Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal BBQ review

First impressions of the Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal BBQ

This is a neat, compact barbecue that’s made from quality materials with an enamelled cookbox and lid, which are both robust and sturdy.

The metal legs, however, feel flimsy, and although it’s well built, the lid is a bit of a snug fit. It’s light and easy to use at home or out and about.

How easy is the Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal BBQ to assemble?

With easy-to-follow diagrams and a handy allen key tool, it takes just 10 minutes to put this barbecue together. It has a simple design, perfect for setting up or packing down when you’re on a picnic, as well as just in the garden at home. Simply slot on the legs, place the cooking grill and the fuel grate in the cookbox, add the lid and it’s ready to go.

How easy is the Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal BBQ to use?

This is a small, simple barbecue with basic grilling and smoking functions, and it’s easy to operate and control. It took a few attempts to light as it kept going out, but in the end we removed the lid so we could keep an eye on it, and it took.

Once we had white ash, there was even heat distribution, but it was surprisingly hot for the size of the grill. Although the two vents in the lid allowed good temperature control, the lack of a temperature gauge made it hard to judge how hot it was getting.

The outside of the barbecue also became ferociously hot, and even though the grill is raised off the ground, heat built up underneath, causing the surface we were cooking on to warp.

Care needs to be taken when using this barbecue and it’s definitely best placed on a patio or concrete slab, rather than on the lawn or directly on a tabletop. Children and pets also need to be kept well away.

Once we’d finished cooking and the barbecue cooled down, which didn’t take long, its simple, one-box design makes it easy to clean. The pivoting legs fold easily away, and it’s easy to pack up and store. Given its portability, a carry case would be handy, but a bag is available to buy separately from Weber.

Cooking results

Although small, the grill is large enough for cooking on both direct and indirect heat, with room to heat food in the centre and then move it to the side to stay warm. However, all the vegetables cooked so quickly that they burned before they were cooked through, even without the lid on.

Vegetable kebabs and potato slices were crisp and chargrilled on the outside but not fully cooked in the centre, and the skin of the aubergine was charred and split before the centre and ends were done. A spatchcock chicken was succulent and crispy on the outside but there were also areas that were undercooked and still raw.

How sustainable is the Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal BBQ?

This barbecue is well made with robust, long-lasting parts and its predominantly 10-year warranty implies a good product lifetime. Packaging is not excessive and consisted mostly of cardboard with some plastic wrap, which is good to see.

Conclusion

This portable barbecue is a practical size for storage and taking on a picnic or to the beach, but its hot exterior makes it tricky to use unless there’s a heatproof or concrete surface. It’s most useful for someone with a patio, rather than a lawn, and with no children or pets nearby.

With care, it can cook well using both direct and indirect heat, but the cost of the barbecue is high given the safety aspects, it’s impracticality and the attention needed when cooking.

Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal BBQ specifications

Brand: Weber
Model: Go-Anywhere Charcoal Barbecue
RRP: £111.99
Dimensions: 36.9cm H x 53.4cm W x 31cm D (cooking area 42 x 26cm)
Weight: 6.78kg
Materials: Porcelain enamelled lid and cookbox, plated steel cooking grate, glass-reinforced nylon handle
Warranty: 10 years lid and cookbox, 5 years plastic parts, 2 years other parts

Related reviews

Best charcoal barbecues
Best gas barbecues
Best barbecues under £100
Best portable barbecues
Best pizza ovens
Best supermarket barbecue food
17 of the best barbecue gadgets, accessories and tools

Barbecue recipes

Best vegan barbecue recipes
Top 20 family barbecue recipes
Best ever barbecue recipes
Best family barbecue desserts
Best vegetarian barbecue recipes
Best healthy barbecue recipes
Last-minute barbecue recipes

Barbecue tips and tricks

Which barbecue should I buy?
Top tips for a successful barbecue
Easiest ever barbecue menu
Top tips for stress-free barbecuing
How to cook meat properly on the barbecue
The great British barbecue

If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.