Choosing the Best Electric BBQ
BBQs have changed considerably over the years; no longer do you need to anxiously wait for your charcoal to warm while standing in the drizzle of British summertime. While gas-powered models simplified the process, the recent advent of electric BBQs has changed the game, allowing for simple, portable, cheap and environmentally friendly indoor and outdoor cooking.
If you’ve been painstakingly trying to discover the best electric BBQ for you, look no further, as this blog will delve into everything you need to know, including the very best brands and models. Once you’ve found the one for you, explore our range of outdoor kitchen options and revolutionise your culinary expertise with alfresco dining all year round, especially when paired with our range of pergolas.
Find out what we can do for your outside space by exploring our online showroom, or visit in person in Staffordshire, for face-to-face advice from one of our experts.
A new electric BBQ would perfectly slot into your new outdoor kitchen, making your home a hub for summer parties, get-togethers and special occasions. If you’re looking for the best electric BBQ on the market, stick with us as we’re about to do a run-down of the very best models available and share other gems of priceless information.
What is the best electric BBQ?
As like with most kitchen and electrical appliances, the very ‘best’ version of a certain product will depend greatly on how someone chooses to use the product. For example, someone looking for a compact BBQ that can fit on a balcony will shop far differently from a budding chef who wants a large grill space that they can regularly use. Explore our take on the best electric BBQs for every kind of customer below.
Kenyon Floridian Electric Grill
Compact, portable and extremely easy to operate, Kenyon’s Floridian Electric Grill simplifies barbecuing. Made with stylish stainless steel, Kenyon’s range of grills were originally designed for use of yachts, so they’re perfectly lightweight and portable, making them ideal for weekends away. Or, use them at home for a near-smokeless grilling experience which makes them excellent for indoor or outdoor use.
Best for: Portable, lightweight grilling on the go.
Char-Broil Smart-E electric barbecue
If you’re looking for an electric BBQ that replicates the size and efficiency of a large gas or charcoal BBQ, then the exemplary Char-Broil Smart-E electric barbecue will be for you. Reaching high temperatures thanks to its TRU-Infrared Technology that efficiently distributes heat, Char-Broil’s unit would become pride of place in any family garden over summer. If you want to entertain guests in a sociable space, there is no better BBQ up to the task.
Best for: BBQ dads who want to cater summer parties.
Weber Pulse 1000
If effortless grilling is your priority, let us introduce you to the Weber Pulse 1000. Perfectly compact, the Weber can fit on any patio or balcony and allows for efficient cooking with cast-iron cooking grates that are ideal for heat retention. But, this BBQ stands out because of its LED display that allows for accurate temperature control, with the unit even including a iGrill 3 app-controlled thermometer, allowing you to monitor the temperature of your BBQ from the comfort of your sofa.
Best for: Tech-savvy, stress-free cooking.
George Foreman Indoor Outdoor BBQ Grill
The George Foreman range of grills and BBQs have long been known for their quality, with the Indoor Outdoor BBQ Grill being no different. A unique design, the BBQ can be used on its slender stand and it can be removed for handy countertop cooking. Simple to use, the BBQ can be used indoor or outdoor for quality, cost-effective cooking.
Best for: Space-saving patio or balcony cooking.
Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker
The Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker is a best-seller in the UK for a reason. A versatile BBQ that can do pretty much anything you set your mind to, the Ninja unit can grill, smoke and even air fry food thanks to its ingeniously compact build. It’s also ideal for recreating that classic smoky taste, with the BBQ having an integrated smoker box.
Best for: Versatile cooking and authentic smoky flavours.
Why are electric BBQs so great?
While many people still opt for charcoal and gas BBQs, others have already begun to enjoy the countless benefits of cutting-edge electric BBQs. While they are typically smaller and lack the smoky flavour of their rivals, the benefits of electric BBQs certainly outweigh the negatives. Just some of the benefits of electric BBQs include:
Convenience: Simple to set up and use, at the literal touch of a button you could be warming up your grill, saving you the hassle of charcoal or gas canisters. Heating up very quickly with precise temperature controls, electric BBQs are efficient kitchen titans and are even easily portable too, making them the ideal starting point to sculpt your dream patio space.
Ease of maintenance: Everyone knows the feeling of lifting the hood of a BBQ only to find out it’s still dusty with the residue of your last alfresco experience. Electric BBQs don’t need charcoal and therefore are far easier to maintain and clean after an afternoon of grilling. With added features like non-stick surfaces, electric BBQs are ideal if you want to leave no trace.
Environmentally friendly: According to the University of Sheffield, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that an average UK BBQ releases on a standard summer day equates to that of a 80-mile car journey.
A more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option than gas or charcoal, electric BBQs produce no smoke and are, therefore, a better choice for the environment. Owning an electric BBQ also means not having to purchase gas canisters, bags of charcoal, fire lighters or any other necessary extras that are needed for alternative grilling methods, saving you money in the process.
How to maintain your electric BBQ
Maintaining an electric BBQ is far easier and quicker than removing the charcoal dust and food residue from a gas or traditional grill. The key to maintaining an electric BBQ and securing its longevity is to resist the temptation to leave the cleaning of it ‘until the morning’. Using a damp cloth across the surface of the grill shortly after its use will mean it’s easier to clean for you and it will also reduce the likelihood of long-term stubborn stains, marks and imperfections.
For pesky chunks of burnt food that won’t be shifted with a cloth, try using a specialised grill brush tool that will remove debris while protecting the surface of the appliance. After this, remove and clean any drip trays so that they’re clean for the next use. Once you’ve finished cooking and cleaning, store the BBQ in a cool, dry place to prevent the risk of rust.
Gas or electric BBQ?
If you’re choosing to opt for an electric BBQ it’s likely that you don’t want to deal with the hassle and complexity of a charcoal alternative. But, what about a gas BBQ that also doesn’t come with the same inconvenience? Just like electric BBQs, they are easy to use and heat up in mere minutes thanks to their temperature control settings.
With less clean-up compared to conventional BBQs to go along with their efficiency, gas grills share several benefits with electric versions. Exactly which you opt to go for is totally dependent on what kind of chef you want to be, with gas BBQs typically offering more space for grilling, even if this means regularly adding large gas canisters to your shopping list.
Pair the best electric BBQ with our perfect kitchens
Found out whether electric BBQs are for you? Great! Now it’s time to make it the pride of your garden by setting one within one of our exemplary outdoor kitchens or living areas.
Create the perfect outdoor kitchen to host summer parties or romantic meals under the stars, or place your new BBQ within our glass verandas at Open Space Concepts to create a sociable and practical garden area that you can enjoy throughout the entire year.
Make an inquiry now by simply getting in touch through our online contact form or by giving us a call directly on 0808 168 0043.
FAQs
How to use an electric BBQ
An electric BBQ works and operates just like a gas BBQ, except that the cooking is achieved through the use of a heating mechanism. Easy, convenient and efficient to use, electric BBQs require access to an electrical outlet to use, with some even being able to be used indoors thanks to their lack of smoke, making them ideal for small houses and flats.
Once the BBQ has been turned on and has rapidly warmed, food can be placed on the grill as you would do with a traditional BBQ. Temperature can be easily controlled and adjusted, and then, once you’re done cooking and the appliance has cooled, cleaning it is easy too.
How to get the smoky flavour with an electric BBQ
One of the biggest complaints some people have about electric BBQs is the fact that, since no charcoal is used and no flames are produced, the smoky flavour of traditional barbecue cooking is lost. Yet, with just a touch of ingenuity, this problem can be solved.
The most efficient and effective way of doing this is by burning soaked wood chips in a smoker box while cooking the rest of your food on the grill. This produces the same smoke that traditionally makes your food taste so great, replicating the process for a fraction of the price and effort. For those looking for an even simpler alternative, liquid smoke can be added to a marinade to give the same flavour.
