{"id":1844,"date":"2019-12-19T12:09:44","date_gmt":"2019-12-19T12:09:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/?p=1844"},"modified":"2019-12-19T12:33:17","modified_gmt":"2019-12-19T12:33:17","slug":"best-charcoal-bbq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/best-charcoal-bbq\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Choose The Best Charcoal BBQ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you want to grill the old-fashioned way, complete with the intense smoky flavour in slow-roasted meats, a charcoal BBQ is the way to go.<\/p>\n

It is a bit fiddlier to set up and maintain than a gas BBQ<\/a> but most grilling enthusiasts think it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n

To get the best results from a charcoal grill \u2013 whether you are roasting some baby back ribs or sizzling some bacon and sausage \u2013 it is essential that you pick the right one.<\/p>\n

Some charcoal grills will live you with black charred messes while others require a lot of coaxing and time to get anything well cooked.<\/p>\n

I’ve compared popular charcoal barbecues on important areas like build quality, heat retention, grilling area and ease of cleaning. I picked five grills that impressed us most.<\/p>\n

Before I get to the reviews, here are some tips on how to shop for a charcoal BBQ and how to use (and maintain) one.<\/p>\n

What To Consider When Choosing a Charcoal BBQ<\/h2>\n

a) Size<\/h3>\n

The first thing to decide is how big of grill you want. This will depend on how much space you have (large backyard or small balcony) and how many people you plan to feed your grilled delicacies to.<\/p>\n

Grilling area can range from under 1,000 square cm for small portable BBQs to over 3,000 square cm for large backyard grills.<\/p>\n

If the grill is only for you and your partner, a small BBQ will do. If you have a large family or host a lot of parties and occasions at home, go with something bigger.<\/p>\n

Note however, that a larger grill has several advantages even for a small family. You can grill larger cuts on it and roast different types of food at the same time.<\/p>\n

A larger grill is also better for indirect cooking, where heat comes only from one half of the grill.<\/p>\n

b) Ease of Assembly<\/h3>\n

Your new charcoal BBQ will most likely come flat-packed, so you\u2019ll need to set some time aside to assemble it.<\/p>\n

Some grills are a headache to put together. Their complicated designs and poor instructions can mean spending two or more hours assembling it.<\/p>\n

The best BBQs come with clear instructions and take 30 minutes to an hour to assemble. Before you buy, check customer reviews to get an idea of how easy (or hard) it is to assemble the grill.<\/p>\n

c) Under-Hood Clearance<\/h3>\n

All charcoal BBQs will easily fit ribs, a thick steak or some strips of bacon. But can you fit a whole turkey or chicken under the hood?<\/p>\n

It shouldn\u2019t just fit but leave enough clearance for heat circulation. Otherwise, it won\u2019t cook properly.<\/p>\n

Again, customer reviews can give you an idea of what to expect since most manufacturers don\u2019t specify the height of the grilling area when the hood is closed.<\/p>\n

d) Thermometer + Adjustable Heat Control Vents<\/h3>\n

A thermometer is a must-have feature. It\u2019s the best way to monitor the temperature under the hood, to make sure your food is cooking properly.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not enough on its own. You also need a way to adjust temperature when it gets too hot or when the heat begins to drop off.<\/p>\n

Look for a grill with adjustable heat control vents, usually located on the lid. By adjusting the size of opening on these vents, you can control the grill temperature.<\/p>\n

Opening the vents increases airflow, and thus, temperature. Closing them lowers the temperature.<\/p>\n

I prefer vents that are located on the ends of the hood rather than at the centre. They give you more control over heat and smoke direction, which is useful during indirect heat grilling.<\/p>\n

When you are slow cooking meat with indirect heat, you open the vents directly over the side of the grill with the meat. This forces heat and smoke from the other end to pass over the meat as it goes out of the vent, resulting in a deeper smoky flavour and well-cooked meat.<\/p>\n

e) Build Quality<\/h3>\n

A well-built charcoal grill should have thick metal sides and a thick metal hood. This prevents excessive heat loss, ensuring the grill maintains a constant temperature for long.<\/p>\n

A grill made with thin sheets of metal will not only get dented and damaged easily, it also affects cooking performance. It\u2019ll take longer to roast your food and even then, the results won\u2019t be so yummy.<\/p>\n

Other build quality considerations include a sturdy base, a non-wobbly hood and a good quality metal grilling rack.<\/p>\n

f) Ease of Cleaning<\/h3>\n

A grill with an ash bucket underneath makes cleaning much easier. All the ash and smaller bits of charcoal fall into the bucket, which you can detach from under the grill for emptying.<\/p>\n

Other grills use an ashtray instead. It works just as well.<\/p>\n

g) Portability<\/h3>\n

Definitely get a charcoal BBQ with coaster wheels. It makes it so much easier to move the heavy grill around.<\/p>\n

The only exception is if you are buying a portable grill for camping and picnics. Since portable grills are much lighter and usually foldable, you don\u2019t need wheels to move it.<\/p>\n

h) Extra Features<\/h3>\n

Here are the extras to look for.<\/p>\n