The best outdoor cooking options for UK gardens in 2026..
From charcoal barbecues and gas grills to pizza ovens and smokers, outdoor cooking is more popular in the UK than ever before. As the 30th annual National BBQ Week arrives from May 25th to May 31st, there’s no better time to explore the best outdoor cooking options for every garden, budget and level of experience.
Once seen as an occasional summer activity, outdoor cooking has evolved into one of the UK’s fastest-growing lifestyle trends. More homeowners are investing in barbecues, outdoor kitchens and garden cooking equipment to create memorable alfresco dining experiences for family and friends. Whether you’re planning relaxed weekend grilling or restaurant-style outdoor entertaining, choosing the right barbecue can make all the difference.
To help you find the best barbecue for your outdoor space, I spoke to Forton Outdoor Cooking owner Jim Kenyon, who shares his expert guide to the best barbecues for every need, cooking style and skill level.
BEST BARBECUE FOR BEGINNERS
Napoleon Gas Barbecue
If you’re completely new to outdoor cooking, a quality gas barbecue is by far the easiest and least intimidating place to start. Napoleon grills offer instant heat, excellent temperature control and consistent results without the learning curve of managing charcoal or live fire.
For beginners, the biggest challenge is confidence. A gas grill removes the worry around lighting, airflow and fuel management, allowing you to focus on learning the basics of cooking outdoors properly. From steaks and burgers to roasting joints and simple indirect cooking, a good Napoleon gives you a hugely versatile platform that’s easy to live with and enjoyable to use.
Why we recommend it:
• Simple and controllable
• Reliable temperature management
• Perfect for learning core barbecue techniques
• Easy to use weeknight or weekend
BEST BARBECUE FOR SERIOUS GRILLERS
Charlie Oven
For people who are passionate about live-fire cooking and want something genuinely special, the Charlie Oven is in a different league. Handmade in the UK, it combines the theatre of open-fire cooking with the precision and heat retention of a professional charcoal oven.
This is a barbecue for people who want to explore flavour properly. From steak and seafood to vegetables, smoking and high-heat roasting. It’s beautifully engineered, visually stunning and incredibly versatile. More than anything, it transforms cooking outdoors into an experience rather than simply preparing food.
Why we recommend it:
• Exceptional charcoal flavour
• Restaurant-quality cooking performance
• Handmade in the UK
• A true statement piece for serious outdoor cooks
BEST BARBECUE FOR LOW & SLOW SMOKING UNDER £500
Pit Boss Navigator 550
If you want to learn the art of low-and-slow barbecue without spending thousands, the Pit Boss Navigator 550 is one of the best places to start. Pellet smokers make temperature management incredibly straightforward, allowing beginners to produce authentic smoked food with minimal stress.
The Navigator 550 is compact enough for most gardens but large enough to comfortably cook a brisket, pork shoulder or several racks of ribs. It teaches the fundamentals of smoking while delivering consistent, repeatable results.
Why we recommend it:
• Affordable entry into smoking
• Easy temperature control
• Great hopper capacity for long cooks
• Ideal for learning brisket, ribs and pulled pork
BEST BARBECUE FOR CHARCOAL FLAVOUR
BSTRD Ceramic Grill
Ceramic grills are famous for their versatility, heat retention and unmistakable charcoal flavour — and BSTRD has completely rethought what a ceramic barbecue can be.
BSTRD is Europe’s best-selling ceramic egg barbecue and stands out due to its engineering, flexibility and incredibly well-designed cooking system. Whether you’re grilling, roasting, baking pizzas or cooking low and slow, it delivers superb flavour and remarkable control.
It’s a serious piece of kit, but one that rewards experimentation and creativity.
Why we recommend it:
• Europe’s best-selling ceramic egg barbecue
• Outstanding charcoal flavour
• Extremely versatile cooking styles
• Superb heat retention and efficiency
• Innovative engineering unlike traditional ceramic eggs
BEST BARBECUE FOR CONVENIENCE
BLOK Grill
The BLOK grill strips outdoor cooking back to its purest and most enjoyable form. Beautifully designed and built to last, it’s incredibly simple to use while still delivering fantastic cooking results.
Its heavy stainless steel cooking surfaces distribute heat evenly, it lights quickly and there are virtually no complicated components to maintain or replace. It’s stylish, practical and refreshingly uncomplicated.
For people who want real charcoal cooking without complexity, BLOK is hard to beat.
Why we recommend it:
• Extremely simple to use
• Even cooking performance
• Built from durable, premium materials
• Stylish enough to become part of the outdoor space itself
Outdoor cooking FAQs
What is the best barbecue for beginners?
Gas barbecues are usually the best option for beginners because they are easy to light, simple to control and deliver consistent cooking results. Napoleon gas grills are ideal for learning basic outdoor cooking techniques with confidence.
Which barbecue gives the best charcoal flavour?
Ceramic grills such as the BSTRD Ceramic Grill are known for exceptional charcoal flavour, excellent heat retention and versatile cooking performance for grilling, roasting and smoking.
What is the best barbecue for smoking meat at home?
The Pit Boss Navigator 550 pellet smoker is a great entry-level option for low-and-slow barbecue cooking, making it easy to smoke brisket, ribs and pulled pork with precise temperature control.
Are ceramic barbecues worth it?
Yes. Ceramic barbecues are popular because they retain heat extremely well, use fuel efficiently and can handle multiple cooking styles, including grilling, smoking and pizza cooking.
What is the best outdoor cooking option for entertaining guests?
For outdoor entertaining, larger charcoal ovens and premium grills such as the Charlie Oven combine impressive performance with a striking visual centrepiece for garden gatherings.
Why is outdoor cooking becoming so popular in the UK?
Outdoor cooking has grown rapidly in the UK because more homeowners are investing in garden entertaining, outdoor kitchens and al fresco dining experiences for family and friends.
Looking for the best outdoor cooking setup for your garden? From beginner-friendly gas grills to professional charcoal ovens and smokers, there are outdoor cooking options to suit every home, budget and cooking style. Just ask Jim at Forton Outdoor Cooking!
Eddie – Friday 22nd May 2026.