and small grilling jobs. Can’t beat it for road trips or quick backyard cooks.
- A Modern Weber Kettle – I’m thinking of cleaning up the sentimental ones and putting them in storage, then buying a new, tricked-out kettle to be the daily driver.
- Kamado Ceramic Smoker – Incredible versatility with smoking, roasting, and grilling.
- Parrilla Asado Grill – Keeping the open-fire element alive and kicking.
- Wood Fired Pizza Oven – We love the pizza I’ve been cooking on the Outi, but it is in dire need of replacing. Open to suggestions on this one. But wood/pellet/charcoal are a must.
Why Consolidation Makes Sense
It’s not about getting rid of history or memories, it’s about making room to actually enjoy the space and not feeling overwhelmed by choice. Having fewer cookers means less maintenance and cleaning, which means more time to actually cook and enjoy the process. Plus, it forces me to think creatively about how to get the most out of each setup rather than just relying on the perfect tool for every job.
Another big part of it is just coming to terms with the fact that I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I’m comfortable in my skills and confident in what I can do, and I don’t need a dozen different BBQs to back that up. I reckon that’s a lesson a lot of us go through. Figuring out that you don’t need to keep up with anyone else’s setup or prove your versatility by owning every grill on the market.
What’s Your Setup?
If you had to cut back to just a few BBQs, what would you choose? Do you have a sentimental cooker that you just can’t part with, or a workhorse that you couldn’t live without? Drop a comment below or share your thoughts, let’s swap some ideas.
Cheers, Ollie
