There’s everything to like about cooking outdoors, and now is a great time to buy a charcoal BBQ.
Food grilled over charcoal has a wonderful flavour that a gas grill cannot match. In addition to its authentic taste, the best charcoal BBQ is easy to use and costs significantly less than the gas equivalent, especially with soaring gas prices.
There is a real pleasure in cooking over a real fire that can’t be replicated with a push-button ignition & propane canister.
Best Charcoal Barbecue UK
Buying the best charcoal barbecue can be tricky. Although there are 100s to choose from, separating the good from the average can be difficult. And with everyone looking forward to better weather, they’re selling out – fast.
Clearly, great cooking performance is the top priority. It must also be easy to assemble, use & keep clean. Add these details to build quality, design, features, portability and grill size, and you have the winning criteria that differentiate the best charcoal BBQs from the mediocre.
We have scrutinised specifications, drawn on real-world insights, and eaten too many sausages to help you choose the best charcoal BBQ…
Best Portable BBQ
Weber Go-Anywhere
The Weber Go-Anywhere is the best portable BBQ, by some margin. The compact design is easy to store, carry, use and clean. Plus, it’s well-built, sturdy, and, best of all, it performs brilliantly.
The space-saving design makes it perfect for smaller gatherings at home, camping or a beach trip. Whatever your plans, this compact Weber BBQ delivers great food wherever you are.
Depending on your appetite, the grilling area (1025 cm²) is sufficient for a family of four. That said, we have cooked for twice this number on our long-term test model.
The new model has a heat shield to protect the handle. This is a welcome addition, although you will still need a glove or similar to adjust the air vents – it’s a BBQ & it gets hot!
The Weber Go-Anywhere is a top-quality model that’s easy to use, performs brilliantly, and as the name suggests, can go anywhere. Plus, it’s built to last. For under £100, you get a great charcoal BBQ that you’ll be using year after year.
SPECIFICATION: WEIGHT: 6.5Kg | GRILL AREA: 1025cm² | THERMOMETER: No | UPPER & LOWER VENTS: Yes
Weber Go-Anywhere | See Best Price on Amazon
Budget Charcoal BBQ [BEST SELLER]
Weber Compact 47cm
The Weber Compact is well-built, highly rated and (when available) very affordable.
Big enough for the whole family and capable of handling small gatherings, the Weber Compact is a great choice for most households. Stable to use, easy to move, and backed by the certainty of Weber quality and a long warranty, this BBQ ticks all the boxes at the affordable end of the market.
The Weber Compact is made from durable steel and aluminium. The steel dome is porcelain-enamelled, which helps it withstand heat and prevent corrosion. This is backed by a 10-year no-rust-through or burn-through warranty. The plated steel cooking rack is well-made. Not only will it last, but the durable finish makes it easy to clean.
Many Weber BBQs are still going strong after 10 years of use.
This affordable charcoal BBQ is a great choice for most households. Compact, yet big enough for most occasions and built to last, season after season.
SPECIFICATION: WEIGHT: 6.5Kg | GRILL AREA: 1730cm² | THERMOMETER: No | UPPER & LOWER VENTS: Yes
Weber Compact | See Best Price on Amazon
American Style BBQ Grill [BEST BUY]
VonHaus Charcoal
This model from VonHaus is a step up from your basic BBQ. Perfect for everything from grilling sausages to preparing a lavish feast, this grill has all the right refinements and details.
Beneath the large grill plate, the charcoal tray is height-adjustable. This makes it easy to control the heat intensity while cooking. Then there’s a warming rack. This is ideal for resting cooked meat or keeping food warm.
The thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking, meaning you know exactly when it’s up to temperature. And, the side shelves mean there’s somewhere to put dishes, tools & a beer or two. There’s even a bottle opener!
For cleaning, there’s a pull-out tray to remove the ash. Importantly, the grill plate is made from porcelain-enamelled cast iron. This is easy to clean and will last much longer than chromed steel. Also, the shelf folds down for easy storage.
There’s everything to like about this VonHaus BBQ. It’s well-built, easy to use and perfect for all occasions.
SPECIFICATION: DIMENSIONS: W134 x H109 x D64cm | GRILL AREA: 2320cm² | THERMOMETER: Yes | UPPER & LOWER VENTS: Yes
VonHaus Grill (new model) | See Best Price on Amazon
Ultimate Charcoal BBQ
Weber Master-Touch
The Weber Master-Touch BBQ features a large cooking area and is built to last. If you have used a Weber grill before, you’ll be expecting a top-notch barbecue – and this model won’t disappoint.
This new design offers numerous refinements and advantages over budget models. These include a temperature gauge, tool hooks, a handle heat shield, an insulated turner for the air vents, a lid holder, and the gourmet BBQ system.
The gourmet BBQ system brings endless possibilities. The simple but effective setup allows different accessories to be swapped in, ranging from a pizza stone and poultry roaster to a waffle maker and wok. Just add sunshine and a few beers…
This Weber kettle barbecue ticks all the boxes. A high specification, versatility and excellent build quality make the Master-Touch a great choice for everyone.
SPECIFICATION: DIMENSIONS: W65 x H107 x D72cm | GRILL AREA: 2320cm² | THERMOMETER: Yes | UPPER & LOWER VENTS: Yes
Buyers Guide
Much of the decision-making in choosing the best BBQ comes down to size and budget. Trying to cook for a large group on a small grill is hard work and best avoided.
The basic grill must have air vents above and below, plus a lid to control and retain temperature. Open grills are cheaper but difficult to keep at the right temperature
Choosing a dome or rectangular grill is largely a personal preference. The shelves and warming rack on the American-style grill add to its appeal but a small table by the kettle BBQ works too.
Whether you’re thinking portable, kettle or rectangular, choose from the recommendations here and you’ll get the best charcoal barbecue for your budget.
Barbecue Accessories
Along with the standard tools, there are loads of extras to consider. Moving away from the long list, there are a few ‘must-have’ accessories to make life easier.
- Use a chimney starter to quickly and easily get your BBQ started. Perfect for red-hot charcoal, without hassle.
- With the British weather, it’s likely that you won’t be cooking outdoors every day! Using a cover will help your barbecue last much longer. It will save you money in the long run.
- A food thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking meat and fish. Forget dried-out chicken or partially cooked sausages, and instead enjoy the compliments for serving perfectly cooked food every time.
History of the Kettle BBQ
In the early 1950s, George A. Stephens invented the kettle grill. He did this by cutting a metal buoy in half, adding vents, a grate and legs. Essentially, this is the same design we love and use today.
UK Verdict
All our recommendations cover the basics well and eliminate frustration with charcoal cooking. If you’re after a portable BBQ or simply want a small compact grill, the Weber Go-Anywhere is perfect. The design & build quality are superb. Plus, it’s easy to use, store & move.
If you’re staying in the garden, the Weber Compact is affordable and great for small gatherings.
For larger parties, the choice is between the American-style VonHaus grill and the more traditional Weber kettle design. Both barbecues are easy to use & easy to clean.
Although there’s convenience to the VonHaus design, the Weber is more portable and offers a gourmet accessory system, making it suitable for pizza & more. In short, the VonHaus is a better value for money, but price aside, the Weber Master-Touch is our top choice.
