10 of the best: BBQs for al fresco cooking

Get set for summer entertaining with our pick of the best barbecues for every budget

This year’s best BBQs to suit every style and budget

Now that summer’s underway and restrictions have eased, it’s the perfect time to get family and friends together and pop a few bangers on the barbie. If you’re looking for a BBQ upgrade or are buying your first, there are a few things to consider, as Lucy Rees, Partner and Assistant Buyer for Outdoor Living at John Lewis & Partners, explains, ‘If you’re planning on cooking and entertaining regularly then invest in a sturdy model. We also have options for the occasional barbecue that are lighter, more compact and ideal for smaller outdoor spaces. Most also come on wheels, which makes for easy storage.’

When it comes to fuel, there are three options to choose from: charcoal for that authentic chargrilled taste, which takes longer to heat up and is messy but inexpensive; gas, which is quick, easy and more controllable; or even a mix of both in the form of a hybrid design. ‘The majority of BBQs are designed to cater for four or more,’ adds Christopher Ray, Head of Outdoor at B&Q , ‘but the bigger the grill, the easier it is to cater for large groups. If you don’t have the space, look for added extras that can help you cook up more food and make things easier such as handy side areas for prepping and serving up.’

Bring the Danish outdoor vibe into your garden this summer with this handy tabletop charcoal grill. Gather round and share cooking duties by getting everyone to cook their steaks just how they like them for a really intimate,

personal dining experience.

Uses charcoal, briquettes or wood • Doubles as a fire bowl • Cast iron construction

• Removable slop grid • Lightweight 12.75kg design