The best charcoal BBQ

Ah, summer. Beer gardens, paddling pools, chasing the sun around the garden, and, of course, a charcoal BBQ. While we can't rely on the weather, the one thing we can definitely count on is that British people will be BBQing, come rain or shine.

Although holidays abroad are back on the horizon, most of us will be living it up in our gardens, which means that there's some work to do. Investing in a patio cleaner, gazebo and some practical garden furniture is a must, along with the ultimate summer cooking appliance - the best charcoal BBQ.

If your old one has seen better days, been left out in the rain all winter (guilty) or you're buying your first charcoal barbecue, we've rounded up the very best-rated products to see you through. You'll also be wanting a chimney starter to get your charcoal lit in the most timely fashion.

Keep reading for our buying advice, plus the must-have accessories to make summer BBQs a breeze.

Best charcoal BBQ UK

Review: "Shipping was fast and the grill arrived before the expected date. Even though I had minor troubles assembling the three legs of the base, overall I am very satisfied with the product. It works very well, as expected from a Weber product, and in my opinion, it is made of quality materials for a reasonable price. I was able to cook meat and other meals with ease. If you are new to charcoal grills or you are a daily charcoal fan, I really recommend this grill."

Review: "Really pleased with this, bought it a couple of months ago and have now finally managed to use it a few times. The build was easy, took a while but straightforward enough. The coal tray is great, it's nice to be able to adjust the heat without having to struggle with moving the rack up or down like on different BBQs, and the side trays with plenty of hooks make cooking for large parties easy. There is loads of room for meat, which is awesome, as we always cook too much. Would definitely recommend this grill."

Review: "I've used this 4 or 5 times now and I'm really happy with it. There are 3 of us and it's a good size for that. I bought the ivory coloured one and it looks fantastic. Really nice quality, and sturdy. Super easy to use with the briquettes, and easy to clean. I haven't had the occasion to take it outside of the garden yet with the recent lockdown, but it's light enough and a good size to be portable and easy to move. I like the way there's a metal piece that goes over the handle to stop it from opening when it's not in use. I expect I'll take it on days out with me."

Review: "The bbq was simple to assemble, I think I put it together in 20 minutes. I've used it twice since I bought it, and cooked for 6 of us without any trouble. The only downside is that I think it's not high enough, I'm 6ft and I have to stoop over to cook on it."

Review from Amazon: "This is the second Dancook I've bought, I gave the first one to a son when we were downsizing. That was over 8 years ago and it's still in perfect working condition without RUST. Easy to keep clean, after each cook brush the grill to remove any cooked product or fat and place the grill in the dishwasher. My only suggestion to improve the product would be to offer a smaller charcoal hearth as sometimes the lump wood charcoal is in such small pieces that they fall through into the ashtray."

Review: "Really beautiful and classy. Definitely worth the price. The only thing to consider is having someone help you assemble the BBQ as it is a two-person job. Unfortunately, the manual is not as clear with the images on some steps so it did take us a couple of hours to assemble it. Overall looks as advertised and definitely unique and plenty of space to put everything from utensils to the food. Love it."

Must-have BBQ accessories

Discovered the BBQ for you? Don't forget to shop for these BBQ essentials to make life easier, as well as ensure your BBQ is kept in good nick.

Charcoal BBQ FAQs

What size charcoal BBQ do I need?

As well as knowing how many people you're cooking for, you should also bear in mind the types of food you'll be cooking, as well as how much storage space you have to prepare and hold food.

According to Argos, these are the general size guidelines:

• Two - four people: 1800cm2 cooking area

• Six people: 2000cm2 cooking area

• Eight people: 2500cm2 cooking area

Charcoal vs gas BBQs

The age-old question - which is better, charcoal or gas?

For a more authentic, traditional BBQ experience, charcoal is the best choice for you. It delivers on unique flavour, is an affordable way to BBQ, plus many prefer cooking on charcoal.

Charcoal can take a little while to heat up, as you wait for the embers to become the correct temperature for cooking on, but patience will give you the succulent burgers you crave.

Gas BBQs are more expensive, but they make up for that with convenience and confidence. You will need to buy a gas canister (propane or butane), but the heat can be controlled more easily and food will be cooked more evenly.

Ultimately, the choice is yours.

Check out our pick of the best gas BBQs here.

Jade Moscrop is the Deputy Editor for What's The Best, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Grazia.

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