Best BBQ 2020 – Buyer’s Guide

Available in 3 stylish colours (graphite, red and mint), this Heston Blumenthal Force2 model is the perfect addition to the balcony or the garden of any style-conscious individual.

There is an instant searing function, so it is ready to cook your food in just 5 minutes. The hood is extra-high, so perfect for convection cooking any large meats such as a shoulder of lamb or a whole chicken. There is also full flexibility to cook with the hood up or down, so if there are a few spits of rain, you don’t have to rush to bring everything inside.

The majority of the appliance is die-cast aluminium, so not only will it never rust, but it’s also incredibly sturdy if you would like to keep it outside all year round. With an enamel coating, the hood and grill plates are easily cleaned and won’t be marked or damaged in the process.

Tapered legs give it extra durability, but it can also be removed from these if you’d prefer to use it portable. The legs have castors which are lockable for extra security.

If you want something which is on the smaller side but still gives you all you need to start a good outdoor party, then this barbecue is perfect for rolling out when the time comes.

The piezo ignition system gets you up and running almost immediately, so you don’t have to waste precious time getting it up and running before you tuck in. As well as the grill area, you also get a side burner which allows you to heat up things in a pan, saving you having to use the inside hob.

There is also a serving shelf to the right, as well as a lower shelf where you can store all of your sauces and bowls. This makes it the perfect all-in-one without needing to take up valuable dining space.

It takes a little while to build, so set aside a good half an hour as opposed to rushing it in the minutes before your guests arrive. It is also best if you will only be cooking for a maximum of six people due to the size. We would say that if you’re going to be using your BBQ every few days over the Summer, it may be better if you buy a more substantial model. For the occasional grilling, however, the price and ease of use will be plenty.

When you’re cooking for a large party and the barbecue is a bit busy, it can be hard to find space. You’re keeping an eye on everything, and have someone running in and out keeping an eye on whatever is being cooked on the hob inside while trying to keep guests entertained. Why not do it all in one appliance?

A side burner will cook smaller dishes, whether you’re wanting to fry some vegetables or somebody is being difficult and wants their steak done very specifically. The steel warming rack will keep everything warm so you can all sit down at the same time.

There is also a folding side table if you want to keep sauces, spices and garnishes to hand. A rack on the lower of the barbecue will allow you to keep plates out of the way until you dish up, too.

Style is high, and it won’t look out of place in any garden. There are two wheels on the left-hand side for easier transporting. Handy if it is in storage when not in use.

Our only big niggle is the faff it took building it. There are so many screws, and it all slots together a bit like a jigsaw. We’d say to give yourself a good hour to assemble it before you can get going. Other than that, though, it is a solid bit of kit. It is worth mentioning it only uses propane gas.

After a traditional option which is simple to use and gives the essence of charcoal barbecuing? This one provides all of the knowledge from Weber but stripped back to basics.

Don’t be put off if you think the cleaning will be a hassle, as the removable aluminium ash catcher collects it all and it can be emptied and cleaned separately to everything else. The plated steel cooking grate is also easy to keep on top of, and won’t let your food stick.

The design is a classic, so not only does it look great, but the quality engineering makes it a really solid product.

With a lid and bowl made from chip-resistant porcelain, it will stay looking good as new and will be resistant to most weather. The lid features a built-in thermometer and strong glass-reinforced nylon handle.

There are a lot of extra features available, such as covers, char roasters, and a poultry roaster which cooks not only delicious chicken but also nachos and sweet treats.

The popularity of BBQ smokers is sharply on the rise because of the enhanced flavour they give to your food, by smoking it over a long period. This Landmann comes in a traditional shape with a chimney, and there is plenty of cooking area to prepare food for up to 10 people.

With a 4-in-1 cooking function, you can directly cook smaller foods which take little time and can be placed straight over the coals, indirectly barbecue food which requires heat circulation and slow cooking, or smoke and cure it for an added taste boost. There’s a lower rack to store your cooked food and keep it warm until all of your guests are ready.

It is very heavy, but there are wheels so you can move it around a level surface with ease. The rounded cooking chamber ensures full heat and air circulation, so you don’t have to worry about any of your food being undercooked or burnt. The chimney and air vents also ensure full control over cooking temperature. There is also a built-in thermometer to make life easier.

The Big Green Egg is a favourite among seasoned grillers and professional chefs alike. So, why not bring a touch of this luxury into your own home?

It combines old tradition and know-how with modern touches to make life easier. Within minutes it is well on it’s way to being fully heated. Thanks to the airflow technology, the temperature can be manually controlled to within a few degrees.

Because of the high levels of insulation, it doesn’t seem to get as hot as other metallic barbecue models. Much safer to use, especially if your family of all generations are round for a big event and there are little ones running about.

The outer glaze is completed to a high quality with a lifetime guarantee. It is also the racing car green colour which has made Big Green Egg so noticeable. It wipes clean after use, and the residual heat of the inner chamber will solidify any dirt so it can be brushed away; no need to be put off barbecuing because of the looming clean up.

We have picked this particular option over the standard medium egg because there is the addition of some side shelving which we think makes all the difference.

Incredibly light, this BBQ comes with a specially-designed carry bag so you can easily take it with you should you fancy going camping or for a picnic one weekend. Intended for use on top of an ordinary outdoor table, the outside of the appliance stays cool so you won’t risk damaging the table surface or burning your fingers.

The design is eye-catching and perfect for adding a bit of colour and vibrancy to your outdoor space. It is available in red, green or grey, so there is something for every garden. Uniquely, it is powered by 4 AA batteries for an extra power boost, with the electronic ignition ensuring it is ready in just under 5 minutes. The charcoal container will hold up to 250g of fuel, so there is plenty of power to provide food for up to 5 people.

The grill grid, charcoal container and inner bowl are all securely attached to the outer bowl by latches, so you can safely use and transport the appliance without worrying about anything getting lost or damaged. The grill grid and inner bowl are also perfectly safe to use in your dishwasher, so there’s no need to get the scrubbing brush out to remove tough burnt-on stains.

If you are looking for a mighty barbecue which will have guests amazed, then this electric ignition model from everdure is a sure fire winner. And if you’re looking for an electric model, this is one you should take into consideration.

It looks nothing like a barbecue to be honest, but that is part of its overall brilliance. Contemporary style is combined with traditional charcoal barbecuing, for an item which is not only easy to control but still gives perfect BBQ results.

It isn’t just a BBQ though. You can also treat it as a slow cooker. The temperature ranged from 110C to an intense +400C. So it isn’t just the summer months when you can use it – pop it under a porch or cover and you’ll be able to cook outdoors even when the weather takes a bit of a turn for the worst.

You can select the right temperature using the easy-to-read digital display setting. The electric fast flame ignition means it can be ready to start cooking in just ten minutes, which can rival most modern indoor ovens and is much quicker than a standard charcoal barbecue. It is super-efficient when burning, so up to 1kg of coal can burn for nine hours of cooking.

With the purchase comes a stainless steel cooking grid, a cast iron cooking grid and a high-temperature pizza stone to cater for a variety of cuisines. Ideal if you can’t quite decide between a pizza oven or a barbecue – here you have both working so seamlessly together. The hood auto-locks for maximum safety, and you still get that smoky flavour despite one of the easiest temperature controls around.

Love barbecuing but it has your neighbours complaining that the smoke drifts over to their drying clothes? Not allowed to use gas or charcoal on your balcony? If you’re after something a bit different and ultra-modern, this is the model for you. Electric barbecues provide you with the authentic BBQ taste without all the hassle.

There are an LED temperature display and status indicator lights, perfect for anyone who has got so used to the modernity of appliances that anything not digital is a bit too much. iGrill technology also allows you to check the food temperature through your smartphone on a dedicated app, so you can leave it to do its job while socialising with your guests. Control knobs can be set to low, medium and high.

Most of the components are removable for cleaning, and there is grease management to prevent any nasty flare-ups. The grill grates are porcelain-cast which allows you to retain optimum heat, and also gives you the sear marks every pro barbecuer dreams about.

It comes with a stand but can also be removed from this for easy transportation or if you’d instead use it on an outdoor table top.

Possibly winning the prize for ‘barbecue which looks absolutely nothing like a traditional barbecue’, this is an incredibly modern twist on the outdoor favourite from Heston Blumenthal.

It is technically a fusion (hence the name) of electricity and charcoal, so while not completely electric, it takes an awful lot of the hassle out of traditional barbecuing. And it gives you the benefits of both. You can also use it with or without the stand, so can save space in the garden if necessary.

It is ready to go in around ten minutes, thanks to the Fast Flame Ignition System. The electric comes in through the electric ‘set and forget’ control, which perfectly controls the flame at all times without the need to fan or shield air.

There is a retractable power cord, weather and wind shield ability, and also retractable rotisserie poles with adjustable height and an internal motor, which is ideal for chicken and spit roasts. It is a barbecue you pay the price for, but the combination of charcoal and electric will likely mean it is going to stick around for years to come, and never lose reliability.

Coming in at well under £100, this space-saving Weber model is perfect for those who are short on space or are merely just infrequent barbecuers. If the best cheap barbecue is what you are looking for, then this is also your best pick. It is the original world-renowned Weber kettle barbecue, but just in a handy miniature size.

It is also the lightest of the BBQ’s that we reviewed, so is the most ideal if you want a barbecue that you can take with you anywhere. Suitable for use for a small family or couple, with enough space to cook all food at once.

It comes with a bag, making it easy to fit in the boot of the car without any mess or risk of losing items. There is the ability to control the air flow into the appliance, so you have more flexibility with the power of the heat depending on what you are cooking. You can also cook with the lid down to prevent flare-ups and lock in smoky flavours.

This traditional barbecue comes at a great price and will be sure to help you bring your friends and family together.

Although this doesn’t have any bright lights or crazy mod cons, it is one of our favourite picks due to its old school design and easy-to-use features. In all black, you can easily set this up anywhere in your garden, it doesn’t take up too much room but there’s lots of space for your delicious food on the grill.

It has two tiers, one you can use to queue up your upcoming burgers and one where you cook. It has an adjustable height for the grill meaning that you can control the temperature that the burgers are cooked at.

The unobtrusive design means it fits into any garden and you can move it from place to place with ease. It has wheels on the bottom meaning you can move it around accordingly.

It is easy to set up and is constructed from steel. It weighs just over 15kg but can be moved around with ease.

The cheapest barbecue of all the models we have reviewed, but that doesn’t take away from the power of this small appliance.

It is a lot sturdier than the photos suggest, with an anthracite enamel coating and added Teflon for easy cleaning and maintenance. The tray is heat-resistant and sturdy due to being coated with aluminium.

The grill can be placed on four different levels depending on what you’re cooking and how much heat the food requires. Vertical barbecuing is also possible if you purchase the extra spit and electric motor, available directly from Dancook.

Perfect if you after something which is great value for money and modestly sized, or want to kick off your barbecuing hobby.