Electric barbecues

An electric barbecue runs on a plug instead of charcoal or a gas bottle. That makes it a good fit for places where you would rather avoid open flames or charcoal smoke, such as a balcony, a roof terrace or a small city terrace. On this page you can compare electric barbecues from Weber, Napoleon, Barbecook and Outdoorchef, and electric smokers from Masterbuilt and Barbecook. There are tabletop models and models with a stand. For each model you can see the current price at the retailer. Still unsure which type you need? Also take a look at gas barbecues, charcoal barbecues and the full barbecue overview.

Why choose an electric barbecue?

• No charcoal or gas bottle: plug it in and you can start
• Suitable for balconies and flats: no charcoal smoke and no open flame, so it is often allowed where charcoal or gas is not (always check the rules of your building, landlord or local council)
• Easy to control: you set the heat with a dial
• No ash: afterwards you only clean the grate and the drip tray
• Easy to store: a tabletop model fits in a storeroom, shed or cupboard

Weber Lumin, Lumin Compact and Pulse 2000

Weber has two lines of electric barbecues in this comparison. The Lumin Compact is the smallest model and comes as a tabletop barbecue (in black and in red) and with a separate stand. The Lumin is the larger version and is in the comparison with a stand. The Pulse 2000 comes on its own and with a stand. The dimensions and power of each model are on the product page and at the retailer.

Other brands: Napoleon, Barbecook, Outdoorchef and Masterbuilt

From Napoleon, the Rogue EQ 365 and the TravelQ PRO 285E and 285EX are in the comparison. Barbecook has the E-Carlo, an electric tabletop barbecue in colours such as red, Midnight Grey and Paris Green, and the E-Luca with folding side tables. From Outdoorchef you can compare the Minichef P-420 E and the P-420 E Tripod.

If you want to smoke electrically, there are the Masterbuilt 710, an electric smoker with wifi from Masterbuilt, and the Barbecook Otto 2.0, a stainless steel electric smoker.

Tabletop model or with a stand?

You place a tabletop model on a sturdy, heat-resistant surface, such as an outdoor table made of stone or metal. Handy if you have little space or want to store the barbecue indoors after use. With a stand, the barbecue is at working height and your table stays free; choose this if the barbecue has a permanent spot on the balcony or terrace.

What should you look out for in an electric barbecue?

• Nearby socket: use an earthed socket suitable for outdoor use and follow the manufacturer's instructions on extension leads
• Power: higher power helps the grate heat up quickly; compare this on the product page
• Grilling area: choose based on the number of people you usually cook for
• Lid: with the lid closed you can also cook indirectly
• Protection: a barbecue cover keeps out rain and dirt if the barbecue stays outside

Electric, gas or charcoal?

An electric barbecue is the simplest choice for a small outdoor space. If you want more room on the grate for larger groups, a gas barbecue is a logical step. If you are after the flavour of a wood fire, look at a charcoal barbecue, a kamado or a pellet barbecue. A pellet barbecue also needs a socket, but it burns wood and therefore produces smoke.

Accessories

With good barbecue tools and a thermometer to measure the core temperature, you get more out of an electric barbecue. Weber accessories for the Lumin are also in the comparison, such as a warming kit for the Lumin Compact. View all barbecue accessories.