Best Charcoal BBQ’s
The traditional charcoal barbeque has been around for hundreds of years and is still popular today. Many have moved to gas BBQ’s in recent years however the charm and excellent Smokey flavour that a charcoal BBQ can bring cannot necessarily be replicated by gas.
Generally speaking, charcoal BBQ’s are cheaper in comparison to gas. We have evaluated a range of charcoal BBQ’s based on a set of variables in order to give you our top 5 recommendations.
We evaluated the products based on 4 key variables;
- Appearance
- Cost
- Quality
- Performance
Other key attributes to look out for when choosing the best charcoal BBQ is;
- Compact / portable
- Temperature control
- Grill Capacity
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Heavy duty
Best Charcoal BBQ’s Review Summary
| Product | Image | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top1. Kamado Joe Versatile Charcoal Grill |   | Versatile, ceramic and portable | Check Price |
| 2. CosmoGrill Outdoor Portable Charcoal BBQ |   | Good value, durable and portable | Check Price |
| 3. Azuma Charcoal Grill Wood Smoker |   | Smoker, good value and grill included | Check Price |
| 4. Femor Smoker Barbecue 3 in 1 |   | Multi-function, iron structure and thermometer on top | Check Price |
| 5. UTTORA Portable Charcoal Barbecue |   | Portable, great value and easy to use | Check Price |
1. Kamado Joe Versatile Charcoal Grill
Manufacturer: Kamado Joe
- Appearance 99%
- Cost 90%
- Quality 98%
- Performance 96%
- Overall 97%
The Kamado Joe Versatile Charcoal Grill is a beautiful red ceramic kettle BBQ with lots of charm. Has the ability to be portable but at 31 kilograms perhaps not so easily.
Has a built-in thermostat and offers a vast versatile range from grill to smoke or roast to sear. Great for any cook’s preference.
Overall, another charming and great charcoal BBQ from Kamado Joe.
2. CosmoGrill Outdoor Portable Charcoal BBQ
Manufacturer: CosmoGrill
- Appearance 90%
- Cost 96%
- Quality 95%
- Performance 92%
- Overall 94%
The CosmoGrill Outdoor Portable Charcoal BBQ has a fantastic warming rack and inside hood so that you can achieve optimum temperature more easily.
Sleek black with plenty of storage and cooking space so you can entertain a large group of guests in your garden.
This charcoal barbeque has been beautiful designed and built to endure. However, not the easiest to assemble with lots of little bits.
3. Azuma Charcoal Grill Wood Smoker
Manufacturer: Azuma
- Appearance 89%
- Cost 94%
- Quality 90%
- Performance 95%
- Overall 91%
The Azuma Charcoal Grill Wood Smoker offers an excellent well-made grill with a stylish offset barrel smoker.
Handy temperature gauge built in and a large chamber and chimney for convenience.
Overall, an aesthetically pleasing well-made reliable charcoal barbeque which offers any cook hours of fun cooking on.
4. Femor Smoker Barbecue 3 in 1
Manufacturer: Femor
- Appearance 86%
- Cost 95%
- Quality 92%
- Performance 88%
- Overall 88%
The Femor Smoker Barbecue 3 in 1 is another great kettle charcoal barbeque for you to entertain with. This BBQ can be used for roasting, smoking and heating thus offering you a great 3 in 1 deal.
Comes with an equipped thermometer for more accurate cooking on the top lid.
Overall, a nice looking and easy to store BBQ which is ideal for use as a smoker.
5. UTTORA Portable Charcoal Barbecue
Manufacturer: UTTORA
- Appearance 80%
- Cost 99%
- Quality 82%
- Performance 79%
- Overall 84%
The UTTORA Portable Charcoal Barbecue is a cheap alternative to a more permanent charcoal BBQ.
Great for first time buyers of charcoal BBQ’s who want some practise before buying a larger more permeant barbeque.
This is a highly portable product which can easily be taken outside your house for days out with friends or family.
however, this is not ideal for large garden barbecues.
Buyer’s Guide To The Best Charcoal BBQ
Appearance
The appearance of an authentic and traditional charcoal barbeque is usually what gives it its charm and character over a more clinical, high tech looking gas barbeque.
Having a charcoal grill which fits in with the design and style of your garden is also something worth considering during purchase particularly if this is a quality more important to you.
Cost
When buying any product (no matter your budget) cost is usually a factor you will consider at some point. The good news is charcoal BBQ’s are usually cheaper (much cheaper in some cases) than the more modern gas BBQ’s.
Charcoal itself can also be much cheaper than gas to buy as well.
Quality
No one wants a barbe which falls apart every time you try to cook on it. Buying a quality and reliable BBQ will take some of the hassle and stress out of cooking.
Quality is can often linked to the price, charcoal BBQ’s are no exception to this rule. If you are looking for a higher quality product length of warranty can also be an indicator of quality.
Performance
Whether you prefer your food grilled or smoked, roasted, or seared performance can have a direct impact on the quality of food cooked.
Although charcoal BBQ’s can be notoriously hard to light even for the more experienced chef once alight, you will want the BBQ to start performing for you. Having in built thermometers can help with performance.
Conclusion
Overall, the best charcoal BBQ will help give you that traditional Smokey flavour which gas cannot provide. There is also something more authentic about charcoal.
We believe our 5 recommendations above tick all the right boxes in helping to guide you in finding the absolute best charcoal BBQ for you and your garden.
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