The 10 Best Portable BBQs for the Beach
With the first hint of sunny weather and the thermometer creeping upwards thoughts drift to lazy summer evenings on the beach - cool drink in one hand, freshly grilled burger in the other. Yes, it's barbecue season again.
If, like me, you have never really progressed beyond the disposable tin-foil barbie then prepare to be amazed at the range of BBQs available. Any one of these portable barbecues will make you a master of beach grilling and beyond.
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Best all round
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill: £69.99
Weber are widely regarded the premium brand in the BBQ world. Made in the USA, I can personally testify to the solid build and longevity of these barbeques.
Not only is the Weber Go-Anywhere well-made it is as portable as the name suggests. With a suitcase-like handle on the lid and legs that fold flat this is supremely easy to carry down to the beach. And at under 2 feet long it will fit in even the most modest of car boots.
As you would expect from a brand like Weber, the barbecue is not only highly portable, but looks great, and most importantly cooks fantastically. There are several vents to control temperature and the lid turns the grill into a mini smoker / oven.
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Most Stylish
Gentlemen's Hardware Portable Barbecue: £49.99
This lightweight barbie is all about portability. With it's fold away suitcase-style design you'll have no trouble getting it from the car park to the beach - and you'll look good doing it!
Imagine how surprised your fellow beachgoers will be when you open up your stylish suitcase to reveal a fully functional barbeque.
In fact you could take this beauty just about anywhere
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Novelty
Barbecue Tool Box: £70
Another barbeque masquerading as something that you wouldn't expect to cook sausages on. The helpfully named BBQ Tool Box is just that; on the outside, a classic red toolbox, but open it up to reveal not only a good-sized grill but a warming rack and storage tray for all your condiments.
Along with the novelty value you won't have any problems knocking up an alfresco feast. Temperature can be controlled with an adjustable vent and there is a removable charcoal tray.
Oh, and did I mention it is about as easy to carry as a tool box?!
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Popular
Hotspot Notebook Grill: £25
Named the notebook grill, because it folds open and closed like a book, this handy little barbeque is easy to use, highly portable and cooks well. No wonder it's one of the top-selling portable BBQs on our list.
Perhaps the notebook's best selling point is its incredible fold-ability. When folded down it is almost flat so takes up virtually no room in the back of the car. Hard to believe when you see it in action as it has a very respectably sized grilling area.
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Gadget
Cobb Pro: £89.99
This isn't just a barbecue, it's an outdoor cooking system! Not only can you grill your food, you can roast it and smoke it. And if that's not enough, apparently it does a mean pizza too.
Whilst you might expect all this to be about the size of an Aga it is actually one of the most compact BBQs around at a less than a foot (30cm) across. What makes it even more portable is the fact it is incredibly fuel-efficient with just a few briquettes giving up to 3 hours cooking.
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Best value
Bentley Portable Kettle: £19.99
At under £20 you might not be expecting too much from this compact and lightweight BBQ. Weighing in at less than 4kg and 37cm across this is both portable and big enough to make for a great beach BBQ. For added convenience there are clips to keep the lid on making transporting the Bentley Kettle easier.
The tried and tested kettle design is similar to that of some of the Webers. Whilst the build quality might not be up there this comes in at a fraction of the price.
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Not only this but it looks great too with a choice of five stylish colours. -
Grooviest design
La Hacienda Firebowl: £34
Part UFO, part fire, part barbecue, the La Hacienda has it all. Described as a firebowl this device is perfect for both cooking your food on and as an outdoor heater.
With a generously sized grill area and weighing in at nearly 5kg you get the best of all worlds. And to further establish its portable credentials, the La Hacienda comes with foldable legs and a carry bag. To top it off this BBQ can burn virtually anything (but hopefully not your sausages).
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Smokiest
Weber Smokey Joe Premium: £39
As the undisputed kings of the barbecue world Weber have managed to get two slots on our top 10 list.
The Smokey Joe may look like some of its cheaper competitors but the design and build quality make it a cut above the rest. Every feature is carefully thought out and implemented; for example the additional carry handle which works as both a handle and a prop to turn the lid into a wind-break.
This kettle barbeque is simple yet easily controllable, solid and built to last. And yes, if you like it smoky then get the lid on.
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Un-smokiest
Cadac Safari Chef 2: £98
Firstly why would anybody want a gas barbecue?! I mean isn't it all about faffing around lighting the charcoal, waiting for the BBQ to heat up, getting covered in soot and smoking the neighbours out?
Well, that aside there is no arguing that you can't beat charcoal grilled food - but you can get pretty close and with the added convenience of gas. Along with the bonus of it being cleaner and safer.The Cadac Safari is all of the above and it comes with it's own carry case just to prove that cooking with gas can be highly portable too. With the Safari though this doesn't mean compromise; it is incredibly versatile with a range of additions and cooking surfaces for all occasions.
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Budget
Disposable BBQ (6 pack): £19.39
These are still possibly my favourite beach BBQs. Compact, light, easy to use and cheap as chips - what's not to love. All you need to do is peel off the lid, light the touch paper, wait 10 minutes and you're good to go.
Another advantage of these disposable barbies is you can put them out and cool them down super quick with sand and water. Ideal if you need to make a quick get away
Now with multi-buy options you never need to be caught out with not having one waiting and ready to go.
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I guess the only drawback with these classic tin-foil tray BBQs is they might not be the most environmentally friendly. However, if you recycle what you can that should go someway to offsetting it.
