Top 10 Best Barrel BBQ Grills For 2023 Review

If you’re looking to add a bit of flavour to your outdoor BBQing experience, then you’ll want to check out some of the best barrel BBQs on the market. From Tower to Oklahoma Joe’s, these versatile barrel grills can accommodate a variety of cooking styles and allow you to cook up some delicious food.

ER BBQ has gone beyond researching the best barrel BBQ UK brands to testing them out to prepare this review. That way, you’ll have an easier time making a decision, knowing that you’re choosing from the most reliable barrel grills.

So, whether you’re in the market for a simple barrel grill or something more elaborate, read on for our top 10 picks!

Why Should You Trust Our Review?

Our barrel BBQ grills review is the result of years of experience and hundreds of hours of research and exhaustive testing. We have taken the best features from the best barrel BBQ smokers in the UK, as well as those of less known but reliable brands, and put them in a single, easy-to-follow review. Our team has also carefully evaluated these BBQ grills to make sure they’re built to last and offer the right features at a great price.

How Did We Make Our List of (Tested) Barrel BBQ Grills?

Our BBQ grills review is the research result of in-depth analysis and careful observation of different brands. We have tested hundreds of barrel BBQ grills and made sure that we cover all important aspects like performance, construction, durability, design, ease of assembly, cleaning, and much more.

We remained objective enough not to promote or discredit any brand but provide you with quality reliable barrel BBQs. So, if you are looking for a reliable BBQ grill at an affordable price with great performance then you can trust our barrel BBQ grills review.

What Should You Consider When Choosing the Best Barrel BBQ Grill?

Barrel grills are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason. They’re fun, stylish, and perfect for outdoor cooking. But which barrel grill is the best for you? Here are the key things to include in your checklist.

Construction and durability

Most drum BBQ grills are constructed of extremely sturdy steel and come with a weather-resistant finish to ensure that they can resist heat and the elements.

Drum Size

30-gallon and 55-gallon are the most common sizes and ideal for serving a bigger number of people. If you want something for a family of 2 to 4 people, you may opt for the 16-gallon barrel BBQs.

Price

Price is always a factor when shopping for anything. Don’t base your choices on the price alone, because a poor-quality barrel grill will probably be cheaper. Ensure the price you’re paying is worth the features offered by the grill.

Overall Best Pick: Tower (T978515) Stainless Steel Barrel BBQ Grill

Do you want a barrel BBQ that offers two-in-one grill racks for a bigger cooking surface area? The Tower (T978515) offers just that, plus durable construction made of heavy-duty stainless steel. It also offers intuitive features with a sleek stealth look to make outdoor cooking easier.

Why We Chose It as Our Overall Best Pick

Tower Stainless Steel Barrel BBQ Grill is the ultimate outdoor foodie’s dream come true. With its large surface area and two grill racks, you can cook up tasty burgers, sausages and kebabs in no time!

Its high-grade stainless steel body makes this BBQ strong and durable for the toughest of weather conditions. And the compact size makes it easy to keep it in your car’s boot during your outdoor camping experience.

It’s also great at heat retention since it’s built from heavy-duty stainless steel, although a black powder coating would have been great. Nevertheless, it does exactly what the manufacturer says.

Tower (T978515) Stainless Steel Barrel BBQ Grill Review

Here are the features of the Tower Stainless Steel Barrel BBQ Grill that make it an excellent consideration as the best large barrel BBQ with a lid.

Design & Build Quality

This barrel BBQ has a small compact design that weighs about 4.5kg, meaning that you can carry it by hand while going camping. It’s a horizontal drum with a lid, standing on four legs, two at each end for a simple and easy grilling experience.

What we loved about it the most are the two grates, on the main compartment and on the lid, which can serve as a warming rack.  The cooking surface can fit 2 steaks, 2 pork chops, and 9 sausages at a go, ideal for serving up to 6 people.

Temperature regulation

It offers vents which regulate airflow into the main compartment for efficient combustion of charcoal. With the heavy-duty steel construction, it does a great job of retaining much of the produced heat. It took about 20-30 minutes after lighting the barrel grill for it to attain over 100^OC suitable for grilling.

Usability

This barrel BBQ comes already assembled, and the only work needed is to complete minor fitments like vents, legs, and handles. The cooking grates are removable to allow the addition of charcoal to the barrel. With a proper supply of charcoal and air regulation, the barrel Tower barrel BBQ can attain over 500^OC.

Portability and storage

The lid has a wooden carry handle with a safety locking latch to allow you to carry it by hand. Also, the lid can fold into an easy-to-store design. However, we found the legs too short for a comfortable cooking height.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The cooking grate on the barrel is removable to allow easy removal of the ash. You can also clean the grates using a grill brush, but avoid a steel wool brush that can cause damage to the coating.

Pros

• Easy to assemble.
• Small, compact, portable design.
• Two grill racks for a bigger cooking space.
• Wooden carry handle for easy portability.
• Sleek stainless steel finish.
• Locking latches for safe storage.

Cons

• Legs are too short for an ergonomic cooking height.
• The centre makes the hottest cooking area compared to the sides.

What People Say About Tower (T978515) Stainless Steel Barrel BBQ Grill

We didn’t receive any major complaints from user feedback. Also, Tower (T978515) Stainless Steel Barrel BBQ Grill doesn’t have any major complaints on Amazon. On average it has a 4.5-star rating out of 5.

Our Final Verdict

Tower (T978515) Stainless Steel Barrel BBQ Grill has a small compact and portable design perfect for camping, picnicking, and tailgating. Its dual cooking grate design offers additional space to cook food for up to 6 people while also offering durability. We recommend it for outdoor camping activities, hence a worthy investment.

Runner Up: Deuba Stainless Steel Charcoal BBQ Grill With Air Vents

Deuba Stainless Steel Charcoal BBQ has a small compact but portable size that lets you prepare tasty grilled food in your backyard or while on the go. It has double cooking grates each measuring 14 inches by 9 inches allowing you to cook more food for up to 6 people in one go.

Why We Chose this as Our Runner Up

It’s one of the best barrel charcoal barbecue UK brands featuring everything you could ever need to enjoy barbecued drivers. It’s a great option for anyone who wants to get into grilling or wants an upgrade from their current grill.

One main feature that makes it rank second on our list is stainless steel construction, which means it’s durable and easy to clean. The best part? The grill features air vents, which help control the heat and cook your food evenly. The latch lock on the lid allows the hood to properly close the grill for storage.

Deuba Stainless Steel Charcoal BBQ Grill With Air Vents Review

Here’s a detailed view of the features it brings onboard that make it a worthy consideration.

Design & Build Quality

It closely resembles Tower (T978515), featuring a horizontal barrel with a lid. Its sleek appeal made of stainless steel makes it extra durable and easier to clean. If you want a compact barrel BBQ grill with more cooking area, Deuba opens up into two grill grates. On each end of the drum barrel are legs that raise the cooking height to a comfortable cooking level.

Temperature Control

Controlling the cooking heat is achieved by regulating the air vents on the main compartment. Since the grates are stainless steel made, they also retain heat pretty well, although cast iron grates could have been much better.

Usability

Deuba Stainless Steel Charcoal BBQ Grill uses charcoal and lights up pretty fast. Simply remove the cooking grates and add charcoal with an already burning coal at the centre and the sides to allow faster combustion. With the air vent open, it took roughly 20-30 minutes for the grill to attain the desired cooking temperature.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The stainless steel finish is much easier to clean, you only need to wipe down the grease on the cooking grates. If it’s stuck due to long slow cooking, use a grill brush with plastic bristles to avoid damage. Also, you can remove the grates and empty the ash once done with cooking.

Pros

• Easy to assemble and use.
• Dual cooking grate design for a larger cooking area.
• Small portable size.
• Durable stainless steel finish.
• Hood with latch lock.
• Ergonomic cooking height.

Cons

• No thermometer gauge for temperature tracking.
• The second cooking grill grate best serves as a warming rack.

What People Say About Deuba Stainless Steel Charcoal BBQ Grill With Air Vents

Deuba Stainless Steel Charcoal BBQ Grill With Air Vents has an impressive performance according to user feedback we received. Also, most buyers have rated it highly on most sites, earning an average of 4.4-star ratings out of 5.

Our Final Verdict

Deuba barrel BBQ is a quality barrel charcoal BBQ offering everything you could ever need to grill food for up to 6 people at a go. We liked the dual cooking grate design, offering a larger cooking space, despite a small compact size. It’s also durable and works efficiently at retaining heat for long slow cooking. It’s worth every penny and a good investment if you want to perfect your grilling experience.

Best Budget Pick: Kingfisher (OUTBBQ2) Portable Barrel BBQ Grill

Do you want a compact barrel BBQ with a sturdy but lightweight construction? The Kingfisher (OUTBBQ2) offers these features plus has a dual cooking grate design to allow you to cook more at your outdoor events. Its stainless steel finish makes it look elegant but also durable against elements and corrosion.

Why We Choose this as Our Best Budget Pick?

We chose Kingfisher barrel BBQ as a budget pick because it supports efficient barbecuing but is highly affordable. Compared to other similarly priced BBQs, this is a good barrel charcoal BBQ with the only exception being that it’s built from a slightly lightweight material than top-tier barbecues.

It offers easy assembly and hence can be used by beginners getting started with their grilling. Apart from the lightweight material, it cooks as good as the highly-priced models.

Kingfisher (OUTBBQ2) Portable Barrel BBQ Grill Review

Here are the key features of the Kingfisher (OUTBBQ2) worth considering when looking for an affordable best barrel charcoal BBQ.

Design & Build Quality

Due to its small compact size, this barrel BBQ is also very light, allowing you to carry it through the carry handle to outdoor camping or picnicking. It has a clean appeal, built from stainless steel for durability against elements. The dual cooking grate design offers a total of 14 inches by 9 inches cooking space to serve up to 6 people at a go.

Temperature Control

The compact size of the Kingfisher (OUTBBQ2) allows a shorter heating time once the coal turns red hot. By regulating the air vents accordingly, you can achieve up to 500^OC temperature within 15-20 minutes. Since the cooking grates are stainless steel, they also get hot pretty well to allow grilling, roasting, and searing.

Usability

The initial setup is pretty straightforward. And once you light it up with the air vents open, you can start grilling within 20 to 30 minutes. We noted that the entire barrel BBQ gets very hot because of its lightweight metal sheet.

Since it’s lightweight, we think this BBQ grill is not ideal for frequent long slow cooking but performs well for normal grilling.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Keeping the barrel grill clean is also not much of a hassle as the stainless steel cleans easily with a simple wipe-down. However, where sticky grease is involved, it may require a sturdy grill brush. We highly advise not using steel wool to scrape the stubborn stains as this can easily cause damage to the light metal. 

Pros

• Small lightweight design for easy portability.
• Dual cooking grates for a larger cooking area.
• Heats up quickly.
• Air vents to allow temperature regulation.
• Stainless steel construction for resistance against elements.
• Easy to clean.

Cons

• Built from a thin metal sheet.
• Not suitable for heavy use.

What People Say About Kingfisher (OUTBBQ2) Portable Barrel BBQ Grill

Kingfisher (OUTBBQ2) Portable Barrel BBQ Grill has positive feedback and review based on responses we received from users. Also, it is praised for its reliability, efficiency, and portability. However, the lightweight construction wasn’t received well. It garnered an average 4.1-star rating out of 5 on Amazon.

Our Final Verdict

Kingfisher (OUTBBQ2) has an above-average performance when it comes to ease of assembly, usage, and portability. However, its light-duty steel construction makes it less durable for heavy use. Its reliability comes from better functionality than durability, and that is okay because it’s a budget barrel BBQ.

Best Portable Pick: Oypla Portable Barrel BBQ for Camping

If you’re still looking for a durable barrel BBQ for your outdoor camping events, you’re going to love Oypla Portable Barrel BBQ. It’s a dual cooking grate design, built from stainless steel and has a sleek elegant finish. With a small size, locking latch, and wooden carry handle, you can comfortably carry it in your car boot and hands while going camping.

Why We Choose this as Our Best Portable Pick?

We rated it as one of the best barrel charcoal barbecue UK brands for combining portability with efficiency. The wooden carry handle on the lid allows you to carry it with ease as you navigate the wild to find a suitable camping ground.

The locking latch will help you secure the essentials of the grill such as the cooking grates while carrying it by hand. With the 2 cooking grates, you can easily grill food for up to six people in one go. It’s the perfect portable barrel grill for family outings.

Oypla Portable Barrel BBQ for Camping Review

What makes Oypla Portable barrel BBQ a great grill for those looking for portability efficiency?

Design & Build Quality

The stainless steel grill is built with a small, portable size measuring 34cm by 22cm. it consists of two grills, one on the main compartment and the second one on the lid to give you a bigger cooking area. The two legs on each end of the barrel raise it to 17cm above the ground, which is an ideal ergonomic height for cooking.

Temperature control

Regulating the heat is possible through the air vents, although we found the vents quite small in size compared to other similarly priced barrel grills. Its stainless steel construction isn’t heavy-duty and will get hot much more quickly. We felt that this denies the barrel BBQ from supplying enough heat for cooking as more is radiated away.

Usability

We’re glad that we didn’t need the manual to assemble Oypla Portable Barrel BBQ. That’s because it has a pretty straightforward design that you can quickly put together so long as you’ve used a barrel BBQ before. As one of the best barrel charcoal BBQs, it can also combust wood chips efficiently, hence ideal if you yearn for a smoky flavoured steak.

Cleaning & Maintenance

You won’t have a tough time keeping the barrel grill clean since its stainless steel construction is easy to wipe. Also, the cooking grates are made of stainless steel to allow easy wipe cleaning.

Pros

• Small compact, and portable size.
• Easy to set up and use.
• Dual cooking grates for a larger cooking area.
• Stainless steel construction for elements resistance.
• Ergonomic cooking height.
• Locking latch to allow storage and hand carriage.

Cons

• Small air vents.
• Lacks side handles except for the carry handle on the lid.
• Doesn’t have a thermometer gauge.

What People Say About Oypla Portable Barrel BBQ for Camping

From the feedback we received, most users are satisfied with the performance of the Oypla Portable Barrel BBQ. Its small, lightweight and dual cooking grates earned it lots of points. On average, this barrel BBQ had a 4.5-star rating out of 5 on Amazon.

Our Final Verdict

Oypla Portable Barrel BBQ is a small, lightweight and portable barrel BBQ for beginners and grill masters alike. It’s so easy to assemble and use while the dual cooking grates design makes it easy to serve up to 6 people on a camping trip. It does perform better than similarly priced best charcoal barrel BBQs.

Best Advanced Pick: Oklahoma Joe’s (19402088) Barrel BBQ Grill

Popularly known as Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Tabletop Grill, this grill is more of a traditional charcoal grill than it is a barrel BBQ. However, it fits this category for its dome-shaped lid, small compact size, and ability to retain heat for longer.

Why We Choose this as Our Best Advanced Pick?

We listed Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Tabletop Grill as our best-advanced pick for its slightly different construction and features. It has a cuboid-shaped main compartment for an even distribution of charcoal and heat to the cooking grate.

Also, its half-barrel hood comes with a temperature gauge, which is a great improvement compared to other barrels BBQs we’ve reviewed. It’s also constructed using cast iron and steel, while other barrel grills are only stainless steel made. Also, the main compartment has two handles, one on each side for easy portability.

Oklahoma Joe’s (19402088) Barrel BBQ Grill Review

Here are the various features of our best barrel BBQ smoker that make it an advanced best pick.

Design & Build Quality

It has a small portable size, featuring a 26 inches by 19 inches main compartment. It’s covered with a dome-shaped lid which is also black powder-coated to help with heat retention. Compared to other barrel BBQs, it’s quite tall, offering an excellent cooking height.

Even though it doesn’t have a dual cooking grate design, the 21 sq. inches cooking area is sizeable enough to serve 3 to 5 people in one go with 10 burgers and 4 steaks.

Temperature control

Oklahoma Joe’s (19402088) Barrel BBQ goes a notch higher by offering a temperature gauge on the lid to help keep the heat in check. It’s also equipped with cast iron cooking grates which work much better at holding heat than stainless steel grates.

The main compartment also has air vents to help with air supply for efficient combustion. Also, the lid has a small chimney to allow smoke and heat to escape. This combination offers an excellent heat spot to roast or sear your steaks.

Portability

This barrel BBQ has a small portable size, but the cast iron grates make it a little heavier than the barrel grills we’ve reviewed. But it does compensate for this by offering two sturdy handles on each side with thermal resistance.

Usability

It supports efficient usability through its flexible charcoal tray so you can control the height between the burning coal and the food. This allows direct and indirect cooking which is ideal for the long slow cooking process.

Cleaning & Maintenance

With a removable ash pan, you can clean it with more ease. You can easily empty the coagulants, ash, and unburnt charcoal right after cooking. The cast iron cooking grates are also removable and easier to clean with a grill brush without damaging them.

Pros

• Small compact and highly portable size.
• Adjustable charcoal tray and air vents.
• Lid-mounted thermometer gauge.
• Sturdy and compact design.
• Cast iron grates for better heat retention.

Cons

• Lacks dual cooking grates hence a smaller cooking surface.

What People Says About Oklahoma Joe’s (19402088) Barrel BBQ Grill

Oklahoma Joe’s (19402088) Barrel BBQ Grill is greatly revered by users for its advanced features including a thermometer gauge, cast iron grates, removable ashtray, and large air vents. Very few people have expressed dissatisfaction with it, mainly due to the smaller cooking area. It received an average 4.7-star rating out of 5 on Amazon.

Our Final Verdict

You wouldn’t find a more advanced best barrel BBQ grill than Oklahoma Joe’s (19402088) Barrel BBQ Grill. it’s highly reliable, efficient and a great investment for anyone serious about barbecuing. Go for it if you look forward to a more enjoyable and lifelong grilling experience.

VonHaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ Grill Review

The VonHaus grill is an excellent example of the best barrel charcoal barbecue UK brands. It boasts fantastic features including a snugly-fitting cover and a handy thermometer for setting the temperature just right. It offers a big, reliable cooking surface that’s perfect for feeding 4 to 6 people at a campsite.

Features of VonHaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ Grill

The following are the features of VonHaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ Grill that make it a worthwhile inclusion on our list.

Design and build

This BBQ has a true barrel shape, featuring the lower compartment and a thermometer-mounted lid. It comes with a black powder-coated finish with a handle on the lid and the main chamber. Since it’s built from durable steel, you can expect it to last for years cooking on its 36cm by 70cm cooking area.

Temperature control

The lid-mounted thermometer makes it easier to monitor the temperature in the cooking chamber. It’s also black powder coated to improve heat retention. The lid also has air dampers to help regulate airflow and support combustion as needed.

Portability

Unlike the other barrel BBQs, VonHaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ Grill supports portability by offering four tall stands with two wheels. There’s also a handle that you can use to push it to the desired spot. These portability features make it easier to handle its 14kg weight.

Usability

VonHaus has a satisfactory performance. The even distribution of heat allows using every part of the grill for cooking. We tried cooking potato chips on it and they turned out with attractive golden-brown colour and charred grill lines. It also performs well when searing steaks on long slow cooking.

Pros

• Easy to assemble and use.
• Lid-mounted thermometer.
• Black powder coated finish for heat retention
• Even heat distribution.

Cons

• The wheels are of poor quality and feeble.

Final Verdict

VonHaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ Grill is a good barrel charcoal BBQ with satisfactory performance on heat retention. It’s also sizeable for an outdoor camping event, although lacks the dual cooking grate feature like most other barrel BBQs. Generally, it’s an ideal budget-friendly grill if you want to get started with barbecuing.

JJ JUJIN Foldable Barrel BBQ Grill Review

Are you interested in portability and convenience more than anything when it comes to choosing a barrel BBQ? Then JJ JUJIN Foldable Barrel BBQ Grill is the best choice you’d want to consider. Its small size offers a cooking surface area to serve up to 3 people at a go.

Features of JJ JUJIN Foldable Barrel BBQ Grill

Here are the features that make JJ JUJIN one of the best barrel charcoal barbecue UK brands to consider if looking for a small BBQ.

Design and build

This barrel BBQ measures only 38cm by 25cm and is 38cmhigh from the ground. It features a lid with a wooden carry handle, a small chimney, and a thermometer gauge. Since it’s built from 304 stainless steel, it’s quite sturdy and durable.

Temperature control

JJ JUJIN Foldable Barrel BBQ Grill has impressive temperature control features, including a lid-mounted thermometer gauge, a small chimney, and air vents. Also, the black powder-coated finish helps in preventing heat loss.

Portability

This small BBQ is highly portable, weighing only 3.6kg and fitted with a wooden carry handle. It also has four legs to help you position it as desired for smooth barbecuing. The locking latch allows a firm grip lock of the hood to secure the contents in the main chamber while carrying the BBQ.

Usability

JJ JUJIN Foldable Barrel BBQ Grill has an easy assembly process and is easy to use. It burns charcoal efficiently but can also use wood chips to produce the required temperature. Also, you can use it in place of a camping stove due to its better practicality. This barrel BBQ is ideal for grilling, roasting, and searing.

Pros

• Small, compact, and portable size.
• Durable stainless steel construction.
• Lid-mounted thermometer gauge.
• Locking latch to secure contents during transportation.
• Heats up faster.

Cons

• The wooden handle can get very hot, hence ideal for carrying only.
• Small cooking area suitable for serving food to 2 people.

Final Verdict

JJ JUJIN Foldable Barrel BBQ Grill is a small sturdy and portable barrel BBQ suitable for serving food to two people at an outdoor camp or picnic. It’s built from durable steel and includes features to allow convenient barbecuing. It’s a good investment for those who don’t do grilling more often.

Tepro 1087 Biloxi Pit Barrel BBQ Review

Tepro 1087 Biloxi has an appealing design, featuring a side smoker and the main grilling compartment, making it the best for smoking and grilling any food. It allows you to enjoy tasty, full-flavoured foods cooked the traditional barbecuing way over red-hot coal or through the wood fire smoke.

Features of Tepro 1087 Biloxi Pit Barrel BBQ

This high-quality barrel charcoal BBQ offers several features that make it worth consideration.

Design and build

Tepro 1087 Biloxi Pit Barrel BBQ has a traditional smoker design, featuring a main grilling compartment and a side smoker. It claims to have been built using a 1mm thick steel, although it feels a bit lighter. The side chamber has a 33cm by 31cm grilling surface while the main one offers 58cm by 40cm.

Temperature control

With the lid-mounted thermometer, it’s easier to keep track of the cooking temperature. Unlike other barrel BBQs, Tepro 1087 Biloxi has comparatively larger air dampers on the side unit. It also has a chimney for releasing smoke and promoting better airflow.  Its cooking grates are also porcelain-enamelled to provide better heat retention.

Portability and storage

Since the entire barrel BBQ weighs about 35kg, it’s considerably heavier than most other barrel barbecues. But it compensates for this by offering four legs with two wheels for portability. There’s also a front shelf that you can use to prep or season your food before grilling. You can also use the bottom storage rack to keep grilling accessories and supplies.

Pros

• Large cooking area to serve food for up to 10 people.
• Efficient heat control and retention features.
• Ideal for grilling and smoking.
• Front shelf and bottom storage rack.
• Two wheels for portability.
• Black powder-coated for elements resistance.
• Uses charcoal and wood chips.

Cons

• The construction material is lightweight.
• Cast iron grates are of poor quality and wear out faster.

Final Verdict

Tepro 1087 Biloxi Pit Barrel BBQ is a reliable BBQ that you can use to grill and smoke your food to your favourite smoky flavour. It also includes features such as a thermometer gauge, chimney, large air vents, and powder-coated finish to help with heat regulation. It’s the best large barrel BBQ with lid on our list and worth the investment.

BillyOh Charcoal Barrel BBQ Grill Review

BillOh barrel BBQ portrays quite a unique design that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. It’s simple featuring the barrel basin and a thermometer gauge mounted lid. It’s also elegant and has a sizeable cooking area ideal for outdoor camping events.

Features of BillyOh Charcoal Barrel BBQ Grill

Here are the different features of the BillyOh Charcoal Barrel BBQ Grill that you might want to pay attention to before buying it.

Design and build

The lid is not perfect dome-shaped, which makes it stand out. Unlike other BBQs, it has a side shelf that you can use to prepare your food before grilling. The compact size offers a cooking area of 35.5cm by 23cm, ideal for serving a family of 4 on a camping trip. It’s built using alloy steel for extra durability against elements.

Temperature control

BillyOh Charcoal Barrel BBQ offers numerous temperature control mechanisms including a thermometer gauge on the lid for monitoring the heat. The vented chimney mounted on the lid does help in regulating air flow and smoke. Since it’s black powder-coated it offers good heat retention.

Portability

You can easily move it using the two wheels and firmly position it as desired. Although the legs are said to be made of durable steel, they feel a little feeble. You can also use the bottom shelf to keep your grilling supplies and the side shelf for seasoning food before grilling.

Pros

• Unique and elegant design.
• Small portable size with wheels.
• Efficient temperature control.
• Side shelf and lower storage rack.
• Ergonomic cooking height.

Cons

• The wheels feel weak.
• The cooking area is only suitable for serving 3 people.

Final Verdict

BillyOh Charcoal Barrel BBQ ranks among the best drum BBQ for its small compact size. It’s fitted with several features to help heat retention and regulation for an efficient barbecuing experience. Although it has a small cooking area, it’s worth considering if you want a BBQ to serve you and your partner at a camping event.

Marko Outdoor Portable Barrel BBQ Grill Review

Marko Outdoor Portable Barrel BBQ is a small hand portable grill featuring a wooden carry handle and a lid locking latch to make transportation easier and safer. It’s built with a dual cooking grate design so you can cook more food much faster to serve up to 6 people in a go.

Features of Marko Outdoor Portable Barrel BBQ Grill

If you want a quality barrel charcoal BBQ on a budget, here are the features that make Marko barrel BBQ worth considering.

Design and build

This BBQ has a small compact size with a cooking area of 34cm by 22cm. since it has a dual cooking area design, you’ll get to cook more food in one go. The lid comes with a wooden carry handle and locking latches to secure the contents of the main chamber during transportation. Its alloy steel construction is from a thin metal sheet hence feels very light.

Temperature control

This barrel BBQ doesn’t come with a thermometer gauge so you’ll need to rely on your grilling expertise to know when the temperature is right. But it does have air vents on the lid to allow airflow regulation and support efficient coal combustion. Its black powder-coated finish also helps to retain heat.

Portability

It’s considerably lightweight and you can carry it with one hand using the wooden carry handle. The size is also compact, while the lid has a locking latch to help secure the contents while moving the grill.

Usability

Marko Outdoor Portable Barrel BBQ Grill has an easy assembly process. It’s actually already set up and you’ll need to fit the legs and handle with a screwdriver. Using the BBQ is also super easy; you can use both the main chamber and the additional cooking area to roast, grill, or sear food to your favourite flavour. It can use charcoal or wood chips.

Pros

• Small, compact, and portable size.
• Dual cooking area.
• Easy to assemble and use.
• Locking latch for secured portability.
• Removable cooking grates for easy cleaning.

Cons

• Lacks a thermometer gauge.
• Air vents are not adjustable.
• Built from a thin metal sheet.

Final Verdict

Marko Outdoor Portable Barrel BBQ Grill is a good barbeque for anyone looking to start grilling but on a budget. It doesn’t offer much, such as a thermometer gauge and chimney, but with some a little more effort, it does get the job done.

Concluding Our Best Barrel BBQ Grills Review

Barrel BBQs are great for producing excellent barbecuing results with less work input than most charcoal BBQs. And these best charcoal barrel BBQ UK brands are carefully selected to help you smoke briskets, chicken, or ribs. They’re also highly portable and can be used for outdoor camping, picnicking, or fishing events.

ER BBQ spent a lot of time testing and analysing user feedback and ratings to create this informative review. Which of our listed barrel BBQs meets your requirements? Pick one, try it out and give us your feedback about your experience with it.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Are Barrel Grills Better?

Barrel grills are great compared to kettle grills in that they give a larger cooking area, hence ideal for serving many people at once. Also, they’re considerably cheaper and can use charcoal and wood chips, making them great for slow cooking and smoking.

How Much Charcoal Do You Put in a Barrel Grill?

As a general guideline, you need a one-to-one ratio of meat to charcoal. Therefore, you will require 1kg briquette charcoal or 1.5kg hardwood lump for every 1kg of meat.

How Long Does the Pit Barrel Grill Last?

This generally depends on the frequency of use and whether doing heavy use or not. With better maintenance, a standard pit barrel grill should last you between 3 and 5 years.

Do You Need to Season a New Charcoal Barrel Grill?

Yes, it helps to season your grill, whether it uses gas, electric, or charcoal. Applying a layer of oil and exposing it to heat creates a thin protective barrier that prevents rusting and a sticky surface during your first use.