As lengthening evenings and rising temperatures herald summer’s approach, those enticing, smoky smells start wafting over the capital’s backyard fences once more. Long-ignored charcoal BBQs are inspected for worthiness and novelty aprons are re-examined for appropriateness.
Age-old debates such as what constitutes the best way to light a charcoal BBQ also reignite, some swearing by chimney starters or pocket bellows, while diehards like me stick to some strategically-placed natural firelighters.
From kettles and pedestals to barrels, drums and eggs, our charcoal BBQ obsession takes many forms and price tags. There are the wobbly, wallet-friendly £30 specials as well as sleek style statements that cost the best part of a grand like the lust-inducing Morsø Forno, or the top-end Garden Party from laudable London firm Chesneys Heat (yours for a sweltering £3,199).
While the basic premise of a charcoal BBQ remains refreshingly simple, the current range of high quality options has advanced far beyond those flimsy, rust-bothering wonk fests of yore. Gadget fiends are well-catered for too, with all manner of weird and wonderful BBQ peripherals you’ll wonder how you previously managed without, from slow smokers to stainless steel grill-top BBQ pizza ovens.
As Londoners have become more gastronomically adventurous so our cooking styles have become much-improved, and mercifully more sophisticated. From Mangal magic to Latino-style Assado and Churrasco spreads, our charcoal BBQ horizons have broadened beyond belief, helping consign to the history books those questionably pink chicken pieces and burned bangers still alarmingly uncooked on the inside that I recall from my youth.
Best charcoal BBQs at a glance
- Best for celeb credentials: Big Green Egg BBQ - £2432, John Lewis
- Best for update on a classic: Char-Broil Kettleman - £170, Amazon
- Best for grilling on the go: Weber Go Anywhere Portable Charcoal BBQ - £99.99, Amazon
- Best for southern-style succulence: Landmann Kentucky Smoker - £260, Argos
- Best for bang for buck: Von Haus American Style Charcoal BBQ Grill - £174.99, Amazon
- Best for garden parties: Tower Apollo Burner - £75.83, Amazon
- Best for hybrid fuel options: Char-Broil Gas2Coal 2.0 - £375, Appliances Direct
- Best for statement design: Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Fusion - £999, John Lewis
- Best for budget BBQers: Wilko Square Charcoal BBQ - £50, Wilko
- Best for big parties: Original Jerk nano J cut - £600, Original Jerk
- Best for small homes: everdure by heston blumenthal CUBE Portable Charcoal BBQ - £199, John Lewis
- Best for camping trips and park picnics: LotusGrill Standard stainless steel smokeless BBQ grill - £149, Cuckooland
- Best for a classic that won’t break the bank: George Foreman Portable Kettle Charcoal BBQ - £89.99, Currys
Our recent obsession with ‘pulled this and that’ may have calmed, U.S. styles such as Texas-style BBQ, smoking, rubs and ‘low and slow’ roasting of cuts such as brisket retain loyal followings. Healthy options are also more in evidence, along with an explosion in vegan and gluten-free options.
Read on for a tantalising taste of what’s currently cooking on the market, from the big-budget and beautiful to compact portables enabling BBQing on the go.
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Big Green Egg BBQ & Acacia Wood Shelves Nest Bundle with ConvEGGtor & Cover
Best for: celeb credentials
Plump for the Big Green Egg XL and aside from being over £2k lighter, you’ll join an elite owners club featuring celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Tom Kerridge as well as Goldenballs himself, David Beckham.
Clad from NASA-grade ceramics, that Armageddon-proof – okay, weatherproof – body, with its fabulous racing green livery and hammered-exterior takes the capital’s climate in its stride, backed by a lifetime warranty.
BGE was at the vanguard of the craze for Kamados, more outdoor ovens than traditional BBQs, and the Eggs are fantastic fun to use, guaranteed to enthuse even the most reluctant of outdoor chefs. This one will roast, slow cook, smoke and bake as well as grill, promising restaurant-quality food in your back garden that’ll be the talk of the street. Moreover, XL users can effectively double their 61cm diameter cooking space by investing in an EGGspander, allowing you to cook directly and indirectly simultaneously – great for Sunday roasts.
If you’re looking for a practical, stylish way to grill 24 burgers, 12 juicy steaks or 11 vertical chickens at a pop, and aren’t put off by the price tag and size, the XL weighing in at 93kg and measuring 82cm heigh x 82cm wide, including handles, then this one’s for you.
Just remember to ‘burp’ it, fractionally opening and closing the lid a few times before fully opening, to avoid any high-temperature, eyebrow-erasing backdrafts.
Buy now £2432.00, John Lewis
Char-Broil Kettleman
Best for: update on a classic
I love this easy-to-use update on the classic kettle charcoal BBQ design which feels premium without the price tag and was among the easiest to assemble.
Lighting and leaving my Kettleman for half an hour, as suggested, it effortlessly nudges 300 degrees Celcius and holds its heat well, the voluminous lid’s three large circular vents and integral thermometer make temperature control a doddle. This while being respectably light on charcoal consumption.
The major USP though (cue fanfare) centres on its overly fancy-sounding ‘TRU-Infrared technology’. In practice, this refers to its heavy duty, subtly-perforated ridged grill plate which ensures food emerges flavourful and juicy – up to 50 per cent juicier, Char-Broil claims. While I’m unsure about that, the end results certainly look and taste fabulous, complete with tell-tale searing marks, those small holes in the porcelain-coated grill delivering pleasing smokiness while countering food-charring ‘flare ups’ caused by juices dripping on the coals.
I’ve also enjoyed experimenting with different charcoal patterns – as covered in the accompanying booklet – such as forming a ring of coals around the grill perimeter for indirect cooking. Shucks, it’s even got a large removable ash tray. Bravo Char-Broil.
Buy now £170.00, Amazon
Weber Go Anywhere Portable Charcoal BBQ
Best for: grilling on the go
This portable party starter from the BBQ boffins at Weber sure has some compelling selling points, not least its price tag.
Other welcome touches on this supremely capable budget portable charcoal BBQ include the solid, triple-plated cooking grate; tough porcelain-enamelled lid, complete with heat-proof handle; and the rust-proof aluminium lid vents promoting lid-down air flow. The fold-out legs, meanwhile, serve to both raise the BBQ to avoid scorching surfaces and to lock the lid in place when not in use.
All told, it’s a solid, durable option with a space-saving design that’ll pack away nicely. You could even lash it to the back rack of a bike with some strategically-applied bungee cords, drawing envious looks down the park from those nursing shonky supermarket disposables (which are fast becoming banned by retailers, anyway).
Buy now £99.99, BBQ World
Landmann Kentucky Smoker
Best for: southern-style succulence
Having the ability to smoke your food really adds a welcome element to your charcoal BBQ game. Slow-smoked tastes can be dished up with ease thanks to this sub-£300 machine.â
With a quirky design that reminds me of an aged locomotive or Appalachian moonshine still, the eminently functional Landmann Kentucky Smoker is simple yet effective. It measures a decent-sized 140cm x 53cm and sits 125 cm high. Cook away on a decent size grill cooking area (66cm x 36cm) as well as a separate offset smoker.
While the chrome-plated charcoal grid is no great shakes, the powder-coated shell seems hardy and its handier features include a removable side shelf; in-lid thermometer; removable ash pot; and a 60cm x 18cm warming rack.
Landmann reckon it’ll cater for 10 people, which sounds plausible. Search ‘Kentucky Smoker’ on YouTube and you’ll even find a handy ‘getting started’ video to help smoke out your appetite.
Buy now £260.00, Argos
Von Haus American Style Charcoal BBQ Grill
Best for: bang for buck
This chunky American-style charcoal BBQ offers astounding value at this price point and feels refreshingly well-built, incorporating quality materials that should stand the test of time.
Its matt graphite exterior is pleasingly understated and I like that it’s a bit smaller than many such U.S. style offerings while still delivering where it counts. Take the robust side shelves for instance or the handy utensil hooks or hefty hood, secured by strong hinges. I also made good use of the bottle opener and large wheels.
In use, the 55cm x 22cmtop rack plays a good supporting role to that 57cm x 41cm grill space and the porcelain-coated cast iron grills distribute heat well, promoting even cooking and making clean up a doddle.
The ability to quickly raise or lower the grill pan by moving the front right lever to another slot is a nice touch but better still is the front door access. In addition to making it easier and safer to add more charcoal while in use, the latter means I can strive for that distinctive U.S. style smoky flavour– hence that 2-in-1 tag – by closing the vents and heaping soaked, flavoured woodchips over the hot coals. Yeehaw.
Buy now £174.99, Amazon
Tower Apollo Burner
Best for: garden parties
It was a late March evening and lightly snowing when I first fired up my Tower Apollo Burner. While that heat-resistant, powder-coated steel body did initially ‘whiff’ while warming, this thankfully didn’t last too long.
While no world beater as a charcoal BBQ, the 35cm diameter removable circular black-coated grill rack sat just above the coals, it delivered some passable late-night treats. Plus, that circular shape and wide front doorway had me thinking of trying a pizza stone in it (to be continued).
Where the 120cm-high Apollo excels though is as a stylish, affordable garden heater, the warmth radiating out about a metre as that big chimney funnels the bulk of the smoke away from the gathered guests.
Given its 44cm wide footprint and reassuringly stable legs, it’s ideal for small spaces and I love the simple, modern design. The large, latch-secured mesh doorway frames the flames beautifully and I can’t resist swinging it open to add fuel or finesse my fire arrangement using the handy poker accessory.
Buy now £75.83, Amazon
Char-Broil Gas2Coal 2.0
Best for: hybrid fuel options
Despite being far from bowled over by this one’s butch and beefy ‘80s-style looks, I was quickly converted upon firing it up.
With its heavy-duty cast iron plates and refreshingly capacious and capable grill space, this user friendly and durable dual-fuel charcoal BBQ delivers consistently excellent results, the flavoursome smoke circulating nicely under that hood. Those sizable side shelves are a godsend and users can further enhance their internal storage capabilities by buying into Char-Broil’s modular Made2Match system .
Though by no means a big fan of BBQing on gas, I welcome its inclusion here, in the brand’s best-selling three burner version. Switching between the two ‘modes’ takes seconds – simply remove the stainless steel charcoal tray, place metal covers on the three gas burner tubes and you’re all set. Plus, secreted in the left-side shelf is a handy 3.5kW gas burner, useful for everything from whipping up sauces to frying onions, while the battery-operated one-touch ignition button that fires the gas can also ignite the coals. How handy is that?
Buy now £375.00, Appliances Direct
Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Fusion
Best for: statement design
Part of a range of tie-ins with celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, the Fusion sports a head-turning design and looks splendid either perched atop its pedestal or plonked on the garden table. It also incorporates some novel selling points, not least its clever use of electricity.
Using the natty electric ignition system, I simply pyramid my coals over the heating element, plug it in, hit the ignite button and wait ten minutes before I’m ready to rake the ash-edged coals across the porcelain enamel firebox to start grilling. The ignition shuts off automatically after seven minutes.
A retractable power cord also drives the slow turning rotisserie function whose height-adjustable metal pillars disappear into the body when not in use. âThe brand claimed a 15kg load capacity for rotisserie - which had me mentally adding suckling pig to my summer BBQ agenda - yet in reality it left me wanting. Longing for a lid with a thermometer in to close over my grilling food as well as some side shelves.
Certainly that electronic ignition takes the heat out of BBQ starting, and the rotisserie function is a welcome addition, though for my needs it all feels a bit gimmicky and I’d fear for its durability. Moreover, in repeated use I found myself craving some of my other test models which, though far cheaper, proved more fun to use.
A charcoal BBQ for people who don’t particularly like charcoal BBQing, perhaps, with a questionably high price tag.
Buy now £999.00, John Lewis
Wilko Square Charcoal BBQ
Best for: budget BBQers
Wondering what £50 gets you these days? Keen to avoid being assailed by retail guilt every time you step into the garden? Well, this budget pedestal charcoal cutie has your name on it.
This unassuming, wallet-friendly gem impressed me, I must say. Simple and fun, it gets the job done and it was a breeze to assemble. Considering its lightweight stature, ensuring it stashes easily in a car boot or shed, especially with the legs removed, it feels surprisingly unflimsy and I particularly like the pleasingly stiff movement of that roomy lid which curls back under the bottom of the BBQ.
That roomy lid shields a decent-sized square grill space and a practical, chrome-plated warming tray that I managed to squeeze five fat foil parcels on and still close the lid without blocking the vent. I also like the lid latch, underneath storage and usable wheels.
Being 6’3, I did find the grill a bit low, and some of the edges a bit sharp, but that’s me nit picking. Given the keen price point and dimensions (81cm high x 47cm wide x 53cm deep), I reckon it’ll appeal to everyone from students and house shares, to couples and families. Nice one Wilko.
Buy now £50.00, Wilko
Original Jerk nano J cut
Best for: big parties
Streatham-based Original Jerk has built up a loyal following with its large, exquisitely-crafted drum BBQs and for summer 2022 comes news of a first ‘micro’ version, the Nano-J, and I, for one, couldn’t be happier.
Weighing around 12kg, the Nano-J is essentially a mini version of the J Cut, the South London outfit’s best-selling oil drum charcoal BBQ. Based around a 60cm x 40cm drum that sits on a foldable, wobble-free ‘X’ stand, the Nano exudes craftsmanship, evidenced in that sturdy steel construction complete with laser cut grills, robust fire box and stubby little chimney.
Notable refinements compared to the DIY simplicity of a classic oil drum charcoal BBQ include the in-lid thermometer and chunky slatted grill plates. There’s also a slatted shelf above for resting, or smoking, food and when I close the sliding side vent and chimney cover it’s pretty much air tight, aiding cooking control.
With its matt black finish and shallow oiled timber side shelves, it’s a right looker, I reckon. Better still, customers can have their Nano personalised, requesting bespoke picture grills, for example. Sweet.
Buy now £600.00, Original Jerk
everdure by heston blumenthal CUBE Portable Charcoal BBQ, Graphite
Best for: small homes
Elevate impromptu cookouts to luxe chef standards thanks to this portable little grill made in collaboration with food wizard Heston Blumenthal.
The CUBE may be small (at table top size) but it sure is mighty, allowing you to cook, clean and store with the firebox easily. It uses charcoal to cook your grub, leaving that delicious chargrilled flavour on whatever’s on the menu.
A great little investment for yourself, or a gift for the BBQ lover in your life.
Buy now £199.00, John Lewis
LotusGrill Standard stainless steel smokeless BBQ grill
Best for: camping trips and park picnics
A BBQ grill that looks as good as the grub it will ultimately cook, the LotusGrill is a great option for those who want to cook quickly, healthily, and with as little mess as possible.
It’s ready to go in just three minutes thanks to the fan-assist feature which funnels air into the charcoal more efficiently. There’s no need to worry about intense heat, the fan speed dial effectively doubles up as heat control, allowing you to grill juicy cheeseburgers and marinated chicken wings at the optimum temperature easily. It can cook enough food for five.
Best of all, the base stays cool throughout, so the LotusGrill is safe to use on table tops and lawns without scorching the grass underneath. Dishwasher safe, requires 4 x AA batteries.
Buy now £149.00, Cuckooland
George Foreman Portable Kettle Charcoal BBQ - Black
Best for: a classic that won’t break the bank
A classic kettle-style BBQ with an extra tray to keep fuel and wheels to move it around from one sunny spot to another, this is George Foreman’s portable charcoal BBQ. Rumbling tummies will soon be satisfied with 45cm of grilling space to cook on, which is enough to sear five portions.
It’s moderately heavy at 7kg empty but easy enough to navigate from the shed to the patio or elsewhere in the garden thanks to the two robust wheels fitted onto the bottom. It can also be dismantled for camping trips, making being outdoors a much tastier experience.
Buy now £89.99, Currys
Bar-Be-QuickReusable Instant BBQ Starter Pack
Best for: budget and portable
Enjoy disposable supermarket BBQs but experience pangs of societal guilt due to their unsustainable nature and the scorch marks you leave in the park? If so, this simple solution is for you.
Bar-Be-Quick claims its Reusable Instant charcoal BBQ is a market first and this starter pack contains a reusable BBQ tray with removable, stainless steel grill plus 12 bags of Instant Light Lumpwood Charcoal. That charcoal is ethically sourced too, the Burnley-based company’s coals being FSC-certified and Fairly Traded. Kudos.
Mine performed spiffingly in the park for some casual midweek grilling burgers, setting it on a couple of bricks I’d found kicking about the back garden. Having lit a corner of the charcoal bag I’d placed in the tray, adding the food once the coals were nicely ashed, and I was chowing down in no time.
Incidentally, you’ll get around an hour of cooking out of the bags and, combined with the 24cm x 29cm grill area, it’ll do for two people, possibly more. Just bear in mind it’s still not a permanent solution: the company reckon one tray will deliver up to 20 BBQs.
Buy now £39.00, Bar-Be-Quick
