Your questions about charcoal BBQ’s answered What is the best charcoal BBQ?If you’re just starting out on your charcoal barbecue journey, it can feel like a steep learning curve. But once you know the basics, it’s an intuitive way of cooking that produces an authentic grilled-over-fire flavour. The Chargriller pro deluxe is the best charcoal barbecue I tested and gives you a large cooking area, so you can spread out and get to grips with the process. It also stays hot for a long time, meaning once you’ve got it going you can relax and concentrate on the food.If you’re not looking to spend too much, Vonhaus’s XL American BBQ with smoker is lightweight, compact and has a handy adjustable charcoal tray that you can use to adjust the temperature of the grill. If you’re already experienced with charcoal, the Masterbuilt gravity series 600 brings some extra features to your garden kitchen, including a meat thermometer, digital temperature display, and a hopper that you can use for smoking. It kicks out some serious heat, but with the digital display you can expertly control the temperature.How I tested charcoal BBQsI spent five weeks testing a wide range of charcoal barbecues, grilling meat, vegetables, and lighter items like flatbreads. When testing I looked for the following factors: Easy of use: Charcoal barbecues can be daunting for anyone who’s never used one before, so I assessed how easy they were to use for a complete beginner. Temperature: It’s important to be able to cook at different temperatures, as different foods require different levels of heat. I tested the temperature gauges on the barbecues and found out if these models could cook a steak through with ease, while also being able to lightly toast breads. Features: I looked out for innovative features such as hooks for equipment, warming racks, lids, and space for preparation. Versatility: When cooking for family and friends, you need a barbecue that can deal with different requirements, so I tested out how versatile each one is by cooking a range of different items, from simple sausages to a whole chicken, and everything in between. How to light a charcoal BBQThe easiest, quickest, and safest way to light your charcoal barbecue is to use a charcoal chimney:Place your chimney onto the grate of your barbecue. Fill the base of the chimney with scrunched up paper, then pour your charcoal in the top until it reaches around halfway, so that the charcoal lands on the bed of paper. Light the paper through the holes in the chimney at the bottom. You’ll know when the coals are hot enough as they’ll be letting off a glowing orangey-redness.Carefully tip the coals out of the chimney into your barbecue grate and you’re ready to get cooking.How to use a charcoal grillHow you use a charcoal barbecue will vary slightly depending on the model, but ultimately, the basics should remain the same. Once the coals are lit using a chimney starter (or directly in the grate on a portable BBQ), spread them out evenly to create a consistent cooking surface. You can then adjust the heat depending on what you’re cooking, and turn your food regularly to ensure it cooks through evenly.When you’ve finished barbecuing, close the vents and shut the lid to cut off the oxygen supply and allow the coals to burn out safely. Let them cool fully before covering the barbecue, as this can take some time.Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsSamantha Priestley has been a journalist since 2010. She writes reviews for IndyBest on home appliances including the best electric cleaning brushes, giving her honest opinion to guide you in finding the best item to suit your needs. She tested charcoal barbecues from unboxing and assembly, right through to cooking on them and cleaning them at the end. Fan of al fresco feasting? Check out our review of the best pizza ovens