Topic
Charcoal BBQs
Charcoal kettles are sized by the diameter of the cooking grate. A lid and adjustable vents turn a kettle into an oven for roasting as well as a grill for searing.
- Common kettle sizes
- 47, 57 and 67 cm
- 57 cm grate area
- about 2,550 cm²
A 57 cm kettle is the most common family size; 47 cm suits two or three people and 67 cm suits larger gatherings. The area of a round grate is π x radius², so a few centimetres more diameter adds a lot of space.
Bottom and top vents control the air, and the air controls the heat: open them for a hotter fire, close them down to cool it. An ash catcher that empties easily makes the next cook quicker to start.
Lumpwood charcoal lights faster and burns hotter; briquettes burn more evenly for longer. A chimney starter lights either without lighter fluid.
Guides on this topic
- Lumpwood charcoal or briquettes?Lumpwood charcoal or briquettes compared on burn time, heat, ash and lighting, and which fuel suits a kettle, a kamado or a smoker, with notes on UK lumpwood.Comparison
- How to light a charcoal BBQHow to light a charcoal BBQ with a chimney starter: step by step, how long to wait for ashed-over coals and how to arrange them, all without lighter fluid.How-to
- How much charcoal do you need for a BBQ?How much charcoal you need for a BBQ: a table of amounts by grill diameter and cook type, from quick burgers to a three-hour roast, in chimneys and kg.Guide
Buying guides on this topic
- Best charcoal BBQs for UK gardensSeven lidded charcoal barbecues compared by type, grill size, weight, ash handling and vent control, from 57 cm kettles to barrel and cart grills.Buying guide
- Weber kettle models compared: Original, Master-Touch and PerformerSeven 57 cm Weber kettles compared: Original, Original Premium, Master-Touch, 70th Anniversary and Performer, by grate, ash system, weight and extras.Buying guide