The BBQ – which is currently on sale – looks great and is the perfect size for hosting friends and family this summer
With al fresco dining now firmly on the agenda in the UK, a BBQ is often the preferred choice for many. My old BBQ had seen better days, having been dug out year after year – and I’m ashamed to admit – often left to fend for itself against the elements during the winter months.
The high street is awash with grills for various budgets, but there are a few things to consider before parting with the cash. Firstly, there’s the size – we like to host so I knew we needed something that could cater for multiple people at once.
Secondly, I wanted something that looked smart, so I didn’t dread seeing it when I looked outside. Thirdly – and arguably most importantly – as a foodie, I wanted a BBQ that cooked perfectly, adding chargrilled flavour but without burning my burgers and sausages to a crisp.
As someone who’s partial to a cheeseburger but also has little clue when it comes to cooking on a grill, I thought I’d put the Vonhaus Charcoal BBQ to the test – with a little support from my sous chef, AKA my fiancé, of course.
At the time of writing, the cooker is on sale at Amazon for £131.99, down from £199.99. This represents a generous saving of 34%.
The BBQ boasts a number of standout features, including a 2-in-1 grill and smoker. The premium cast iron grill has been specially designed for even heat distribution and superior heat retention, helping it to lock in flavour and achieve those all-impressive sear marks.
Those who have been assigned the task of designated chef will also benefit from the external temperature gauge that helps to monitor cooking without lifting the lid. Once I received the BBQ, I was excited to get started. This is where I will issue a word of caution – putting it together does take time.
My fiance – who is generally very adept at DIY – did this alone, with my moral support, I might add. I should say it’s really a two-person job, which would usually speed up the process; for one person, it took around an hour and a half. The quality of the BBQ is something that became very clear during the build, as it’s really solid and looks impressive.
Amazon reviewers seemed to agree, with one urging buyers to ‘take your time’ when assembling, while another said it ‘takes a while to construct, but it’s not difficult.’ A third commented as part of a lengthy five-star review that while the gadget is ‘excellent’, users should ‘allow two hours to build.’
While removing the stickers and putting the cooker together wasn’t the doddle we’d hoped it might be, when we lit the BBQ it soon became clear it was worth the effort. Firstly, the functionality is great – it holds a flame well, and the coal temperature gauge is also really handy.
What’s more, the BBQ looks impressive and says to guests that hosting is taken seriously at this house – so much so that everyone who’s seen it has complimented the aesthetically pleasing design.
Elsewhere, those seeking something a little more compact in height may wish to check out Argos’ Drum Charcoal BBQ With Cover & Utensils for £55. According to the high street retailer, it’s perfect for cooking for around 10 people.
Families with a little more budget may wish to check out the Shark Ninja FlexFlame Gas BBQ & Outdoor Cooking System – Blue & Gold PG301UKBL, which promises five ways to cook: grill, smoke, roast, and flat plate griddle. Now £699.99 on sale, it was previously priced at £999.99.
Back to Amazon and the Vonhaus BBQ, and one massive plus of the design is that it’s perfect for gatherings. Those planning to host family and friends this summer are in luck, because the gadget has utensil hooks, fold-out side shelves, and a lower shelf that all make serving a breeze.
Of course, the real test is in the food, which genuinely might just be up there with some of the best BBQ’d meats I’ve had. We cooked sausages, burgers and beef skewers, and they all remained juicy without going dry.
The tasty BBQ flavour was very much there, yet more subtle than others I’ve had, allowing us to actually taste the meat rather than just the chargrill. It’s no surprise to me that the BBQ has received an overall review score of 4.4 stars out of five on Amazon from almost 750 reviews.
One summary I’m inclined to agree with is this, from one of the online marketplace’s shoppers, who said: “Looks good. A great size Barbecue which I can easily recommend for a large family too.
“Great performance. I love that the height is adjustable for the coal tray and the side trays, which can fold down after use. Cooked my food extremely well.”
Meanwhile, my fiancé also concurs that the gadget makes it a ‘dream to cook’ as another buyer put it. Overall, whilst the initial set-up is time-consuming, it only needs to be done once, and the results are well worth it – we both agreed it looks far more expensive than its £132 price tag too.
