Summer days drifting away

But it has been a season of great new BBQ products and innovations to keep us grilling as the sun goes down. ISABELLE GRAY finds 20 reasons to light those autumn fires

Kamado Joe

This year’s release of the Konnected Big Joe from Kamado Joe sees yet more innovation from its digital charcoal grill range. Blending traditional charcoal cooking with modern smart features and size, it’s the dream BBQ for those who like to host larger outdoor gatherings and get-togethers. Its huge 24-inch ceramic grill offers even more cooking space and is perfect for everything from slow-cooked brisket to sizzling steaks.

The standout feature is its digital integration. An automatic fire starter ignites the charcoal within at the push of a button, while the grill’s internal fan and digital control dial allow for full control and simple temperature management, often a sticking point for newcomers to kamado cooking.

Through the Kamado Joe app, cooks can remotely monitor temperatures, manage meat probes and receive real-time alerts, or switch to manual mode for classic kamado cooking.

Thermapen

Smart grilling is on the rise. From app-controlled charcoal BBQs and multifunction grills, to temperature-control fans and wireless thermometers like the RFX model from Thermapen, technology and fire are blending like never before.

The beauty of these innovations is that they offer new ways to create, control and track alfresco meals, without compromising the tradition or flavour of the craft. Smart temperature tech has ushered in a new era for BBQ. Wireless thermometers and pit sensors enable cooks to track, graph and control both meat and pit progress, offering a level of fire control that’s never been seen before.

And the tech is only getting smarter. New tools like the Thermapen RFX  wireless meat thermometer are being purpose-built to withstand the  challenges of connected grilling. Using radio frequency technology, it delivers seamless monitoring over long distances with no dropouts – a UK first.

Pipers Farm

Pipers Farm has noticed a shift towards larger sharing joints and bold world flavours this summer, bringing people together for shared cooking and eating experiences.

Its grass-fed beef brisket, grass-fed picanha, and butterflied leg of lamb have been popular choices, and are great options for feeding a crowd while  providing an impressive centrepiece for a BBQ spread. For those wanting to explore low and slow cooking, which has also risen in popularity this year, any of these cuts are an excellent choice – be it slow cooked over wood or coals, or reverse searing to bring out their deep, rich flavour.

SoCal

Southampton’s SoCal BBQ Shop is a family-owned and run business with over 30 years of experience in providing a huge variety of BBQ products. Alongside gas, charcoal, and wood pellet grills, as well as being the UK’s largest YETI stockist, the shop is also the UK’s leading importer of American BBQ rubs, sauces, brines and injections through BBQ Gourmet.

Meat Church, a seasoning brand born in the heart of Texas has been the most popular choice with customers over the summer, according to SoCal’s Andy Sharp. The brand was founded by Matt Pittman, the official pitmaster of the Dallas Cowboys and a competitor on the hit TV show BBQ Pitmasters.

Flamery

One trend setting the BBQ world ablaze is Argentine-style live fire cooking on asado grills. Flamery, combining British craftsmanship with the theatre of asado grilling, has released a Large Asado Grill on Trolley, marrying both form and function.

A popular product due to its versatility and theatre, it features a split grill and integrated firebox so serious grill masters and weekend enthusiasts alike can juggle multiple cooking zones with ease.

Think searing a tomahawk steak over glowing embers on one side, while slow-roasting butterflied lamb or charring whole peppers on the other thanks to independently height-adjustable grates that allow for full temperature control.

Additional accessories like the solid steel chapa plate, are perfect for sizzling
smashed burgers or flatbreads, giving cooks the opportunity to transform the outdoor kitchen space further.

Birstall Garden & Leisure

Family-run Birstall Garden & Leisure has had an exciting season, with top outdoor cooking brands flying off its Leicester shelves. In May, it hosted a Spring BBQ market with its Christmas market to follow in November, while hands-on cooking classes at Birstall’s BBQ Basecamp bring together food lovers and grill enthusiasts of all skill levels.

New to Birstall this year is the Block to BBQ butchery class with award-winning butcher, Connor Ringrose. A must for meat lovers wanting to take their skills to the next level, guests can learn to break down premium cuts and prepare them for the grill.

Kingsworthy Foundry

Tucked just outside Winchester, family-run Kingsworthy Foundry has been retailing fire-focused equipment for over 80 years. From its origins in 1945 as a cast iron foundry, it has built a reputation for quality products in both home heating and live fire cooking, offering one of the largest ranges of woodburning and multi-fuel stoves in the south.

“We are seeing a massive trend towards plancha style grills,” says Rich Peake, director of Kingsworthy Foundry. The Vulcanus, a wood-fired, flat top grill, has proved a popular choice with both the live fire cooking community, and with various pubs, restaurants and hotels in the area.  Alongside the Vulcanus, the Foundry stocks a broad range of YETI products, along with Big Green Egg, Pit Barrel, Gozney and more.

Meater

Pioneers in smart meat thermometer technology, MEATER released the new Pro Duo smart meat thermometer this year, which has been a huge hit. During this summer’s Amazon Prime Day sale, the MEATER Pro Duo accounted for 44% of their total sales, indicating a move towards precision cooking.

Two separate probes allow cooks to monitor two different meats at once. Think steaks cooked to different preferences; brisket and ribs; or chicken and pork that can be tackled simultaneously without ever lifting the lid thanks to unlimited WiFi range for whole-home coverage. It also gives those working with larger cuts the ability to check temperatures in two parts of the same meat, ensuring a consistent, even cook all the way through.

With an increase in BBQ enthusiasts experimenting beyond burgers with more complex cooks that require skill and precision, the dual probe design meets these demands so chefs can cook confidently on the grill. When it comes to monitoring meats, it seems that garden pitmasters and seasoned pros are finding out that two probes are better than one.

Kadai

Having taken part in 19 events across the country this summer, including hosting fire stages at Pub in the Park, the Great British Food Festival, Cheltenham Food Festival, Newport Show and more, it’s been a busy season for Kadai.

The brand also unveiled the new Plancha Kadai. With its mango wood base, natural limestone top and 10mm thick steel plancha plate, it’s perfect for searing at high temperatures. The new design is already making waves in the BBQ world, having been recently named Best New BBQ Product at this year’s Solex Outdoor Living Exhibition.

The Asado Cross has been popular too as an entertaining addition to fire stages and back gardens. This slow-cooking tool brings Argentinian fire tradition to the Kadai, great for cooking larger joints of meat over open flames, as well as pork belly with perfect crispy crackling.

The British Live Fire Cooking Championships, hosted by Kadai, returns for a second year, with the live final at Ludlow Food Festival in September. Nearly twice as many entries as last year means judges have been treated to a wide range of inspiring dishes, with Adam Lloyd, David Hill, and Nick Smith winning through to the final.

Primo

A Primo grill has a big cooking area, true two-zone flexibility, and rock-solid heat retention. But this year, it’s the rotisserie attachment that’s stolen the spotlight, watching a whole chicken, pork loin, or leg of lamb, slowly spinning over lump wood charcoal and self-basting with every turn.

This new accessory has transformed the Primo from a versatile grill into a true live fire rotisserie oven. The kit fits seamlessly into the ceramic body, driven by a quiet but powerful motor, and it doesn’t sacrifice the oval’s signature airflow control. The result is crisp skin, juicy meat, and all the theatre of open-fire cooking with none of the guesswork.

Grillers are getting creative too, with spit-roasting bourbon-glazed pineapples, porchetta rubbed with fennel and garlic, and even kebabs stacked high and slow-turned to perfection. The popularity in rotisserie cooking this season proves that it’s not just about the part that heat plays in fire cooking, it’s also about motion.

Napoleon

Napoleon Grills has launched a new Plancha Range to meet the increasing demand for plancha-style cooking. The new range of grills makes it easy to cook like a professional at home, combining the ease of a flat top grill with advanced user-friendly features.

Inspired by traditional Spanish cooking methods, a la plancha (grilled on a metal plate), this technique is gaining popularity among food lovers and home chefs in the UK with the ability to sear food quickly at high heat for maximum flavour and minimal effort.

Napoleon’s new range of Plancha Grills all feature pre-seasoned steel cook tops for heat retention and cooking flexibility with reduced smoke at both high and low temperatures.

Martin Sobey, sales manager for Napoleon Grills UK, said: “Plancha grilling is proving so popular because there are no barriers or high skill levels required to create really tasty food.”

Bushman

As more people invest in outdoor kitchens and garden living spaces, the line between indoor and outdoor becomes increasingly blurred. A well-designed set-up means there is less reason to retreat inside when temperatures start to drop in autumn.

Originally launched 26 years ago by Dingley Dell Enterprises, a small UK-based start-up, the Bushman Burner is a refractory chiminea that offers a distinctive alternative to traditional fire pits.

Although the original model has stood the test of time, continuing to be made to order today, the development of the new Bushman is a modern take that retains the core principle of the original: its built-in refractory chamber that concentrates and radiates heat.

The modern iteration features a 1.5mm steel outer shell paired with a refractory lining that boosts thermal performance, with the Bushman handling a range of fuels from logs to coal.

Already a hot product for summer evenings, it’s a great option for those keen to extend the outdoor season into autumn and beyond, providing the opportunity to bask in the warm glow that only a real live fire can give.

Gastronomy Plus

Binchotan charcoal, the ultra-pure, clean-burning fuel loved by professional chefs and now amateurs at home, is fast becoming a must-have for serious BBQ enthusiasts. Traditionally used in Japanese robatayaki and yakitori cooking, Binchotan is prized for its exceptional burn time, minimal smoke output, and ability to deliver an intense and even heat without altering the food’s natural flavours.

“We’ve seen a dramatic surge in demand,” says Alex Shannon, managing director at Gastronomy Plus, home of the Kasai Konro Grill. “People are switching from supermarket charcoal to Binchotan because the results speak for themselves. It burns hotter, longer, and cleaner, enhances flavours and can be reused.”

Equally important to the charcoal, is the grill you cook it on. Kasai’s Konro grill is designed specifically for use with Binchotan charcoal, and is engineered to deliver exceptional heat control, minimal flare-ups, and authentic robata-style results whether you’re searing meat, charring vegetables, or grilling skewers.

Weber

Summer has been a season of success for Weber, after its Searwood Pellet Grill won Best Barbecue at the T3 Awards. The grill is a versatile outdoor cooking powerhouse; expertly smoking, searing and grilling to create distinctive wood-fired flavours for passionate pitmasters and entertainers. With a temperature range from 80°C to 315°C, the Searwood Pellet Grill heats up in 15 minutes or less and offers reliable heat management for consistent, even results.

The innovative full grate Sear Zone means more food on the flame for those flavourful sear marks, delicious golden browning and smoke and fire theatre. Another of Weber’s popular offerings is the Slate Premium Griddle, which brings the energy of a street food market to the back garden with fast, fun, and engaging outdoor cooking.

The griddle can reach temperatures of over 260°C with edge-to-edge consistent heat within ten minutes, and is capable of frying, steaming and sautéing a wide range of recipes from breakfast favourites like scrambled eggs, to seared seafood and stir-fries. Integrated digital controls for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity give the ability to monitor and control the BBQ remotely.

Barebones

Aiming to capture what is perhaps the true essence of gathering round the flames and eating together, Barebones Living focuses on the pleasures of sharing with family and friends, both indoors and outdoors.

Currently popular within its range of vintage-inspired products is its Enamel Lined Cast Iron series. The products, with Barebones Living exhibiting at this year’s spoga+gafa trade fair in Cologne, Germany, in this range can be used on all energy sources from oven to open flame. The crock pot is the most versatile in the family, and can be a vessel for soups, stews, casseroles or desserts while also serving beautifully for searing meats or baking fresh bread.

FlammKraft

German brand Flammkraft has built a reputation for minimalist design, engineering precision, and high-end performance in the world of outdoor cooking. A recent addition to its accessories lineup is the Flammkraft Carousel.

Designed to work with the Flammkraft Rotisserie, the Carousel adds five additional skewers that rotate around the central axis. What sets it apart is the integrated gear system. Each skewer also spins on its own axis,  completing one full rotation for every five turns of the main rotisserie. The result is even, consistent cooking on all sides. Ideal for chicken wings and feeding the crowd in your garden, the Carousel can hold up to 3kg of meat at the same time.

Metartal

Yorkshire-based Metartal has had a red-hot summer, and not just on the grills. “A highlight has been our growing partnership with chef Chris Mackett, who recently joined us as a brand ambassador,” says director Robert Waller. “Known for bold flavours and a deep passion for fire cooking, Chris brought serious energy to the Gig in the Garden charity event, hosted by Chris Evans. We were also delighted to be invited by The Log Company to showcase the Asador Nino at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.”

Another summer highlight saw Max Uyanik of Food Show using a Metartal Asador at a private Wimbledon event where the grill helped deliver standout food in a world-class setting.

Back in Yorkshire, Metartal’s full grill range is now in use as part of the Hidden Harewood experience at Harewood House, where chef Will Campbell delivers pop-up dining events on the estate, pairing remarkable locations  with estate-sourced produce and open-flame creativity.

Certainly Wood

Premium firewood producers Certainly Wood’s ever-growing range of products supports the rising popularity in outdoor living and cooking experiences.

New products added this year include smoking chunks and chips that are designed to add a rich depth of flavour to BBQ dishes. The chunks and chips are made from a range of woods, which include mild and versatile apple or cherry, pairing well with just about anything you can put on a BBQ, or hickory wood for a more intense flavour that can stand up to stronger meats like venison or game.

Great for larger pizza ovens, the logs in Certainly Wood’s Grill & Chill range are cut more thinly for easier fire starting. Each bag of logs is made up with specially selected species of tree for minimal splitting and maximum fire control, while the Little Oak Logs work well with Certainly Wood’s natural firelighters for both large and smaller, portable ovens.

Monolith

Monolith’s tried-and-tested PRO series 2.0 is receiving a major upgrade with the new TWO.55 and TWO.66 models. Featuring a newly developed cart, the design combines sleek aesthetics with all the functionality synonymous with the Monolith brand.

The cart is made of powder-coated, galvanised steel, making it robust and weatherproof, while high-quality castors allow for easy movement on uneven surfaces. Side tables attach directly to the cart, rather than stainless steel  tension bands featured in previous iterations, enhancing overall appearance and stability.

The TWO.55 is an upgrade from the PRO series 2.0 Classic with a grate diameter of 44cm, while the TWO.66 follows on from the LeChef model at 52cm. Made from silicate ceramic with stainless steel hardware, the upgrade retains all the highlights from the TWO series, but with added mobility and a slick and sophisticated look.

Both grills can be sold separately from their carts and are compatible with all PRO series 2.0 Kamado grills.

Grillstream

Inspired by street food culture and the growing influence of American-style outdoor cooking, flat-top barbecues are rapidly gaining popularity across the UK, reshaping how people grill in their gardens and at social gatherings. Unlike traditional barbecues that rely on grates and open flames, flat-top grills feature a solid metal cooking surface, delivering even heat distribution and remarkable versatility.

British consumers are increasingly turning to flat-top models for their simplicity, speed, and ability to cook a wide range of foods beyond burgers and sausages. The appeal also lies in the ease of cleaning and maintenance. With fewer flare-ups and no charcoal to manage, flat-top barbecues offer a cleaner, more controlled alternative.

Grillstream, part of LeisureGrow, has seen a big surge in demand, particularly for its SmashGrill griddle barbecue, winner of Best Gas Barbecue two years running at the Ideal Home Awards.

The solid exterior is powder coated, while the 91cm x 44cm plate surface has a patented non-stick ceramic shield that eliminates rust. The adjustable flat plate is designed to tilt slightly forward, which helps to stream away all the fats and juices, keeping food cleaner, tastier and healthier, and with the safety feature of the GasSure system.