Brits are constantly on the hunt for the latest grilling gadgets – but I have found the perfect option with a reasonable price point and endless possibilities for cooking
Kamado grills – or as I like to call them, ‘egg BBQs’ – are becoming something off a staple for grillers. While previously very pricey – I have found an alternative providing perfect cooking experience.
The Barbequick 18″ Pro Midi Kamado Grill is a serious game changer this summer. Despite the shops pushing out all of their autumn decor – there’s still plenty of summer yet to come and this BBQ is a great option for all year round. On my first use, the coals stayed hot for hours afterwards, meaning out afternoon BBQ extended well into the evening with absolutely no need to relight the fire.
Right out of the box, the ease of building makes the BBQ well worth its £399 price point. Ceramic grills are all about heat retention, and the thick-walled construction on the Midi holds internal temperatures remarkably well.
Whether you’re aiming for a steady low-and-slow smoke for a pork shoulder or cranking the heat up for stone-baked pizza and steak searing, the thermal efficiency means you end up using far less charcoal over time compared to standard metal kettles.
As for cooking – your options are endless. In just one use, we had pizza stones making thin baked creations, beer can chicken and potatoes placed directly on the coals. An instant crowd pleaser.
What really sets this model apart, though, are the thoughtful design upgrades that are usually reserved for high-end Kamados. A big highlight is the soft-close hinge system with a locking catch.
Ceramic lids are notoriously heavy, so having a mechanism that prevents slamming gives you a lot of peace of mind. Barbequick has also swapped out the traditional felt seal for an upgraded, wipe-clean fibreglass gasket. It seals the dome far tighter, locking in smoke and moisture while lasting significantly longer under high heat.
Controlling your airflow is easy even for beginners thanks to the precision top air vent, which is smartly designed to keep rain out – an essential feature if you plan on grilling through unpredictable British weather.
You also get handy features like foldable side shelves with built-in tool hooks, an integrated lid thermometer, and a sturdy cart with lockable caster wheels for easy rolling around the patio.
With a standard cooking grate diameter around 38cm, it hits a great sweet spot: compact enough for smaller gardens, yet spacious enough to cook a proper feast for family and friends.
A few minor quibbles: ceramic is, as you can imagine, heavy, so setting it up initially requires a bit of muscle, and you’ll want to take your time dialing in the vent controls if you’re new to ceramic cooking.
But once you get the hang of it, it’s remarkably straightforward. Overall, the Pro Midi delivers fantastic temperature control, incredible versatility, and rock-solid construction, making it one of the best value-for-money entry points into ceramic outdoor cooking on the market today.