The best charcoal BBQs on the UK market 2021, for entertaining and dining al fresco this summer
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For most people, especially seasoned chefs, charcoal and briquettes are widely considered to be the best fuels for grilling meats.
Along with wood pellets (see our guide to the best Pellet Grills), charcoal generally produces more smoke than gas because its molecular ingredients are more complex (gas is a more simplified, odourless compound that produces just water and carbon dioxide).
Charcoal is also a much more authentic – and therefore fulfilling – way to grill food. Charcoal barbecues are also generally easier to assemble than their gas counterparts.
Even the cheapest charcoal model will generally grill as well as the most expensive; after all, you’ll get the same results using just four bricks on the ground and a cheap grate.
The main considerations are therefore the quality of the barbecue’s components (an important asset if durability is a main prerequisite), the dimensions of its grill, special features, how good it looks and, of course, price.
What type of charcoal barbecue is best for you?
If you tend to burn your food quite regularly, go for a lidded (convection) model which will grill more evenly, less fiercely and a little slower than an open-top brazier-style BBQ.
Lidded barbecues (especially the kettle variety) use a convection process – rather like an oven – to cook the food. The secret is to keep the lid on as much as possible or the convection process will come to a rapid halt.
The lid also prevents the smoke from the fats escaping into thin air and the result is food infused with a delicious smoky flavour. Convection barbecues also allow you more time to engage in idle chit-chat without constantly having to break away from the conversation to turn the food over.
Any model with a lid like these reviewed below can be used in much the same way as a brazier by simply leaving the lid off.
Lump wood charcoal or briquettes?
Most experts will recommend lump wood charcoal over briquettes. Lump wood provides a superior flavour due to the fact it doesn’t contain any chemicals or binders. However, lump wood charcoal usually burns quickly and more fiercely and by the time it’s at optimum temperature, it starts to burn down quite quickly.
Briquettes, on the other hand, take longer to reach optimum temperature but stay hot for much longer. And that’s a good thing if you’re cooking two separate amounts of food or have a lot of mouths to feed. Heat Beads and Weber produce some of the best briquettes on the market.
This keenly-priced model is just the right size for a small patio or balcony and the build quality is excellent for the price; the heavy-duty lid is especially worth mention.
The Blooma Rockwell 200 doesn’t come with a side shelf but the bottom shelf is rigid enough for the storage of plates, condiments etc.
The split grate itself measures 42 x 41cm – plenty of space for up to six ravenous guests – but there’s no separate ash catcher so you’ll need to scoop out the ashes after a few sessions.
In the arena of basic budget-priced models, the Rockwell ticks most boxes.
It cooks well, it’s compact enough for easy storage and it looks like it will last quite a few years without turning into a heap of rust.
For those who require more meal estate, the larger Rockwell 310 has a larger grill, a side shelf and closed cupboard for charcoal storage.
PROS
Multi-fuel for convenience
Charcoal heats up quickly
CONS
Not the prettiest of models
Awkward to assemble
If you’re torn between cooking on gas or coal or just want the best of both worlds, then how about this two-in-one griller that can run off both charcoal or gas? If using gas, simply turn on the three burners and start grilling.
But when the need arises for some good old-fashioned charcoal grilling, simply reach down to the compartment beneath the burners, pull out the charcoal tray, place it on top of the three burners and fill with briquettes or lump wood charcoal.
Now turn on the gas to light the charcoal using the electronic igniter. It should be ready to grill in about 20 minutes – a lot quicker than the conventional method of using firelighters.
The Gas2Coal comes with an excellent porcelain-coated cast iron grate that measures a very ample 61.5cm x 44.5cm, plus a separate side gas burner for heating stuff like baked beans and potatoes or frying onions.
Granted, this isn’t the most stylish looking barbie in the yard and it takes about three hours to assemble, but it grills very well on either charcoal or gas and is a great overall choice for fence sitters. Also available as a two- or four-burner option.
