Portable barbecues are the perfect summer companion for beach days or camping trips, offering a travel-friendly way to enjoy grilled food away from home. With options ranging from charcoal to gas, and styles including kettle, open grill, and kamado, choosing the right one can be daunting. Louise Perry-Warnes, founder of outdoor catering company Flames & Feasts, advises that gas barbecues are easier and quicker to use, but charcoal or wood offers a more ritualistic and enjoyable cooking experience. She also notes that the style matters: open grills suit simple cooking like prawns or burgers, while ceramic egg-style barbecues provide superior heat distribution for slow cooking or roasting.
To help you decide, I tested a range of portable barbecues from brands like Weber, Campingaz, and Kamado Joe, with prices from £14 to £500. The standout was the Cobb barbecue, which looks like a repurposed washing machine drum but performed brilliantly. Its small fuel basket made it incredibly efficient, using much less charcoal than others and reaching cooking temperature quickly. It sustained strong heat for over three hours, allowing me to cook sausages, kebabs, and even grilled pineapple for dessert. The grill area is small but compensated by an 'oven' space underneath for roasting, plus a surrounding well for cooking foiled-wrapped potatoes. It is light, easy to carry, and comes with a travel-friendly shoulder bag, making it my pick for the best portable barbecue overall.
For budget-conscious buyers, the Hi-Gear folding leg BBQ grill at £30 is a great choice. Its lime green lid may divide opinion, but it is compact, weighs only 3kg, and comes partially assembled with a screwdriver included. The foldable legs make it easy to store and transport, ideal for couples or solo trips. Meanwhile, the Campingaz tour & grill CV plus offers instant flame like a gas hob, with easy ignition and adjustable heat. However, the heat was less intense than charcoal, so food took longer to char. It is easy to clean and packs away like a briefcase, perfect for caravaners. The gas barbecue can be set at three heights: tabletop, metre-high, or standing, and includes the hose and regulator.
Other notable mentions include the Petromax Atago, an open grill with no lid that is ready to use straight out of the box by extending the handle. However, it is vulnerable to wind and rain due to its open design. For a real bargain, Asda's portable barbecue is currently on sale at £11.20, ideal for occasional use. Whether you prefer charcoal or gas, there is a portable barbecue to suit every need and budget.
