Christmas and Sinterklaas are just around the corner, and there's someone on your list who fires up the barbecue all year round. So what do you give them? In this gift guide you'll find ideas by budget: from a small surprise under €25 to a brand-new kamado. All the gifts are products you can compare at trusted shops; you'll see the current price on the cards. First, a few tips so your present really fits.
In short: first check which barbecue they have: a pizza stone or grate has to fit, while a thermometer or gloves always work. Up to €25 go for a thermometer or smoking wood, up to €75 leather gloves or a pizza stone, up to €200 a table-top grill or a wireless thermometer, and from €200 a compact kamado or a plancha. Not sure? Try the choice test.
First: which barbecue do they have?
The best barbecue gift is something that can be used straight away. Some accessories fit any barbecue, while others only fit a certain type or size. So discreetly check which barbecue is in the garden.
| Barbecue | Always fits | Check the size for |
|---|---|---|
| Kamado | Thermometer, gloves, smoking wood, cast iron pan | Pizza stone, grate, plate setter |
| Charcoal barbecue | Thermometer, gloves, smoking planks, tongs | Pizza stone, cast iron grate |
| Gas barbecue | Thermometer, spatula, pan, smoking planks | Plancha, griddle plate, cover |
| Don't know? | Thermometer, gloves, smoking wood | Better to skip anything size-specific |
A pizza stone that's too big won't fit in the kamado, and a grate from the wrong brand won't sit properly. When in doubt, choose something that always fits. You can read what already comes in the box with a kamado in kamado accessories: what do you really need?, so you don't give something they already have.
Choice test: which gift suits them?
Answer four questions about the recipient, and you'll see which kind of gift suits best.
Which gift suits them?
How often do they use the barbecue?
- Now and then, mostly in summer
- Often, and pizza or bread often goes on it too
- Every weekend, including long sessions
- All the time, and the barbecue is due for replacing
What do they enjoy cooking most?
- Sausages, burgers and a steak
- Pizza, bread and stews
- Pulled pork, brisket and other long cooks
- A bit of everything, ideally for a crowd
What makes them happy?
- Something small that's handy straight away
- Something to try new recipes with
- Technology and precision
- A big present they'll enjoy for years
How much do you want to spend?
- Up to €25
- Up to €75
- Up to €200
- More, possibly together with others
A small, handy gift suits best: a meat thermometer, smoking planks or a cast iron pan. Always useful and ready to use straight away.
Something for baking and stewing suits best: a pizza stone, a Dutch oven or leather gloves for grabbing a hot pan.
A wireless thermometer or table-top grill suits best: precision for long sessions, or a second fire on the table.
A new barbecue suits best: a compact kamado or a plancha. A lovely gift to give together.
Gifts up to €25
Small gifts that always come in handy, whether in a stocking or as an extra alongside a bigger present. The budget groupings are based on the prices in the comparison; these change, so check the card for the current price.
Barbecook meat thermometer
A digital meat thermometer that, according to the title, measures up to 140 °C. You insert it into the meat and see straight away whether it's ready. The most useful small gift for any barbecue.
BBQ meat thermometer
Barbecook: cedar wood smoking planks
View gift →
Grill Guru: 26 cm cast iron pan
View gift →
Weber: set of 8 double skewers
View gift →Gifts from €25 to €75
In this budget, you're giving something that lets the recipient try new things, or something they wouldn't be quick to buy for themselves.
Napoleon leather barbecue gloves
A pair of leather gloves for grabbing a hot pan, a grate or a pizza stone. People often only buy gloves for themselves after they've burnt their hands once, which is why they make such a good gift.
Barbecook: Bluetooth thermometer
View gift →
Grill Guru: 38 cm pizza stone
View gift →
Barbecook: 3 L cast iron Dutch oven
View gift →A pizza stone is a lovely gift, but check the size: the stone has to fit inside the barbecue, with some room to spare. You can read how to bake pizza on a kamado in baking pizza on the kamado.
Make it a package
Combine a few small gifts into one bundle: a thermometer with smoking planks, or gloves with a cast iron pan. That way you give something that feels complete within your budget, and the recipient can get started straight away.
Gifts from €75 to €200
For someone who spends a lot of time at the barbecue, often and for long stretches, or a present to give together.
Keij Kamado Shichirin: ceramic table-top grill
A small Japanese table-top grill made of cordierite ceramic, in black. According to the product information, it has a temperature range of 100 to 300 °C. Ideal for yakitori, skewers and small bites, on a sturdy, heat-resistant surface outdoors.
Shichirin hibachi table-top grill
Big Green Egg Dual Probe Remote Thermometer
A wireless thermometer with two probes, so you can monitor both the meat and the temperature in the barbecue at the same time, without constantly opening the lid. Ideal for long sessions.
Dual Probe Remote Thermometer
Monolith: Thermo-Lith Bluetooth
View gift →
The Bastard: Summer Essential Pack
View gift →
Napoleon: enamelled plancha
View gift →Gifts from €200
A big present, for example from the whole family: a new barbecue or a second barbecue alongside the existing one.
Keij Kamado Pro Compact 15 inch
A compact 15-inch kamado with, according to the product information, the Divide & Conquer system and a temperature range of 50 to just over 350 °C. Small enough for a balcony or as a second barbecue, big enough for a family. Torn between brands? Then read buying a kamado: Keij or Boretti?
A kamado or gas barbecue as a gift? First read kamado or gas barbecue? to see what suits the recipient, or browse the well-known barbecue brands at a glance.
All the ideas at a glance
| Budget | Gift | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €25 | Meat thermometer, smoking planks, cast iron pan | Anyone with a barbecue |
| €25 to €75 | Leather gloves, pizza stone, Dutch oven | Those who want to try new recipes |
| €75 to €200 | Table-top grill, wireless thermometer, tool set | Those who barbecue often and for long periods |
| From €200 | Compact kamado, gas plancha | A big gift, given together |
Before buying any gift, quickly check the following:
| Gift | Check beforehand | Where you'll find it |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza stone, grate or plate | Brand and size of the barbecue | Title or product information |
| Thermometer with app | Whether the recipient uses a smartphone with Bluetooth | Product information |
| Gloves | Size, if one is listed | Title or product information |
| Table-top grill | A sturdy, heat-resistant spot outdoors | Product information and manual |
| Kamado or plancha | Space, weight and whether gas is needed | Product information |
The best barbecue gift isn't the most expensive one, but the one that gets used at the very next barbecue. A thermometer that fits beats a pizza stone that's just too big.
Common mistakes
An accessory in the wrong size
A pizza stone, grate or plate has to match the brand and size of the barbecue. Discreetly check what's there, or choose something that always fits.
Giving something that was already in the box
Many kamados come with a grate, a deflector or tools already included. Check first what's supplied as standard.
A gadget without instructions
A wireless thermometer is only fun when it works. Charge the batteries or battery pack and, if possible, pair it in advance so the recipient can start straight away.
Only thinking about summer
Many barbecue enthusiasts also cook outdoors in winter. A pan, a Dutch oven or smoking wood gets used all year round.
Checklist before you order
- You know which type of barbecue they have, and its size
- The gift fits their barbecue, or fits any barbecue
- It isn't already included as standard
- It suits how the recipient likes to cook
- You've checked the current price and delivery time on the card
- Batteries or a battery pack are charged, if needed
More ideas? Browse all the barbecue accessories, the kamados and the barbecues, or the brands Keij Kamado, Barbecook, Napoleon, Big Green Egg and Weber. Looking for a gift for someone who's mostly busy in the garden? Then read gift for the garden lover.
Frequently asked questions
What do you give a barbecue lover who already has everything?
Something they wouldn't be quick to buy themselves: a good thermometer with two probes, a set of leather gloves, a cast-iron pan or a tabletop grill for the terrace. Wood chips or smoking planks are also a good choice, as they are a consumable that always comes in handy.
How do I know which size accessory fits?
Check discreetly which brand and model of barbecue they have, and what size the grate is. A pizza stone, grate or plate needs to match the size of the barbecue. A thermometer, gloves, a pan and wood chips fit almost any barbecue, so you're always safe with those.
Is a meat thermometer a good gift?
Yes. A thermometer is one of the most useful barbecue gifts: you see exactly when the meat is ready, instead of guessing. A simple digital thermometer is a small gift; a wireless thermometer with several probes is for those who often cook long and slow.
Which barbecue gift suits a beginner?
A beginner benefits most from the basics: a thermometer, a good pair of tongs and a spatula, gloves and a brush to keep the grate clean. For a kamado beginner, an explanation of how to use it is just as valuable; you can read more about this in our articles about the kamado.
Can you give a barbecue as a gift?
You can, especially if a family or group of friends club together for a bigger present. A compact kamado or a tabletop grill is a gift that will last for years. Do check beforehand where it will go and what size it should be, and whether the type of barbecue suits how the recipient likes to cook.
