Best BBQ in the UK in 2024 with gas and charcoal options reviewed

You’re here because you want to buy the best BBQ in the UK, and that’s exactly what you’ll find below — a list of the best barbeques to help fill those sunny days and mild nights with hot, tasty, delicious food. If you’re in the US, then you’ll want to take a look at our list of the best outdoor grills.

There are plenty of gas and charcoal options across a variety of price points, so let’s dive right in, shall we?

What’s the best BBQ in the UK?

We reckon Char-Broil’s Gas2Coal hybrid model (buy now) is one of the best choices for most people, given its ability to use both gas and charcoal for cooking. You can even use gas to quickly and easily ignite the charcoal, making for a much faster all-charcoal experience, if you prefer.

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Other BBQ recommendations

The Char-Broil’s Gas2Coal isn’t quite right for you? Fear not, for there are plenty of other grills we recommend:

If you’re looking for a portable BBQ, then check out our guide to the best portable BBQ, too.

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The best BBQs in the UK you can buy today:

1. Char-Broil Gas2Coal

Char-Broil Gas2Coal specs
Fuel	Gas and charcoal
Weight	63.7 kg

If you’re indecisive, then Char-Broil’s hybrid model is one of the best choices for you, thanks to its ability to convert from gas to charcoal in less than 60 seconds. Simply remove the supplied charcoal tray, and cook with regular gas burners if you’re short on time with hungry mouths to feed.

If you’ve got a hankering for old-fashioned charcoal though, load up the tray, and handily light the charcoal with the gas burners themselves — no chimney stacks or lighter materials required. The charcoal tray itself also helps prevent flare-ups, resulting in more even cooking.

Better yet, there’s a built-in side burner for additional cooking powers, along with a warming rack and porcelain-coated cast iron grates for longevity and easy cleaning.

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2. Weber Slate 76cm Premium Griddle

Weber Slate 76cm Premium Griddle specs
Fuel	Gas
Weight	71 kg

Weber’s largest Slate model in the UK is a premium, sleek bit of kit that’s as much a flat-top culinary powerhouse as it is a piece of decorative patio art. Combining Weber’s iconic build quality and weather resistance prowess with a gorgeous rust-resistant porcelain-enamel cast-iron cooking surface, this is comfortably one of the best flat-top griddles money can buy. And yes, there’s a premium price tag to match. 

Adept at searing juicy smash burgers, tossing flavourful stir-fries, and grilling vegetables to crispy perfection — all on its generous 76cm (around 30in) single, expansive cooktop — the star of the show is the aforementioned porcelain-enamel cast-iron cooking surface, which comes pre-seasoned and ready to roll, with no sticking or clean-up complaints to report. Note, as with any griddle, you’ll still want to regularly season it yourself for optimum performance.

Another area that the Slate excels in, is consistent heat distribution, with each burner acting as expected, with low heat when required for things like frying eggs, to searing-hot heat for delivering beautifully browned steaks. The digital temperature also sets it apart from some rivals, letting you see an estimate of the middle temperature without the need for a laser thermometer (though serious grill enthusiasts will still want one)

Weber hasn’t skimped on the extras either. A comprehensive selection of accessories for prep space and storage transforms this griddle into a veritable outdoor kitchen. The built-in side tables provide invaluable prep space, while the closed cabinet offers ample storage for all your griddling gear. Clean-up is a breeze too, thanks to the extra-large front drip pan that catches grease with ease. And when it’s time to move this culinary command centre around, the four swivel casters (two locking) ensure smooth sailing across various surfaces.

If you don’t need the larger space of something like the 36in Blackstone griddle below, then the Slate is a premium option that won’t let you down.

3. Blackstone 36-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Griddle Station with Hard Cover

Blackstone 36-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Griddle Station specs
Fuel	Gas
Weight	58 kg

If you’re sold on the wonderful world of flat-top griddles, then you can’t get much better than Blackstone. This huge gas-powered 36in model is one of the best BBQs in the UK, and features more than enough space for feeding smash burgers to a horde of hungry guests — though there’s nothing stopping you from using it for stir-fries, pancakes, eggs, or anything else you require. And we’re not joking. Its flat surface offers near-unlimited possibilities, from frying bacon on one end, to eggs on the other — all dialled into perfection thanks to the four independent burners which let you lower or raise the heat of different cooing zones as you see fit.

We’ve seared steak, noodles with veg, and even made scrambled eggs, and it’s easily replaced our hob over this past summer, letting us cook outside with convenience. And because of its flat-top nature, clean-up is an absolute breeze. Look after it well with proper oiling and seasoning, and nothing will stick to it either. A handy grease management system also lets you safely and easily dispose of leftover grease, and the included hard cover in this bundle does well to protect it from the elements and/or falling leaves.

It might take some convincing for traditional charcoal and gas lovers to make the switch, but if you find yourself cooking in cast iron skillets, why not cut out the middleman and cook directly on this massive surface instead? Its sheer versatility means that you definitely won’t regret it, and you’ll be touting the praises of flat-top griddling to everyone else before you know it. In short, if you’ve got plenty of hungry mouths to feed, this is the best super-large griddle we’ve tested.

4. Weber Master-Touch

Weber Master-Touch specs
Fuel	Charcoal
Weight	21.3 kg

Weber’s Original Kettle charcoal BBQ is one of the most iconic choices and one that will spring to mind for most people. But we’re big fans of the Master-Touch model, which keeps the essence of the Kettle, while serving up a multitude of improvements in the process.

It’s a little taller, for starters, making for a more comfortable grilling experience. The lid is a little deeper too, and can be handily stored in a built-in lid holder, which is an improvement over the original’s lid hook. The addition of Weber’s Gourmet BBQ System grill is another big draw, letting you swap out different modules like pizza stones for more versatility. It’s easy to clean too, thanks to a clever ash sweeping/collection system, and we think the Slate Blue variant, in particular, is rather dashing.

Overall, if you’re a charcoal fan, this is a BBQ that will serve you well for years to come, while looking superb in the process.

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5. Landmann Triton MaxX 4.1

Landmann Triton MaxX 4.1 specs
Fuel	Gas
Weight	‎47 kg

Landmann’s capacious four-burner entry has more than enough space to feed large, ravenous groups, with specially designed enamel-coated steel flame tamers to help distribute heat evenly across the grill. A built-in warming rack lets you serve everything at an appropriate temperature at the same time, while a modular cooking system supports extra accessories like pizza stones.

The real star of the show though, is the infrared side burner, which is capable of reaching a blistering 1500°F (800 °C). This makes it an absolute godsend for creating perfectly seared steaks in record time, letting you create perfect outer crusts without over-cooking the insides. Once you’ve tried infrared, you’ll never want to sear on anything else ever again.

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6. Royal Gourmet Portable Table Top Gas Grill Griddle

Royal Gourmet Portable Table Top Gas Grill Griddle specs
Fuel	Gas
Weight	13.3 kg

Don’t be put off by the flat-top nature of this griddle. Yes, the lack of bars means no aesthetic grill lines, but it makes up for it in practically every other way. The flat surface means that everything from burgers and sausages, to steaks and vegetables will make full contact with a heated surface, resulting in a much better, more consistent Maillard reaction (aka, the delicious browning that makes food extra delicious).

This also makes it a perfect choice for smash burger fans, who can press down balls of mince to create super-slim and crispy patties for multi-layered burgers bursting with flavour. Throw in the fact that this is easily portable for both backyard and camping use, and it could potentially even replace your dedicated BBQ. Win-win.

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7. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 specs
Fuel	Charcoal
Weight	92 kg

Masterbuilt’s Gravity Series is aptly named, with the 1050 model featuring a capacious gravity-fed hopper capable of fuelling your cooks for a whopping 12-15 hours of use. Supporting up to 9.9lbs (4.5kg) of lump charcoal or 15.4lbs (7kg) of briquettes, you can enjoy slow-cooked delicacies like brisket and ribs without being chained to your outdoor cooking station.

Cast-iron grates produce perfectly-seared results, while a digital control panel, complete with an accompanying Bluetooth/Wi-Fi controlled app, make keeping an eye on everything a breeze too. With convenient racks and numerous shelves, it’s got everything you need for a hassle-free backyard cookout.

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8. Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill

Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill specs
Fuel	Charcoal
Weight	22.8 kg

This capacious, affordable charcoal grill features ample cooking space, along with porcelain-enamelled steel cooking grates for durability and performance. A built-in thermometer provides an easy way to keep an eye on the temperature at a glance, while a height-adjustable charcoal pan allows for quick and easy control over the level of cooking heat.

If that wasn’t enough, it also has a useful built-in offset smoker, complete with its own lid, letting you smoke anything from meat to vegetable side dishes for an extra dash of BBQ goodness. An included cover, utensil hooks, and a smoke stack, round off the features rather nicely. Plenty for your money, at this price.

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9. Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Hub charcoal BBQ

Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Hub charcoal BBQ specs
Fuel	Charcoal
Weight	40 kg

If a BBQ has world-renowned chef Heston Blumenthal’s seal of approval, it’s not going to be cheap. Or ordinary. And the charcoal-fuelled Hub BBQ makes good on both.

Hefty price tag aside, you’re clearly getting something that’s far more refined than your average heap of industrialised, functional metal. With sharp lines, rounded corners, and angular legs, it’s as much a design talking point as it is a food-searing powerhouse.

On that note, it’s a heck of a performer too, managing to stand out from the rest of the competition with its built-in rotisserie system. From succulent chicken to mouth-watering pork, the possibilities for both taste and visual theatre are endless. And if you require something a little easier, there’s an electric-powered version too.

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10. Tepro Grillwagen Toronto

Tepro Grillwagen Toronto specs
Fuel	Charcoal
Weight	27 kg

While Tepro’s Grillwagen is lacking in the brand recognition department, it more than makes up for it with excellent bang for your buck. The cheapest offering on our list, this is a charcoal BBQ that offers plenty to love, including a speedy assembly time of just 30 minutes.

A generous grilling area is made even better by a built-in warming rack and handy ash collection tray, while a Grid in Grid system lets you pop in modular accessories like pizza stones if you wish to mix things up.

The best part, though, is a built-in handle that can be turned to raise and lower the coals, letting you change the intensity of the heat to achieve the perfect finish. If you’ve ever suffered from burnt buns or overly sizzled sausages in the past, this will be a particularly useful defence mechanism.

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11. LotusGrill XXL

LotusGrill XXL specs
Fuel	Charcoal
Weight	22 kg

If you fancy that delicious charcoal flavour without the pesky smoke, then LotusGrill’s clever grill should be your first choice. Its built-in battery-powered fans not only help your coals come to temperature in a blistering five minutes, but the extra aeration they provide also results in far less smoke than a regular charcoal BBQ.

You can even adjust the speed of the fans to control the temperature, and the generous grill size of the XXL model should be good enough to feed around 20 people. It looks the part too, with a range of eye-catching colours and a UFO-like design.

Its closed-container nature also reduces the risks of flying sparks and escaping embers, providing extra peace of mind if you’re surrounded by curious pets and inquisitive toddlers.

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12. Char-Broil Kettleman

Char-Broil Kettleman specs
Fuel	Charcoal
Weight	17 kg

Char-Broil’s answer to Weber’s iconic kettle BBQ is far from a mere shape-inspired copy. Thanks to some clever design features, it promises to do more with less charcoal. In other words, you can cut back on how much charcoal you use per cook, while getting more heat out of it. Neat.

The first of these clever design tricks is the 360-degree air inlet holes that surround the main body of the BBQ itself, letting plenty of oxygen get sucked in to fuel those flames at all times. Not only that, but the Kettleman also has Char-Broil’s TRU-Infrared tech, which prevents flare-ups for more evenly cooked food.

This not only creates an even temperature across the entire grill surface, but the end result also provides juicier food than normal. Up to 50 per cent juicer, in fact, according to Char-Broil. Consider us sold.

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13. Weber Genesis EPX-335

Weber Genesis EPX-335 specs
Fuel	Gas
Weight	‎97 kg

After the Lambo of gas grills? Look no further than Weber’s eye-wateringly expensive Genesis. Featuring three gas burners and an extra large sear zone, it also has an expandable top cooking grate for simultaneous grilling, letting you whip up mains and sides at the same time.

Its biggest trick though, lies in its smart real-time food temperature monitoring, which lets you keep an eye on internal meat temperatures remotely via your smartphone, letting you achieve perfectly delicious results without any guesswork involved.

Compatible with Weber’s Gourmet Barbecue System, you can add additional accessories as you see fit, and it even has built-in illumination, for night-time grilling sessions. With an extra side burner, generous side shelves, hooks, and a spacious cabinet, it’s practically an outdoor kitchen in its own right.

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Is a charcoal BBQ or a gas BBQ better?

Choosing between a charcoal barbeque and a gas barbeque depends on several factors, we’ll go through them all below.

In terms of taste, a charcoal BBQ generally provides a smoky flavour that many grill enthusiasts love. The high heat and smoky aroma from the burning charcoal can enhance the taste of grilled foods significantly. On the other hand, while a gas BBQ may not impart the same intense smoky flavour, it can still produce delicious grilled food. Some gas grills even come with smoker boxes to add a hint of smokiness, though it may not be as pronounced as with charcoal.

Convenience is another major consideration. Charcoal barbeques take longer to heat up and require more effort to maintain a consistent temperature. Additionally, cleaning up ash and disposing of charcoal can be more time-consuming. In contrast, gas barbeques are quick to start and offer easy temperature control, making them more convenient for quick grilling sessions. Cleaning a gas BBQ is generally easier as well, with no ash to dispose of.

When it comes to cost, charcoal BBQs are typically less expensive upfront than gas grills. However, the ongoing cost of charcoal can add up over time, whereas gas can be more economical in the long run, as propane or natural gas is generally cheaper and more efficient than buying charcoal regularly.

When considering environmental impact, charcoal BBQs produce more carbon emissions and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution. Charcoal production also involves deforestation and can be less sustainable. Gas BBQs burn cleaner than charcoal, producing fewer emissions and making them a more environmentally friendly option.

In terms of versatility, charcoal grills offer higher cooking temperatures, which can be better for searing meat. They also allow for different cooking methods, such as direct and indirect grilling. Gas grills, however, provide precise temperature control and often come with additional features like side burners and rotisserie attachments, enhancing their versatility.

Ultimately, if you prioritize flavour and don’t mind spending extra time on preparation and cleanup, a charcoal barbeque might be the better choice. However, if you value convenience, ease of use, and a cleaner-burning option, a gas barbeque would be more suitable.

Now check out the best camping accessories.