13 best charcoal barbecues, tested and rated by experts
Come rain or shine, a charcoal barbecue is the quintessential kit for cooking outdoors. Read our review of the best grills, from budget to blowout, plus we share tips on how to use a charcoal BBQ
A charcoal barbecue delivers something gas simply can't replicate: that deep, smoky flavour that comes from cooking directly over hot coals. It requires a little more patience – you're waiting on the coals rather than turning a dial – but for a lot of people, that's part of the appeal, and the results speak for themselves. Our experts tested a wide range of charcoal barbecues and narrowed them down to 11 of the best, from compact grills you can throw in the car to larger kettle barbecues built for serious cooks. We've covered a range of price points, too, so there's no need to spend big to get great results. New to charcoal cooking? Take a look at our guide to lighting a charcoal BBQ before you get started. Compare charcoal BBQs View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best charcoal BBQs at a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS 5/5 stars: Best charcoal BBQ: Kamado Joe Konnected Joe, £1,999 Best portable charcoal BBQ: Somerset Grill Co Asado Go! Portable Grill, £995 Best Weber charcoal BBQ: Weber Master-Touch 57cm charcoal barbecue, £379.99 Best charcoal smoker BBQ: Big Green Egg large ceramic grill, £1,495 Best charcoal BBQ for camping: Napoleon Premium 14 Charcoal Portable, £84.99 Best of the rest: Best Japanese-style barbecuing: Kasai Konro Grill, £339 Best charcoal BBQ for families: Char-Broil Kettleman, £259.99 Best charcoal BBQ for feeding a crowd: Masterbuilt AutoIgnite Series 545, £499 Best for social barbecuers: Char-Broil Charcoal L barbecue, £319.99 Best charcoal BBQ for small gardens: Big Green Egg MiniMax, £925 Best charcoal BBQ for taking on trips: Everdure Cube portable charcoal BBQ, £149 Best kettle BBQ for user-friendly features: Napoleon 22" charcoal kettle grill barbecue, £245.99 Best budget charcoal BBQ: Bar-be-Quick Tandoori Smoker and Grill, £85 Jump to: Best charcoal BBQs to buy in 2026 Can you use a charcoal BBQ in winter? What to look for when buying a charcoal BBQ How to choose the best charcoal BBQ How to choose the right size charcoal BBQ Charcoal BBQ fuel and lighting Which charcoal is best for barbecuing? How to clean a charcoal BBQ How to extinguish a charcoal BBQ How to maintain a consistent temperature on a charcoal BBQ How we tested charcoal barbecues We tested each model's every function (including smoker, pizza oven, tandoori, fire pit) under controlled conditions in order to find the best of the bunch. Coals were stacked and lit in order to achieve direct heat and left until they were white hot with glowing red centres. Then, it was time to start cooking. We started with the veggie dishes: un-oiled courgette slices, potato slices, veggie kebabs and a whole aubergine, looking for defined grill lines, blistered skins and even cooking. Next up was the meat – steak first, which is an excellent indicator of heat intensity. For lidded BBQs, we also cooked a spatchcock chicken and tested each model's ability to keep the coals going with the lid shut. We toasted white burger buns, too. What we looked for when testing charcoal barbecues Each model was scored against the same core criteria: Ease of use: We asked whether each model is intuitive to use and suitable for beginners. We also measured how long each BBQ took to assemble and whether it was straightforward. Some also required tools for assembly, so we awarded extra points to those that came with tools provided. Ease of cleaning: Is the model easy to clean? Are there manufacturer's guidelines provided to help with cleaning? Cooking results: We considered evenness, taste, texture and succulence of the cooked food during testing. Value for money: We thought about whether the charcoal BBQ was worth its price tag. Quality of materials: Does the barbecue have a robust exterior and feel like it's built to last? Does it use quality, well made materials that look attractive? Best charcoal BBQs to buy in 2025 Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Available from BBQ World (£1,999) Best charcoal BBQ Pros: Perfect grilling Easy to maintain Cons: Expensive outlay Heavy to get in place Star rating: 5/5 First of all, when it comes to looks, the Konnected Joe puts every other barbecue in the shade. With its distinctive dark red ceramic casing, it looks as good as it grills and will be a real talking point at your garden get-togethers. You choose how you want to cook – from monitoring the coals the old-fashioned way to letting it do everything bar turn the burgers, it’s a flexible, fully-controllable dream. Use the Kamado Joe app to adjust temperatures, get alerts when your food is ready, and remind you to clean up afterwards. The only thing we didn’t love about this model was the gargantuan task of getting it into the garden. With kerbside delivery, this could be a problem for those with hard-to-access spaces, but once in place, it’s well worth the effort for the simplicity of cooking. Available from: BBQ World (£1,999) undefined Somerset Grill Co Asado Go! Portable Grill Available from Amazon (£995) Best portable charcoal BBQ Pros: Authentic Argentinian parrilla in portable form Can use wood or charcoal Height adjustable grill for precise temperature control Arrives assembled Cons: Expensive Quite cumbersome Not for beginners Star rating: 5/5 Asado is a social event in Argentina – friends and family gather around a huge grill, known as a parrilla, and watch the host cook up a wood-fired feast. This portable version from Somerset Grill gives you the Asado experience in scaled-down form, although it’s still a very robust bit of kit that needs two people to carry it. The very ethos of Asado is all about cooking low and slow, so this is not a barbecue you can fire up in 15 minutes when you fancy a sausage. You’ll need about an hour to build up some embers by adding wood to the ember maker at the top. When they’re ready, the embers drop down into the main grilling area, and you adjust the height of the grill above them to control the cooking temperature. You can speed things up by using lumpwood charcoal, although that feels a lot like cheating. And for best results you’ll want to buy the chapa (£75) to cook vegetables on, and the ember grill (£85), which creates a whole new cooking area and works brilliantly for searing and frying on. It's a bit more complicated than cooking on your average barbecue, but the smoky, succulent results are anything but average – so it’s worth it. Available from: Amazon (£995) Weber Master-Touch 57cm charcoal barbecue Available from Amazon (£379.99) Best Weber charcoal BBQ Pros: Great for smaller gardens Good looks Cons: Takes practice to learn how to adjust cooking temperatures No keep-warm tray Star rating: 5/5 With its iconic looks and easy handling, the Weber kettle-style Master Touch is a great option. It’s easy to light, comes to temperature quickly with a reliable thermometer on the porcelain enamelled lid and gives even cooking results across its diameter, with the space to build coal strategically to create different temperature zones. That may have been the only downside, but there are plenty of online tutorials from Weber devotees or you can even sign up to one of the company's classes to get the best out of your new purchase. It was easy to clean up afterwards thanks to the quality of the grill itself and the one-touch cleaning system, which used a lever to sweep ash into the pan below. Weber is a name to be trusted and the quality of build means that, although this is a relatively basic model, we'd recommended this as a choice for those who want to be able to store and use their barbecue year after year. Available from: Amazon (£379.99) undefined Big Green Egg large ceramic grill Available from Big Green Egg (£1,495) Best charcoal smoker BBQ Pros: Superb cooking Easy to use Cons: Build is down to you Star rating: 5/5 This hefty piece of kit takes some getting used to, but once you're familiar with the temperature control and various mechanisms, you're away. The Big Green Egg can hit searing temperatures or retain a gentle heat with finite precision for very long periods. It multitasks as a smoker and oven for baking and roasting, with lots of extras available for purchase, including extra racks, baking stones and grills (but be warned, the prices can increase steeply once you start adding accessories). The barbecue function is excellent – it comes up to temperature in 20 minutes and produced some of the best food of all we tasted. Read our full Big Green Egg ceramic grill review. undefined Kasai Konro grill Available from Amazon (from £299), Kasai Grills (from £299), John Lewis and Partners (£359.10) Best Japanese-style barbecuing Pros: Portable (with handles on either side) Not overly heavy (about 11kg) Very stylish and great for Japanese-style yakitori cooking Insulating material Speedy set up Cons: Pretty small, even for two to four people No lip/edge means sausages can roll off grill Star rating: 4.5/5 The Little Kasai Konro grill is a compact yet stylish Japanese-style barbecue and at £299, it's one of the more accessible options in this guide. The brushed stainless steel frame and vermiculite tiles keep the exterior cool and safe to use on most surfaces, and set-up took less than five minutes, which is impressively quick for a charcoal barbecue. The cooking area measures 310 x 230mm, which is on the smaller side – enough to feed two to four people, if you're not overloading it. There's no lip or edge, so be aware that sausages can roll off the grill. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in performance. We cooked sausages, chicken, prawns, fish and vegetables, and everything came off the grill juicy and well-charred, with a rich, smoky flavour that's hard to replicate on a gas barbecue – particularly the skewers and seafood. Kasai claims the materials are recyclable and components replaceable, which is a nice touch if longevity matters to you. If you need more space, the largest model measures 920 x 265mm, and is available at £799 (there are a few additional sizes in between). undefined Napoleon Premium 14 Charcoal Portable Available from BBQ World (£79.99) Best charcoal BBQ for camping Pros: Compact Easy to transport Sturdy design Cons: Assembly is a little fiddly Star rating: 4.5/5 We love Napoleon’s Premium 14 charcoal barbecue as a more sustainable alternative to using a disposable barbecue when you’re out and about. For starters, you can use proper lumpwood charcoal with it – a bag fits neatly into the barbecue’s cavity, so you can lock the lid and use the carry handle to cart it all down to the beach, campsite or just the bottom of the garden. Plus, because it has a lid – unlike a disposable barbecue – you can effectively control the temperature and use both indirect and direct grilling to get the best results from your food. It’s fitted with a dual-zone charcoal basket for exactly that, with comprehensive instructions on how to use it. While this isn’t a barbecue for hosting big garden gatherings, we found the 14-inch grill plenty big enough to feed a family of four. Fill it with a bag of charcoal, pop it in the boot along with all your essential barbecue accessories, and enjoy an al fresco meal somewhere new. Available from: BBQ Shop (£74.99) Char-Broil Kettleman Available from Amazon (£214.99) Best charcoal BBQ for families Pros: Attractive Some storage Latch to lock lid Vents offer good temperature control Easy to move Cons: Lots of assembly needed Tools needed for assembly Instructions a little unclear Not a lot of space between grill and coals Star rating: 4.5/5 This generously sized barbecue is sturdy and robust, and it offers enough grilling space for two to four people, ideal if you’re a family looking to make the most of the good weather. Assembly was a frustrating endeavour and we were slowed down by diagram-only instructions. The Kettleman comes packed with lots of polystyrene and plastic, and there are many parts to this build. You’ll need a spanner, which is not provided. It also wasn’t overly clear where the coals should be placed; the coal rack has large gaps between the grates and sits very close to the grilling rack. Once assembled and lit, this barbecue was a joy to cook on, and everything was imparted with a classic barbecued flavour. There are many features we loved on this barbecue: the responsive temperature gauge, easy-to-use vents and sturdy wheels. If you’re looking to cook for a small crowd, this spacious model offers consistent cooking every time. Read our full Char-Broil Kettleman charcoal BBQ review. undefined Masterbuilt AutoIgnite series 545 Available from Amazon (£458.20), Marks Electricals (£499), Robert Dyas (£502.99) Best charcoal BBQ for feeding a crowd Pros: Huge area to cook on Very easy to clean up (removable ash pan and pull-out fat tray) Heats up quickly Cons: Very large and heavy barbecue Requires two people to assemble/move Outdoor plug required Star rating: 4/5 The Masterbuilt AutoIgnite series 545 is a large, feature-packed charcoal barbecue built for feeding a crowd and at £499, it sits comfortably in the mid-range of this guide. With 3,516cm² of cooking space, it's one of the most generously sized grills on test, easily handling sausages, lamb chops and vegetables all at once without feeling too crowded. Its standout feature is the push-button AutoIgnite system, paired with digital temperature controls and a built-in fan that maintains consistent heat throughout. It heated up in under 10 minutes, which is impressive for a charcoal barbecue of this size. Everything we grilled was juicy and evenly cooked, and had rich, smoky flavour. The ability to grill, smoke and sear using direct and indirect heat adds versatility, while the cast-iron sear plate is great for high-heat cooking. Clean-up is surprisingly easy, thanks to the removable ash and fat trays. The main caveats are size and set-up: this is a large, heavy barbecue that requires two people for assembly, which took around 2 hours. You'll also need a standard outdoor socket to operate. A powerful, high-performing barbecue – but make sure you have the space and garden set-up before committing. undefined Char-Broil Charcoal L barbecue Available from Robert Dyas (£310.99), Amazon (£310.99) Best for social barbecuers Pros: Heats quickly Good value for money Cons: A faff to put together Tricky to adjust coal shelf height for temperature regulation Star rating: 4/5 This is a solid barbecue with good build quality, although our main gripe was that it took a bit of time and patience to get it together – there seemed to be lots of fiddly screws and caps that had to be fitted at awkward angles. Serving up to lots of guests can be a hassle, but with this model you can cater for larger garden get-togethers easily. Inside the barbecue you’ll find a generous amount of cooking space and a handy keep-warm rack, which can be loaded with the items you want to keep just-so before serving. The adjustable chimney meant that smoke could be redirected back into the unit to up that gorgeous barbecue flavour your guests will appreciate – it helps with temperature regulation, too. Storage on this model was excellent with collapsible side trays, six hooks for accessories and an inbuilt bottle opener that's ideal for thirsty cooks. Available from: Robert Dyas (£310.99) Amazon (£310.99) undefined Big Green Egg MiniMax Available from Big Green Egg (£925) Best charcoal BBQ for small gardens Pros Attractive Versatile Easy to assemble Good safety features Exceptional fuel efficiency Cons: Too ferocious for gentle cooking Heavy Temperature monitor may be confusing Star rating: 4/5 For those looking for something simple, compact and efficient, the Big Green Egg Minimax is an excellent choice. The smallest of the Big Green Eggs, this BBQ is a luxury pick that excels at cooking for smaller groups, and would be ideal for a couple, family, or small gathering. Sturdily constructed and easy to assemble, our initial concerns about this barbecue's steep price tag were offset by its impressive build quality. Despite being able to reach temperatures of 370°C internally, the heatproof handles stayed cool and the exterior never became dangerously hot. The cast iron vent at the top of the BBQ does get hot, however. Though only offering a 13-inch diameter grilling area, the Big Green Egg Minimax cooked spatchcock chicken, vegetable skewers, potatoes and lamb cutlets very quickly. The heat generated from this BBQ was too ferocious for gentle cooking, and vigilance will be needed to keep delicate foods from burning. Read our full Big Green Egg MiniMax charcoal BBQ review. Available from: Big Green Egg (£925) Everdure by Heston Blumental Cube portable charcoal BBQ Available from Amazon (£149) Best charcoal BBQ for taking on trips Pros: Attractive Compact Easy to pick up and move around Cool-touch handles Deceptively large surface area for cooking Cons: Limited space for coal No temperature gauge No lid Exposed to the elements during cooking Star rating: 4/5 This robust yet lightweight barbecue is an ideal companion for camping trips or beach days. It comes in three colours – stone, graphite and orange – and includes an integrated food storage tray, preparation board, and cool-touch handles on either side. We found the set-up was simple, but getting the BBQ to light and retain heat was tricky as it doesn't have a lid. Unlike larger models, there's no temperature gauge either, but the exterior stays impressively cool during cooking. Despite its compact size, we were able to cook decent-sized portions on this model – and our vegetable skewers were nicely charred but unevenly cooked. We also grilled a whole aubergine, which was well blistered and soft, although it took a long time to cook. Its hefty price tag will be a turn-off for some, but if you have the money to spend, it's a stylish portable barbecue that will serve you well on your travels. Read our full Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Cube portable charcoal BBQ review. Available from: Amazon (£149) undefined Napoleon 22" charcoal kettle grill barbecue Available from BBQ World (£218.49) Best kettle BBQ for user-friendly features Pros: 10-year warranty Nifty hook to hang lid on Hinged grill Cons: Fiddly to assemble Star rating: 4/5 This is a simple but well-made BBQ that has an impressively user-friendly design, but is also a reliable all-rounder for anyone wanting to cook outdoors often. A screwdriver and spanner are included with the nuts and bolts, which we appreciated, along with clear instructions and diagrams in the manuals for its construction. Once fully heated, cooking was a faff-free affair that yielded nicely cooked-through courgettes and potatoes marked with defined grill lines, and evenly charred kebabs packed with flavour. It's easy to use the direct and indirect heat zones with this model. We were able to keep cooked ingredients warm around the edges of the grill whilst others cooked in the centre, without them becoming overdone. For lid-down cooking or smoking, the temperature dial on the lid is reactive and clear to use. We particularly appreciated the lock-and-release ash collector which means you don't have to fish around to dispose of old coals. Read our full Napoleon 22" charcoal kettle grill barbecue review. Available from: BBQ World (£218.49) Bar-Be-Quick tandoori smoker and grill Available from Argos (£85), Robert Dyas (£99.99) Best budget charcoal BBQ Pros: Versatile Tandoori skewers included Portable Cons: Redundant tandoori function Poor heat retention Build quality expected for the price Star rating: 3.5/5 This tandoori smoker and grill packs a lot into its £85 price tag. It functions as a smoker, two-tiered grill, portable kettle barbecue and fire pit – four modes that would cost considerably more if bought separately. The tandoori attachment is the weakest link, though. The skewers being suspended above the coals means they can't replicate a real tandoor experience and you can't blister naan on the sides, so it's more of a novelty than a genuine extra. Cooking results were mixed, but promising if some patience was applied. The standout was a slow-cooked spatchcocked chicken: the two-tier setup worked well when finishing it low and slow on top before crisping it up below. The built-in thermometer was accurate, too. The lower grill sits close to the coals, so go easy on the charcoal or you'll char things before they're cooked through. Build quality is exactly what you'd expect for the price – functional but not robust. It's not one to feed a crowd with and it won't last forever. But, for a small garden, camping trip or evening around a fire, it's hard to beat. Read the full Bar-Be-Quick tandoori smoker and grill review. Available from: Argos (£85) Robert Dyas (£99.99) Other charcoal BBQs tried and tested Argos Home charcoal oil drum barbecue review, £50 Azuma Rhino charcoal barbecue review, £189.99 Can you use a charcoal BBQ in winter? If you're keen on getting more from your charcoal BBQ year-round (and you don't mind cooking outdoors in the cold), you don't necessarily need to wait until the summer months to fire up your grill. There are, however, are few things to be mindful of: Allow for extra heating time: A barbecue will need more time to reach temperature during the colder months, so be prepared to wait a bit longer than you might during hotter weather. Use a meat thermometer: Cooking times will probably vary more when cooking outdoors in the winter, so to make sure your meat is properly cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat to ensure your food is safe to eat. Keep the lid closed as much as you can: This will allow you to better retain the heat during cooking. What to look for when buying a charcoal BBQ Size: Depending on the style, some barbecues can cater for large gatherings and others are best suited to two people. Coal distribution will also affect cooking capacity. For example, sometimes it's easier to distribute your coals and achieve even direct heat in barrel barbecues than in dome-bottomed kettle models Number of cooking grills: Using inserts or shelves to move food away from the main heat (known as indirect cooking) is for more delicate dishes. The closing of the hood helps the food to cook evenly without too much fuss so lessens all the turning and moving, and means you are free to socialise Adjustable air vents: These will feed your coals with air and allow you to change the cooking temperature beneath a cooking hood. Heat thermometers: Not a standard feature on many models, but particularly handy if you're cooking meat joints and wanting to reliably achieve the same cooking results over and over. Portability: If you're hoping to take your grill on the go, look for a model that's lightweight and easy to transport. How to choose the best BBQ Once you've decided which barbecue to buy, the style will depend on how many people you want to cook for, what you want to do with it, the space you have, budget and how often you will use it. Basic grill BBQ: For simple straightforward cooking, this style of barbecue – which comes without a hood or air vents – will do a good job. However, you have to stay by it, learn how to use barbecue coals to create various heat zones around the grill, and regularly turn and move the food for even and safe cooking American-style grills or domed kettles: These barbecues are more versatile. By using the hood and air vents, heat can go from hot and fast for cooking over the coals (known as direct cooking), to long and slow for smoking or cooking large joints of meat or whole fish. Some barbecues have vents that can be adjusted to feed the coals with air Kamado grill: 'Kamado' comes from the Japanese for the wood or charcoal-fired earthen vessels used as an oven but now is a general term for ceramic grills. The distinctive egg shape and thick, heavy ceramic lining make these incredibly versatile and precise for grilling, roasting, baking and smoking using both direct and indirect heat. They could be a little advanced for the beginner but for the serious grill chef they are a wonderful and exciting piece of equipment. How to choose the right size charcoal BBQ Consider how many people you typically cook for and the space available in your garden or outdoor area. For small gatherings or couples, a compact kettle or portable barbecue is sufficient and easy to store. Medium-sized models are ideal for families or groups of four to six, offering enough grill space for a variety of foods without taking up excessive room. Larger barbecues, such as barrel or drum styles, are suitable for entertaining bigger groups and work well for those who enjoy hosting parties. However, larger models require more fuel and storage space. Also, consider extra features like warming racks, side tables and adjustable vents, which can enhance usability. Ultimately, the best size is one that fits your cooking needs, available space and storage options, ensuring you can barbecue comfortably and efficiently. Charcoal barbecue fuel and lighting Our burning desire for eating outdoors is raising questions around deforestation and where the charcoal is from. Look for the FSC logo of the Forest Stewardship Council, the world certification scheme of wood products on the pack to ensuring properly managed forests for your charcoal. Choose your charcoal carefully. It is possible to buy sustainable charcoal which generally will be more expensive. However, you should need less of it because it burns more slowly, and gives out better heat, which will offset some of that cost Briquettes and self-lighting charcoal contain chemicals and give off strong odours that will impact on the flavour of your food Never use petrol, chemicals or firelighters intended for coal fires to light your barbecue and never ever use in a ceramic grill. Look for natural firelighters now widely available. Which charcoal is best for barbecuing? There are two main types of charcoal used for barbecuing: lumpwood charcoal and briquettes. Lumpwood charcoal is made from carbonised wood, and it burns very hot and imparts a woody, smoky flavour. It's available in different wood types, allowing for subtle variations in flavour. However, lumpwood burns quickly and may require topping up during longer cooks. Briquettes are compressed blocks made from materials like sawdust and coaldust. They burn at a consistent temperature for a longer period, making them ideal for extended grilling sessions. But, some briquettes contain additives or chemicals that can affect the taste of food. Sustainable and additive-free options are available and are preferable for flavour and environmental reasons. For most barbecuing, high-quality lumpwood charcoal is recommended for its clean burn and flavour, while briquettes are useful for longer, steady cooks. Read our review of the best charcoal for barbecues. How to clean a charcoal BBQ You can usually expect some mess when cooking on charcoal, but keeping your barbecue clean after use will help it stay in good condition – and potentially lengthen its lifespan. After the coals have cooled completely, try to do the following: Scrape the grates clean with a wire brush and remove any ash from the bottom of the grill Clean the inside of the grill and the lid with warm, soapy water and a sponge. If the grates are particularly dirty, soak them for a few hours before scrubbing clean Check the vents and remove any debris that may have built up over time Store your charcoal BBQ in a dry place, protected from the elements – many brands sell a cover How to extinguish a charcoal BBQ If the barbecue has vents, close them: This will cut off the oxygen supply to the coals, so they start to cool down. You'll want to let the coals cool for several hours before attempting to take them out. Dispose of the ashes: Once the coals have cooled completely, use a shovel (ideally a metal one) – to scoop them into a container. Never dispose of hot ashes in a plastic or paper container, as they can easily ignite. Soak the coals: To make sure the coals are extinguished, you can also pour water over them – be sure to use lots of water so you've completely saturated them. Check for remaining embers: If you see any glowing embers, repeat the soaking process until they're fully extinguished. How do I maintain a consistent temperature on a charcoal BBQ? To maintain a consistent temperature on a charcoal BBQ, start by arranging the coals to create heat zones – pile more coals on one side for a hot zone and leave the other side with fewer or no coals for a cooler, indirect cooking zone. Adjust the air vents at the base and on the lid to control airflow: opening them increases oxygen and raises the temperature, while partly closing them slows the burn for lower heat. Use the BBQ lid to trap heat and cook food evenly, checking the built-in thermometer, if available. Avoid lifting the lid frequently, as this causes temperature fluctuations. For longer cooks, add more charcoal as needed and choose natural firelighters rather than chemical ones for a cleaner flavour. With practice, you’ll learn how much fuel and vent adjustment is needed to keep your BBQ at the desired temperature. Related reviews Best gas barbecues Best electric barbecues Best portable barbecues Best Weber BBQ Best barbecue food Best pizza oven accessories Best Ooni pizza oven Best Ooni accessories Best charcoal for BBQs Ninja FlexFlame BBQ review Appliance deals Air fryer deals Microwave deals Dishwasher deals Pizza oven deals Barbecue recipes From chicken and fish to vegetarian ideas, side dishes and healthy BBQ feasts, visit our barbecue recipe hub. Do you have a favourite charcoal barbecue? We'd love to hear your product suggestions…
Best BBQ tools, utensils and accessories for cooking outdoors
Firing up the BBQ? Read our round-up of accessories for any grill lover, from aprons and cooking utensils through to tools and gadgets that will help you get more from your BBQ
The right tools make outdoor cooking much easier, and with the sun finally out, there's no better time to kit yourself out properly. Our team put 16 barbecue tools and accessories through their paces while testing this year's barbecue line-up – from basting brushes that add real flavour to gadgets that will help you nail the perfect sear every time. Whether you're cooking over charcoal, gas flame or wood, the right kit makes a real difference to the end result. We've covered the essentials, plus a few smart extras that are worth having to hand. Skills & shows editor Barney Desmazery also shares his top 10 barbecuing tips – be sure to read those before you fire up the grill to ensure barbecue perfection. Need some inspiration for what to cook? Our best ever barbecue recipes is a good place to start, and we've got dedicated collections of seafood barbecue recipes and vegetarian barbecue recipes, too. Looking for a new barbecue? Visit our reviews section to find our tried and tested picks of the best gas barbecues, best charcoal barbecues and best portable barbecues. We've also taste-tested the best BBQ boxes to buy this summer, bringing burgers, sausages and more direct to your door. Plus, we've brought together our picks of the best outdoor tableware, including the best serving dishes and platters that will look great on your summer table. Best BBQ tools at a glance Best retractable BBQ tool set: JosephJoseph GrillOut BBQ Utensil Set with Storage Case, £85 Best press for meat: Our Place Grill Press, £35 Best single BBQ glove: Morsø Fire and Grill Glove, £19 Best easy-grip BBQ tool set: Weber Precision 3-Piece BBQ Set, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weber-Precision-Premium-Barbecue-Cutlery/dp/B08M3JH7HW/ref=asc_df_B08M3JH7HW?mcid=9f533437c6023a9d86622051cad55acb&tag=bbc00-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697200511410&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1129709563258782375&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046002&hvtargid=pla-1204048433910&hvocijid=1129709563258782375-B08M3JH7HW-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&th=1&ascsubtag=bbcgoodfood-333773" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">£58.73 Best BBQ gloves: Weber premium gloves, £52 Best BBQ cleaning tool: Grill Guard BBQ grill cleaning brush and scraper, £12.10 Best tool for searing meat: KitchenCraft cast iron grill press, £15.95 Best barbecue set: Boss Grill 18-piece BBQ utensil set, £39 Best BBQ basting brush: OXO Good Grips Grilling basting brush, £15 Best BBQ tool essentials: Tramontina three piece BBQ tools set, £19 Best BBQ tongs: OXO Good Grips silicone tongs, £16 Best for pulled pork: Meat shredding claws, £21.64 Best meat thermometer for barbecuing: Thermapen One meat thermometer, £78 Best BBQ chimney starter: Weber chimney starter, £20.96 Best eco-friendly firelighters: Log Barn natural firelighters, £12.99 Best for lighting gas BBQs: KitchenCraft electronic butane gas lighter, £11.50 Best BBQ tools and accessories to buy in 2025 Joseph Joseph GrillOut 4-Piece Stainless-Steel BBQ Utensil Set with Storage Case Available from Joseph Joseph (£85) Best retractable tools This four-piece stainless steel utensil set includes all the essentials – basting brush, tongs, turner and fork – but unlike most standard BBQ tools, each of the heads is retractable. That means they take up less room when stored, which is handy if you’re short on space, and the foldable case is useful for both storing and transporting. Each accessory has a hook to hang it from, which saves you having to find somewhere to rest meaty tools when you’re switching between each one. We like the fact these tools dismantle for easy cleaning, and particularly that they’re dishwasher safe. Available from: Joseph Joseph (£85) Our Place Grill Press Available from Our Place (£29.99) Best press for meat A grill press adds extra weight to your meat and allows you to push it down and sear it evenly across a bigger cooking area. We tested this weighty cast iron grill press to make smash burgers, and found we could apply just the right amount of pressure to achieve thin and crispy patties. It’s heat resistant up to 260°C and the handle stayed cool to touch in testing. The press side has a black matte enamelled surface that didn’t stick to the meat, and the gloss upper cleans well – and is available in a selection of chic, muted colours. Available from: Our Place (£29.99) Morsø Fire and Grill Glove Available from Amazon (£19) Best single BBQ glove This right-handed glove is made from thick suede leather and offered good heat resistance in testing – both when used with a barbecue and with a wood-burning stove. Like all standard gloves it came up rather large on small, female hands, although our larger-handed male tester was able to get a good grip on accessories and reposition wood well. We like the hidden magnet at one end, which allows you to attach the glove to a metal barbecue or table when it’s not being used. And good news if you’re a leftie: there’s also a left-handed alternative available. Available from: Amazon (£19) Weber Precision 3-Piece BBQ Set Available from Amazon (£37.87) Star rating: 4/5 The sturdy spatula, tongs and basting brush in this barbecue accessory set all have soft-touch, non-slip handles, which made them a pleasure to use in testing – even with messy hands. The spatula has a larger-than-most surface area, allowing you to turn bigger items, and the three-sided bevelled edge gives you extra leverage when lifting. Considering the size of the tongs we were slightly disappointed that they didn’t open wide enough to grab a whole piece of meat, but they are brilliant for things like burgers and sausages. Each tool has a hook for hanging and is dishwasher safe, which was music to our ears at the end of a long barbecuing session. Available from: Amazon (£37.87) Weber Premium gloves Available from John Lewis & Partners (£55) Best BBQ gloves Barbecues can reach temperatures beyond 300C, so a pair of BBQ gloves are a smart investment for minimising the risk of burns. This pair from Weber reach nicely up the wrist to offer forearm heat protection. There are practical non-slip silicone lines across the palm for aiding your grip of large BBQ tools. They're big and a little on the expensive side but durably made to last from 100% Aramid (outer) and 80% cotton/20% polyester (lining). Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£55) Grill Guard BBQ grill cleaning brush and scraper Available from Amazon (£12.10) Best BBQ cleaning tool Cleaning your grill while it’s still warm will make the process of removing stubborn grease or sticky juices a little easier to shift. A hard-wearing scraper and brush that has a long handle is one of the safest ways to go about it. The Grill Guard has both these qualities allowing you to apply pressure for scrubbing but still keep a safe distance from the grill. Width-wise, you can scrub multiple grill bars at once making the whole job faster. When tested, the barbecue looked like new after using this. Plus, there's a convenient hook at the end of the handle for storing it out of the way when not in use. Available from: Amazon (£12.10) KitchenCraft cast iron grill press Available from Harts of Stur (£15.95) Best for searing meat Grill presses are a lot easier to use than a spatula for pressing meat like burgers and steaks while they cook over a barbecue. The result should be evenly seared meat that's packed with barbecue flavour. This grill press by KitchenCraft has a good surface area and being cast iron, can be heated on the barbecue to sear the meat from above while it cooks from below. Latest Deals Boss Grill 18-piece BBQ utensil set Available from Appliances Direct (£39) Best barbecue set Great value-for-money, this 18-piece set comes stored in a nifty aluminium case. All the tools are designed with practical long handles for keeping you away from the heat and they feel durable, so should last with care. We loved the addition of sweetcorn forks, although these should only be used when the cooked corn cobs are removed from the grill. Also included is a 42cm fork, 43cm spatula, 40cm tong, 38cm silicone basting brush, 43cm brass brush and four skewers. Latest Deals OXO Good Grips Grilling basting brush Available from Harts Of Stur (£14.45), Amazon (£17.94) Best BBQ basting brush Although it lacks an accompanying pot, this basting brush is nicely designed for basting ingredients while they cook on the grill with minimal risk to you. It has a long 34.4cm handle and broad head of heat-resistant silicone bristles that carried an efficient quantity of marinade for each stroke. Its head also angles up, meaning less mess when rested flat on the counter, although we simply rested it against the bowl for more basting. Latest Deals Tramontina three piece BBQ tools set Available from Harts Of Stur (£19), Amazon (£23.35), Robert Dyas (£26.99), The Range (£29.99) Best BBQ tool essentials The Tramontina pack of three barbecue tools are impressively sturdy. Firstly, they’re long, allowing you to manage what’s cooking without having your hands too close to the hot grill. Wooden handles work particularly well here because they don’t conduct heat. A good pair of tongs are always crucial, plus the flipper has a sharp serrated edge, which comes in handy for splitting ingredients in two to check if they’re done. Nothing fancy, just three really useful tools for a good price. Latest Deals OXO Good Grips silicone tongs Available from Amazon (£13.60), Selfridges (£16) Best BBQ tongs These tongs are really well-designed – the rubberised handles are easy to grip and the flat silicone tips are slightly flexible so they can be used as a spatula to flip food. They're ideal for burgers but really come into their own when having to turn fish or vegetable slices. Plus if you have smaller hands they're still comfortable to use, unlike many big BBQ tools. Latest Deals Meat shredding claws Available from Amazon (£21.64) Best for pulled pork These neat meat shredders are ideal for pulling apart pork or chicken – whether at a barbecue or generally in the kitchen. There’s nothing quite so therapeutic as putting these claws to use, and they'll save the juices going all over your hands. Available from: Amazon (£21.64) Thermapen One meat thermometer Available from Amazon (£78) Best meat thermometer for barbecuing Lightweight, incredibly responsive to temperature changes and easy to read, this Thermapen takes away the anxiety of cooking meat on the barbecue. We inserted it into the thickest part of the meat around the estimated cooking time to ensure the meat was cooked through. Check out our round up of the best meat thermometers for our full review. Available from: Amazon (£78) Weber chimney starter Available from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weber-7416-Chimney-Starter/dp/B000WEOQV8/ref=asc_df_B000WEOQV8?mcid=9937b95e594938359fe831bd4bb6f252&th=1&tag=bbc00-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696452196842&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6477631556472533907&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046002&hvtargid=pla-311196697422&hvocijid=6477631556472533907-B000WEOQV8-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&ascsubtag=bbcgoodfood-333773" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Amazon (£20.96) Best BBQ chimney starter Chimney starters offer quick and reliable means of lighting your barbecue charcoal. The design allows air to circulate below and feed the coals oxygen to really get them going. This chimney starter by Weber has two handles to help you tip the hot coals into your grill. Remember to always use gloves when doing so. Available from: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weber-7416-Chimney-Starter/dp/B000WEOQV8/ref=asc_df_B000WEOQV8?mcid=9937b95e594938359fe831bd4bb6f252&th=1&tag=bbc00-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696452196842&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6477631556472533907&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046002&hvtargid=pla-311196697422&hvocijid=6477631556472533907-B000WEOQV8-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&ascsubtag=bbcgoodfood-333773" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Amazon (£20.96) Log Barn natural firelighters Available from Amazon (£12.99) Best eco-friendly firelighter These firelighters are an eco alternative made from wood, wool and wax (compared to those made from fuels like paraffin). Lit beneath barbecue coals, firelighters provide that initial ball of high heat needed for coals to catch. Seeing as you’ll be cooking food above the coals, these are a fume-free option for starting the barbecue. Available from: Amazon (£12.99) KitchenCraft electronic butane gas lighter Available from eBay (£11.50) Best for lighting gas barbecues It’s useful to have a lighter with a long neck in order to be able to reach your firelighters when they’re stacked beneath unlit BBQ coals. It’s also a far safer option than using a normal lighter where your fingers could be at risk from flames. This butane gas lighter by KitchenCraft gets the job done well. Available from: eBay (£11.50) Barbecue tips Food editor and barbecue super-fan, Barney Desmazery, draws upon his years of experience as a cookery expert to bring you 10 top tips for getting the most from your barbecue. If you’re using a charcoal BBQ, allow plenty of time for it to get hot. Only start cooking when the flames have died down and the coals have turned ashen. Have a water-spray bottle on hand to dampen down any aggressive flames which may rise as hot fat drips onto the coals. You’ll have natural hot and cooler spots on a coal BBQ. Utilise this by charring the food in the hottest areas (usually the centre) and then finishing or keeping warm in the cooler spots (usually around the edges.) Use two pairs of tongs for cooking if you can – one for touching raw meat and one for cooked. If you’re serving vegetarians or vegans, make sure you keep one side of the bbq for the meat and one for veggies – you can place a coil of foil down the centre of the bbq before you heat it up to mark out the two areas. Also, use two pairs of tongs. If you’re worried about your meat or vegetables not being cooked all the way through or if you're strapped for BBQ space, try charring the outside of the meat/veg for that smoky BBQ flavour and then finishing off in a moderately heated oven until cooked through. Never try to clean a charcoal BBQ while it’s still hot. Wait until the next time you use it, let it get hot then scrape off the bits cooked onto the grill. Arrange the charcoal to make heat zones so you can cook directly over them for a fierce heat and indirectly for things that take longer. This works well with lidded barbecues. If you’re trimming hard herb plants like bay or rosemary, save the clippings to throw on the barbecue for a blast of aromatic smoke flavour. Use a probe thermometer to tell if something is cooked all the way through without having to cut into it. 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