Barbecue

Barbecue grills are commonly found on community lots, where they are a standard way for Sims to feed themselves. They can also be bought for residential use.

The Sims
In The Sims, they are found on most Vacation Island lots and some Downtown lots. The will not be found in Old Town, Studio Town, or Magic Town, but can be placed on Old Town community lots. They can also be bought for residential use.

Using a barbecue grill costs §20, and always produces a plate of burgers. Using it on a residential lot, is generally like preparing a group meal, except that the grill is a greater fire hazard. It's recommended that Sims have four or five Cooking points before using it.

Using a barbecue grill on a community lot is a bit different. The plate of burgers will be ignored by all Sims except for a) any members of the grilling Sim's family who are on the lot, or b) the grilling Sim's date (if any). Even they will ignore it after taking one serving, even if they're still hungry and there are still burgers on the plate. Also, townies and/or neighborhood Sims may grill autonomously, which can get costly because your Sim will be charged, unless you're using a downloaded grill that's been fixed to prevent this.

The Sims 2
Depending on Cooking skill, a Sim may use a barbecue grill to prepare hot dogs, hamburgers, or grilled ribs. (Hot dogs and ribs can only be prepared on a grill.) Sims cannot grill on residential lots unless a refrigerator is present. Ribs are not available on community lots.

In The Sims 2, barbecue grills have become a standard way for Sims to feed themselves on community lots. There is no charge for grilling on community lots, and Sims will not grill autonomously. When a Sim grills, they will serve the food they cook, and other Sims on the lot will come to eat it. You may need to watch to make sure that the Sim grilling the food gets to eat some of it.

The Sims 3
Barbecues are relatively the same in The Sims 3, as they depend on the cooking skill to make Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Cheesesteak, Tri-Tip Steak, and Grilled Salmon. Many grills are placed on community lots, and any Sim may cook on them when they are hungry.