When you’re a BBQ fan, it feels like you’re just going through the motions until the next time you can fire up the grill.
And this being the UK, one can never rely on forecasts to know when the sun will get its act together.
So when blue skies beckon and the heat rises, having a great grill to get the feasting started is a must. The problem is it’s a pretty crowded marketplace out there with all sorts of BBQ grills and smokers jostling for attention.
There are standard charcoal kettle BBQs, dual-fuel outdoor grills, outdoor kitchens, gas-powered machines and more. There are even smart BBQs that allow you to monitor and control the temperature remotely through an app, so you’re not tied to the grill when you’ve got guests to catch up with.
In amongst the fray, there’s a lot of noise over ceramic BBQs at the moment.
Best ceramic BBQs at a glance
What are the benefits of a ceramic BBQ?
Also known as kamado (stove) grills, these egg-shaped BBQs are made with a dimpled ceramic shell and allow you to cook food together or separately. They can do standard charring and slow cook at a lower temperature to leave cuts juicy and packed full of flavour, retaining heat for over 12 hours in some cases.
The efficient machines, built on ancient Japanese cooking practices, also use little charcoal thanks to the ceramics’ heat retention, so they’re better for the planet and your wallet too.
What to cook in a ceramic BBQ
As well as the usual burgers, bangers and wings, you can use your ceramic BBQ to make delicate fish dishes such as lobster and skewered prawns. With the right accessories, you can even churn out fresh pizza, adding even more options to your al fresco menu. Fancy smoking your own fish or meats, or doing a spot of baking? A ceramic BBQ can assist there too.
Ceramic BBQs aren’t the cheapest option around, but if you host regularly and love barbecuing, it may be worth the investment.
Plus, with the right care and storage, they should see you through a good few years of entertaining, making the cost-per-use much more palatable.
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KAMADO JOE Classic Joe II ceramic grill starter set
Best for: culinary pizzazz
The other big daddy in the ceramic BBQ world is Kamado Joe. For newbies, the brand offers this starter set which comes with a fire engine truck-red grill and a bevvy of accessories including a 9kg bag of XL coal to get things going.
The machine is a multi-featured unit with the ability to grill, roast, bake and smoke, making it work hard for its place in your garden.
Buy now £1347.99, Wayfair
Kamado BBQ 18" Ceramic Grill in Black
Best for: chic charring
Make an event out of your next BBQ with Harbour Lifestyle's kamado-style ceramic BBQ, large enough to cook for up to 10 people at a time. The freestanding unit sports well-insulated ceramic walls that keep the heat in and cook your ingredients until you're ready to sit down at the table and eat. It performs superbly as a grill, a slow cooker and a charcoal smoker but you can also use hardwoods and pellets if you prefer wood-fired flavour.
Comes with a one-year guarantee.
Buy now £699.00, Harbour Lifestyle
vidaXL Ceramic Kamado Barbecue Charcoal Grill Smoker
Best for: Kamodo style on a budget
Reigning supreme as the cult BBQ for a few years now, this Japanese-inspired grill is fast becoming the outdoor cook's go-to. Not only can it grill and smoke, but it can do all sorts of other clever cooking too: baking anyone?
Typically egg-shaped, this black ceramic barbecue has a sturdy hinged lid with a vent and a thermometer on top so you can see the internal temperature at a glance.
There's a double-layer vent which you can use to control airflow and it comes with two collapsible side shelves on either side for space to put cooked food and BBQ utensils.
Sitting on four stable feet, it looks as good as it cooks with a dimpled and glazed exterior.
Buy now £424.00, Amazon
Symple Stuff 33cm Ceramic Kamado Barbecue
Best for: no frills
Available in red and black, this ceramic egg sits on top of sturdy steel feet and is best placed on an even surface like a deck, patio or garden tiles. There’s a modest amount of cooking space inside - enough to cater to a party - with side shelves to extend cooking and prep space. Like all ceramic BBQs, this one keeps its heat exceptionally well with a thermometer placed on the lid to see the heat without opening the lid. Air vents at the top also allow you to control the heat.
The downside is that this comes free of accessories but if you’re a BBQ pro, you likely have all the accoutrements needed anyway. One for seasoned pros.
Buy now £454.99, Wayfair
Habitat Mini Tabletop Kamado BBQ
Best for: small gardens
This dinky charcoal-powered egg is perfect for spacially-challenged outdoor spaces, allowing grill enthusiasts to do their thing albeit on a smaller scale. There is a 27cm radius cooking space to make the most of, which should be enough to cook for up to four people at a time. The 21kg design sits on three legs, keeping the floor area clear of heat and resulting burn marks.
The ceramic shell is covered with a hammered pattern which not only looks good but helps to insulate the heat, leaving food juicy and tender. A great bargain buy compared to its bigger brethren.
Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £96.00, Argos
Kamado Joe Joe Jr.
Best for: Portable
If you've bitten the BBQ bullet and shelled out for a Kamado Joe, it's only natural to want to show it off beyond the garden. The brand has the solution in its portable ceramic charcoal grill, which comes with 34cm of cooking space to elevate family camping trips to the next, delicious level.
Essentially, it's a scaled-down version of its bigger brothers, complete with a cast-iron top vent and thick-walled, heat-resistant shell alongside precise temperature control, proving good things can, indeed, come in small packages.
One fan commented: "Love this grill as it is a perfect size and complement to my full size Kamado Joe Classic. I can easily and quickly get it up to temperature to cook just for myself and small groups. Highly recommended!"
Buy now £489.00, Wayfair
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
Best for: cooking for a crowd
When you need to get food on the table fast, Char-Griller's Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill is up to the mission. This baby has cooking space for 22 burgers at once, perfect if you're a keen BBQ host.
Turn down the heat and let the meat cook low and slow with the low-temperature smoking doing its thing within the triple-walled insulation. Side shelves mean you can keep equipment close to hand, while an EasyDump ash pan allows you to dispose of waste quickly and cleanly.
The most convincing review? “Amazing all-in-one grill. Smoke, grill, sear, this unit will not disappoint. Great for retaining heat if you are doing low and slow. It’s almost like set and forget.”
Buy now £489.99, Wayfair
