Barbecook Arena Stainless Steel

This uniquely designed charcoal grill is one of the easiest to light. You place a couple of sheets of newspaper in the base and light the paper. Charcoal above will be lit quickly. The base holds a small water basin. Hot ashes from the grill fall through and are extinguished in the water. When you're done grilling you can simply pull out the coal grate and drop the hot coals into the water. This makes this charcoal grill one of the more convenient to use. Designed as an open grill there is no lid and no vents. You adjust the cooking temperature by moving the cooking grate up or down.

While you probably haven't heard of Barbecook before, they are one of the largest charcoal grill makers in Europe. The advantage they had in designing this grill (and many similar models) is that they did it without trying to reproduce American designed grills. This unit has several innovative features that make it an unique charcoal grill.

To appreciate this grill you really need to see one in action. You start by filling the base of the unit with water. This shifts the weight down but also serves another purpose you'll see in a minute. Next, fill the neck of the unit, just under the coal grate with newspaper. Replace the coal grate, pour in your charcoal and light the newspaper from one of the vents in the side of the pedestal. This lights the charcoal just like a charcoal chimney would. In about ten minutes you are ready to grill.

The large cooking area gives you plenty of space, but this grill is designed as a direct only unit. No lid or vents means you can't roast or grill indirectly. You adjust the cooking heat by moving the 4 position cooking grate up or down. When you are done grilling, pull out the coal grate and the coals drop down the base into the water, extinguishing the fire instantly. No worry and no more fire. Dump out the removable base and your ready to start again.

This grill sells for around $260USD making it more expensive, but less versatile than the popular Weber Kettle line of grills. However the convenience and instant stop feature are definitely a plus. If you are interested in a lightweight (about 26 pounds) open style charcoal grill then this is a model to consider.