Disposable BBQs have long been the grab-and-go choice for summer. Heading to the campsite, spending a day at the beach or planning a picnic? Pick one up, light it, cook your burgers and you're sorted.

But convenient doesn't always mean best.

Disposable BBQs can take a surprisingly long time to cool, create waste after just one use and offer very little control over your cooking temperature. During particularly hot and dry weather, their use can also be restricted due to the increased risk of fires.

The good news? There are plenty of alternatives to disposable BBQs that are portable, practical and capable of seriously upgrading your outdoor cooking.

From compact camping stoves to reusable BBQs and fire pits that double as grills, here are some of the best ways to leave the disposable BBQ behind.

Contents

Portable Camping Stoves: Small Size, Big Possibilities
Fire Pits with a Grill System
Don't Forget the Cool Box
Are Disposable BBQs Being Banned in the UK?
Are Portable Pizza Ovens a Solution
Which Disposable BBQ Alternative Is Right for You?

If convenience is the main reason you reach for a disposable BBQ, a portable camping stove could be your perfect replacement.

Modern camping stoves are designed with portability in mind, making them ideal for camping holidays, caravan trips and other outdoor adventures. At StovesAreUs, our camping stove and cooler collection includes compact outdoor cooking equipment from brands including Campingaz, Coleman, Weber, Solo Stove and more.

Unlike a disposable BBQ, a good camping stove isn't destined for the bin after lunch. Pack it away and it'll be ready for your next adventure.

There's another major advantage, too: control.

Rather than waiting for charcoal to reach the perfect cooking temperature, a gas camping stove gives you much greater control over the heat. That makes it useful for much more than sausages and burgers.

Think bacon and eggs in the morning, a pan of chilli after a day of exploring, or even getting the kettle on for that all-important campsite brew.

Best for: Camping, caravanning, picnics and anyone looking for a reusable portable cooking solution.

Ready to upgrade your outdoor cooking? Explore our range of camping stoves and portable grills.

Why stop at cooking dinner when your fire can become the centrepiece of the evening?

A fire pit with a grill combines outdoor cooking with the warmth and atmosphere of a real fire. Cook while the sun is up, then remove the cooking equipment and gather around the flames as the temperature drops.

It's a particularly appealing alternative for garden entertaining and camping setups where you want something you'll use long after the burgers have disappeared.

Some fire pits are designed specifically with outdoor cooking in mind, with BBQ racks or grill accessories available to transform the fire into a cooking station.

The Sahara Smokeless Fire Pit uses clean-burn technology to produce a virtually smokeless flame, while its compact stainless-steel construction makes it easy to store and reposition.

Solo Stove fire pits offer another option. Their smokeless design creates an efficient burn, while compatible cooking accessories can turn selected models into impressive grilling setups.

The Solo Stove Bonfire Cookout Grill Kit, for instance, adds a cast-iron grill to the Bonfire, turning your fire pit into a practical outdoor cooking station.

Suddenly, your fire pit isn't just keeping everyone warm. It's cooking dinner too.

Best for: Garden gatherings, outdoor entertainers and anyone wanting cooking, warmth and atmosphere from one setup.

Cooking is only half the battle when you're eating away from home.

Keeping drinks cold and ingredients properly stored can make the difference between a well-planned outdoor feast and a soggy sandwich at the bottom of your bag.

That's where a quality cool box earns its place.

Pairing a portable stove or BBQ with a cooler gives you a far more capable outdoor kitchen. Keep your drinks chilled, organise your ingredients and enjoy the freedom to prepare something considerably more exciting when lunchtime arrives.

It's an especially useful combination for longer camping trips, festivals, road trips and family days outdoors.

Top tip: Build yourself a reusable outdoor cooking kit consisting of a portable stove or BBQ, cooler, reusable utensils and essential cookware. Keep it packed together and you'll be ready whenever the forecast says BBQ weather.

Disposable BBQs have faced increasing scrutiny because of the fire risk they can present, particularly during periods of hot, dry weather.

Restrictions can also apply in certain locations, so it's always important to check the rules for the campsite, park, beach or outdoor space you're visiting before lighting any BBQ, stove or fire pit.

And remember: switching from disposable to reusable doesn't remove the need for fire safety.

Always position outdoor cooking equipment on a stable, appropriate surface, keep it well away from dry vegetation and never leave a lit BBQ or fire unattended. Make sure it is completely extinguished and cool before packing anything away.

If local guidance says BBQs or open flames shouldn't be used, save the grilling for another day.

Pizza ovens aren't just for permanent garden kitchens. Many portable pizza ovens are compact enough to take on camping trips, caravan holidays and weekends away, making them another versatile alternative to disposable BBQs.

Depending on the model, you can cook much more than pizza too. From flatbreads and roasted vegetables to meat and other flame-cooked favourites, a portable pizza oven can bring a little more variety to outdoor mealtimes.

Best for: Pizza lovers, family camping trips and anyone looking to take their outdoor cooking beyond the traditional BBQ.

There's no single winner, it depends on where and how you like to cook. If you want something compact, reusable and easy to control? Choose a camping stove. For the traditional grilling experience in a portable package, you’ll want to look at a reusable gas or charcoal BBQ.

Fancy something a little different? A portable pizza oven brings high-temperature outdoor cooking to campsites, caravan trips and weekends away – with plenty of possibilities beyond pizza.

Want to combine cooking with warmth and atmosphere? A fire pit and grill system could become your new favourite piece of outdoor kit. And if you're heading away for the day or weekend, add a cool box to complete your setup.

Disposable BBQs might be convenient for one afternoon, but investing in reusable outdoor cooking equipment opens the door to a lot more possibilities.

Make your next outdoor meal better than disposable.

Explore our camping stoves & portable BBQs , pizza ovens and fire pits to build an outdoor cooking setup you'll want to use all summer long and for many summers to come.