The best round barbecues, compared.
Top pick: House of Home 45 cm kettle Best value: House of Home 45 cm kettle – Best value in this set: about £33.99 with 4.6 from 106 reviews, a 45 cm grate, two vents and an ash catcher. Check the wheel bolts. No cover is in the bullets. Updated 23.10.2026.
A round barbecue is a charcoal cooker with a circular bowl. The useful ones add a domed lid and vents, so you can sear with the lid up and also cook with the lid down. In the UK you buy one for a garden, a patio or a campsite. A gas trolley, a flat griddle and an open bucket are different tools. You tell a suitable round barbecue by the diameter, the lid and whether you can move the vents while the coals are hot. A stand kettle from the mid-40 cm range to the high 50 cm range is the usual family grate. A tabletop near 37 cm suits two to four people. Read the bullet grate area, not a square-centimetre field smaller than the bowl. Wheels or a carry lock, and an ash pan you can empty, matter more than a nylon line when the bullets say enamel. Charcoal stays outdoors: not in a tent, under an awning, in a caravan or on a balcony. Diameter, vents and ash are set out in the [round barbecue buying guide](/hub/grills-and-barbecues/round-barbecue/sub/round-barbecue-buying-guide).
A round barbecue is a charcoal cooker with a circular bowl. The useful ones add a domed lid and vents, so you can sear with the lid up and also cook with the lid down.
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What are you cooking?
House of Home is £33.99 with 4.6 from 106 reviews, the highest star line in this set. Bullets give a 45 cm chrome grate, 1,520 cm², an enamel firebowl, a rolling-edge lid, an ash catcher, two wheels, and 53 x 47 x 91.5 cm with a 75 cm cook height. The highlight says two airflow vents. Weight is 6.45 kg. Warranty line is 12 months. UK reviews often say it feeds about four to six people and is easy to clean. One wheel bolt did not fit. Capacity comments also say two to three, or up to ten. A cover is not in the bullets. The highlight mentions balcony cooking and gives no warning.
Pros
Cons
Best for: An occasional 45 cm kettle at £33.99 if you will check the wheel bolts and buy a cover for winter.
Less suitable: A balcony, which the highlight names and does not warn about, or a cooker you will leave bare outside.
Specifications
Common questions
Does House of Home include a weather cover?
The bullets do not say so. The included-components line says Carry Case. One UK review plans to buy a cover before leaving it out for winter.
What size is the House of Home grate?
The bullets say a 45 cm chrome-plated grid, 1,520 cm², overall 53 x 47 x 91.5 cm, and a 75 cm cooking height.
Did reviews mention the wheels?
Yes. One buyer could not match the wheel bolt to the nut. Another found it light enough to lift without using the wheels.
The Smokey Joe Premium is £84.99 with 4.5 from 1,394 reviews, the largest count in this set. Bullets describe a 37 cm porcelain-enamelled lid and bowl, an adjustable damper, and a Tuck-N-Carry lid that locks for carrying and lowers as a lid holder. Colour is smoke grey. The spec line says aluminium and 4.31 kg, and a heating line says 39.8 watts. Assembly is listed as not required, though some reviews talk about building it. UK reviews fit it to two to four people and camping. Enamel flakes at the handle in more than one review, and one base arrived dented. The warranty line says 10 years limited. No cover is stated.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Two to four people when you want a lidded Weber you can carry, and you accept enamel chips as a known review theme.
Less suitable: A family cook on one grate, or a balcony plan. The listing asks about a balcony and does not say yes.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Smokey Joe listing include a cover?
The listing asks whether a cover is included. The bullets do not list one. They list the 37 cm cooker in smoke grey.
Does the listing say it can be used on a balcony?
The listing asks the question. The bullets do not answer it. They do say you can close the damper fully to cut oxygen and extinguish the coals.
What do UK reviews say about the enamel?
Some describe a previous Smokey Joe lasting many years. Others report enamel flaking at the handle, and one reports a badly dented base in intact packaging.
The Weber Compact 57 cm listing is £99.99 with 4.5 from 378 amazon.co.uk reviews. Bullets describe a porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid, a plated-steel grate of 2,342 cm², lid and bowl dampers, wheels, a wire shelf, an ash catcher and a lid hook, and they say it cooks for six to eight people. The spec fields disagree: nylon, 57 square centimetres, 3.77 kg, and a second dimension line of 61 x 61 x 24.8 cm. UK reviews praise the enamel and the ash pan. They also call assembly fiddly, and one says a promised thermometer was missing. The review text overlaps the Compact 47 cm file. A cover is not in the bullets. The warranty line only says 2.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A garden kettle when you want the 57 cm grate stated in this listing and will trust the bullets over the nylon and 57 cm² fields.
Less suitable: A cooker you need a lid thermometer to be listed for, or a covered kettle straight out of the box.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Weber Compact 57 cm listing include a lid thermometer?
The bullets do not mention one. They do mention adjustable lid and bowl dampers. A UK review in the saved listing says a description promised a thermometer and the cooker did not have one.
What cooking area does the Compact 57 cm listing state?
The bullets say 2,342 cm² on a plated-steel grate, for six to eight people. A separate spec field says 57 square centimetres. The item-dimensions line is 63 x 57 x 98 cm, and another line is 61 x 61 x 24.8 cm.
Does the Compact 57 cm need assembly?
Yes. The listing says assembly is required. Reviews call it fiddly, and one buyer replaced flimsy screws. There is a bottom wire shelf, an ash catcher and a lid hook.
The Weber Compact 47 cm listing is £49.49 with 4.5 from 377 reviews. Bullets match the Compact pattern: porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid, plated grate of 1,548 cm², dampers, wheels, a shelf, an ash catcher and a lid hook, for four to six people. They do not say One-Touch or a thermometer. Spec fields say plastic and ceramic, and 47 square centimetres, against item dimensions 54 x 47 x 88 cm and another line of 52 x 52 x 25 cm. Listed weight is 9 kg. The review bodies in the file are the same text as the 57 cm Compact file, so praise and the missing-thermometer story cannot be pinned on this size alone.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A 47 cm Weber stand kettle at the lower of the two Weber 47 cm prices here, if you do not need a thermometer in the bullets.
Less suitable: Anyone using the written reviews as proof about this exact 47 cm cooker. The file repeats the 57 cm sample.
Specifications
Common questions
How is the Compact 47 cm different from the Original 47 cm in these listings?
The Compact bullets do not mention a lid thermometer or One-Touch. The Original bullets do. The Compact price in this file is £49.49 and the Original is £111.24. Both state 1,548 cm².
Can the Compact 47 cm reviews be read as only about this model?
No. The saved review text matches the Compact 57 cm file, including a review titled as a 57 cm kettle. The 4.5 from 377 is the listing line for this ASIN.
What do the spec fields say the Compact 47 cm is made of?
Plastic, with a ceramic frame field. The bullets say a porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid and a plated-steel grate. Those lines conflict.
The Weber Original 47 cm is £111.24, listed at 4.5 from 65 reviews. Bullets give a porcelain bowl and lid, a plated-steel grate of 1,548 cm², dampers, a lid thermometer, One-Touch ash cleaning, a lid hook and tool hooks, for four to six people. The title includes a stand and wheels. Spec fields say plastic and 47 square centimetres, and a second size line is 51.7 x 51.7 x 37.1 cm against 58.5 x 47 x 91 cm. Five UK reviews in the file praise assembly and say the grate suits about two to five people, with size as the limit. The warranty line only says 2. No cover is stated.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A 47 cm Weber when you want the thermometer and One-Touch lines that the Compact bullets in this set do not have.
Less suitable: A large gathering, if you take the UK reviews that run out of space beyond a small group.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Original 47 cm listing include a thermometer?
Yes. The bullets say a built-in lid thermometer, and the special-features line says Built-In Thermometer.
What is One-Touch on this listing?
The bullets say the One-Touch system sweeps ash into a removable catcher. They also list a lid hook and tool hooks.
How many UK reviews are in the saved listing?
The listing line is 4.5 from 65. The file has 34 review blocks, and 5 of them are marked United Kingdom.
IRONMAX is a round cast-iron hibachi at £63.53, 4.4 from 83 listing ratings. Bullets say cast iron, a 9.8 inch cooking surface, two grate heights, a coal door, a draft door, a grate lifter, and that it suits two people. The size line is 24.9 x 29 x 15 cm and 5.9 kg. It is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil. No lid is stated. Assembly is listed as not required. Every written review in the file is from the United States. They praise the weight of the iron and say the grate is small. One says the screwed base leaks grease.
Pros
Cons
Best for: One or two steaks on a low cast-iron box, if you accept US review text and a possible grease leak.
Less suitable: Lid-down roasting, a family cook, or a light picnic carry.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the IRONMAX a kettle?
No lid is stated. It is a round cast-iron hibachi with a coal door, a draft door and two grate heights. The brand states it suits two people.
Are the written reviews from the UK?
No. The 43 reviews in the file are marked United States. The star line is still 4.4 from 83 on the amazon.co.uk listing.
What fault do those reviews repeat?
The base is screwed on and can leak grease. Several say the grate holds one or two steaks and is smaller than they expected.
The HOMION ball is £28.99 with 4.1 from 150 reviews. It is a round bowl and lid, about 43.5 cm, 47.5 x 43.5 x 75 cm and 3.5 kg, with a cover, spatula, ash tray, rack, wheels and a lid hook. Material fields say stainless steel. UK reviews split. Some say it is enough for two people and better than the price looks. Others report a vent you can move only when it is cold, a grate that cracked on a first wash, an ash tray that falls off, a sharp rim, broken tongs, and a cooker they do not expect to see a second season.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Two people who want a covered 43.5 cm ball at £28.99 and will inspect the rim and the vent before the first cook.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs to change the airflow while the coals are hot, or who wants a kettle for more than a season.
Specifications
Common questions
Can you adjust the HOMION vent while it is hot?
A UK review says the bottom vent is on the inside of the drum, so it can be opened only when the cooker is cold. The bullets only say a grid influences oxygen and temperature.
What comes in the box?
The listing includes an ash pan, storage rack, wheels, handles, a lid hook, a grill cover, a lid and a spatula.
What do reviews say about how long it lasts?
One UK review says it will not last two seasons. Others call the grate cracked after a first wash, the ash tray easy to knock off, the rim sharp, and the tools broken at once.
PREMZO is a 43 cm round kettle at £28.80, listed at 4.1 from 19 reviews. Bullets include a lid, protective cover, utensils, ash pan, storage rack, wheels, side handles and an adjustable vent. Size is 47.5 x 43.5 x 75 cm and 5 kg. Material fields say stainless steel. Warranty line says No. Only five UK reviews are in the file. They say it is fair for the price and easy to build. That is too few to judge rust, vents or sharpness.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A 43 cm lidded kettle with a cover in the box, if you accept that durability is not shown in five short reviews.
Less suitable: A buyer who wants a deep review record before trusting a £28 kettle.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the PREMZO include a cover?
Yes. The bullets list a protective cover, plus a lid, utensils, an ash pan, a storage rack, wheels and side handles.
How many reviews are in the saved listing?
The listing is 4.1 from 19. The file contains five UK reviews. They praise the price and assembly. None repeats a defect.
What is it made of, according to the listing?
The material, handle and frame fields all say stainless steel. The configuration line says Kettle and Oil Drum.
BSDLZCH is a beige mini round tabletop at £16.23, 4.0 from 213 reviews. Bullets say 11 inches across, 4 inches high and 0.9 kg, in food-grade stainless steel, with a body, charcoal bowl, grate and lifter. The item line says 28 x 28 x 10 cm and 712 g. No lid or vent is described. The components line says Grill Cover. Only three reviews in the file are from the United Kingdom. They like the size and the price. A UK review and an Ireland review say water in the base matters, and one table was burnt. Other reviews call the metal thin and already dented.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A very small outdoor charcoal pan for one or two, if you keep it off bare wood.
Less suitable: Indirect cooking, a family meal, or indoor use. The listing asks about indoors and the bullets do not agree.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the listing say this pan can be used indoors?
The listing asks. The bullets do not say yes. They describe outdoor parties, camping and picnics. The highlight also says balcony.
Why do reviews mention water?
UK and Ireland reviews say to put water in the base. One says skipping that burnt the table and made a lot of smoke.
Which weight is listed?
The item weight is 712 g. A bullet says 0.9 kg. Both are in the saved listing.
There is no separate methodology note for this comparison. Each listing score is the amazon.co.uk star rating times 20. It is not a laboratory cook. The top pick and the best value are the display awards. Those awards also weigh a lid, vents you can move while the coals are hot, a grate area that matches the bullets, and the shelf price in GBP. A review can describe a vent, a bolt or flaking enamel. It does not fill a blank specification. A US-only review file is not British experience. The weights below sum to 100.
Lid and vents
25%A domed lid and vents you can still move while the coals are hot. Air in at the bowl, heat out at the lid. Shutting both, or a vent that sits inside the drum, scores down.
Diameter and grate area
25%The bowl diameter and the bullet grate area should agree. A square-centimetre field smaller than the bowl is ignored. A 37 cm tabletop is not scored as a family grate.
Ash path and thermometer
15%An ash catcher you can empty. A lid thermometer and a One-Touch sweep count only when the bullets state them.
Bowl, grate and the listing
15%Prefer porcelain enamel and a plated grate in the bullets when a spec line says nylon, plastic or ceramic. A cover counts only when the bullets state one. Wheel bolts that do not match score down.
Reviews and price
20%The amazon.co.uk star line, then the review count, then the shelf price in GBP. A handful of reviews does not outrank a larger sample. The best value is the lower-priced kettle that still has a lid, vents and an ash path.
Choose by the lid, the vents, the diameter and an ash path you can empty. A star line does not make a shallow pan into a family kettle. Prices are the amazon.co.uk lines saved with this comparison. There is no laboratory test.
A round barbecue is a charcoal cooker with a circular bowl. Buy the lid and the vents, not a gas trolley and not a flat griddle. Air enters through the bowl vent and leaves through the lid vent. Do not shut both while the food is on. A vent you can reach only when the cooker is cold will not help you turn a cook down. One review of a 43.5 cm ball in this set says the bottom vent sits inside the drum. Diameter comes next.
Compact bullets say a porcelain-enamelled bowl and a plated grate. Spec fields on the same pages say nylon, plastic or ceramic. Prefer the bullets, and treat a second dimension line as unchecked.
A 37 cm tabletop and a shallow pan about 28 cm across are for one to four people in the reviews, not a family cook. A people-count on a listing is a claim.
Not on a balcony, not in a tent, and not indoors. Do not shut both vents and then blame the fuel. Cool the cooker before you move it, and put ash on soil.
A lid and two vents are what make a round bowl a cooker you can close. Air comes in at the bowl and leaves through the lid, and you need to move both while the coals are hot. Shutting both smothers the fire. A vent inside the drum can be opened only when the cooker is cold. Diameter follows. A mid-40 cm to 47 cm bowl is the usual small-family grate when the bullets say about 1,500 cm². A high-50 cm bowl is the larger claim, about 2,300 cm² in the bullets. A 37 cm tabletop is for two to four.
An ash catcher you can empty, a grate that matches the bullets, and a finish that does not flake in a season are the durability checks. Prefer enamel and a plated grate in the bullets over a spec line that says nylon, plastic or ceramic. A thermometer and a One-Touch sweep count only when the bullets state them. A cover counts only when the bullets state one. Wheels need bolts that fit. Stars come from the amazon.co.uk line. A review file marked United States is not British experience.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want a lidded stand kettle for about four to eight people and you will wait for the coals. The Weber Compact Kettle 57 cm is about £99.99, with 4.5 from 378 reviews, and the bullets state 2,342 cm². Trust those bullets over the nylon and 57 cm² fields. Skip it if you need a thermometer to be listed.
You want a lidded kettle for a small group or a campsite, not a family grate. The Weber Smokey Joe Premium 37 cm is about £84.99, with 4.5 from 1,394 reviews, and the lid locks for carrying. UK reviews mention enamel flaking at the handle. It is the wrong size for a crowd.
You will cook now and again and you can replace a kettle if a vent, grate or ash pan fails. The House of Home 45 cm kettle is about £33.99, with 4.6 from 106 reviews, two vents and an ash catcher. Check the wheel bolts. A cover is not in the bullets.
In this set the top pick is the Weber Compact Kettle 57 cm at about £99.99. The bullets describe a porcelain bowl and lid, a plated grate of 2,342 cm², lid and bowl dampers, wheels, a shelf, an ash catcher and a lid hook, and the listing shows 4.5 from 378 amazon.co.uk reviews. Spec fields say nylon, 57 square centimetres and 3.77 kg, so use the bullets for the grate. A cover is not stated, and a thermometer is not in the bullets. The best value is the House of Home 45 cm kettle at about £33.99, with 4.6 from 106 reviews, a 1,520 cm² grate, two vents and an ash catcher. One review could not match the wheel bolt, and a cover is not in the bullets. The Weber Original Kettle 47 cm is the dearest row at about £111.24 and is the listing that states a lid thermometer and One-Touch, from 65 reviews. The Compact 47 cm is about £49.49, and its review text overlaps the 57 cm file. The Smokey Joe Premium is a 37 cm carry kettle at about £84.99 with 4.5 from 1,394 reviews, and UK reviews mention enamel flaking at the handle. PREMZO and HOMION sit near £29 with a cover in the bullets. HOMION reviews say the bottom vent sits inside the drum. IRONMAX is a lidless hibachi at about £63.53, and the written reviews in the file are from the United States. BSDLZCH is the shallow pan at about £16.23, with no lid described, and a review says a table was burnt when water was skipped.
House of Home 45 cm kettle
Best value in this set: about £33.99 with 4.6 from 106 reviews, a 45 cm grate, two vents and an ash catcher. Check the wheel bolts. No cover is in the bullets.
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 for outdoor fire safety, smoke and cooking temperature, plus Weber UK on charcoal vents. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk lines saved with this comparison. 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.
