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Five of the best BBQs for the summer

BBC Science Focus

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August 2023

There are hundreds of BBQs on the market, all boasting their own impressive features. But which is the best? The BBC Science Focus team picks their faves...

Five of the best BBQs for the summer

Kamado Joe Classic Joe Grill Series III

international.kamadojoe.com, £2,149

This is the Rolls Royce of barbecues, and it's all thanks to its ceramic shell. Once the ceramic gets hot it needs little energy to stay that way, so once you've lit your charcoal and heated the barbecue to the desired temperature (indicated by the thermometer on the front) it'll stay there.

If you want to slow or speed up the cook, you simply change the airflow by opening or shutting the vents at the top and bottom. This lends the entire practice of cooking outside a degree of predictability, hence why professional chefs love these cookers.

The Kamado excels at slow cooking things like beef brisket or a lamb shoulder, where a long, gentle cook is vital for good results. It'll also go low and slow enough to allow you to reverse sear a steak, but it's equally good if you just want to throw a rib-eye on the coals. Plus, the even heat output means cooking veg or side dishes on pans or baskets is easy. It's our ultimate choice for a barbecue, but has an eye-watering price to match.

Gozney Dome

gozney.com, £1,799

This is one of the most desirable outdoor ovens going and it delivers on the hype. The model we tested can use either wood or gas as fuel, and comes with a vital internal thermometer so you can get to grips with how it heats up.

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