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Which BBQ should you choose?

Luuk2 JUNE 2026
A family enjoys a garden barbecue as children run about and strings of lights create a warm, festive evening atmosphere.

When the weather's nice, the barbecues come out too. The combination of sunshine, grilled meat, fish, vegetables and good company makes for wonderful days outdoors. But which BBQ is right for you? In this article, you'll discover the different types of barbecues available and what to look out for, so you can decide which one suits your needs best.

In short: what should you consider when choosing a barbecue?

Friends laugh around a sunny barbecue, drinks in hand, while fresh meat sizzles on the hot grill in a lively setting.
  • When choosing the right barbecue, consider the size of the BBQ and the space you have available, how much barbecuing experience you have, whether you'd prefer a fixed model or one with wheels, where you'll be barbecuing, and the season you'll be using it in.
  • Charcoal barbecues and kamados: traditional BBQs that give food a delicious smoky flavour and are ideal for searing meat.
  • Electric barbecues: practical, often compact BBQs that heat up quickly and are easy to use.
  • Gas barbecues: often larger BBQs that heat up quickly and are easy to clean.
  • Proper maintenance: essential if you want to enjoy your barbecue for as long as possible.

What types of barbecues are available?

There are several types of barbecues, each suited to different situations and preferences. Read on to discover the different BBQs you can choose from, along with their pros and cons.

A close-up of a barbecue with glowing coals and lively flames, ready for food to be grilled over intense heat.

Charcoal barbecue

The most traditional type of barbecue is a charcoal BBQ. This type uses charcoal or briquettes as fuel and gives your food that distinctive smoky barbecue flavour. You light the charcoal or briquettes and control the temperature manually by adjusting the BBQ's vents or air vents. Popular charcoal barbecues include kamado-style BBQs and those from Big Green Egg.

Pros and cons of a charcoal barbecue:
+ Smoky flavour.
+ Can reach extremely high temperatures, making it ideal for searing meat.
− Takes longer to heat up than other types of barbecues.
− You'll need to remove the ash and clean the cooking grates after use.

Tips for getting your charcoal hot quickly
A man in an apron grills meat in a leafy garden on an electric barbecue , surrounded by herbs, oil and a calm summer atmosphere.

Electric barbecue

As the name suggests, an electric barbecue runs on electricity rather than charcoal or gas. It uses an electric heating element located directly beneath the cooking plate or grill grate, which heats up quickly and evenly.

Pros and cons of an electric barbecue:
+ Reaches cooking temperature quickly.
+ Easy to clean after use.
+ Produces little to no smoke.
− You'll need access to a power socket.
− It doesn't provide the traditional barbecue flavour.
− They're often more compact, making them less suitable for larger groups.

A man cooks on a gas barbecue while friends chat in the garden, creating a relaxed mood at an outdoor gathering.

Gas barbecue

You can also choose a gas barbecue. This type of BBQ connects to a gas cylinder and allows you to control the heat using one or more burners. Because gas heats up quickly, the barbecue reaches cooking temperature in no time.

Pros & cons of a gas barbecue:
+ Reaches cooking temperature quickly.
+ Easy to clean.
+ The temperature is easy to adjust using the control knobs.
− It doesn't provide the traditional smoky barbecue flavour.
− They're often larger, heavier and less easy to move around.
− You'll always need a gas cylinder.

Which barbecues are best for beginners and experienced users?

Sausages cook on a round barbecue as someone turns them with tongs, surrounded by smoke and a cosy outdoor feel.

How much barbecuing experience you have plays a big role in choosing the right barbecue, as not everyone needs the same features or cooking techniques. If you're a beginner, it's worth considering a barbecue that's easy to use, such as a gas BBQ or a compact electric model. These barbecues heat up quickly, are straightforward to operate and give you plenty of control over the temperature.

If you'd like to build more experience, you can move on to a charcoal barbecue or a kamado. These allow you to learn how to manage the fire more effectively and experiment with airflow and cooking times. More experienced barbecue enthusiasts often focus on smoking techniques, slow cooking and experimenting with different flavours, temperatures and cooking methods. This allows you to develop your barbecuing skills step by step.

Should you choose a large or small barbecue?

People gather around an electric Tefal grill with sausages, skewers and grilled vegetables, ready to share a cosy meal.

When choosing the right barbecue for you, it's important to consider how often you'll be barbecuing and how many people you'll usually be cooking for. If you have a large family or regularly entertain bigger groups, a larger BBQ makes it easier to grill plenty of meat, fish and vegetables at the same time. If you don't barbecue very often and mainly cook for yourself or a small group, a more compact BBQ, such as a tabletop model, may be a better choice. It takes up less space and is often easier to store when not in use.

Would you prefer a fixed or portable barbecue?

Three people raise their glasses on a terrace beside a smoking barbecue, while a white dog watches quietly nearby.

Of je beter kiest voor een vaste of verrijdbare barbecue hangt af van hoe en waar je hem gebruikt. Er zijn verschillende soorten barbecues, en zowel vaste als verrijdbare modellen hebben hun eigen voor- en nadelen. Een vaste barbecue past goed als je een vaste plek in de tuin hebt en vaak uitgebreid buiten kookt, omdat hij stevig staat en vaak meer werkruimte biedt. Een verrijdbare barbecue is juist handig als je flexibel wilt zijn, weinig ruimte hebt of de barbecue gemakkelijk wilt verplaatsen of opbergen. De beste keuze hangt dus af van jouw gebruikerssituatie, de beschikbare ruimte en hoe vaak je de barbecue gebruikt.

Where will you be barbecuing?

Where you'll be using your barbecue plays a major role in determining which type is best suited to your needs. Below, you'll find the types of BBQs that are most suitable for different situations.

Four friends share a meal on a tidy patio, with lanterns, colourful drinks and a barbecue smoking in the background.

In the garden

The garden is the most common place to barbecue. It usually gives you the greatest flexibility, allowing you to choose from gas, charcoal, electric or kamado BBQs, depending on how much space you have available and how elaborate you'd like your outdoor cooking to be.

A spacious wooden deck features a modern barbecue, outdoor furniture and a large parasol in a calm open-air setting.

On the balcony

Barbecuing on your balcony isn't prohibited by law, but it's often discouraged due to the risk of fire and potential nuisance caused by smoke. If you'd still like to barbecue on your balcony, an electric BBQ is generally the safest and cleanest option. It's also worth checking whether barbecuing is permitted in your building, as rules can vary between apartment complexes. Consult your residents' association or tenancy agreement to find out what regulations apply where you live.

A cheerful couple barbecue at a campsite beside a green tent, as meat and vegetables sizzle on a small charcoal grill.

At the campsite

When camping, a compact and easy-to-move barbecue is often the most practical choice. However, which type of BBQ you can use depends on the rules of the campsite or holiday park, as open flames and charcoal barbecues aren't permitted everywhere. Always check the local regulations before bringing or using a barbecue.

A family shares a meal in the garden while, in the foreground, a small barbecue is loaded with skewers, corn and burgers.

Public places

In public spaces, such as parks and recreational areas, portable barbecues are often the most practical option. However, regulations can vary by local authority and sometimes even by specific location. It's therefore a good idea to check the rules in advance, so you can barbecue safely and avoid any issues.

Which season will you be barbecuing in?

A man grills sausages and skewers over high flames in a snowy landscape, while friends wait warmly for the food nearby.

You can barbecue in both summer and winter, but the season does influence which setup works best. During the summer months, people often choose lighter dishes such as vegetables, fish, burgers and meat, and typically barbecue outdoors in the garden or at a campsite. In winter, the focus tends to shift towards heartier dishes with longer cooking times. As a result, enclosed barbecues, such as a kamado or a BBQ with a lid, are often the better choice because they retain heat more effectively. Location also becomes more important during colder months. It's a good idea to position your barbecue out of the wind and use a protective cover to help guard against moisture and low temperatures.

Discover all our tips for winter barbecuing

How important is barbecue maintenance?

A hand carefully cleans the grates of a gas barbecue with a brush, getting it ready for clean and safe cooking.

Maintaining your barbecue is essential, as it not only helps ensure hygienic and enjoyable grilling, but also extends the lifespan of your BBQ. By cleaning and maintaining it regularly, you can prevent the build-up of grease, dirt and rust, helping it operate more safely and remain in good condition for longer. Proper maintenance also makes it easier to control the temperature and helps food cook more evenly. Whether you're using a gas barbecue, charcoal barbecue or kamado, regular upkeep will help you enjoy better cooking results and get more years of use from your BBQ.

Explore all barbecue accessories

Our advice on choosing the right barbecue for you

Friends enjoy a summer barbecue in the park, while two men in aprons grill meat and vegetables in the sunshine.

The best barbecue for you depends on several factors, including your level of barbecuing experience, the space you have available, the size of the BBQ, ease of use, where you'll be barbecuing and the time of year you'll be using it. It's also important to maintain your barbecue properly. Regular cleaning and upkeep will help keep it performing at its best and allow you to enjoy it for many years to come.

Frequently asked questions

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