The best casserole dishes for baking, roasting and serving in style
A deep, multipurpose casserole dish is something that every cook – whatever their skill level – should have in their arsenal. We put cast iron, ceramic and stainless steel pans to the test
Casserole dishes are versatile pieces of kit – they can be used to make soups, stews, pot roasts, sauces – the list goes on. And for a home cook, a good one is an essential. The best casserole dishes are suitable for the hob and oven and are attractive enough for serving at the table, to maximise practicality and minimise washing-up. Cast iron may seem like an expensive option, but a dish that will last for decades is an investment worth making. As for other materials, we found non-stick metal or ceramic casseroles offered unique points and were more budget-friendly. Read on for our expert testers' recommendations. undefined Best casserole dishes at a glance 5/5 stars: Best PFAS-free casserole dish: Our Place Titanium Perfect Pot Pro, £145 Best luxury casserole dish: Le Creuset Cast Iron Round casserole, from £219 Best contemporary casserole dish: Made In Enamelled cast iron round Dutch oven, £219 Best casserole dish: HexClad 4.7-litre casserole dish, £204 Best of the rest: Best oval casserole dish: ProCook cast iron casserole dish 30cm, £75 Best budget casserole dish: Nuovva cast iron Dutch oven casserole pot with lid 6L, £59.99 Best casserole dish for versatility: Our Place Perfect Pot, £109 Best casserole dish for lid-off cooking: Prestige casserole and glass lid 5.7L, £49.99 Best lightweight casserole dish: MasterClass cast-aluminium casserole dish, £35.98 Best-looking casserole dish: Staub cast-iron Cocotte, from £229 Best large casserole dish: Samuel Groves 27cm oval cast-iron casserole dish, £74.99 Best cast-iron casserole dish: Le Creuset signature 26cm shallow casserole dish, from £149 Best chemical-free casserole dish: GreenPan 5.3-litre Featherweight casserole dish, £115 Jump to: Best casserole dishes to buy in 2025 Which size casserole dish do you need? How we tested casserole dishes How we tested casserole dishes We reviewed a representative range of casserole pots and scored them against the following criteria: Durability: a casserole that could stand a certain amount of wear and tear. Versatility: we wanted a pan that ticked at least three of the following boxes – suitable for all hob types, the oven, serving, the dishwasher and/or the microwave. Depth: having a pot that’s deep enough to submerge chunky ingredients in like whole chickens gives you flexibility over what you can cook. Surface area: when it comes to browning ingredients like chicken thighs, a large surface area enables you to do so evenly. Good heat distribution: the key to teasing out a richness of flavour from ingredients. Looks: casseroles are for sharing so get a dish you’re proud to bring to the table. Well-sealed: we wanted all the flavours and moisture to remain firmly intact. Heat: the hotter the dish can handle, the better. Best casserole dishes to buy in 2025 Good Food in partnership with Tower 24cm stainless steel casserole pot with lid Available from Amazon (£44), Tower (£44.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Ideal for hearty stews, fragrant curries and so much more, the Good Food 24cm casserole pot offers the perfect combination of style and practicality. Created in partnership with Tower, the pot's stainless steel and aluminium base guarantees quick and even heating, with no hot spots, while the mirror finish and glossy interior are enough to justify displaying it on the countertop full-time. Like the other casserole dishes in this guide, this Tried, Tested and Trusted piece of cookware has also been been rigorously tested by Good Food’s recipe development team to ensure brilliant performance. Available from: Amazon (£44) Tower (£44.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Good Food in partnership with Tower 24cm hard anodised casserole pot with lid Available from Tower (£79.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30, Amazon (£79.99) Tried and Tested by our expert recipe development team, the Good Food 24cm casserole dish – created in partnership with Tower – is crafted with 3.5mm forged aluminium and a tough non-stick coating, so can withstand years of use. As well as the two pouring lips on each side of the dish, there are also dual-sized straining holes on the lid to help you avoid spillages, plus riveted steel handles that offer easy manoeuvrability. Its ample capacity is ideal for serving generous portions for guests or batch cooking, and you can use it on induction hobs and in the oven (up to 220C), too. Available from: Tower (£79.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Amazon (£79.99) Good Food in partnership with Tower 28cm TriPly casserole pot with lid Available from Tower (£89.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30, Amazon (£52.19) Created in partnership with Tower, the Good Food 28cm TriPly casserole with lid is ideal for creating hearty family meals. Made from 2.5mm tri-ply stainless steel, it ensures excellent heat retention and even cooking. The sleek satin interior and polished exterior provide both durability and style, while riveted steel handles offer added strength and comfort. Featuring a tempered glass lid with straining holes, this casserole allows for easy serving and monitoring. Oven-safe up to 220C and compatible with all hob types, including induction, it's also dishwasher safe for simple cleaning. Available from: Tower (£89.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Amazon (£52.19) Our Place Titanium Perfect Pot Pro Available from Our Place (£145), Healf (£145), Amazon (£180) Best PFAS-free casserole dish Pros: Non-stick, PFAS-free interior Dishwasher safe Limited lifetime guarantee Cons: Expensive Star rating: 5/5 The first thing we noticed about this stock pot was the textured construction on the inside of the base. It’s designed to create a non-stick effect without the need for a non-stick coating, and we were impressed at how well it worked when cooking – and the fact that means it’s PFAS free. The base and lid are made from a combination of shiny stainless steel on the outside, a titanium interior and an aluminium core sandwiched between the two. The result is one very durable bit of kit that’s heat-safe up to 535C – much higher than other dishes we tested and ideal if you need to crank the oven up at the end of cooking. The fully-sealed rims meant this pot locked moisture in well when slow-cooking a beef casserole, and the fact it’s dishwasher-safe was the icing on the cake for us. Available from: Our Place (£145) Healf (£145) Amazon (£180) undefined Le Creuset Cast Iron Round Casserole Available from Le Creuset (from £219), John Lewis & Partners (from £249), Harts of Stur (£255.20) Best luxury casserole dish Pros: Generous size Looks great Lifetime guarantee Cons: Expensive Star rating: 5/5 Everything about Le Creuset’s classic casserole dish has been carefully thought out and engineered for ease – starting with the extra-large handles, which make carrying it from hob to oven just that little bit easier when you’re wearing bulky oven gloves. Likewise, while all the dishes we tested had a knob on the lid for lifting, Le Creuset’s has slightly softer edges, a more ergonomic shape and size, and it’s heat-resistant to 260C. We also found this dish had impressive heat-retaining qualities, keeping food piping hot even once out of the oven. We tried out the 28cm option and loved the roomy proportions, although the dish was a little large for a recipe for four and could have easily been doubled to fill the dish. The prohibitive price is our only niggle for what is otherwise an excellent buy. Available from: Le Creuset (from £219) John Lewis & Partners (from £249) Harts of Stur (£255.20) undefined Made In Enamelled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven Available from Made In (£219) Best contemporary casserole dish Pros: Looks stylish Lifetime guarantee Retains moisture well Cons: Fairly expensive Star rating: 5/5 This enamelled cast iron Dutch oven has a slightly more palatable price tag than some of its pricier competitors, with no drop in quality and a lifetime warranty that means you can expect it to last. Hand-crafted in France, it has a sleek, simple design that would work well in a contemporary kitchen and we really liked it in the goes-with-anything linen white option. We were impressed at the dish’s non-stick qualities when cooking – and, later, cleaning – and found it retained heat very well. The lid fits snugly and has lots of little raised circles on the inside, which are designed to trap steam and lock in moisture. The 5.2-litre size was perfect for a big family meal, and our beef casserole came out tender and rich. Available from: Made In (£219) HexClad 4.7-litre casserole dish Available from HexClad (£204) Best casserole dish Pros: Robust tri-ply design Effective non-stick coating Well fitting lid Lifetime guarantee Cons: Expensive Star rating: 5/5 Built with HexClad's signature tri-ply hybrid design – which combines the convenience of non-stick with the searing power of stainless steel – this casserole dish is ultra-modern, with a mirror finish on the lid and ergonomic stay-cool handles on either side. At 1.6kg, it's also remarkably lightweight for its size but still has the heft and versatility to withstand years of use, backed by a lifetime guarantee. This goes some way to justifying its price tag – it's one of the most expensive of those we tested, second only to the Staub dish below. You can even place it in the oven (up to 480C), on the hob (including induction) and in the dishwasher, though we still recommend cleaning by hand to prolong the non-stick coating. For those looking for a more aesthetically pleasing cottagecore-style dish that comes in different colours, this casserole dish probably won't fit the bill – but if you'd rather a more contemporary, polished piece of cookware that can go the distance, it's is a superb choice. Available from: HexClad (£204) ProCook Cast Iron Casserole Dish 30cm Available from ProCook (£75) Best oval casserole dish Pros: Easy to clean Family sized Striking design Cons: Heavy Star rating: 4.5/5 This chunky cast iron casserole dish weighs in at 6.5kg, so it’s heavy before you’ve even filled it with food. If you don’t mind the weight, that gives it a high-quality feel despite its reasonable price tag – so it ticks the box for value for money. We like the graduated effect on the high-gloss exterior. In racing green, it’s a statement piece that’s worthy of a spot on the countertop. We also like the fact it’s enamelled on the inside and outside, which made it really quick and easy to clean. The generous 6.2-litre capacity and oval shape makes this a great option for family cooking, including large and whole pieces of meat, which fill the wider diameter. Available from: ProCook (£75) undefined Nuovva Cast Iron Dutch Oven Casserole pot with Lid 6L Available from Nuovva (£54.99) Best budget casserole dish Pros: Budget-friendly Looks great Generous 6L capacity Cons: No warranty Star rating: 4.5/5 This casserole dish got lots of admiring comments from our guests, who liked the muted seasalt colour and ombre design we were sent (though many other colours are available). It makes a good-looking table centrepiece at family meals, and the 6L capacity works well for larger gatherings, too. We were happy it didn’t need pre-seasoning, just a quick oil before first use – always a bonus when you just want to start cooking. And we were impressed with the results of a slow-cooked stew, which browned well on the hob and came out of the oven perfectly tender. It’s lighter than other dishes, so it’s ideal if you struggle to carry heavy items, although we did find the handles a little uncomfortable when carrying the casserole dish full of stew. Available from: Nuovva (£54.99) Our Place Perfect Pot Available from Our Place (£109), Selfridges (£109) Best casserole dish for versatility Pros: Comes in a range of colours Oven-safe to high temperatures Suitable for all hob types Notches in spoon for spoon rest Modular lid Comes with a natural sponge Cons: Handles get very hot Very light Star rating: 4.5/5 From the creators of the much-hyped Always Pan, this colourful 5.2.litre casserole dish by Our Place is designed to replace up to eight cooking tools, functioning as a stockpot, dutch oven, saucepan, roasting rack, steamer, strainer, braiser and spoon rest. Its non-toxic, ceramic non-stick coating ensures effortless cooking and cleaning, while the modular lid and included roasting rack add functionality. True to Our Place's eco-conscious ethos, the pot also features a chemical-free coating and arrived in plastic-free packaging. While it's easier to lift and move around than traditional cast iron options, the lightweight design can cause it to shift during stirring, which means exercising some caution while cooking. On the plus side, its sleek design, choice of colours, and versatility make it a worthy contender for anyone seeking a modern, multifunctional pot. Read our first-look review of the Our Place Perfect Pot. Available from: Our Place (£109) Selfridges (£109) Prestige Casserole & Glass Lid 5.7L Available from Prestige (£49.99) Best casserole dish for lid-off cooking Pros: Glass lid for viewing Budget-friendly Cons: Lid is only oven safe to 180C Lid can steam up, obscuring view Star rating: 4/5 This cast iron casserole dish comes with a tempered glass lid that makes it possible to check on the food inside without lifting the lid and letting out all the heat – although it’s worth noting that at some stages of cooking it steams up, meaning you still have to lift it off. Nevertheless, we found it cooked consistently well. It’s suitable for all hob types including induction, and we were pleased to find that it didn’t need pre-seasoning – just a quick re-oiling after each use as the cast iron isn’t enamelled. Just bear in mind that the lid is only oven-safe to 180C, whereas the cast iron base is up to 240C. It’s a feature we forgave due to the budget-friendly price tag. Available from: Prestige (£49.99) undefined MasterClass cast-aluminium casserole dish Available from Amazon (£35.98), Lakeland (£48.49), Harts of Stur (£52.96) Best lightweight casserole dish Pros: Super lightweight Large capacity Cons: Only oven-safe up to 200C At a glance, the MasterClass dish looks like a cast-iron casserole pot. Pick it up, though, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how lightweight it actually is. It’s a deep one, so we recommend trying it between your oven shelves in a cold oven, just in case you need to rearrange them for cooking. There was no sticking when it came to browning chicken legs on its non-stick base, which heated quickly and evenly. It’s also PFOA- and BOA-free; a good option for chemical-free cooking. The dish has a self-basting lid that successfully kept moisture circulating within a casserole, which came out tender and thick. It’s safe for oven use up to 200C, so there are limitations to the functionality of this dish when it comes to using in very hot ovens; it’s one for low and slow cooking. However, being so lightweight and dishwasher-safe, it gets points for overall convenience. It also comes with a 25-year guarantee. Latest Deals Staub cast-iron Cocotte Available from Staub (£229), John Lewis & Partners (£223.20), Amazon (£209), Fenwick (£319) Best cast-iron casserole dish Pros: Attractive design Wide handles for easy lifting Available in a range of sized Cons: Small capacity for the price tag The Staub Cocotte is a statement casserole dish, almost as delicious to stare at as the meals you can make within it. If you have money to spend on a classic casserole pot, the Staub is a small but perfectly formed option designed to last. At 24cm across, the dish is roughly the same width as any generic pan and compact enough to stack in the average cupboard. This casserole dish is available in 11 different sizes. We fit four chicken thighs in against its matte black cooking surface and found there to be some initial sticking whilst we seared the skin, even with a layer of oil. However, over time the dish is designed to build up a natural non-stick patina and has a legacy of long-term performance. Cast iron holds and distributes heat evenly across its surface. With such high sides, we found our casserole simmered well. Small picots beneath its lid guide all condensed moisture back into the casserole itself. Plus, although its little handles are not heatproof, they are a practical shape for gripping and come in handy for lifting it in and out the oven. Available from: Staub (£229) John Lewis & Partners (£223.20) Amazon (£255.20) Fenwick (£319) Samuel Groves 27cm oval cast-iron casserole dish Available from Amazon (£74.99) Best large casserole dish Pros: Feeds eight people Secure, tight-fitting lid Cons: Very heavy This Samuel Groves cast-iron casserole dish is vast, allowing you to cook for up to eight people at a time. Not only is the oval design conducive to cooking whole joints of meat on the bone or an extra large chicken, you could also make loaves of bread inside it. Being 27cm across at its widest point, it will still fit in a standard oven. The lid is tight fitting thanks to its sheer weight, so bread like sourdough, which initially needs steam trapped inside to stop a crust forming too early, would fare well being cooked inside here. With a small amount of oil we didn’t see any sticking when browning meat or frying garlic. With the right care, you can prevent the marking that sometimes builds on light coloured casserole dishes. Enamelled cast iron gives you longevity and would likely stand the test of time. We'd recommend making space for storing this dish in the bottom of a floor cupboard, as it's very heavy. Latest Deals Le Creuset signature shallow casserole dish Available from Le Creuset (from £149), Amazon (£190.99), Harts of Stur (£255.20) Best shallow casserole dish Pros: Attractive Good heat distribution Good range of shapes and sizes Lifetime guarantee Cons: Expensive For range of colours, shapes and sizes, Le Creuset’s cast-iron pans and dishes can’t be beaten. This dish is expensive, but we can say from experience that the brand’s products stand the test of time and the cooking results are excellent. For more in-depth advice, we answer 'is Le Creuset worth it?' in our dedicated guide. With efficient heat distribution, these pans don’t need much oil compared to other cast-iron brands and build up a natural patina with prolonged use that helps with non-stick. We chose this shallow pan for occasions when a deep pan just won’t do – think creamy risottos, meatballs in tomato sauce or fish curries. It’s about surface area, not depth, and would also be a great option for pilaf rice, gratins and roasting whole chickens. Big enough to cook for six, this is the kind of casserole dish you get excited about bringing to the table, plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee. Latest Deals GreenPan 5.3-litre Featherweight casserole Available from GreenPan (£125) Best chemical-free casserole dish Pros: PFA, PFOA, lead and cadmium-free Lid fits securely Lightweight Large capacity Cons: Expensive If chemical-free cooking is a deciding factor for you, the GreenPan Featherweight is a high performing, non-toxic alternative to a traditional non-stick casserole pot. This is a large dish, and the 5.3-litre capacity can comfortably feed eight hungry mouths in one go. You can sear 12 chicken breasts at a time without fear of them sticking. As the name suggests, it’s lightweight. Despite its size and traditional dark cast-iron design, it weighs less than a normal frying pan when empty – so, no problems lifting when it’s full. Two custom silicone covers slip snugly onto the dish’s handles, although if you’re sliding the pan between two oven trays, we’d recommend using oven gloves for added hand and wrist protection from any hot metal. We were also impressed with the snug fit of the casserole dish’s lid, which wouldn't slide off even if knocked or jolted in busy kitchens. A drawback could be the price. At over £100, you don’t get the 'lifetime durability' of a cast-iron pot. But taking into account its non-toxic properties, the GreenPan is a great performing casserole dish. Available from: GreenPan (£125) Which size casserole dish do you need? To help you choose the right dish for your household, Good Food recipe expert Anna Glover suggests which casserole dishes to buy for couples and families. Larger casserole dishes are also available and will allow you to feed upwards of four people or have leftovers for popping in the fridge. Best casserole dish size for a couple: 20cm/2.4 litre round casserole dish Best casserole dish size for a family of four: 24cm/4.2 litre round casserole dish Top tip: You can make a batch of something in a casserole dish and portion it out for the freezer. Slow cooks and braises are often sometimes a little more time-consuming, so making 4-6 portions can future-proof your freezer. Sometimes you just want something for two – here are some of our favourite recipes for two that you can make in a casserole. Casserole recipes Vegetarian casserole recipes One-pot recipes Tagine recipes Top family sausage casserole recipes Sausage bean casserole Simple fish stew Easy caponata Lamb & apricot stew Lemongrass beef stew Tomato & harissa stew One-pot chicken casserole Mexican chicken stew Chicken & chorizo jambalaya Simple seafood chowder Best oven thermometers Related reviews Best hand blenders Best kettles Best pestle and mortars Best toasters Best mixing bowls Best dishwashers Best paella pans Best oven thermometers If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Do you have a trusty casserole pot? Leave a comment below...
14 best charcoal barbecues, tested and rated by experts
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
When it comes to achieving that all-important chargrilled, smoky flavour when cooking on an outdoor grill, the charcoal barbecue reigns supreme. While gas BBQs offer speed, convenience and cleaner hands, a charcoal BBQ rewards patience with rich, flavourful depth and greater versatility – perfect for everything from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat searing. The best charcoal barbecues come in all shapes and sizes – from heat-resistant ceramic options designed to retain moisture, to steel kettle styles built to withstand rugged outdoor adventures. Choosing the right one for you will also depend on lots of factors, like how much you’re willing to spend, and how much space you have to store it. Our experts have put the latest models through their paces to bring you our definitive list of the best charcoal barbecues to buy this year. Whether you’re searching for something portable enough to take to the beach, big enough to feed a hungry crowd, or pretty enough to make a style statement in your garden, these are the tried-and-tested options worth your money. We also have a whole host of barbecue recipe ideas to get you started, or you can visit our reviews section to find more of the best portable, gas, electric and budget barbecues, as well as the best barbecue boxes to buy or best pizza ovens. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best charcoal BBQs at a glance Best charcoal BBQ: Kamado Joe Konnected Joe, £1,999 Best charcoal BBQ for serious grifters: Somerset Grill Co Asado Go! Portable Grill, £895 Best Weber charcoal BBQ: Weber Master Touch, £277.50 Best charcoal smoker BBQ: Big Green Egg large ceramic grill, £1,900 Best charcoal BBQ for camping: Napoleon Premium 14 Charcoal Portable, £79.99 Best charcoal BBQ for families: Char-Broil Kettleman, £210.99 Best charcoal BBQ for feeding a crowd: Vonhaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ, £62.99 Best budget kamado-style barbecue: Tower Kamado Maxi Ceramic Charcoal BBQ, £399.99 Best for social barbecuers: Char-Broil Charcoal L barbecue, £296.99 Best charcoal BBQ for small gardens: Big Green Egg MiniMax, £850 Best charcoal BBQ for taking on trips: Everdure Cube portable charcoal BBQ, £140.01 Best kettle BBQ for user-friendly features: Napoleon 22" charcoal kettle grill barbecue, £245.99 Best charcoal BBQ under £200: VonHaus Compact charcoal barbecue, £123 Best kettle BBQ: Weber Classic kettle barbecue, £190 Jump to: Best charcoal BBQs to buy in 2025 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 we tested charcoal barbecues How to clean a charcoal BBQ How to extinguish a charcoal BBQ How to maintain a consistent temperature on a charcoal BBQ? 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 Somerset Grill (£895) Best charcoal BBQ for serious grillers 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. Yes, 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: Somerset Grill (£895) Weber Master-Touch 57cm charcoal barbecue Available from Amazon (£324.99), John Lewis & Partners (£325) 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 (£324.99) John Lewis & Partners (£277.50) undefined Big Green Egg large ceramic grill Available from John Lewis & Partners (£1,900) 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 Napoleon Premium 14 Charcoal Portable Available from BBQ Shop (£79.99) Best charcoal BBQ for camping 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 (£84.99) Char-Broil Kettleman Available from Amazon (£210.99) 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 Vonhaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ Available from Amazon (£62.99) Best charcoal BBQ for feeding a crowd Star rating: 4/5 This barrel-shaped barbecue takes up a fair bit of room, so it’s a good option for larger gardens or bigger families. The grill measures 69cm long and 35cm wide, giving you plenty of space to cook for a crowd. Plus, it doubles as a smoker if you close the lid and add some wood chips to your charcoal. The extra grilling space meant we could cook a variety of foods at the same time, and the smaller rack in the lid of the drum is handy for keeping already-cooked food warm. We’d have liked the main grill to be split into two pieces, to allow for easier access to the coals beneath, although there is a hinged section in the middle. The one negative is the plastic wheels, which don’t match the quality of the rest of the barbecue and make it quite difficult to move around. Apart from that, this is a substantial outdoor cooking option that’s good value for money and won’t leave any of your guests hungry. Available from: Amazon (£62.99) Tower Kamado Maxi Ceramic Charcoal BBQ Available from Tower (£399.99) Best budget kamado-style charcoal barbecue Star rating: 4/5 Inspired by traditional Japanese clay cookers, kamado-style barbecues are made from heat-resistant ceramic and designed to lock in moisture. This budget option from British brand Tower takes its design cues from premium brands like Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg, but for a fraction of the price. Like all kamado-style barbecues this one is very heavy and requires a couple of people to lift and position it. It also needs curing before you use it, which was relatively straightforward, and it cooked our food with a suitably smoky, chargrilled flavour thanks to the closed-lid cooking style. The internal space is relatively small, so it’s better suited to direct rather than indirect cooking. And every time we lifted the lid to check on the food, the air vent on the top – which controls the temperature – swung shut, so you’ll need to remember to keep reopening it. Nevertheless, if you’re keen to dip your toe into the world of kamado-style cooking but don’t want to spend a small fortune, this is a solid option for beginners that just lacks the finesse of its more premium equivalents. Available from: Tower (£399.99) Char-Broil Charcoal L barbecue Available from Robert Dyas (£299.99), Amazon (£296.99) 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 (£299.99) Amazon (£296.99) undefined Big Green Egg MiniMax Available from John Lewis & Partners (£850) 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: John Lewis & Partners (£850) Everdure by Heston Blumental Cube portable charcoal BBQ Available from Amazon (£140.01) 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 (£143.99) undefined Napoleon 22" charcoal kettle grill barbecue Available from BBQ World (£249.99) 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 (£249.99) VonHaus Compact charcoal barbecue Available from Wilko (£123), B&Q (£109.99) Best charcoal BBQ under £200 Pros: Adjustable smoke / temperature control Lots of features Cons: Small grill area Poorly defined grill lines Star rating: 4/5 This barbecue is a good choice for anyone wanting a large grilling area on a budget and would be suitable for smaller spaces. You forfeit some build quality for the price. Component parts felt a bit flimsy and construction was a flat-pack affair involving lots of fiddly screws. Once constructed, you gain nifty features like a bottle opener and two useful side tables for holding lightweight barbecue tools. The height-adjustable firebox offers control you can rarely achieve when cooking over coals and yielded some nicely cooked ingredients. Read our full Vonhaus Compact Charcoal BBQ review. Available from: Wilko (£123) B&Q (£109.99) undefined Weber Classic kettle barbecue Available from Argos (£190) Best kettle BBQ Pros: Handy lid lock Good accompanying handbook Well thought-out features Cons: Large to store Lacks tool hooks Star rating: 4/5 With a simple, intuitive design, this kettle barbecue by Weber is an ideal option for anyone wanting good cooking results with minimum effort. The grill is large enough to cook food for a family of six, while features like easy cleaning, ash collection and a lid hook for tucking the hood away as you're turning burgers makes life just a bit easier during use. The brand is obviously confident about the longevity of its product, covering its bowl and lid with a 10-year warranty, and guaranteeing its other parts for between two and five years. The handbook will fill you with confidence and excitement about using this barbecue. Read our full Weber Classic Kettle charcoal barbecue review. Available from: Argos (£190) undefined Other charcoal BBQs tried and tested Argos Home charcoal oil drum barbecue review, £50 Azuma Rhino charcoal barbecue review, £189.99 Bar-Be-Quick Tandoori Smoker and Grill review, £85 View Green Video on the source website 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 we tested charcoal barbecues We tested each model's every function (including smoker, pizza oven, tandoori, fire pit) under control-conditions in order to find the best of the bunch. Read more about how our experts test products. The following are available widely at major supermarkets. Bar-Be-Quick FSC Charcoal Briquettes Tiger Tim FSC Wood Wool Firelighters Coals were stacked and lit in order to achieve direct heat and left until they were white hot with glowing red centres. The same key ingredients were also used during each core test. Un-oiled courgette slices: To test the non-stick ability of grills and assess its grid-cooking capabilities Potato slices: Can the BBQ soften and seal the potato before the outside burns? Whole aubergine: We recorded how long it took to grill whole aubergines until soft all over and the skin was blistered Vegetable kebabs: These were laid flat across the grills. We checked for defined grill lines, even cooking, sticking and hot spots White burger buns: Popping these on the grill is an easy way to warm and toast them with defined grill lines Steak: Steak is an excellent indicator of heat intensity and the non-stick quality of grill bars to sear meat without it sticking Spatchcock chicken: For lidded BBQs, we tested the model's ability to retain heat and keep the coals going with the lid on. This was a separate test requiring a new set of coals. A digital meat thermometer was used to check that the meat was safely cooked inside. 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 people with varying BBQ experience. We also measured how long each charcoal BBQ took to assemble and how straightforward this was to do, if at all. Some of the BBQs 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? 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 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. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. 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
Nothing says summer quite like the smell of a sizzling barbecue on a sunny – or at least, not rainy – day. Like freshly cut grass, salty sea air and coconut suncream, the smoky waft of food grilled al fresco is a quintessential summer scent. Whether you prefer to cook on a charcoal barbecue, smoke over wood or fire up a gas grill, having the right accessories to hand will ensure your outdoor cooking experience goes smoothly. From basting brushes that boost flavour, to handy gadgets designed to achieve the perfect chargrilled effect, there’s a tool to help you improve every element of your outdoor dinner. Looking for some inspiration? Take your pick from sizzling seafood recipes including these fiery prawn and pepper skewers to sides like buttery baked corn on the cob, or even something sweet such as our barbecued banoffee splits. Food expert Barney Desmazery also shares his top 10 barbecuing tips at the bottom of the page. Whether you’re grilling in the garden or on the beach, discover our selection of the best barbecue accessories to help you get the most out of your outdoor grill. 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 for bringing some zing to 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, £59.99 Best BBQ gloves: Weber premium gloves, £52 Best BBQ cleaning tool: Grill Guard BBQ grill cleaning brush and scraper, £11.99 Best tool for searing meat: KitchenCraft cast iron grill press, £15.95 Best barbecue set: Boss Grill 18-piece BBQ utensil set, £49.97 Best BBQ basting brush: OXO Good Grips Grilling basting brush, £10 Best BBQ tool essentials: Tramontina three piece BBQ tools set, £19 Best BBQ tongs: OXO Good Grips silicone tongs, £10 Best for pulled pork: Meat shredding claws, £19.60 Best meat thermometer for barbecuing: Thermapen One meat thermometer, £74.99 Best BBQ chimney starter: Weber chimney starter, £17.99 Best eco-friendly firelighters: Log Barn natural firelighters, £13.79 Best for lighting gas BBQs: KitchenCraft electronic butane gas lighter, £8.50 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 (£35) 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 (£35) 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 John Lewis & Partners (£59.99) 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: John Lewis & Partners (£59.99) Weber Premium gloves Available from John Lewis & Partners (£52) 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 (£52) Grill Guard BBQ grill cleaning brush and scraper Available from Amazon (£11.99) 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 (£11.99) 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 Amazon (£63.97) 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 BrandAlley (£10), Amazon (£12), Harts Of Stur (£14.26) 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), Robert Dyas (£23.99), Amazon (£25.99), 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 (£10), Selfridges (£17) 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 (£19.60) 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 (£19.60) Thermapen One meat thermometer Available from Amazon (£74.99) 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 (£74.99) Weber chimney starter Available from John Lewis & Partners (£17.99) 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: John Lewis & Partners (£17.99) Log Barn natural firelighters Available from Amazon (£13.79) 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 (£13.79) KitchenCraft electronic butane gas lighter Available from eBay (£8.50) 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 (£8.50) 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. Barbecue recipes Best vegan barbecue recipes Top 20 family barbecue recipes Best ever barbecue recipes Best family barbecue desserts Best vegetarian barbecue recipes Best healthy barbecue recipes Last minute barbecue recipes Related reviews Best charcoal barbecues Best electric barbecues Best barbecues under £100 Best portable barbecues Best Weber BBQ Best pizza ovens Best barbecue food Best BBQ gadgets, accessories and tools Best picnic rucksacks Best sustainable picnicware Best pizza oven accessories Best Ooni pizza oven Best Ooni accessories Barbecue tips and tricks Which barbecue should I buy? Top tips for a successful barbecue Easiest ever barbecue menu Top tips for stress-free barbecuing How to cook meat properly on the barbecue The great British barbecue How to season cast iron How to light a BBQ How to clean a BBQ If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. What's your favourite barbecue gadget? We'd love to hear below...