A BBQ – or barbecue, to give it it’s proper spelling – is a method of cooking unlike any other. Not only does barbecuing provide a whole new flavour profile to the likes of meats and fish, but, because they’re usually only used during clement outdoor conditions, they become the literal life of summer parties.
Barbecue hails from the Spanish word barbacoa, which was once used to describe the physical wooden structure the Arawak people of South American would use to grill their food. The word was eventually applied to refer to the actual act of grilling food (although of course, BBQs are still very unique in their look). Today, there are many variations of the BBQ: gas, infrared, electric and charcoal, which itself can be broken down into various sub-categories.
Charcoal-based grills were the first to come about, although their invention has a relative of Henry Ford’s to thank. It was Edward G. Kingsford (whose wife was Ford’s cousin), who took wood scraps discarded during the production of the Model T and turned them into charcoal, creating the very first charcoal briquette.
It was George Stephen, a welder at Weber Brothers Metal Works who came up with the hemispherical grill design we now see as the iconic design for BBQs. Following some success in selling his designs to customers, teamed up with Weber to create the Weber-Stephens Products Company, the very same that’s responsible for some of the finest BBQ grills on the market today.
There is much debate surrounding which method is best for cooking on a barbecue, but it’s because of the history of charcoal and the more ‘authentic’ flavour using it a fuel source provides, that we thought it best to provide a round-up of the very best charcoal barbecue grills available today.
They may all differ in price and looks, as well as the amount of cooking space you’re afforded, but all have been produced with the sole intention of giving you the classic American-style charcoal taste.
Best Charcoal BBQ FAQ
Which charcoal is best for a BBQ?
When it comes to charcoal BBQs, you have the option of lump charcoal or briquettes. Lump charcoal burns at a higher temperature than briquettes and reaches its top temperature quicker. It also breaks down better and leaves little ash and is more respondent to changes in oxygen levels. However, it is usually more expensive to buy.
Briquettes, meanwhile, will burn for longer albeit at lower temperatures and they are much cheaper to buy. However, some claim that the really cheap brands can cause a chemical smell to be transferred to your food, so make sure you keep you eye out for reputable brands such as Kingsford.
Which BBQ brand is the best?
The answer to this question can be subjective, as some users may find some BBQs easier to use than others, or prefer the way they cook. However, Weber BBQs are widely regarded as being the best in the business, scoring highly on various polls and review scores. Gasmate is another good brand, as is Ziegler & Brown.
How long should I leave a BBQ before grilling?
The amount of time you leave your charcoal to heat up before you start grilling will depend on the type you are using. Charcoal briquettes will take much longer than lump charcoal to reach their optimum temperature, so you will want to leave them for at least 15 minutes before you start adding food to your BBQ.
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IKEA Grillskäer
Yep, the iconic Swedish furniture manufacturer is also in the BBQ game. This Grillskär charcoal barbecue comes with a couple of shelves for storing plates and food waiting to be grilled, has air vent openings to adjust the intensity of the flames and, in true IKEA fashion, has extra pieces that can be bolted on to it to provide extra storage and preparation space.
There's plenty of space on the grill itself for searing some steaks and sausages, and you even get extra touches such as hooks to hang utensils. We also think it's a bit of a looker, too.
Everdure by Heston Blumenthal 4K Charcoal/Electric BBQ
If there's one man who was going to shake up the BBQ game it had to be Heston Blumenthal. The Michelin starred British chef is always are the forefront of innovation in the culinary world and this BBQ, created in collaboration with Everdure is one of the most outlandish we've ever seen.
Not only does it look like some sort of futuristic space pod, but it employs a suite of futuristic tech to ensure you end up with only the finest quality grilled food. Airflow can be finely controlled, meaning you can set a precise temperature, which you can read on the touch glass display. You also get internal probes (not that kind) that constantly monitor the temperature of the food you're cooking, so you know exactly when it's done.
Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Fusion Charcoal BBQ
If a space-age BBQ isn't quite your bag but you're still after a celebrity-endorsed grilling machine, then perhaps this other model from Heston may be more to your liking.
This Fusion model may resemble a Kraftwek podium, but it's a BBQ that will appeal to those who love to spit roast their pork or chicken to the point where the meat falls off the bone. The charcoals are good to go in just 10 minutes, Cliplock Forks make sure your food is held securely and the porcelain enamel firebox makes clean up a breeze.
Oklahoma Joe's Rambler Tabletop Charcoal Grill
We often associate BBQs with the garden and outdoor space, but what if space is a premium and you live in apartment, for example? It's unlikely you're going to fit a fully-fledged BBQ on a balcony, which is where this tabletop grill from Oklahoma Joe's comes in handy (of course, you can still use it in your back yard if you have one, we're not discriminating here).
The Rambler is made from heavy-duty steel so you know it will last, while the cast-iron grate is large enough to accept approximately 6 burgers, or 6 steaks or 12 sausages (or a combination of all, naturally). The height of the charcoal tray can be adjusted to bring the heat closer to, or further away from, your food to influence cooking speed. It's portable nature also means you can put it in the car and take it the park for larger social gatherings.
Kamado Joe Big D&C on Cart Series II
A mouthful of a name maybe, but this Kamado Joe domed BBQ will serve up a salacious mouthful of food. It may look similar to another well-known domed BBQ (although, that one is green and this is red) but we can tell you that Kamado Joe's iteration gives you literally everything you need to start grilling.
Innovative features such as a wire mesh fibreglass gasket provides an air-tight seal when the lid is shut, ensuring that the maximum temperature is delivered to your food. A Divide & Conquer cooking system employs the use of split-level grates, so you can cook different foods at different speeds. Air flow can be fine-tuned thanks to a top-mounted vent and you can clearly see the temperature inside by way of a gauge on the lid.
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill & Smoker
If the smokiest of flavours is of the utmost importance to you then this Masterbuilt BBQ is the only one to get.
Not only can you grill stuff in a conventional fashion (and to a precise temperature thanks to a digital control panel that regulates a DigitalFan) but a charcoal hopper can hold enough charcoal to slowly smoke your meat for 12-15 hours.
Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Centre
No list of best BBQs would be complete without the brand that kickstarted a revolution, amd this Weber serves up perhaps the ultimate in BBQ-ing.
Not only does this BBQ look like it will grill your steaks just by looking at them, but a double walled kettle made from Weber's own porcelain enamelled steel ensures temperatures can reach – and stay at – their highest. It also means you can utilise a range of cooking methods: roast, bake or smoke.
It also benefits from Weber's Gourmet BBQ System which lets you switch out the inner plates to assist with cooking a multitude of foods, such as pizza stone and wok inserts.
