With clear skies and a touch of sunshine, outdoor entertaining transforms a simple meal into a true celebration.
A barbecue, far from being a fleeting event, embodies the very essence of summer gatherings, a festive atmosphere that begins long before the first burger hits the grill.
From the inviting glow of ash-grey coals signalling perfectly marinated meats, to the mood-enhancing smoky aromas infused by wood chips, the right barbecue is central to this culinary spectacle. It’s about more than just cooking; it’s about the entire experience.
As National BBQ Week approaches (25-31 May), now is an opportune moment to consider upgrading your equipment. Embrace the season and ignite the joy of outdoor cooking with a new model from a selection of impressive options.
1. Char-Broil Electric BBQ Patio Bistro E2 Coal Electric BBQ, £349, Amazon
Ideal for a bijoux balcony or petite patio, this hybrid barbecue (dual fuel) is perfectly placed for smaller soirées.
With the aesthetic appeal of a traditional charcoal barbie but with the benefits of an electric grill, you can flip-flop between electric and charcoal cooking in no time.
Moreover, you don’t have to light it hours before eating, as it heats up quickly. With variable temperature control, non-stick cooking plates and warming rack, it’s a win-win with a glass in one hand – and pair of tongs in the other.
2. George UniFlame 6 Burner Gas Grill BBQ, £497, Direct.asda
If you enjoy entertaining on a larger scale, and love to bring life and colour to the party with a varied menu and all the trimmings, this is bang on the money.
Not only does it have a 32-burger capacity, large cooking area, sear burner, side burner to heat up sauces and sides, and warming rack; you can cook a spit-roasted chicken or leg of lamb on the rotisserie. One for the barbecue king or queen who likes to put their own spin on cooking in the open air.
3. Grillskar Series: Grillskar Gas Barbecue, Black/Stainless Steel Outdoor, £500; selection of Grillskar flexible modules to complete your outdoor kitchen, priced individually, IKEA
If you’ve set your sights on indoor-outdoor living and find al fresco entertaining a breeze, an outdoor kitchen is part of the bigger picture to bring it all together.
And thanks to IKEA’s flexible modules, a bespoke barbie set-up is within reach. Kick-start your building block with its four-burner gas barbecue with generous cooking area and built-in thermometer on the hood… super-handy if you don’t want to keep lifting the lid and, depending on your budget, select the add-ons to fit your scheme.
From kitchen island shelf units to kitchen sink units, the hard work is done for you with a ready-made combination for total ease.
4. Char-Broil Versa-Tile 3 Burner Gas BBQ, £550, Argos
Compact and contemporary, Char-Broil’s three-in-one makes everything a cinch.
With two individual grilling zones, you can rustle up a pizza with a perfect crispy crust; sear a sirloin steak, or grill classic smoky BBQ sausages and juicy chicken kebabs without anyone having to miss out on a veritable feast. With a griddle, pizza riser and grill grate, removeable round tiles mean you can multi-task with star-quality results.
5. Campingaz 4 Series Onyx S Gas BBQ, £699 (was £799), Stovesareus
A showy centrepiece with all the bells and whistles, cue this four-burner gas barbecue with a cooking surface to switch up the menu – and cater to hungry parties of 15 at a time; with the added perk of being able to cook multiple dishes simultaneously, thanks to various cast-iron cooking grids. There’s also a side-burner for simmering sauces, sautéing veggies, or cooking golden brown onions. Moreover, there are modular systems you can add to the grill, such as a pizza stone or paella pan to fire your imagination… bring on a paella party! With InstaClean Aqua Pro feature for fuss-free cleaning.
6. Big Green Egg: Large Big Green Egg, £1,550 (includes Table Nest, Large), Big Green Egg
The scent of summer… if the smell of charcoal wafting through the air gets your juices flowing, now’s the time to get your grill on with the iconic Big Green Egg.
A kamado-style charcoal grill with a cult following, this egg-shaped cooker is made from ceramic; and its clever design the closest thing to an outdoor oven.
Thanks to its thick walls, it maintains heat and locks in moisture when cooking meat – with the capacity to cater to four to eight people – and can handle six chickens at time. Not to mention charcoal grilled fish such as sea bass, grilled gambas and potatoes – all fuelled by Big Green Egg’s oak and hickory lump charcoal. Accessory packs and large Green Egg bundle available at extra cost.
7. Weber Slate GPSB 76cm Premium Griddle, 3 Burners, £1,029, Weber
A shimmering of stardust surrounds this slate griddle – it features in Jamie Oliver’s Find Your Perfect Match Quiz, ‘with it’s fun lid-up theatre’ – and one of his go-tos to up your cooking game.
Not only does it create the perfect centrepiece with two side tables, generous cooktop which can cope with a sweep of skewered meats, grilled chicken wings and burgers; a digital display means you can check the surface temperature without losing track of time.
With the added bonus of Weber’s prep, cook and store system, side burner for all those yummy bits’n’bobs, and tool shelf to hold essential cooking utensils, everything’s within easy reach. A high-performance gas-powered model with broad appeal, and celebrity chef backing.
*Prices correct at time of going to press.
