THE BEST BARBECUES TO BUY

Our pick of the best charcoal, gas, pellet and portable barbecues

NAPOLEON PRO

This Napoleon is a great choice for newbies because it’s fitted with a raisable grill grate and a convenient hinged lid. Charcoal temperatures are difficult to control so having a barbie with a raisable grate is a massive help. This one requires gloves to operate but it’s a brilliant threetier system that drops or raises the grate by several inches, making it perfect for searing steaks on high heat and preventing food scorching. £300, napoleon.com

WEBER SMOKEFIRE EX4

If you consider yourself a useless al fresco chef, dislike having to constantly supervise the barbecue, or regularly burn food to a crisp, you need a pellet barbecue. And few pellet models can compete against this new Weber model for versatility and efficiency. Its builtin computer processor ensures constant temperatures throughout the process, whether it’s grilling, searing steaks or smoking a joint low and slow for up to ten hours. £1,199, weber.com

The best type of barbecue is the one that best suits your pocket, family size, land space and skill. Charcoal barbies are cheapest to buy but they’re also volatile, while gas is great for convenience and ease of use. If you want the least faff and can afford the higher prices, go for a pellet model, which you’ll never regret buying. And if you have a patio, balcony or caravan, then consider a portable gas model, which is better suited to cramped environments and campsites that don’t allow the use of charcoal. Alternatively, invest in a portable pellet grill, which will reward you with a totally hassle-free method of patio or campsite grilling.

EVERDURE HESTON BLUMENTHAL THE FORCE

This stylish gas option benefits from two quick-heating burners capable of reaching a scorching 350C (ideal for searing steaks), a cast-iron grill grate with enough meal estate for up to eight guests, a thick aluminium hood for maximum heat convection and two handy side tables. Available in three colours – graphite, mint and orange – the Force is simple to operate, highly efficient and extraordinarily stylish to boot. £599, everdurebyheston.co.uk

TRAEGER RANGER

You might not find a better portable barbecue than this allAmerican pellet model. Granted, the Ranger is too heavy to carry long distances but there’s no better model for the balcony, patio, caravan or RV. Simply fill the hopper with your favourite hardwood pellets, select a suitable cooking temperature on the digital interface, tap the ‘ ignite’ button and leave it to grill – or smoke – with almost zero intervention. £499, traegergrills.com