The best mini kettle barbecues, compared.
Top pick: House of Home kettle Best value: House of Home kettle – Best value in this set: about £33.99 with 4.6 from 106 reviews and a 1,520 cm² grate claim. A wheel bolt and a lid handle are the repeated faults. Updated 23.10.2026.
A mini kettle barbecue is a round charcoal bowl with a lid, about 37 to 47 cm across. In the UK you use one on a small patio or in the boot of a car, when a full-size family kettle will not fit. A folding grill is a different product. You tell a suitable mini kettle barbecue by the diameter, the vents, and whether the listing matches the lid. About 37 to 38 cm is tabletop class. About 43 cm, often listed as 17 inch, is the usual wheeled ball. 47 cm is the larger bowl in this band. A field that prints 47 square centimetres on a 47 cm bowl is not the cooking area. The bowl vent has to move while the coals are hot, and an ash pan has to stay attached. Charcoal stays outdoors, not on a balcony, in a tent or in a caravan. A lease can be stricter than smoke-control rules. Diameter, vents and a bad spec field are set out in the [mini kettle barbecue buying guide](/hub/grills-and-barbecues/mini-kettle-barbecue/sub/mini-kettle-barbecue-buying-guide).
A mini kettle barbecue is a round charcoal bowl with a lid, about 37 to 47 cm across. In the UK you use one on a small patio or in the boot of a car, when a full-size family kettle will not fit.
26 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +21,400 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What are you cooking on?
The House of Home kettle, model RBQ2201, is about £33.99 on the saved amazon.co.uk page, with 4.6 from 106 reviews. The width is listed as 47 cm and the stated cooking area is 1,520 cm², which is about a 44 cm circle. The 75 cm in the title is a cook-height claim. The overall height on the listing is 91.5 cm, and the weight is 6.45 kg. The finish field says porcelain-enamelled. From 46 UK review bodies, it is called large enough for about four people, light and easy to clean, and several people call assembly easy. The same file includes a lid handle that broke on first use, a wheel bolt that did not match the nut, missing screws, and assembly that needed too many hands. The listing does not state a lid thermometer, an ash catcher or a cover. The score of 84 is the star line plus the review count, not a timed cook. It is the best value when you want this enamelled kettle around that price and you can spare a screw or a wheel bolt.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a tall enamelled kettle around this price, with a 1,520 cm² grate claim, and you can spare a screw or a wheel bolt.
Less suitable: You need the wheels to lock as supplied, or a lid handle that reviewers have not already broken.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this listing include a lid thermometer?
The saved listing does not state a lid thermometer. Treat that as unknown, not as a no.
What size is recorded for this kettle?
Width is listed as 47 cm. The stated cooking area is 1,520 cm², about a 44 cm circle. The 75 cm in the title is cook height. Listed dimensions are 53 × 47 × 91.5 cm.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
From 46 UK review bodies, it is called large enough for about four people and easy to clean. One lid handle broke on first use, and a wheel bolt did not match the nut.
The Weber Compact kettle 47 cm, model 1502054, is about £49.49 on the saved amazon.co.uk page, with 4.5 from 377 reviews. The title states 47 cm. The dimension lines disagree, at 54 × 47 × 88 cm and 52 × 52 × 25 cm, and the cooking-area field says 47 square centimetres, which is not a grate. The material field says Plastic, which does not match the enamelled-steel comments. From 35 UK review bodies, the bowl is described as thick enamelled steel that cooks meat, fish and vegetarian food, and the size is called right for about four people or a small family. Wheels and a lower ash pit are mentioned as practical. Assembly is called fiddly, with picture-only instructions and some nuts missing, and some screw fittings are called flimsy. Several reviews say the listing promised a lid thermometer and the lid has none. One review calls it a 57 cm kettle, which does not match the title. The score of 88 is the star line plus the review count, not a timed cook. It is the top pick when you want this wheeled 47 cm Compact and you are not buying it for a gauge.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want the titled 47 cm Weber Compact with wheels, and you do not need the lid thermometer reviewers say is missing.
Less suitable: You are buying it because a description promised a built-in thermometer.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this listing include a lid thermometer?
Not in the Amazon special-features line. Several UK reviews say the description promised a built-in thermometer and the lid does not have one.
What size is recorded for this kettle?
The title says 47 cm, model 1502054. Dimension lines disagree: 54 × 47 × 88 cm and 52 × 52 × 25 cm. The cooking-area field says 47 square centimetres, which is not a grate.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
From 35 UK review bodies, the bowl is called thick enamelled steel and the size right for about four people. Assembly is called fiddly, with missing nuts and flimsy screw fittings.
The Weber Original kettle 47 cm, model 1502192, is about £111.24 on the saved amazon.co.uk page, with 4.5 from 65 reviews. The title states 47 cm. The feature line and the bullets include a lid thermometer, adjustable lid and bowl dampers, a removable ash catcher, and a stand with wheels. A bullet says 1,548 cm². The attribute field says 47 square centimetres, which is not that grate. Dimension lines disagree, at 58.5 × 47 × 91 cm and 51.7 × 51.7 × 37.1 cm. Listed weight is 8.94 kg. The material field says Plastic. From five UK review bodies, it is called easy to assemble, stable, and Weber quality, and cleaning is called straightforward. One reviewer says the grate feeds four to five people. Another says it runs out of room after two. One reviewer says heat is hard to manage because access is awkward. The score of 81 is the star line plus the review count, not a timed cook. It is the 47 cm row whose listing actually states the gauge.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want the titled Weber Original 47 cm whose feature line and bullets include a lid thermometer.
Less suitable: You regularly cook for more than a small group, or you need the grate to be the attribute field rather than the bullet.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this listing include a lid thermometer?
Yes. The feature line says built-in thermometer, and the bullets repeat a lid thermometer.
What size is recorded for this kettle?
The title says 47 cm, model 1502192. A bullet says 1,548 cm². The attribute field says 47 square centimetres. Dimension lines disagree.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
From five UK review bodies, it is called easy to assemble and stable. The same short set disagrees on how many people the grate feeds, and one reviewer finds the heat awkward to manage.
The HOMION 43 cm kettle, model PHM0908, is about £28.99 on the saved amazon.co.uk page, with 4.1 from 150 reviews. The title states 43.5 cm. Listed dimensions are 47.5 × 43.5 × 75 cm, and the weight is 3.5 kg. No cooking area is stated. Bullets include a round bowl and lid, wheels, a removable ashtray, and a cover. From 49 UK review bodies, assembly is called easy by many people, and the size is called right for two or a small family. The same reviews call it flimsy, very light and easy to knock over, and several people do not expect a second season. Missing parts and instructions that do not match the hardware come up. One UK review says the bottom vent is inside the drum and only opens when the bowl is cold. The ash tray is said to drop off, and one grate cracked on a first wash. The listing does not state a lid thermometer. The score of 78 is the star line plus the review count, not a timed cook. It is the widely reviewed 43 cm trolley if you will keep a cover on it.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want the cheapest widely reviewed 43 cm ball grill in this set, and you will keep a cover on it.
Less suitable: You want a bowl that reviewers expect to last, or a vent you can move during the cook.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this listing include a lid thermometer?
The saved listing does not state a lid thermometer. Treat that as unknown, not as a no.
What size is recorded for this kettle?
The title says 43.5 cm. Listed dimensions are 47.5 × 43.5 × 75 cm. No cooking area is stated. Listed weight is 3.5 kg.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
From 49 UK review bodies, assembly is often called easy and the cover is noted. It is also called flimsy and easy to knock over, and the ash tray is said to drop off.
The PREMZO 43 cm kettle, model PPM0267, is about £28.80 on the saved amazon.co.uk page, with 4.1 from 19 reviews. The title is about 43 cm, and the bowl width is listed as 43.5 cm. Listed dimensions are 47.5 × 43.5 × 75 cm, and the weight is 5 kg. No cooking area is stated. Bullets include a lid, an adjustable air vent, an ash pan, wheels, side handles and a protective cover. They do not mention a lid thermometer. From five UK review bodies, assembly is called easy, including by someone who is not a DIYer, and it is called good value and portable. Those five reviews are one line long. They do not name a fault, and nobody describes a cook, the vent, or how the bowl lasts. The score of 69 is the star line plus the review count, not a timed cook. Nineteen ratings are below the line for a badge.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a covered 43 cm charcoal kettle with tools in the box, and you can accept only 19 ratings.
Less suitable: You need UK review detail on durability, or a lid thermometer the listing does not mention.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this listing include a lid thermometer?
The saved listing does not state a lid thermometer. Treat that as unknown, not as a no.
What size is recorded for this kettle?
The title says about 43 cm, and the bowl width is listed as 43.5 cm. Listed dimensions are 47.5 × 43.5 × 75 cm. No cooking area is stated.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
From five UK review bodies, assembly is called easy and the price is called fair. The reviews are one line long and do not describe a cook or a fault.
The GOODS+GADGETS 38 cm kettle is about £34.11 on the saved amazon.co.uk page, with 3.7 from 90 reviews. The title states 38 cm, and the listed dimensions are 38 × 38 × 40 cm. Bullets describe a mini kettle shape, an adjustable stainless steel air valve, a removable ash tray and screw-on legs. They do not describe wheels, a cover or a lid thermometer. Weight is not stated. The model number 45654654 is not a credible model code. The material field says stainless steel, while a bullet says enamelled steel. Forty review blocks are in the saved listing and none is marked Reviewed in the United Kingdom, so they are not used as UK opinion. The score of 71 is the star line plus the review count, not a timed cook, and the row is not eligible for a badge. It is a 38 cm tabletop listing you would have to judge in person.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a 38 cm tabletop kettle and you will judge it in person, because this file has no UK review text.
Less suitable: You want UK review evidence, a stated weight, or a wheeled trolley.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this listing include a lid thermometer?
The saved listing does not state a lid thermometer. Treat that as unknown, not as a no.
What size is recorded for this kettle?
The title says 38 cm. Listed dimensions are 38 × 38 × 40 cm. No cooking area and no weight are stated.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
Nothing from this file. Forty review blocks are present and none is marked Reviewed in the United Kingdom, so they are not used as UK opinion.
The FINE GARDEN 17 inch kettle is about £27.99 on the saved amazon.co.uk page, with 3.5 from 23 reviews. Seventeen inches is about 43 cm, and the footprint is listed as 45 cm. Listed dimensions are 45 × 45 × 100 cm. The cooking-area field says 1,600 cm², and the weight is 4.5 kg. The feature line includes an adjustable vent, an ash catcher and a lid-mounted temperature gauge. Reviews do not confirm the gauge. From nine UK review bodies, one person calls it a nice barbecue for the price, and one household used it for four people and said more people would need a bigger grill. The faults are an absent instruction leaflet, a flimsy build, a crooked handle, missing screws, wobbly wheels, an ash filter said not to work, a smashed box and a lid handle that arrived broken. The score of 62 is the star line plus the review count, not a timed cook. Twenty-three ratings are below the line for a badge. It only fits if that price matters more than the fault list.
Pros
Cons
Best for: The £27.99 price matters more to you than the 3.5 score from 23 ratings and the fault list.
Less suitable: You want instructions in the box, or a catcher and wheels that reviewers say work.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this listing include a lid thermometer?
A lid-mounted temperature gauge is in the feature line. The UK reviews in the file do not confirm it.
What size is recorded for this kettle?
The title says 17 inch, about 43 cm, with a 45 cm footprint. Listed dimensions are 45 × 45 × 100 cm. The cooking-area field says 1,600 cm².
What do the UK reviews repeat?
From nine UK review bodies, one household used it for four people. Others report no instructions, a flimsy build, wobbly wheels and an ash filter that does not work.
Scores on the seven amazon.co.uk mini kettle barbecues kept in this set come from the listing star line and the review count. They are not a laboratory cook. A badge needs at least 50 ratings and at least five UK review bodies. The top pick is the highest score among those rows. The best value is the highest score among eligible kettles cheaper than the top pick. A cooking-area field that copies the diameter is ignored. A review can describe a missing gauge or a loose tray. It does not fill a blank specification. The weights below sum to 100.
Diameter
25%About 37 to 38 cm is tabletop class. About 43 cm is the budget wheeled ball. 47 cm is the larger bowl in this band. A height in the title is not the bowl diameter.
Lid and vents
20%A lid, a bowl vent that moves while the metal is hot, and a lid vent. Shutting both vents during the cook is the wrong control. A gauge reads kettle air, not the meat.
Build
20%Weight, a stated enamel finish, wheels or legs, and UK reviews about trays, handles and screws. A lighter trolley draws more complaints about flex.
Honest spec
20%The grate line has to be an area, not the diameter copied into square centimetres. A lid thermometer counts only when the feature line and the lid agree.
Reviews and price
15%The amazon.co.uk star line, then the review count, then the shelf price in GBP. A handful of ratings does not outrank a large sample. Maker shop prices are not averaged in.
Choose by diameter, vents, and a spec line that matches the lid. A high star line does not make a balcony legal, and it does not turn 47 square centimetres into a grate. Prices are the amazon.co.uk lines saved with this comparison. There is no laboratory cook.
A mini kettle barbecue is a round charcoal bowl with a lid, about 37 to 47 cm across. It is not a 57 cm family kettle, and it is not a folding grill. On a UK patio or in a car boot it feeds roughly two to six people, depending on the diameter. A flat with only a balcony should not use charcoal. That limit, including tents and caravans, is on the [charcoal balcony and tent page](/hub/grills-and-barbecues/mini-kettle-barbecue/sub/mini-kettle-barbecue-balcony). Start with diameter.
A 47 cm bowl is not a 47 cm² grate. A circle of that diameter is on the order of 1,500 cm². Use a bullet that states an area, and ignore an attribute that has copied the diameter.
Fire England says never on a balcony. The NHS rules out tents. An extinguished barbecue can keep producing carbon monoxide for hours. A lease can be stricter than smoke-control rules.
A lid gauge counts only when the feature line and the lid agree. One 47 cm listing in this set states one. Another is disputed by UK reviews. If the listing is silent, treat the gauge as unknown.
About 37 to 38 cm is for carrying. About 43 cm is the budget wheeled ball. 47 cm is the larger bowl in this band, and 57 cm is a different category. The bowl vent feeds the coals and has to move while the metal is hot. The lid vent lets heat out. Open both to light, then make small lid-vent changes a few minutes apart. Do not shut both during the cook. A gauge in the lid reads kettle air, not the meat. An ash pan has to stay attached.
A cooking-area field that repeats the diameter in square centimetres is not the grate. A lid thermometer counts only when the lid you unpack has one. Weight, enamel, wheels and UK comments on handles and screws separate a bowl around 9 kg from one around 3.5 kg. A cover counts only when the bullets include it. Price is the amazon.co.uk line. A maker shop price for the same model is a separate figure, and the two are not averaged. The score is stars plus review count, not a timed cook.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want a 47 cm wheeled kettle for a small patio and about four people, and you are not buying it for a lid gauge. The Weber Compact kettle 47 cm is about £49.49, with 4.5 from 377 reviews. Skip it if a thermometer was the reason for the listing.
You want a lighter enamelled kettle and you can spare a wheel bolt or a screw. The House of Home kettle is about £33.99, with 4.6 from 106 reviews and a stated grate of 1,520 cm². Skip it if the wheels must lock as supplied.
You want a 47 cm Weber whose feature line and bullets include a lid thermometer. The Weber Original kettle 47 cm is about £111.24, with 4.5 from 65 reviews. Skip it if you regularly cook for more than a small group.
In this set the top pick is the Weber Compact kettle 47 cm at about £49.49. It is model 1502054, with 4.5 from 377 amazon.co.uk reviews and a score of 88 from that star line plus the review count. UK reviews call the enamelled bowl right for about four people. Assembly is often fiddly, and several reviewers say a promised lid thermometer is not on the lid. The best value is the House of Home kettle at about £33.99, with 4.6 from 106 reviews, a listed width of 47 cm and a stated grate of 1,520 cm². One lid handle broke on first use, and a wheel bolt did not match the nut. The Weber Original kettle 47 cm is about £111.24 and is the row whose bullets include a lid thermometer and a 1,548 cm² grate. Weber’s own UK pages list £94.99 for Compact 1502054 and £124.99 for Original 1502192. Those shop prices are not the amazon.co.uk lines in this table. HOMION is the widely reviewed 43.5 cm trolley at about £28.99, and reviewers call it light. GOODS+GADGETS is the 38 cm tabletop, with no UK review text in the file. PREMZO has 19 ratings and five one-line UK reviews. FINE GARDEN is about £27.99 with 3.5 from 23 reviews and a long fault list.
House of Home kettle
Best value in this set: about £33.99 with 4.6 from 106 reviews and a 1,520 cm² grate claim. A wheel bolt and a lid handle are the repeated faults.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources on carbon monoxide, smoke control, outdoor fire safety and solid-fuel barbecue construction, plus Weber UK pages for the 47 cm Compact and Original and for charcoal temperature. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk lines saved with this comparison. Scores are not a laboratory cook. Retrieved 23 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing lines. We did not run a lab test.
