Best Barrel Grills for Backyard BBQ
Choosing the best barrel grill for your backyard BBQ starts with understanding how you actually plan to cook.
Some backyard cooks want a simple charcoal grill for burgers, steaks, chicken, and vegetables. Others want enough capacity to smoke brisket, ribs, pork shoulder, and other BBQ favorites.
Barrel grills can provide a practical combination of cooking space, durability, and versatility.
The right choice depends on your cooking style, the number of people you normally serve, the amount of outdoor space you have, and whether you want to grill, smoke, or do both.
What Makes a Good Barrel Grill?
A good barrel grill should match your cooking needs rather than simply being the largest or most expensive option.
When comparing barrel grills, look at:
- Cooking surface
- Overall grill size
- Cooking racks
- Temperature control
- Airflow and vents
- Charcoal management
- Construction
- Mobility
- Cooking access
- Grilling and smoking capabilities
The most important factor is usable cooking capacity.
A grill that looks large from the outside is not necessarily the best choice if its cooking surface does not fit your needs.
Barrel Grill vs. Traditional Charcoal Grill
One reason buyers consider barrel grills is their distinctive design and cooking capacity.
Traditional kettle-style charcoal grills can be excellent for everyday backyard cooking, but barrel grills can offer a different cooking layout and may provide more room depending on the configuration.
Barrel grills can also be particularly attractive to buyers who want a heavy-duty BBQ setup rather than a lightweight portable grill.
The right option ultimately comes down to how often you cook and what you normally prepare.
55 Gallon Barrel Grills for Backyard BBQ
A 55-gallon barrel grill can be a strong option for backyard cooks who want a dedicated charcoal BBQ grill without moving into extremely large commercial-style equipment.
The 55 Gallon Barrel Grill is built around a single-barrel configuration.
It is worth considering if you want a larger backyard cooking setup for grilling and BBQ.
When choosing a 55-gallon barrel grill, consider how much cooking space you actually need and how many people you typically serve.
Double Barrel Grills for More Cooking Space
If you regularly cook for larger groups, a double barrel configuration can provide considerably more cooking capacity.
The Double Barrel Grill uses two 55-gallon barrels and is designed for buyers looking for a larger BBQ cooking setup.
A double barrel grill can be useful when you want additional space for different foods or larger quantities of BBQ.
It can also make sense for backyard cooks who frequently host family gatherings, parties, or larger BBQ events.
Barrel Grill for Grilling and Smoking
Not every buyer wants to choose between grilling and smoking.
If you enjoy both styles of BBQ, look for a grill configuration that gives you enough control over heat and airflow to support your preferred cooking methods.
Grilling typically involves higher temperatures and more direct heat.
Smoking generally involves lower temperatures and longer cooking times.
Your ideal barrel grill should therefore match the type of BBQ you expect to prepare most often.
How Much Cooking Space Do You Need?
Cooking capacity should be one of the first things you consider.
A small family that normally cooks for four or five people may not need the same equipment as someone who regularly hosts 20 or more guests.
Think about your normal BBQ rather than the largest event you might host once a year.
If you usually cook small meals, a single barrel may be sufficient.
If you regularly prepare large quantities of food, consider a double barrel or larger smoker.
Choosing a Barrel Grill for Brisket and Ribs
If smoking brisket and ribs is one of your main goals, cooking chamber size becomes especially important.
Large cuts of meat need adequate space and should be positioned so heat and smoke can circulate properly.
For serious smoking, you may also want to consider a larger offset smoker rather than a traditional grill configuration.
Our guide on Best Barrel Grills for Smoking Brisket and Ribs goes into more detail about choosing equipment specifically for brisket and ribs.
Choosing a Barrel Grill for Family BBQs
For family gatherings, convenience and capacity are important.
If you’re cooking for a larger family, you may want enough space to prepare several types of food at the same time.
Burgers, chicken, sausages, steaks, vegetables, and other BBQ foods can quickly fill a smaller cooking surface.
If you frequently host large gatherings, look at larger barrel configurations.
For occasional family BBQs, a 55-gallon barrel grill may provide a more practical balance between capacity and backyard space.
Heavy-Duty Construction Matters
A backyard grill can be a significant investment.
When comparing products, pay attention to the construction and overall build quality.
Heavy-duty equipment can be especially appealing to buyers who plan to cook frequently or keep their grill outdoors.
Look at the steel construction, doors, hinges, cooking grates, wheels, handles, vents, and other components.
Don’t choose a grill based solely on appearance.
The construction should support the way you plan to use the equipment.
Temperature Control
Temperature control is important for both grilling and smoking.
Airflow affects how charcoal and wood burn, which in turn affects cooking temperature.
Look for a grill with practical vents or airflow controls that allow you to adjust the fire.
A built-in thermometer can also make monitoring the cooking chamber more convenient.
Remember that a thermometer tells you the temperature where it is installed, so experienced cooks may still use additional temperature probes when precision matters.
Charcoal and Wood Management
Fuel management can have a major effect on the cooking experience.
When comparing barrel grills, consider how easy it is to add fuel, manage charcoal, and control the fire.
Features such as charcoal baskets can help organize fuel and may make fire management easier depending on the grill design.
If you prefer cooking with wood, make sure the grill is suitable for the type and amount of wood you intend to use.
Wheels and Mobility
A large barrel grill can be difficult to move without wheels or another suitable mobility system.
If you plan to move your grill around your backyard, mobility should be part of your buying decision.
Think about where the grill will normally be stored and where you will actually use it.
You should also make sure there is enough clearance around the grill when it is positioned in your cooking area.
Backyard Space Requirements
Measure your available outdoor space before purchasing a large barrel grill.
Don’t only measure the footprint of the grill.
You also need room to:
- Open doors
- Access cooking grates
- Add charcoal or wood
- Move around the grill
- Prepare food
- Store cooking equipment
- Safely operate the grill
A grill can technically fit in a space while still being inconvenient to use.
Plan your cooking area before ordering.
Should You Buy a Single or Double Barrel Grill?
The decision is fairly simple.
Choose a single barrel grill if you want a practical backyard BBQ setup and normally cook for smaller or medium-sized groups.
Consider a double barrel grill if you regularly need more cooking space or want to prepare larger quantities of food at the same time.
The double barrel configuration is also worth considering if you want more flexibility for different cooking zones.
When a Large Offset Smoker Makes More Sense
A barrel grill may not be the best option for every BBQ enthusiast.
If your primary goal is smoking large quantities of meat, a dedicated offset smoker may make more sense.
The 120 Gallon Offset Smoker provides significantly more cooking capacity than a standard backyard barrel grill.
For buyers with very large cooking requirements, the 250 Gallon Reverse Flow Smoker offers an even larger cooking setup.
These larger smokers are more appropriate for serious BBQ cooking, large gatherings, events, or buyers who regularly prepare substantial quantities of food.
Don’t Automatically Buy the Biggest Grill
More cooking space sounds attractive, but buying the largest grill available isn’t always the smartest decision.
A very large smoker can require:
- More outdoor space
- More fuel
- More cleaning
- More maintenance
- More money
If you normally cook for a small family, you may get better value from a smaller configuration.
Choose equipment based on your normal cooking habits.
What Is the Best Barrel Grill for Backyard BBQ?
The best barrel grill is the one that fits your cooking style, capacity requirements, budget, and available space.
For general backyard grilling, a single-barrel setup can provide a practical solution.
For larger gatherings and more cooking capacity, a double barrel grill can be a better fit.
For serious smoking and high-volume BBQ, a larger offset or reverse-flow smoker may be more appropriate.
There is no single grill that is perfect for every buyer.
Barrel Grill Buying Checklist
Before purchasing, ask yourself:
1. How Many People Do I Usually Cook For?
Your typical group size helps determine how much cooking space you need.
2. What Do I Cook Most Often?
Consider whether you mainly grill burgers and steaks or smoke brisket, ribs, and other large cuts.
3. Do I Need Grilling, Smoking, or Both?
Choose a configuration that matches your preferred cooking style.
4. How Much Backyard Space Do I Have?
Measure your available area and leave enough room to operate the grill comfortably.
5. Do I Need Wheels?
If you expect to move the grill, mobility is important.
6. How Much Fuel Will I Use?
Consider charcoal and wood requirements before choosing a larger grill.
7. Do I Need One Cooking Zone or More?
A larger configuration can provide more flexibility when cooking different foods.
Final Thoughts
The best barrel grill for backyard BBQ is not necessarily the biggest or most expensive option.
Start with your cooking requirements.
Think about how many people you normally serve, what foods you prepare, how much cooking space you need, and whether you want to grill, smoke, or both.
A 55-gallon barrel grill can be a practical choice for many backyard BBQ cooks.
A double barrel grill can provide additional cooking capacity for larger gatherings.
And if you regularly smoke large quantities of BBQ, a larger offset or reverse-flow smoker may be the better investment.
Choose the grill that fits your backyard, your cooking style, and the way you actually plan to BBQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best barrel grill for backyard BBQ?
The best barrel grill depends on your cooking needs, group size, available space, and preferred BBQ style. A 55-gallon barrel grill can suit many backyard cooks, while larger configurations can provide additional capacity.
Is a 55-gallon barrel grill good for backyard BBQ?
Yes. A 55-gallon configuration can provide useful cooking capacity for backyard grilling and BBQ. Whether it is large enough depends on how much food you normally prepare.
Is a double barrel grill better than a single barrel grill?
Not necessarily. A double barrel grill provides more cooking capacity, but a single barrel can be more practical for buyers with smaller gatherings or limited backyard space.
Can a barrel grill be used for smoking?
Depending on its design, a barrel grill can support smoking as well as grilling. Always check the specific product’s design and cooking specifications.
What size barrel grill should I buy?
Choose a size based on the number of people you normally cook for, the foods you prepare, and the available outdoor space. Avoid buying substantially more capacity than you regularly need.
Are barrel grills good for brisket?
Barrel grills can be used for BBQ smoking, but brisket requires sufficient cooking space and appropriate temperature control. Buyers who regularly smoke large briskets may want to consider a larger smoker.
Are barrel grills good for ribs?
A barrel grill can be suitable for ribs when it provides enough cooking space and appropriate heat control. Larger configurations can make it easier to prepare multiple racks.
Should I buy a barrel grill or an offset smoker?
If you mainly grill and occasionally smoke, a barrel grill may be a practical choice. If smoking large quantities of meat is your primary goal, a dedicated offset smoker may be more appropriate.
Are larger barrel grills harder to maintain?
Larger grills generally require more cleaning and fuel management because there is more equipment and cooking space to maintain. Choose a size that matches your actual needs.
Related BBQ Guides
For more help choosing the right equipment, see:
How to Choose the Right Size Barrel Grill for Your Backyard
Best Barrel Grills for Smoking Brisket and Ribs