It can be as simple as putting an oven grill over an old baking tray that’s at least a couple of inches deep. Shopping for one is pretty straightforward and you don't need to be an expert, but there are a couple of things to consider when choosing one. That way you just have to light some balls of newspapers under your coals, let them catch and then tip into your firebox. Select how hungry the crowd is. This will adjust the total amount of food needed, so the calculations are as accurate as possible. Seriously, please don't eat the cutlery.

Lastly, select how much of each type of foodstuff you want. Note this will not change the total amount of food. It will switch around the proportions of each type based on your preferences. Of the portable barbecues we’ve tested, we would say the Kamado Joe Jr was hands down our favourite.Make more of your garden - get our free Gardening newsletter for top tips from our experts Best gas barbecues for 2023 Looking for a discount on one of the portable BBQs on this list? Cyber Monday is today and the perfect time to snap up a bargain on one of these tried-and-tested products. However, charcoal barbecues are much less efficient and also give off more smoke compared to gas models. If the barbecue has vents, close them: This will cut off the oxygen supply to the coals, so they start to cool down. You'll want to let the coals cool for several hours before attempting to take them out. Not sure which portable BBQ to go for? Don't sweat it. Here, we've explained what to look for when choosing the best portable BBQ for you. Best portable BBQs at a glance:

The egg-style barbecue is made almost entirely from ceramic, which keeps the heat and moisture in. This means that you can use it to grill, bake, roast and smoke - something that you’d normally need a much bigger barbecue for. If you’re looking for a lightweight option that’s built to last, try the Everdure Cube. How to light a portable BBQ We don't test disposable barbecues as they are potential fire hazards and cannot be reused, meaning they are not an environmentally friendly option. We do, however, test portable models that are perfect for taking camping and, as they can be used multiple times, they're also a far more sustainable choice. We're not like anywhere else in Exmouth. If you want great food, great service, and a really nice evening, then come and see us." We tried a few recipes on the grill and found it really easy to work with and the results were great.If you still choose to cook with coal, try to use charcoal that is made with 100% renewable sources or FSC approved woods.

White burger buns: Popping these on the grill is an easy way to warm and toast them with defined grill lines Portable barbecues don’t give you that much space to build a mound so the easiest way to light your charcoal is to get a chimney starter. When your charcoal starts turning grey from the ash, you’re ready to cook - just distribute the coals around the firebox first.

Where to buy a portable BBQ in the UK

On top of this, when charcoal is manufactured into briquettes, wood by-products and other additives are added which prevents them being recyclable after you’re finished with them. American-style grills or domed kettles: These barbecues are more versatile. By using the hood and air vents, heat can go from hot and fast for cooking over the coals (known as direct cooking), to long and slow for smoking or cooking large joints of meat or whole fish. Some barbecues have vents that can be adjusted to feed the coals with air

Another thing to think about is the legs. Some portable barbecues have legs or stands that fold in for storage. These should be sturdy enough to lift the barbecue off the ground without wobbling if it gets a bit windy, so look for models that have something to secure the legs in position. Get the best stories about the things you love most curated by us and delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you love here Basic grill BBQ: For simple straightforward cooking, this style of barbecue – which comes without a hood or air vents – will do a good job. However, you have to stay by it, learn how to use barbecue coals to create various heat zones around the grill, and regularly turn and move the food for even and safe cookingSize: Depending on the style, some barbecues can cater for large gatherings and others are best suited to two people. Coal distribution will also affect cooking capacity. For example, sometimes it's easier to distribute your coals and achieve even direct heat in barrel barbecues than in dome-bottomed kettle models When you are arranging your BBQ, the most important question is: "how much food do I need to buy and prepare?" Our calculator will help you with this in three easy steps: Storage: consider the space you have available. The smallest pizza ovens we've tested are the BBQ-top models, which thanks to their small, boxy size, can easily be stored in a garage, shed or even inside somewhere. A number of the models on this list have easy foldaway legs, meaning they too will take up very little room when not in use. Some of the larger models we've tested will need to be kept outside in all weathers, in this case, a cover is an absolute must. How well does it cook? We have two independent chefs cook a typical barbecue feast and rate food on evenness of cooking, how tender and succulent it is as well as its overall flavour and appearance.