More Than a Park Product: Why Communal Barbecues Deserve Specialist Focus

In the landscape industry, it is tempting to weigh decisions heavily in terms of upfront cost. Budgets are tight, and the pressure to deliver projects on time and within scope is real. Yet when it comes to communal barbecues, focusing solely on price is a decision that often proves costly over the life of a project.

Public barbecues are not decorative add-ons. They are appliances with many working parts that all need to function correctly for the unit to be used. Unlike most public furniture and equipment, which have no mechanical parts, a barbecue is a complex device that demands ongoing reliability. They are high-use, high-visibility assets that quickly become the heart of a shared space. If they fail, the community notices immediately. A malfunctioning unit does more than interrupt a meal; it undermines trust in the space itself and, by extension, in the designers, specifiers, and contractors who recommended and installed it.

Image: Close-up view of A Series Barbecues at Reflections Holiday Park, Evans Head, NSW

The False Economy of “Good Enough”

Contractors and clients sometimes opt for less expensive units, perceiving them as interchangeable with specialist products. On paper, the numbers look good. However, in practice, the reality is more costly: additional servicing, frequent cleaning, accelerated wear, and premature replacement. What seems like a budget win quickly turns into an ongoing liability.

The industry has seen this cycle play out countless times. Installations chosen solely on price often end up consuming more maintenance budgets, staff hours, and client goodwill than anyone anticipated. Trading down is not saving money; it is deferring the bill.

The Christie Difference

The key distinction lies in focus. Many suppliers of public-space infrastructure offer barbecues as just one item in a long catalogue of bins, benches, shelters, and bollards. Their barbecue designs tend to rely on generic technology and off-the-shelf components, because barbecues are not their passion or priority.

Christie Barbecues takes a different approach. Every iteration, every material choice, every service model is shaped by one goal: delivering the best possible communal barbecue experience. That singular focus translates into innovations that generalists cannot match, whether it is engineering for marine, alpine, desert, or tropical conditions, or refining heating technology that performs consistently under heavy daily use.

The result is a product not only built to last, but also supported by expertise that keeps it running smoothly. Where a generalist outsources after-sales service or struggles with lead times, a specialist can ship spare parts within 24 hours and resolve technical issues directly with qualified staff. From call to resolution, the same team stands behind the product.

Image: Valencia Residences, Brisbane QLD. CC2 Cooktop.

Reliability as a Design Criterion

Landscape professionals rightly prioritise sustainability, accessibility, and aesthetics. Reliability belongs on the same list. A barbecue that fails in its first decade compromises the design intent and erodes user trust. A barbecue that performs reliably for decades sustains community value and reflects positively on the specifier.

Consider the lifecycle implications. A higher upfront investment in a robust, specialist barbecue reduces whole-of-life costs through lower maintenance, fewer breakdowns, and longer replacement cycles. It also reduces landfill by extending the product’s useful life. Measured over 15 or 20 years, the economic and environmental returns are clear.

Service as Part of the Product

Too often, service is treated as an afterthought. In reality, it is inseparable from the product itself. Even the most durable barbecue faces weather, wear, and misuse. When that happens, the speed and quality of service make the difference between a quick fix and weeks of community frustration.

Christie’s in-house technical support ensures that issues are diagnosed and resolved quickly, without involving third-party contractors. Spare parts on hand mean a failed component does not take a facility out of service for months. Industry-best lead times, such as five-day dispatch on standard stock, keep projects moving and assets operational.

These are not extras. They are essential safeguards that protect both the community and the reputation of the professionals who specify the product.

Image: Bradbury Park, Brisbane QLD. CC2 Cooktops with custom Brisbane City Council Barbecues by Christie

Raising the Standard

For too long, public barbecues have been viewed as just another item in a catalogue. The industry deserves better. Landscapes are designed for people, and people gather around barbecues. These assets carry more social weight than their modest footprint suggests. They are points of connection, inclusion, and memory.

That means they demand more than “good enough.” They require the best available. And the best comes from those who dedicate their expertise solely to this product, who treat every installation as a test of community trust, and who stand ready to support their clients for decades.

The Bottom Line

When the question is asked, Why pay more, the answer is simple: because it costs less in the long run, both financially and reputationally. A specialist barbecue is not just a purchase. It is an investment in reliability, sustainability, and community satisfaction.

For landscape architects, specifiers, and contractors, the challenge is clear. Price should inform the decision, but never define it. In communal spaces where design meets daily life, reliability and support are not optional. They are the foundation of lasting value.

This article was featured in the Spring ‘25 edition of BIMCRUNCH Australia. Find the full magazine here. To learn more about Christie Barbecues or download their BIM objects, join Bimstore for free. For additional information, visit Christie'smanufacturer profile or their company website and social media pages.