The best barbecues to buy this summer
Summer is the season for the garden barbecue so, whether you’re a beginner barbecuer or a grill master, there’s plenty of food and fun to be had during the great British summertime–provided you are equipped with the right equipment of course.
With so many on the market (modern day BBQs are a whirl of features such as temperature gages, cast iron grills, side burners, pizza ovens, TRU-infrared heating systems, convection burners and food warmers), it can be a hard job trying to work out which style is best for you. To answer all your BBQ questions, we’ve searched high and low for the best barbecues in the market. So, whether you’re looking for a charcoal barbecue, gas barbecue, portable barbecue, hybrid grill, burner gas or tabletop barbecue, you needn't look any further.
What are the different types of barbecues?
Charcoal barbecues and gas barbecues are the two main types. Charcoal barbecues are the more traditional BBQ format and, while they may take a bit longer to get going, these give your grilled meats a delicious smoky charcoal flavour. Gas barbecues on the other hand remove the faff of the charcoal and briquettes and can cook your food immediately but lack the flavours of charcoal. Hybrid char-broil barbecues can do both, while electric grills are easy-to-use and clean, though may not have the same cooking capacity as its gas and charcoal counterparts.
How do I choose the right barbecue for me?
With such a vast range of barbecues available, the most important thing to consider when choosing a BBQ is that it suits your outdoor cooking needs. Consider the size of your garden, how often you are going to use the BBQ and how many people you plan on cooking for. Three to four burner BBQs need large cooking areas but are ideal for big gardens and even bigger gatherings. These models often come with side shelves, drip trays and temperature settings ideal for low, slow cooking. On the other end of the scale, portable BBQs and tabletop barbecues will work better on small patios or terraces and are better suited for easy-to-grill dishes like hotdogs or burgers.
What is the best all-around barbecue?
The Big Green Egg is the go-to barbecue for practically every chef and is so much more than just your average charcoal barbecue. These egg-shaped marvels are in fact ceramic-lined Japanese kamado ovens, not barbecues, and as such can reach far higher temperatures than most barbecues. It also has patented airflow control, which enables aspiring outdoor chefs to achieve accurate grilling temperatures ideal for a variety of cooking styles, from grilling, slow cooking, smoking, roasting and even baking. This versatile mini version also has clever ‘ConvEGGtor’ (see what they did there) technology to turn it into a convection oven so you can use it for a variety of dishes. It’s the smallest option with a diameter of 56cm, but every bit as powerful as the larger, more expensive Big Green Eggs. A word to the wise: it may look portable but it weighs 40kg so it’s not one to transport on foot.
What is the best gas barbecue?
Weber is a household name in the business of BBQs for good reason. The BBQ specialist has gas, charcoal barbecues and everything in between. We like the Genesis II EX-355 which has durable cast iron and porcelain enamelled cooking grates and a sear grate insert. It also has grease reflectors which prevent flare-ups and a large cabinet for storage. This smart gas BBQ can be connected to your smartphone via the Weber Connect app, giving you information on cooking time and BBQ temperatures. Perfect for garden parties, the Weber Genesis II EX-355 gives you real-time alerts when your food is ready to your desired ‘done-ness’ so you will never overcook or undercook your steak ever again.
What is the best charcoal barbecue?
You can always rely on a Weber charcoal kettle barbecue. They’re the best around and last for years (with a ten-year warranty to boot). This handy barbecue offers a generous 57cm cooking area and comes with Gourmet BBW System grate that allows for several accessories to be added such as a wok, griddle or sear. Its hinged lid and bowl are made with porcelain enamel, while the locking lid has a built-in thermometer. This model has a one touch cleaning system and rust resistant ash catcher for painless after-care and all-weather wheels for enhanced manoeuvrability. For easy cooking over the coals and the ability to control the heat and flames, this can’t be beaten.
What is the best barbecue for big families?
This is a serious bit of barbecuing kit, capable of cooking for very large parties. This hybrid BBQ is a versatile option as it can be used instantly with gas burners or used as a charcoal BBQ if you’re looking for a smoky flavour. With five burners, a dual fuel gas and charcoal hood that can cook at different temperatures and with a side shelf and two sliding drawers, you’d be hard done to find a better BBQ for your next big garden party. There’s even a chopping board, warming drawer, ice bucket and ceramic hob for boiling water too. Simply put, there’s not much this John Lewis barbecue can’t do.
What is the best compact barbecue?
This dinky option is just 35cm in diameter, making it a compact option to take on days out. Large enough to fit four burgers or three small fillets and with a removable cooking rack that can be easily transported to the sink, the Bodrum Frykat is perfect for more intimate barbecue gatherings with the family. It also has silicone handles and clips that stay cool to the touch, with a metal bowl that is safe to use on most outdoor surfaces. If you only have a small balcony and are feeding just a few people, it's a great option that can sit on a tabletop.
What is the best barbecue for grill fanatics?
Traeger is taking barbecuing to the next level with this WiFi-controlled design. This BBQ allows you to monitor the temperature and pellets during a cook from your mobile phone, so long as the barbecue is plugged into the mains. Coined as ‘the next generation barbecue’, this beast of a BBQ offers a large 4200cm grill area and stainless steel burners that can cook up to eight chickens, five rib racks and six pork chops. The Traeger app also allows grillers to adjust temperatures, monitor food and gives them access to over 1,600 BBQ recipes. It’s a huge piece of kit, ideal for low, slow cooking in the American style of barbecue to produce the smokiest flavours.
What is the best hybrid barbecue?
Another option for those who can't choose between gas or coal, the Char-Broil can do both with a charcoal tray that can be lit using the gas burners. The Char-Broil Gas2Coal can switch from gas to coal in less than 60 seconds and without the need for a barbecue lighter. It has also got two heavy-duty wheels for easy transport and a nifty bottle opener too. There’s a side burner for warming sauces and, though it’s not the sleekest thing we’ve seen, it’s a good compact option for small families.
What is the best barbecue for camping trips?
This looks quite unlike any other barbecue around and performs differently too. It’s comprised of separate cooking drums that can be stacked or used separately and can cook pizzas, sear steaks, bake jacket potatoes or roast veggies all at the same time. Each section of this versatile barbecue can be separated so if you want to use it as a pizza oven, or with the open flame of a fire pit, you simply have to remove the upper section of the BBQ. It even has a kettle/boiler water heating function, making it the perfect barbecue for camping trips.
What is the best budget barbecue?
At £95 and with over 4,000 positive reviews on Argos, there’s plenty to love with this handy gas BBQ. This stainless steel model can feed up to 6-8 people and comes with two burners and a side burner too. While compact in size, this BBQ offers plenty of functionality. It has a side table for food prep, a nifty storage shelf and wheels for ease of movement.
What is the best portable barbecue?
The Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Cube barbecue is perfect for impromptu BBQs away from home. Its sleek, contemporary design is easy on the eyes and can grill anything from burgers to hotdogs and even steaks. It comes with an integrated food-grade storage tray, preparation board and porcelain-enamel firebox – all the BBQ essentials. It’s also easy to store with the chrome handles that can minimise external heat. It’s the perfect barbecue for small outdoor spaces and impromptu picnics.
For inspiration on what to cook, check out our collection of barbecue recipes, recipes for alfresco dining and picnic recipes.
