The Best Barbecues for Small Outdoor Spaces
We’re in the midst of National BBQ Week but just because you live in a flat or have a tiny backyard, this doesn’t mean you have to miss out, especially as the weather seems to be playing ball this year. As soon as the sun emerges, many folk head down to their local supermarket to pick up a disposable BBQ set, but is this really the best option? Here are some things you might want to consider before lighting up the coals.
Avoid Disposable Barbecues
They may be cheap, they may be easy to light and they may just about do the job, but there are many reasons why you shouldn’t go down the disposable barbecue route. For starters, cooking with them outside can be extremely hazardous. We’ve all walked through our local park the morning after an incredibly hot day and seen the scorch marks on the grass (along with the abandoned burnt out barbecues). Well these disposable kits have been known to cause even more damage, catching light to dried out vegetation and starting blazes. And talking of those abandoned BBQs, like anything that can’t be recycled, they add to the waste (already plentiful in hot weather) and are not particularly friendly to the environment. But this lack of eco-friendliness has another dimension – the charcoal used in most of these barbecues is often a very cheap variety that is not ethically sourced, whereas if you are buying your own barbecue of the non-disposable variety, then you have the choice of purchasing FSG-certified charcoal that is made from sustainable UK hardwood. So disposable BBQs a definite no-no then.
Portable Barbecues
So where do you go from here? Well, they may be much more expensive in the short term, but investing in a good quality portable barbecue is a sensible option. When using our Argos voucher codes, these can be priced at as little as £19.99 (for their Charcoal Portable Round BBQ) and crucially are raised off the ground so as to avoid the worst problems associated with disposable varieties. If you’re looking to spend a bit more money on one that will go the distance for many a summer to come, top barbecue brand Weber do a number of models in their ‘Go Anywhere’ range that come with fold-away stands and reinforced handles (priced from £77.99), or if you want to go back to basics without actually lighting a fire yourself, then there’s the Fallen Fruits BBQ Small Bucket (£10.99 from Argos), that is, yes, pretty much a bucket that’s been helpfully converted into a working barbecue for you and it’s as portable as, well, carrying a bucket. So very portable then. The main advantage of opting for a portable BBQ is that you can take it to the park as well as use it on your balcony, but read on if you fancier a sturdier option for home use only.
Small But Beautiful Barbecues
Not everyone hankers after a mammoth 4-burner gar barbecue complete with accessories because, quite frankly, in this day and age most people don’t have the room for one (and some would argue gas barbecues aren’t real barbecues anyway). But if you want a permanent BBQ addition to your small outdoor area, you are still well catered for by barbecue manufacturers. The previously mentioned Weber make their classic Kettle design in a smaller size starting from 47cm in diameter (currently reduced to £89.99 at Argos), or there are cheaper similar-sized options from the same retailer starting from just £22.99. If you do prefer the convenience of a gas burner, you could also go for a Char-Broil Patio Bistro 180 Gas BBQ (£159.99 from Argos), that is basically a mini-oven/grill that you can use in the smallest of small outdoor spaces.
So seeing as the rain is currently holding off this National BBQ Week, why not invest in a small but beautiful barbecue with My Favourite Voucher Codes that will see your through to the end of summer? And if you need any ideas for meat recipes and accompaniments, keep an eye out for future recipes on our blog and check out our salad post for some feta cheese-themed favourites.
By Anna Scott, 31st May 2017