The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Cooking: BBQs, Pizza Ovens & Summer Entertaining

When the sun finally decides to make an appearance in the UK, you don’t want to waste a minute of it. Whether you’re bossing a charcoal BBQ, cooking up a feast on a gas barbecue, or turning out restaurant-worthy pizza from your own pizza oven, outdoor cooking is what summer’s all about. But the very best garden parties take more than just firing up the grill to steal the show. 

That's where our Five Es of Outdoor Cooking come in: Environment, Equipment, Elevate, Entertain and Enjoy. From choosing the perfect BBQ or pizza oven to creating a space your guests won’t want to leave, these five simple steps will help you cook with confidence, entertain with ease, and squeeze every last drop out of those precious sunny days! 

Environment: Creating the Right Environment for Outdoor Cooking   

Every great garden gathering starts with the right setup. Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting a complete garden makeover before your guests arrive. Just a few smart tweaks are all it takes to create a space that’s safe, practical and ready for a get-together. 

First things first: Set your BBQ or pizza oven up on a stable, level surface with plenty of ventilation, and always follow the manufacturer's guidance on safe distances from walls, fences, sheds, and trees. Give yourself plenty of room to move around too; no one wants to watch the chef dodging obstacles while trying to flip burgers. 

Once the cooking station is sorted, turn your attention to the rest of the garden. Make sure everyone has somewhere to sit.  

Joe‘s Top Tip: borrowing a few extra chairs is practically a British garden party tradition, so don’t shy away from asking around for a few extra.  

If the weather's playing nice, a parasol or gazebo is a simple way to keep guests cool between trips to the grill. 

Get the environment right from the start, and the rest of the day becomes a whole lot easier. Your guests stay comfortable, your food keeps flowing, and you can spend less time faffing about and more time enjoying time with friends and family. 

Equipment: Choosing the Right Outdoor Cooking Equipment 

We’ll let you in on the secret to great outdoor cooking...the right kit. Whether you're chasing that unmistakable charcoal flavour, love the convenience of gas, or fancy serving up homemade pizzas that'll have everyone coming back for seconds, the right equipment can take your garden gatherings to the next level. The good news? There's an outdoor cooking setup to suit every space, budget and budding grill master. Here's how to find the perfect match. 

Charcoal BBQs 

For many BBQ lovers, nothing beats the authentic smoky flavour of cooking over charcoal. While they take a little longer to heat up than gas models, they're well worth the wait, delivering rich flavour, high cooking temperatures and that unmistakable barbecue aroma. Perfect for those who enjoy the traditional grilling experience and love taking their time over the flames. 

Bring the smoke, flavour and theatre to your garden. Discover our range of charcoal BBQs today.

Gas BBQs 

If convenience is top of your wish list, a gas BBQ could be your perfect match. Ready to cook in just a few minutes, gas barbecues offer precise temperature control, making them ideal for everything from quick midweek meals to weekend entertaining. Many models come with multiple burners and generous cooking areas too, making it easy to grill burgers, veggies and sides all at once, which is ideal when you're feeding a hungry crowd. 

Ready to fire things up? Browse our range of gas BBQs and find the perfect model for your next garden gathering.

Smoker BBQs 

If you're passionate about an authentic barbecue experience, a smoker BBQ is the ultimate choice. Using low, indirect heat and wood smoke, smokers work their magic over several hours to create incredibly tender, flavour-packed food with that signature smoky finish. Perfect for brisket, pulled pork, ribs and other low-and-slow favourites, they’re made for BBQ fans who love putting in the time for seriously tasty results. 

Portable BBQs 

Love cooking outdoors but short on space or always on the move? A portable BBQ delivers all the flavour of a traditional BBQ in a compact, easy-to-carry design. Perfect for smaller gardens, day trips and outdoor adventures, they’re quick to set up, simple to transport and easy to store when not in use. 

Planning to take your BBQ further afield? Always check local rules and restrictions before lighting up and remember that portable BBQs should only ever be used outdoors in safe, open areas. If you’re ready to take your party on the move, discover our portable BBQ range and take great food wherever the adventure leads. 

BBQ Comparison Table 

Gas Pizza Oven 

New to outdoor pizza ovens? A gas model is a great place to start. With quick heat-up times and easy temperature control, you can cook delicious, restaurant-style pizzas in minutes. So, there’s less time waiting around, and more time enjoying good food with family and friends. 

If you’re ready to upgrade your pizza nights, explore our range of gas pizza ovens today. 

Woodfired Pizza Oven 

For those who love the theatre of outdoor cooking, nothing beats a wood-fired pizza oven. They take a little more time and practice to master, but the reward is more than worth it, think beautifully crisp bases, delicious smoky flavour and the unbeatable satisfaction of cooking over a real wood fire. 

Looking to bring the pizzeria experience to your garden? Explore our range of wood-fired pizza ovens.

Dual Fuel Pizza Oven 

Can’t decide between gas and wood-fired? Why choose when you can have both? A dual-fuel pizza oven gives you the speed and convenience of gas, with the option to switch to wood whenever you fancy that authentic smoky flavour. It’s the perfect choice for pizza lovers who want flexibility, flavour and the freedom to cook their way. 

Get the best of both worlds, straight from your garden and explore our dual-fuel pizza ovens today. 

Pizza Oven Comparison Table 

BBQ & Pizza Oven Accessories 

The right accessories can take your outdoor cooking from good to great. For BBQs, make sure you’ve got the essentials covered. A quality grill brush makes cleaning a breeze, heat-resistant gloves keep your hands protected, a meat thermometer helps you nail perfectly cooked food, and having the right fuel stocked up means you’re always ready to fire things up. 

Joe's Top Tip: If you’re cooking with charcoal, a chimney starter is a game-changer. It gets your coals hot and ready faster, meaning less waiting around and more time grilling. Shop our BBQ accessories range and get your setup ready for the summer. 

When it comes to pizza ovens, you’re already off to a flying start! All our pizza ovens come complete with a pizza stone and pizza peel, giving you everything you need to launch, cook and serve delicious homemade pizzas straight from the box. Add a pizza cutter, and you’re ready to go. 

Elevate: Outdoor Cooking Tips to Elevate Your BBQs and Pizza Parties 

Take your outdoor cooking to the next level by mastering a few simple BBQ and pizza oven techniques and experimenting with new recipes. Think homemade potato salad, fresh seasonal sides, or a signature summer cocktail (or two) and plenty of reasons to come back for seconds. 

A little preparation goes a long way too. Preheat your BBQ or pizza oven properly, get your ingredients ready before guests arrive and keep a meat thermometer close by to make sure everything is cooked safely. Avoid cramming too much onto the grill or into the oven, so your food has room to cook to perfection. 

For an easy win, set up a dedicated serving station away from the heat with condiments, sauces, plates and cutlery. It keeps guests out of the cooking zone, makes serving a breeze and avoids the classic BBQ disaster of someone hunting for the ketchup while their burger sits waiting. 

Entertaining: Create the Perfect Outdoor Entertaining Space 

Once the food shop is done and the garden is looking the part, it’s time to think about the atmosphere. After all, the best BBQs and garden parties aren’t just remembered for what was on the grill, it’s the little touches that make the day one to remember. 

Add a few finishing touches like outdoor lighting to keep the party glowing long after the sun goes down. Set the mood with a speaker and a summer playlist, then keep everyone entertained with garden classics like giant Jenga, ring toss, bowls or croquet. For an easy hosting win, create a self-serve drinks station stocked with chilled refreshments, ice and glasses, so guests can help themselves from the moment they arrive. That way, you’re free to spend less time topping up drinks and more time enjoying the food, the sunshine and the company. 

Enjoy: Relax and Enjoy Your Outdoor Cooking Experience 

You’ve planned the menu, prepped your outdoor cooking space and welcomed your guests; now there’s only one job left: enjoy yourself. Whether you’re serving flame-grilled burgers fresh from the BBQ or homemade pizzas straight from the oven, the hard work is done. 

So, pour yourself a well-earned drink, join in with the games and soak up the atmosphere. Because the best outdoor cooking moments aren’t about everything being perfect – they’re about good food, even better company and making the most of those sunny days whenever they decide to show up. 

Ready to fire up your summer? Explore our full range of BBQs, pizza ovens and outdoor cooking accessories and take your garden gatherings up a gear.