Six of the best barbecues

7:09am Saturday 28th June 2008

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Hosting a barbecue is a sure-fire way to ensure inclement weather, so if the sun does make an appearance it's best to have your outdoor grilling machine all ready to go.

By Peter Jenkinson

Treat yourself to a bright and shiny new barbecue from this collection of the season's best - and no one will mind if you have to set it up in the garage.

Flaming Amazing - Outback Elite - £119.99 at www.outbackuk.com

Made from wood, steel and cast iron the Elite has an adjustable-height basket so you can control how close the coals are to your sausages. This sturdy BBQ will stand the test of time and has plenty of cooking space, plus a shelf to keep your utensils within easy reach.

Portable Griller - Son of Hibachi - £69 from www.iwantoneofthose.com

Take your culinary skills on the road with this highly portable machine. A unique system allows the charcoal to heat in around seven minutes and it offers a surprising amount of cooking space. Best of all though, this self-cleaning unit can be snuffed out with its special carry-pack in a matter of seconds.

Ferrari of the Flamers - Coleman Diamento - £2249, see www.coleman-bbq.com

The Diamento is indeed the Ferrari of the outdoor cooking station - and you might expect at least a ride in a real one for the price. The designers at Pininfarina helped create this cracking piece of equipment which features four burners and an oven drawer for baking potatoes and pizza.

Charcoal King - Weber One Touch - £153 from www.barbecue-online.co.uk

You'll immediately feel an air of superiority when you stand behind one of these super Weber units, even if you've never barbecued before. It's easy to get cooking, the deep base retains the heat for longer than most charcoal units and it's easy to clean. Add the 10-year warranty and it's easy to see why this is the favourite among seasoned grillers.

Hungry Hiker - Grilliput and Firebowl - £24.99 and £6.99 at www.iwantoneofthose.com

You can go back to basics with this excellent combination. The grill slips inside a slim silver carry unit and offers enough space to cook up a breakfast feast, while the firebowl gives you some flames for late-night boy scout singalongs.

Family Feast - Two Burner Gas Barbecue With Side Burner- £79.99 from www.argos.co.uk

The combination of a sizable grill area, side burner and warming rack ensure that you can cook enough to feed a small army without anyone having to wait. This gas-powered barbecue arrives in flat pack form but it won't test your construction skills too much.