Gear -- 15 days ago
The high-end barbecue wars
Draw your tongs in tribute to the flames and grill like a hero with these five, fiery, top-class models
Words: Aobh O'Brien-Moody
There’s nothing quite like the smoky waft from a garden grill to induce that unbeatable summer feeling. With the arrival of longer days and warmer weather, it’s high time to swap your stuffy indoor kitchen for the primal thrill of live fire, and embrace al fresco entertaining while the opportunity presents itself (because who knows how long said opportunity will last?).
However, before you pull out that battered barbecue that’s been rusting away for the past decade, acquaint yourself with some of the more premium models on the market and prepare to totally transform your grill game.
Best for compact outdoor spaces: Cheeky Charlie Tabletop Oven
Bold design and bolder flavours come together in the form of the Cheeky Charlie Tabletop Oven, a compact yet just-as-powerful take on the classic Charlie Oven. Place it on a solid outdoor countertop and get cooking. Versatility is assured with six adjustable cooking levels for you to grill, bake, roast and smoke multiple dishes at once.
Best for elevating everyday dishes: Large Big Green Egg
Its forest-green NASA-grade ceramic shell has made it an icon of design, but there’s more to the Big Green Egg than its looks. The aptly named ConvEGGtor allows users to cook with indirect heat as well as directly above the flames, giving it the full capacity of a kitchen oven, but with the added flavour-enhancing properties of premium charcoal.
Best for multi-tasking: Drumbecue Original
For a multi-tasker that will competently bend to your whims, enlist the versatile talents of the Drumbecue Original. Whether you’re craving juicy lamb shoulder, a perfectly seared steak or some slow smoked brisket, the charcoal oil drum barbecue has you and your posse sorted, with multiple cooking methods for every style you fancy.
Best for on-the-go grilling: Kamado Joe Jr with Cast Iron Stand
Kamado Joe’s portable ceramic charcoal grill is the ultimate adventure companion. Bring it along on camping trips or fire it up beachside. A cast-iron top vent and thick-walled heat resistant shell provides precise temperature control while ensuring smoke and moisture are locked in, meaning flavour won’t be sacrificed.
Best for wood-fired cooking: Somerset Grill Co Asado Gunmetal
Embrace the art of traditional Argentinian asado with this heavy-duty steel Asado Gunmetal Grill. Designed to make outdoor wood-fired cooking a breeze, it comes fully assembled, with an easy-to-use height adjustment mechanism for temperature control, a V-shaped grill to reduce the risk of flare-ups, and an ember maker for easy fuelling.
This article originally appeared in our Summer 2025 print issue. Read all about it here...
