Nothing says spring and summer more than the smell of a freshly lit outdoor grill, and you can achieve that on a budget with the best charcoal grill under £100 whether you're a seasoned pro or a grilling novice. And now that the promise of warmer days are on the horizon, everyone is on the hunt for the best charcoal grill setups. Plus, we can't wait to tidy up our gardens and entertain guests at home with our favourite summer pastime.
However, BBQ grills can be a huge investment, with some models costing way more than many can afford. Even though shelling out on a gas BBQ or hybrid BBQ can be worth it in the long run, charcoal BBQs tend to be cheaper to buy and are generally smaller and easier to store away in the winter months.
Best charcoal grill under £100 at a glance:
• Best premium charcoal grill under £100: Weber Compact Kettle Charcoal Grill Barbecue - View on Amazon UK
• Best barrel BBQ under £100: VonHaus Portable Barrel Charcoal BBQ and Smoker - View on Mano Mano
• Best BBQ under £100 for gatherings: Argos Home Trolley Charcoal BBQ - View on Argos
In this buyer's guide, we bring you the best charcoal grills under £100 because serving up a tasty grilled feast shouldn't have to cost the earth.
Best charcoal grills under £100
Best premium charcoal grill under £100
Weber/AmazonThis Weber Compact Kettle BBQ is from a highly reputable grill BBQ brand, but still comes in at under the £100 mark. Stylish, practical, and a good size for cooking for friends and family, it's comprised of a porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid, and a cooking grate that's triple-coated for durability.
The base provides a small area for storing BBQ essentials and is equipped with two chunky wheels for portability. Proving its own quality with the 10-year warranty, you'll find matching Weber BBQ accessories and tools available too.
Pros
- Easy to move in and out of storage thanks to two sturdy wheels
- Heat resistant lid that has a built-in ventilation grill
Cons
- The height of the grate isn't adjustable so you have to get your timings right
| Dimensions: | 53.1 x 54.1 x 87.9 cm |
| Weight: | 7kg |
Best barrel BBQ under £100
VonHaus/Debenhamswww.manomano.co.uk
Barrel BBQs are great grill design for those wanting to cook for large families, as the extra space means you can fit more delicious food on the 71cm by 35cm chrome-plated grill. This option from VonHaus can also be used as a smoker.
This BBQ has a warming rack as well as the main cooking grate. There's an on-lid temperature gauge for precision. This, and the fact the grill's height is adjustable means you can get great results by keeping an eye on the heat levels and cooking times.
Pros
- Can be used as a smoker if you add wood chips and close the vents
- Warming rack above the main grill to keep food warm
Cons
- Some reviewers say the instructions are a little vague
| Dimensions: | 97 x 87 x 96 cm |
| Weight: | 14kg |
Best BBQ under £100 for gatherings
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
A little different from other BBQs that have lids, this open "party" BBQ from Argos comes with two chrome-plated, adjustable cooking grills that can be used for direct and indirect cooking, or for keeping cooked food warm.
This offers two handy shelves for storing plates and condiments, one under the BBQ, and one to the side for quick access to essentials. Great for quick and easy grilling, we love that it's big enough to cater for those larger outside gatherings.
Pros
- Two variable height chromed-plated cooking racks
- Loads of storage space with two shelves for accessories
Cons
- It is large so worth keeping in mind for storage
| Dimensions: | H97 x W112 x D52cm |
| Weight: | 17.2kg |
Best small BBQ under £100
Weber www.weber.com
This Weber BBQ is smaller and more compact than the previous Weber option we've featured, but that makes it ideal for on-the-go cooking, whether you're in the garden or camping. All the good quality of bigger Weber BBQs, but just in miniature.
This has a Weber-quality porcelain-enamelled base and lid. The plated steel cooking grate gives you a cooking area of 37cm in diameter. This BBQ is available in some cool colours; slate blue, smoke grey, crimson, and classic black. At four kilograms, this is truly portable.
Pros
- Comes with a lid lock that makes it super easy to move and store
- Easy assembly with very little construction required
Cons
- Some reviews say it loses temperature quickly
| Dimensions: | H43 x W36 x D42cm |
| Weight: | 4kg |
Best value BBQ under £100
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Argos Home's Charcoal Kettle BBQ is a very affordable option that offers cooking capacity for around four people, so is great for smaller families and couples. This durable BBQ is made from sturdy metal but weighs in at under 4 kilograms, this, and the wheeled base, make it portable.
This makes a fantastic, more budget-friendly, dupe of the Weber Compact Kettle BBQ with similar features including the ashtray, wheels, and handy bottom shelf for small-scale storage.
Pros
- Very affordable option for those on a budget
- One handy storage shelf built into the BBQ's base
Cons
- Some reviewers say it's a little low for taller people
| Dimensions: | H74, W44.5, D51.5cm |
| Weight: | 3.1kg |
Best smokeless charcoal grill under £100
This XL portable BBQ from electriQ is not only lightweight and easy to transport but virtually smokeless too. So, you can still get the glorious chargrilled flavour without your clothes getting a wave of smoke.
This is ready to use in under five minutes thanks to the built-in fan, and can hold up to 500 grams of charcoal for 60 minutes of cooking, and with enough space to feed up to five people. It's available in a standard size too for an even lower cost, and comes with a heavy-duty zipper bag included.
Pros
- Virtually smokeless with a built-in fan for quick start-up
- Double-layered construction for a cool outer surface
Cons
- Some reviewers wish this BBQ came with a lid
| Dimensions: | H26 x W44 x D46cm |
| Weight: | 6.7kg |
Best smoker charcoal grill under £100
Living And Home/B&Qwww.diy.com
Small and practical, this Upright Smoker BBQ can be used as a fire pit, a grill, two grills, or a smoker - making it a versatile addition to your outside space. There are two doors in the body of the grill to make it easier to check on your fuel and food.
Super-affordable at under £40, it has a built-in thermometer to keep track of temperatures, an adjustable air vent, and a built-in damper system. The cooking grills measure in at 37cm in diameter which means you can cook up a feast for around 10 people.
Pros
- Loads of cooking options and the option to use this as a fire pit
- The ability to use this BBQ as a standalone smoker
Cons
- Assembly required which can be fiddly
| Dimensions: | 40 x 80cm |
| Weight: | 6.5kg |
Best on a budget
John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
Coming in at less than £30, the John Lewis portable BBQ is similar to the Weber Smokey Joe in build but available at a fraction of the cost. Simple yet effective, it has space to cook for up to four people and is portable, yet surprisingly good quality.
In a stylish cool grey design, this is an easy and affordable addition to your outdoor party or beach trip. This offers a hood with airflow control built-in, a cool-touch handle, and there are hood clips to make it more stable to carry once the BBQ has cooled.
Pros
- Compact dimensions that makes it easy to move and store
- Stylish design with sturdy tripod legs
Cons
- Can only cater for up to four people
| Dimensions: | H37 x Dia.36cm |
| Weight: | 3kg |
How we chose the best charcoal grill under £100
All of these charcoal grills have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the design, functionality, and capacity in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching charcoal grills to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
FAQs
What size charcoal grill BBQ do I need?
When looking for a budget buy you're limited on options, but it's still good to know exactly how many people you can feed with your new charcoal BBQ.
According to Argos, these are the general size guidelines:
Two to four people: 1800cm2 cooking area
Six people: 2000cm2 cooking area
Eight people: 2500cm2 cooking area
For those BBQs under £100, you're likely to find more compact options; great for taking on the go but not so good for cooking a great deal of food at once. That being said, we've found a couple of fab options that'll accommodate the family cookout without the risk of anyone going hungry.
What coals shall I use on a charcoal grill?
Coals play a huge part in getting your BBQ nice and hot, but they also make a difference to the taste of your food. You'll find two types of charcoal for grilling: Briquettes and hardwood lump charcoal.
Briquettes are the more popular and cheaper option, providing a long-burning heat that’s great for grilling larger pieces of meat.
Hardwood lump charcoal is much more about the flavour and burns hotter, less evenly, and more quickly than briquettes. Depending on what type you use, it will come through in the food that you cook. Hardwood lump charcoal is great for quick cooking, say if you're just cooking a few sausages and burgers.
You can find out more on the best BBQ fuel, and the best types of coal and briquettes, in our BBQ fuel guide.
How to light a charcoal grill?
From using fuel, kindling, or chimney starters, there are loads of ways to get a BBQ going. Here are a few tips we've found along the way:
• Set up an open space, away from fences or trees.
• Try and buy good-quality sustainably produced charcoal.
• If it's windy, arrange your charcoal in a stack and put balls of newspaper or natural firelighters (such as wood shavings or wool) between the charcoals.
• Wait until the coals have stopped smoking to start grilling. If you want direct heat, wait for the coals to be glowing white hot with red centres. For indirect heat, wait for ashy white coals.
• How you arrange your coals will give you different heat zones and more control over your barbecue, make sure you know whether you need indirect or direct heat to cook your food. Indirect is great for things that cook more slowly.
What to read next:
Get grilling with a gas BBQ to show off your alfresco cooking skills
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Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace, tending to her houseplants and chilling in her jungle garden with her sausage dog Waffle.