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Our expert Lucy Hedges picks the best equipment for creating delicious alfresco feasts.
From smart gas barbecues to smokers and pizza ovens, the options for whipping up an alfresco feast have come a long way from the standard outdoor grill. If you're confused by all the choice and can't work out exactly what you need, help is at hand. House Beautiful's tech expert, Lucy Hedges, reveals the best equipment on offer, from fuss-free models to fully tricked-out investment purchases.
Not sure whether to go for the simplicity of flame-grilling gas or authentic taste of charcoal? Then get something that does both. The idea behind this hybrid barbecue grill is to use gas to start the coals or just use gas on its own – and in less than 60 seconds, it converts into a charcoal barbecue.
Highlights: A ceramic sear burner takes temperatures up to 900°C for perfectly seared steak or veg, while an extra griddle provides additional cooking flexibility. Plus it has built-in gas ignition.
• Char-Broil Special Edition Hybrid Gas2Coal BBQ grill, johnlewis.com
The main downside to charcoal barbecues is they take longer to light up. But if you’re prepared to be patient, this fuss-free model will spit out smoky flavours and aromas that gas grills just can’t match. There's heaps of space to create different cooking areas, while the temperature gauge ensures you’ve created the optimal cooking environment.
Highlights: It’s got a wood-smoking trick up its sleeve too – close off the ventilation, stack wood chips beneath the grill and it transforms into an authentic smoker.
• Von Haus XL American Style Charcoal BBQ Grill, vonhaus.com
This bullet-shaped barbecue has a compact footprint – great if you’re short on space. Charcoal and wood chunks generate smoke and heat, and a water bowl helps to maintain a stable smoking temperature and humidity to the smoke chamber.
Highlights: This will cook at a very steady heat for hours, with temperature control taken care of by opening and closing the vents. It also doubles as an effective charcoal grill, bringing serious added value.
• Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker, weber.com
Modelled on a traditional pizza oven, but with more compact dimensions, the stylish, gas-powered Gozney Arc can churn out restaurant-rivalling 14-inch pizzas in as little as 60 seconds. Once you slide in the baking stone and screw on a propane tank, you’re good to go. Get it right and you’ll have pillowy dough that’s lightly charred, crispy in the right places and oozing cheesy goodness.
Highlights: Reaching temperatures of up to 500°C, it’s easy to adjust and measure temperature thanks to its gas-flow control knob and built-in battery-powered probe.
• Gozney Arc, gozney.com
Managing to squeeze a generous, formidable gas grill into a package that instantly folds down for easy storage and transport, this will comfortably feed a handful of hungry diners, and the built-in shelf will prove pretty useful for plating up.
Highlights: Its size makes it perfect for tiny gardens or balconies. Equally, it’ll easily fit into the shed or car boot, making it an ideal choice for those tight on space or keen campers looking to ditch fiddly camp stoves in favour of convenience.
• George Foreman 1 Burner Gas BBQ with trolley and shelves, Very
Taking its design cue from Japanese-style ceramic ovens, this digital charcoal grill and smoker brings added smarts to the dining table. Connected to Wi-Fi, its app removes all the guesswork from grilling with remote internal temperature control and meat thermometer readings.
Highlights: It’s not cheap but has it all, with an automatic fire starter to easily light the charcoal, on-screen instructions and it will nudge you when your food’s ready.
• Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker, Amazon
Tech-forward and gas-powered, this has sensors that track and adjust the internal temperature, a touchscreen (and app) to show how to cook the food and where to place it on the grill and it lets you adjust temperatures remotely.
Highlights: Throw in a night vision motion-sensing lid with integrated lights, Flavorizer bars, an IR broiler, side burner and accessories (sold separately) that’ll transform it into a griddle, rotisserie and more, and you’re looking at one tricked-out grill.
• Weber Summit FS38X, weber.com
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