The term BBQ is an abbreviation for the word barbeque or barbecue, and describes both a method and an apparatus for cooking meat outside. There are numerous styles of barbeques on the market, which differ in the fuels that they use and the methods used to cook meat and other foods. Barbeques can also differ greatly in terms of their size, from small portable units through to large fitted apparatus. Small barbeques are so little that they can be used for camping and picnics, which many larger designs are installed and fitted in a particular outdoor location. Barbeques are often the centrepiece in outdoor cooking and entertainment areas, where they can be found alongside outdoor tables, chairs, and other furniture. Some of the favourite locations for BBQs include balconies, patios, pergolas, and under awnings.

The word barbeque comes from the term barbabicu, which has origins in Florida and the Caribbean. Original BBQs were very different to what we know and love today however, and involved cooking meat and vegetables in a hole in the ground. This traditional method is still used in many places around the world, including Fiji and New Zealand. Modern barbeques are a very different kettle of fish however, and normally involve grilling meat using a hot plate. Saying that, there are other methods of cooking commonly used in barbeques as well, including smoking, braising, and baking. While small barbeques like kettle designs or simple hot plates are only made for grilling purposes, many of the larger and more professional BBQs on the market can utilise all of these different cooking methods.

It is common in modern society for barbeques to be installed in outdoor entertaining areas, where they take up an entire side or corner of the available space. These large BBQs are ideal for dinner parties and larger gatherings, as they allow multiple courses to be cooked at the same time using different methods of cooking and preparation. Some larger BBQs are designed with wheels so that they can be easily moved, while others are fitted into bars and outdoor areas much like an oven is fitted into an interior kitchen. No matter what your individual needs are from a BBQ apparatus, there are numerous places online where they can be easily purchased. Along with outdoor living shops and home retailers, there are also a number of dedicated BBQ manufacturers who have an online presence.