Don't Burn Your Money: Read Our Guide on The Best BBQs You Can Buy
Spending serious money on a BBQ is one of the best outdoor investments you can make. A quality grill transforms your garden into a proper cooking space and lasts for years. But the market is enormous. Gas grills, kamado grills, masonry builds, infrared burners, dual-fuel combos — it can feel overwhelming fast.
This guide cuts through all of it. We cover every type, every key feature, and every question you need to answer before you buy. Whether you're spending £500 or £5,000, this is the information you need.
First: What Type of BBQ Do You Actually Need?
The biggest mistake buyers make is choosing a BBQ before deciding how they actually cook. There are five main categories. Each one suits a different type of person.
Gas BBQs
Gas is the most popular choice in the UK — and for good reason. Turn a knob, press the igniter, and you're cooking in minutes. Temperature control is instant and precise. Cleaning is straightforward. There's no bag of charcoal to deal with.
The choice within gas comes down to burner count. A 2 burner BBQ works perfectly for couples or small families cooking simple meals. You get two independent heat zones — one side high heat, one side low — which is more useful than it sounds. For most UK households this is the right starting point.
Step up to a 4 burner BBQ and you've got proper zonal cooking. Sear steaks on one side, slow-cook chicken on another, keep buns warm on the third. These suit families who cook outdoors regularly and anyone who hosts. If you want to understand what 4-burner gas grills look like at clearance prices, it's worth browsing those too — the savings can be significant.
A 5 burner BBQ adds a dedicated side burner or a rear rotisserie burner. That rear infrared burner is a game-changer for whole chickens and roast joints. The side burner is brilliant for sauces and corn on the cob.
If you're feeding large groups regularly, look at 6 burner grills. These are restaurant-scale cooking areas with massive total BTU output and usually come with side shelves, storage cabinets, and multiple heat zones across a wide cooking surface.
Kamado BBQ Grills
A kamado is a thick-walled ceramic egg-shaped grill. The ceramic walls hold heat in a way that steel simply cannot match. You can smoke low and slow at 110°C for eight hours or crank it up to 350°C+ for Neapolitan-style pizza. One unit handles grilling, roasting, smoking, and baking.
The original design comes from Japan. Modern kamado BBQ grills like the Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe are the current market leaders. They use lump charcoal — not briquettes — and the thick ceramic walls mean fuel efficiency is exceptional. A full load of charcoal can last a very long time.
The downsides are real though. Kamados are heavy. A large model can weigh over 80kg. Moving it is a job for two people and proper equipment. They also take longer to get to temperature than gas — usually 20 to 30 minutes. And the price is high. Quality kamado grills start around £800 and go well past £2,000.
If you want the egg-style cooking experience but are comparing options, look at egg BBQ grills across different brands to find the right size and budget.
Infrared BBQ Grills
Infrared technology heats food using radiant energy rather than hot air. The result is faster cooking, better searing, and less moisture loss from your meat. A conventional gas burner blows hot air across the grates. An infrared burner glows at very high temperatures and radiates heat directly into the food.
The practical difference? Steaks cook faster with a better crust. Chicken stays juicier. There's less flaring from dripping fat because the heat is so intense it vaporises drips instantly rather than catching fire.
Infrared barbecue grills are a step up in performance for serious cooks. Char-Broil infrared grills are one of the most recognised brands in this space and offer a good range of price points to get into infrared cooking without spending a fortune.
Masonry BBQs
A masonry BBQ is a permanent structure built from brick, stone, or concrete. It becomes part of your garden. Some are simple three-sided charcoal pits with a steel grate. Others are full outdoor kitchens with integrated countertops, storage, side burners, and even pizza ovens.
Masonry BBQs have a permanence that freestanding grills can't match. They look exceptional in the right garden. They're weather-resistant by nature. And once built, the maintenance is almost zero.
The trade-off is obvious: you can't move them. If you ever redecorate your garden or move house, the BBQ stays. They also require proper planning — you need to think about drainage, airflow, and the position relative to your house windows and your neighbours' fences before the first brick is laid.
Portable and Tabletop Gas Grills
Not every outdoor cooking session happens in your own garden. Portable gas grills run on small propane canisters and fold down to a manageable size. They're essential for camping, festivals, beach trips, and picnics. Quality portable grills deliver real cooking performance — proper sear marks, adjustable heat — in a format you can carry.
Tabletop propane grills sit on a flat surface and are ideal for balconies, small patios, or as a secondary grill alongside your main BBQ. They're small but surprisingly capable.
If you have a compact garden or balcony space, small gas grills offer full gas BBQ performance in a footprint that works in tighter spaces.
Key Features to Understand Before You Buy
BTU Rating — What It Actually Means
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It's a measurement of heat output. Higher BTU means more heat. But raw BTU numbers are frequently misused in BBQ marketing.
A 60,000 BTU grill isn't automatically better than a 40,000 BTU grill. What matters is BTU per square inch of cooking surface. A large grill with high BTU output might still cook poorly if the burners aren't well-designed. Look for 80–100 BTU per square inch as a rough quality benchmark on gas grills.
Cooking Grate Material
This matters more than most people realise.
- Cast iron grates — Excellent heat retention. Give outstanding sear marks. Heavy. Require seasoning to prevent rust. Best for steaks and burgers where searing matters.
- Porcelain-enamelled cast iron — Cast iron coated with a glass-like finish. Easier to clean. Doesn't require seasoning. Still retains heat well. The most common premium option.
- Stainless steel grates — Durable. Rust-resistant. Easier to clean than raw cast iron. Doesn't retain heat quite as well. Good for longevity.
Stainless Steel Construction — Not All Grades Are Equal
You'll see "stainless steel" on everything from a £200 grill to a £4,000 one. The difference is the grade.
- 201 stainless steel — Budget grade. Looks the part initially but corrodes in wet UK weather faster than you'd expect.
- 304 stainless steel — The standard for quality outdoor grills. Corrosion-resistant. Handles coastal and wet UK conditions well.
- Marine-grade stainless steel — The highest grade. Used on premium grills like certain Napoleon models. Virtually rust-proof even in salt air environments near the coast.
When buying a stainless steel grill, always ask or check the grade. A premium-looking grill in 201 steel is a poor investment in a wet UK climate.
Ignition Systems
- Piezo ignition — A mechanical spark generator. No battery needed. Works reliably but sometimes requires multiple presses.
- Electronic ignition — Battery-powered spark generator. More consistent than piezo. Replace the battery annually.
- Hot surface ignition — Top-end system found on premium grills. Auto-lights the moment you turn the knob. No clicking required.
Lid and Heat Retention
A heavy, well-fitting lid is essential for indirect cooking and roasting. Thin lids warp over time and lose their seal. Double-wall lids — two layers of steel with an air gap between — dramatically improve heat retention and cooking consistency.
The lid thermometer is your guide to what's happening inside. Built-in dial thermometers vary in accuracy. Serious cooks add a separate probe thermometer regardless of what's built in.
Warming Racks
A warming rack sits above the main cooking grate. Buns, sausages that need gentle heat, or anything that's cooked and needs to stay warm goes here. On larger grills, the warming rack can be a full secondary cooking zone.
Side Burners
A side burner is a standalone gas hob built into the side shelf of a grill. Use it for pots, pans, sauces, and anything that doesn't go on the grill. On large multi-burner grills this feature turns the whole setup into a complete outdoor cooking station.
Dual Fuel Grills — Gas and Charcoal in One Unit
Can't decide between gas convenience and charcoal flavour? A dual-fuel grill gives you both. These grills combine a gas burner section with a charcoal tray section so you can switch fuel types depending on what you're cooking and how much time you have.
Dual fuel grills are popular with people who cook varied meals. Use gas for weeknight burgers. Switch to charcoal for a Saturday slow-cook. The cooking character is genuinely different between the two sides.
Char-Broil dual grills are among the most well-known options in this category — they offer a practical balance of features and price that suits most UK buyers looking for versatility.
Budget Planning: How Much Should You Spend?
The BBQ market splits fairly cleanly into price bands. Here's what each one actually gets you.
Under £500 — Functional and Reliable
A solid entry point. Budget BBQs under £500 include good-quality gas grills from brands like CosmoGrill and Campingaz. You won't get premium stainless steel construction or a rear rotisserie burner. But you will get a grill that cooks well, lasts several years with reasonable care, and delivers a proper outdoor cooking experience.
This price point suits first-time buyers, smaller households, and anyone who uses a BBQ a handful of times a year.
£500–£1,000 — The Sweet Spot
This is where the market gets genuinely interesting. BBQs under £1,000 give you better stainless steel quality, heavier cast iron grates, more cooking surface, side burners, and more consistent build quality. Gas grills in this range from Broil King, Napoleon (entry-level), and Outback start to feel like a proper investment.
If you grill regularly and care about results, start here. Budget gas grills under £1,000 cover this space well across multiple brands and sizes.
£1,000–£3,000 — Premium Territory
Premium grills in this range use 304 or marine-grade stainless steel throughout. Burner quality is significantly higher — look for cast stainless or cast brass burners, not thin tube burners. Cooking systems are more sophisticated. Napoleon Prestige models, Broil King Baron and Regal series, and quality kamado grills all sit here.
At this price point, build quality genuinely means a grill that lasts a decade or more with normal maintenance.
£3,000 and Above — Built-In and Bespoke
This is the territory of outdoor kitchen builds, integrated masonry structures, and top-specification freestanding grills. Marine-grade stainless steel, illuminated control knobs, multiple cooking zones, integrated side burners, rotisserie systems, and infrared rear burners all become standard. These grills are designed to be the centrepiece of a serious outdoor kitchen setup.
BBQ Fire Tables — A Different Kind of Outdoor Feature
A BBQ fire table combines a gas fire pit with cooking functionality. The fire element creates atmosphere and warmth. Some models include a grill insert so you can cook over the flame. Others are purely decorative fires with a surrounding table surface for drinks and food.
BBQ fire tables are a design-led purchase as much as a cooking one. They work brilliantly in modern garden settings and extend outdoor evenings well into autumn. The key question is whether you want a table you can also cook on or simply a fire feature for ambience.
Brand Guide: Who Makes What
CosmoGrill
A strong option at the budget and mid-range level. CosmoGrill BBQs are popular in the UK because they offer solid construction and good cooking surface area at prices that don't require serious budget. Ideal for families who want a capable gas grill without spending over £500.
Campingaz
Campingaz BBQ grills are a European brand with a long history in gas cooking. Their grills are known for reliable ignition, good heat distribution, and practical designs. They cover everything from compact portable grills to larger freestanding models. A good choice if reliability and after-sales support matter to you.
Char-Broil
An American brand well established in the UK market. Known especially for their infrared cooking technology. Char-Broil infrared grills consistently get strong reviews for even cooking and reduced flaring. Their dual fuel grills are also well-regarded for versatility.
VonHaus
VonHaus BBQ grills sit firmly in the affordable category. Straightforward construction, good value for the price point, and a practical option for anyone who wants a no-fuss gas grill at an accessible price.
Gas Type: Propane vs Butane — Which Do You Need?
Most UK gas BBQs run on either propane or butane — or both with the right regulator.
- Butane (blue cylinders) — Works at temperatures above roughly 5°C. Fine for most UK spring and summer cooking. Cheaper per unit of energy than propane. Doesn't work well in cold weather.
- Propane (red cylinders) — Works down to around -40°C. Better for autumn use or anyone cooking outdoors year-round. Slightly more expensive than butane. The better long-term choice for UK weather.
Check what regulator your grill requires before buying gas. Connecting the wrong type is dangerous and will stop the grill from working correctly.
Maintenance and Longevity
A good BBQ properly maintained will last 10 to 15 years. A neglected one starts corroding in two or three years regardless of what it cost.
After Every Cook
- Burn off food residue by running the grill on high heat for 10 minutes after cooking
- Brush the grates clean while they're still hot
- Empty the grease trap — the small catch-tray under the grill that collects dripping fat
Monthly
- Check burners for blockages — spiders and insects build nests in gas ports, which is a genuine fire risk
- Inspect the gas line and connections for wear
- Oil cast iron grates lightly to prevent rust
Seasonally
- Deep clean the inside of the lid — a build-up of carbonised grease will eventually flake off onto your food
- Check and clean the venturi tubes (the pipes that connect the burner knobs to the burner itself)
- Cover the grill with a quality weather cover whenever it's not in use
A quality cover is not optional in the UK. Even premium marine-grade stainless steel grills benefit from being covered. The UV damage alone from British summers — such as they are — degrades plastics and seals over time.
Size: How Much Cooking Surface Do You Actually Need?
This is where most buyers either over-buy or under-buy. Here's a practical guide:
- Under 50cm width (primary grate) — Suits 1–2 people. A small gas grill or tabletop propane grill works here.
- 50–65cm primary grate — Suitable for a family of 4. Fits 12–16 burgers comfortably. A 2 burner BBQ typically covers this range.
- 65–80cm primary grate — Family of 6 or regular hosting. Fits 20+ burgers. A 4 burner BBQ is the natural fit here.
- 80cm+ primary grate — Serious hosting. Multiple cooking zones. Look at 5 burner BBQs and 6 burner grills.
Always measure your outdoor space first. A large 6-burner grill with side shelves out can occupy 2.5 metres of width. Know your space before you order.
Installation and Safety
Gas grills require proper setup. The following points are non-negotiable.
- Always assemble the grill fully before connecting gas
- Perform a leak test every time you connect a new cylinder — apply soapy water to the connections and look for bubbles
- Keep the grill at least one metre from any structure, fence, or overhanging vegetation
- Never use a gas BBQ indoors or in a partially enclosed space — carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless
- Turn gas off at the cylinder when the grill is not in use
- Replace rubber hoses every three to five years — they degrade even when not in regular use
For masonry BBQs, always check with your local council if planning permission is required. Most domestic masonry BBQ structures fall within permitted development rights but rules vary.
Quick Decision Guide: Which BBQ Is Right for You?
| Your Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Small balcony or patio | Tabletop propane grill or small gas grill |
| Family of 4, occasional use | 2 burner BBQ or budget BBQ under £500 |
| Family of 4–6, regular use | 4 burner BBQ — mid to premium range |
| Frequent entertaining | 5 burner BBQ or 6 burner grill |
| Want best possible flavour | Kamado BBQ grill |
| Want gas and charcoal flexibility | Dual fuel grill |
| Permanent garden installation | Masonry BBQ |
| Best searing performance | Infrared barbecue grill |
| Camping, travel, festivals | Portable gas grill |
| Top quality on a strict budget | Budget gas grills under £1,000 |
Final Thoughts
Buying a luxury BBQ is not complicated once you know what to look for. Start with how many people you're cooking for. Decide on your fuel type. Set a realistic budget — and build in the cost of a cover, a set of proper grill tools, and a reliable gas regulator.
If you cook steaks and want the best sear, look at infrared grills. If you want to smoke brisket and bake bread in the same unit, a kamado grill is unmatched. If you want convenience and reliability five nights a week, a 4 burner gas BBQ in good stainless steel will serve you for years.
The best BBQ is the one that gets used. Buy for your actual cooking habits, not the cooking habits you imagine you'll have. A realistic choice made well will always outperform an aspirational choice that sits under a cover all summer.