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Even though the weather for the Easter weekend is looking a bit wet, windy, and overcast, nothing will stop Brits cracking out their barbeque for a Bank Holiday. Except perhaps a red weather warning for snow or wind. If you’ve wheeled out your old BBQ to begin getting it cleaned up and found it didn’t survive the winter, you’ll probably be on the hunt for the best value BBQ you can find.
I’ve done some research on a selection of different types of highly-rated barbeques, from gas and charcoal to electric and portable, as well as a few affordable smokers, to give you some recommendations so you’re ready for the first BBQ weekend of the year.
Not got much space?
Best value portable BBQs
First up is a BBQ from US-brand Charmline that folds down into a foot long briefcase. There are three different sizes available, depending on how many people you’re planning to feed – the Mini is designed for two to three people, while the Maxi is built for four to six. At RRP, there’s only £15 difference in the price, so for more flexibility in hosting, opt for the largest size (folds down to 51cm long).
When folded out, the Charmline has two small tables on the sides, as well as an option to raise the grill for slower cooking. You will need to supply your own charcoal for this one.
The next portable BBQ doesn’t have any side tables like the Charmline above does – it also doesn’t offer variable cooking options. The Kizmyee Portable BBQ Grill is a simple affair, with fold down legs, a carry handle, and a set-height grill. Again, you will need charcoal. Given its simplicity, it is also a fair bit cheaper: £15 plus postage.
If you don’t have the time to go to the hassle of buying a BBQ and the charcoal, the easiest option is to go for the all-in-one instant solution of a disposable BBQ. These are easy to pick up from your local supermarket in a pinch, but if you’ve got an Amazon order going, there’s a bit more variety in your options. Pick from a small, 24cm by 31cm size for two or three people; or perhaps go for a multipack of BBQ trays (a good way of keeping vegetarian food separate from meat, or your fish away from your sausages); or keep your picnic more streamlined with a jumbo-size instant barbeque (32cm by 51cm).
A disposable BBQ is the least environmentally-friendly BBQ of them all, if you can live with that on your conscience. They are, however, great for flats where storage space is at a premium, or picnics and festivals.
Go old-school
Best value charcoal BBQs
Want an old-school BBQ but garden space is tight? This budget BBQ from Homion is worth considering. It’s a tidy £32, and it comes with utensils and a cover. The wheels make it easy to cart round your patio when garden seating arrangements undergo last-minute changes.
Now onto a big boy – the VonHaus Charcoal BBQ has a large set of wheels on one end so it can be moved around wheelbarrow-style, a fold down table, a warming rack, height-adjustable charcoal for variable cooking temperatures, temperature gauge, smoker capabilities, and an ash catcher. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s slightly more expensive at £105 (you can save a bit of money as it’s currently on sale). VonHaus is a well-recognised brand that I’ve never had a problem with, so hopefully this BBQ lives up to their name.
(£144 at Tesco for the XL model)
Here we’ve got another heavyweight in the world of BBQs: Weber. This compact kettle BBQ has been highly rated by many publications, so it deserves a recommendation here as well. Choose between 47cm or 57cm of cooking space, with both options coming in a wheeled tripod design, a porcelain-enamelled exterior, removable ash tray, and a storage tray. It’s not as well equipped as Weber’s Classic Kettle BBQ, but it does come at a lower price so some sacrifices need to be made.
Now I’m straight onto another tripod, yet this time, it’s more of a sit-round-the-fire-pit type affair. I’ve seen these many times at car festivals and on campsites over the summer, and I get why – they look very cool. Three metal stakes, fixed at a single point at the top. Hanging in the middle of the tripod is a grill, where burger upon burger can be cooked.
Multiple brands offer a tripod fire pit, from La Hacienda (the actual pit for your coals is sold separately) to all-in-one options from the budget Woodside (£40) to the slightly more expensive Nuyikaso (£55). Unlike a regular BBQ, this style can also double up as a fire pit to keep you warm once the sun goes off.
Gettin’ gassy with it
Best value gas BBQs
First up on the gas barbeque recommendation list is the indoor-outdoor grill brand, George Foreman. As it’s for Easter weekend, I’ve picked a big, outdoor gas barbie with enough grill space to cook 10 portions at a time. Attached to the lid is a warming rack, which keeps food at-temp while the rest is finishing up. Choose from the three or four burner models.
Compared to the top half of this list, the Fire Mountain Everest Pro 5 Burner Gas BBQ is a beast of a BBQ. Four of its burners are under the grill, with an extra one on the side for pan cooking (fried onions or a fried egg, anyone?). There’s also temperature control dials and a handy viewing window. Its features are reflected in the price, though.
Plug and grill
Best value electric BBQs and indoor grills
If your barbeque space is near the house, garage or a place where you can run an extension lead, an electric barbeque could be for you. You might not get that smokey flavour cooking over charcoal gives, but hey, at least there won’t be any smoke to sting your eyes.
It’s George Foreman again, this time with their indoor-outdoor grill. The cooking surface can grill up to 15 portions a time at a variable temperature, depending on whether you’re cooking burgers, kebabs, or vegetables. At a push, with the lid on, you might even manage to cook a pizza. The stand is detachable for indoor use.
At Simple & Homely, we’re big Ninja fans (we’ve got three Ninja air fryers between us), so naturally, I’m going to add in the Ninja Woodfire, but because it’s Easter, I’ve picked the biggest model, the Pro XL. Whack 10 burgers on the grill at a time or two small chickens (put lid down so the heat circulates over the top for a more even cook). It also comes with pellets for the smoker and a recipe book.
