As longer days beckon us outdoors and evenings stretch into firelit feasts, the humble barbecue has undergone an evolution. No longer just the domain of charred sausages and burnt corn, today’s grill masters demand precision, versatility, and design as sleek as their indoor counterparts. Whether you’re orchestrating a sunset dinner party or simply upgrading your weekend ritual, these five top-tier grills represent the new language of outdoor culinary excellence.
The Cheeky Charlie Tabletop Oven
Don’t let its compact form fool you, the Cheeky Charlie Tabletop Oven is a culinary powerhouse designed for gourmands with limited outdoor space but unlimited ambition. Inspired by its full-size sibling, the Charlie Oven, this sleek fire-engine-red marvel brings bold design and even bolder flavours to rooftops, patios, and bijou balconies. What truly elevates the Cheeky Charlie is its six adjustable cooking levels, allowing you to grill, roast, bake, or smoke a diverse menu of dishes simultaneously. Think leg of lamb above, sourdough below, and perhaps a pan of peaches caramelizing softly near the coals. With this tabletop titan, outdoor cooking becomes symphonic.
The Large Big Green Egg
An icon in form and function, the Large Big Green Egg is the epitome of form-meets-flavour engineering. Its NASA-grade ceramic shell, finished in that unmistakable forest green glaze, is more than just a statement piece, it’s a thermal fortress that enables exactingtemperature control and flavour retention like no other. The secret weapon? The ConvEGGtor. This accessory transforms the Egg from a direct-heat searing machine into a full-fledged oven, ideal for baking, roasting, and low-and-slow magic. Whether you’re crisping a wood-fired pizza or slow-smoking pork belly, the Egg handles it all with aplomb and looks damn good doing it.
The Drumbecue Original
Channeling the raw energy of traditional oil drum cookery, the Drumbecue Original is built for those who cook with instinct and flair. It’s a nod to Southern American backyard culture, reimagined through a modern lens. Its appeal lies in its adaptability. Craving ribs with a sticky bourbon glaze? Done. Searing tomahawk steaks for a crowd? Easy. Want to slow smoke a brisket until it falls apart under the fork? This drum doesn’t flinch. It’s tough, tactile, and unapologetically smoky, everything great barbecue should be.
The Kamado Joe Jr with Cast Iron Stand
Portable without compromise, the Kamado Joe Jr is the ceramic grill that adventurers have been waiting for. Whether you're setting up camp by the lake or grilling fresh-caught fish on the shoreline, this compact yet powerful unit delivers the heat and the finesse. Despite its size, the Joe Jr boasts serious features: a cast-iron vent for tight temperature control, thick ceramic walls for even heat retention, and the unmistakable red finish that speaks to its bold spirit. Add in a stand for easy handling and you have a grill that travels as well as it performs.
The Somerset Grill Co Asado Gunmetal
True devotees of fire will be drawn to the raw, elemental beauty of the Somerset Grill Co Asado Gunmetal. This is more than a barbecue, it’s a tribute to the ancestral dance between flame and food. Inspired by Argentinian asado, this heavy-duty steel grill is built for the wood-fired enthusiast. With an adjustable-height mechanism for impeccable control, a V-shaped grill that minimizes flare-ups, and a clever ember maker to keep the fire burning just right, it combines rustic sensibility with precise engineering. Wood, smoke, meat, mastery, this is grilling in its purest form.