Napoleon Charcoal BBQs

Enjoy the pleasure of cooking over glowing coals with a Napoleon charcoal BBQ. From a quick grill for two to a Sunday roast outdoors, Napoleon’s charcoal range gives you different ways to prepare food, manage the fire and make more of time in your garden.

Explore Premium and PRO charcoal kettle barbecues, cart designs and Apollo charcoal smokers. At BBQs 2u, an authorised Napoleon UK dealer, we can help you choose a cooking setup that suits your space and the meals you want to make. Browse the product listings for exact specifications, or ask our team for advice.

Why choose a Napoleon charcoal barbecue?

For many cooks, charcoal is as much about the experience as the result: lighting the fuel, arranging the coals and learning how the fire responds. A kettle barbecue gives you a versatile starting point for direct grilling, indirect roasting and adding wood smoke when the recipe calls for it.

That versatility brings more possibilities to your weekends. Sear steaks over the hotter side, finish thicker cuts away from the coals, or cook a sharing roast with the lid closed. Vegetables, fish and familiar family favourites can all become part of your outdoor menu.

Charcoal cooking takes more preparation than turning on a gas burner, but it rewards people who enjoy managing the heat themselves. If quicker starts and convenient heat adjustment are your priorities, compare our Napoleon gas BBQs before deciding.

Napoleon kettle BBQs: Premium or PRO?

Premium charcoal kettle barbecues

The Napoleon Charcoal Premium range offers traditional kettle cooking in different sizes, including compact portable designs. It is a useful starting point if you want a straightforward charcoal barbecue for grilling and experimenting with indirect cooking.

On specified full-height Premium kettles, porcelain-enamelled lids and bowls, adjustable ventilation and removable ash collection equipment provide practical features for regular use. Cooking grid materials and lid thermometer equipment vary across the family, so compare each product rather than assuming every kettle has the same construction.

PRO charcoal kettle barbecues

The Napoleon Charcoal PRO range adds features for cooks who want more flexibility around the fire. Current PRO kettle designs include porcelain-coated cast iron WAVE cooking grids with three height positions, letting you change the distance between your food and the charcoal.

A corner-hinged lid makes checking and tending the food more convenient because you do not need to find somewhere to put a loose lid. The current PRO kettles also feature stainless steel ventilation, an ACCU-PROBE lid thermometer, a heat management system and a rotisserie-ready riser ring. A compatible rotisserie kit is additional equipment; the ring alone is not a complete rotisserie setup.

These details are useful if you regularly grill different foods and want to develop your technique. Check the model generation, grid adjustment and included equipment in the individual listing.

47cm or 57cm Napoleon charcoal BBQ: choosing your cooking area

A 47cm kettle BBQ can suit smaller outdoor spaces and cooks who do not regularly need a large cooking surface. A 57cm kettle BBQ gives you more room to organise food and create separate heat zones for a varied meal.

Think beyond how many burgers fit. For indirect cooking, part of the barbecue is occupied by the charcoal arrangement, leaving the remaining area for the food. Extra space can be useful when you want a larger joint away from direct heat or several dishes cooking together.

Allow for the barbecue’s full footprint, lid movement and working space as well as its grill diameter. A smaller kettle with a layout you enjoy using can be a better choice than a larger barbecue squeezed into an awkward corner.

Napoleon charcoal BBQs with carts: make preparation easier

A charcoal kettle BBQ with a cart provides a more organised cooking station. On the current PRO kettle cart design, a folding side table offers somewhere to prepare food and put down utensils, while the base adds storage convenience.

For cooks who want a larger charcoal setup, Napoleon’s Professional cart barbecue takes a different approach, with a rectangular cooking area, front access for refuelling and a height-adjustable charcoal bed. Its layout can support different charcoal arrangements for direct and indirect cooking.

The choice is about how you work as well as how much you cook. A cart can make it easier to keep tools and ingredients close, reducing trips back indoors while friends gather around the table. Compare dimensions, preparation surfaces and fuel access against your patio space.

Grill, roast and smoke on a charcoal kettle barbecue

Direct grilling over the coals

Position food above the charcoal for higher-heat cooking and browning. This suits foods such as steaks, burgers and many vegetable dishes. Leaving a cooler area gives you somewhere to move food if it colours faster than expected.

Indirect cooking with the lid closed

Arrange the charcoal to keep the food away from direct heat, then cook with the lid closed. This approach opens up roasting and gentler cooking for larger pieces of food. The best charcoal layout depends on the barbecue, recipe and cooking time.

Adding smoke flavour

A suitable kettle can introduce you to smoking by combining an indirect setup with appropriate wood chips or chunks. Managing fuel and airflow takes practice, particularly for longer cooks. A dedicated smoker is worth comparing if low-and-slow cooking will be a regular part of your routine.

Napoleon Apollo smokers for low-and-slow cooking

The Napoleon Apollo water smoker family is designed around charcoal-fired smoking, with a modular chamber layout and a water bowl. Different configurations also allow grilling, giving you more ways to use the equipment.

For cooks interested in ribs, pulled pork and other longer recipes, a dedicated smoker offers a different layout from a kettle. Separate access doors help you tend the fuel, and adjustable ventilation lets you manage airflow during the cook.

Apollo models have changed over time. Cooking diameter, chamber arrangement, mobility and accessory compatibility vary between generations, so check the exact listing when comparing a Napoleon charcoal smoker. Choose it for the way you want to cook rather than assuming an older Apollo and a newer version include identical equipment.

Temperature control: airflow, fuel and cooking distance

On a charcoal barbecue, heat is managed through the quantity and arrangement of fuel, ventilation and the food’s distance from the coals. Adjustable vents give you control over airflow, while height adjustment on equipped models adds another way to influence the heat reaching your food.

A lid thermometer helps you follow the cooking environment, but it does not measure the temperature inside the food. A separate food thermometer is useful for checking doneness, especially with larger cuts. Follow your barbecue’s manual when lighting, adjusting and shutting down the fire.

Charcoal BBQ accessories for your Napoleon

A suitable charcoal starter, heat-resistant gloves, long-handled tools and a food thermometer are useful additions to your setup. Compatible charcoal baskets and smoking accessories can help you explore different cooking methods, while a correctly sized cover protects the cooled barbecue between uses.

Explore our Napoleon BBQ accessories for equipment to support your cooking and maintenance. Check covers, rotisserie kits and fitted accessories against the exact model and generation, or contact BBQs 2u for help with compatibility.

Why buy your Napoleon charcoal BBQ from BBQs 2u?

BBQs 2u is an authorised Napoleon UK dealer and a family business spanning three generations, selling barbecues since 2002 from Abersoch in North Wales. We can help you compare kettle features, cart layouts and smoker designs around your cooking plans.

Visit our Fire Shed BBQ showroom in Abersoch to discuss outdoor cooking and see selected barbecues. If you want to view a particular Napoleon charcoal model, contact us first to confirm what is on display. You can also speak to our team when choosing online.

Free standard delivery is available on qualifying orders to eligible destinations; our delivery information explains coverage and arrangements. Eligible purchases can earn points through the BBQs 2u loyalty programme, subject to its terms.

Napoleon charcoal BBQ FAQs

What is the difference between Napoleon Premium and PRO kettles?

Premium kettles provide a traditional charcoal cooking setup in a choice of sizes. Current PRO kettles add features including height-adjustable cast iron WAVE grids, a hinged lid and a rotisserie-ready riser ring. Compare the precise model and generation because specifications vary.

Is a 57cm charcoal BBQ better than a 47cm model?

A 57cm kettle provides more cooking space, which can help when arranging separate heat zones or cooking a larger meal. A 47cm kettle may suit smaller spaces and simpler meals. Choose around usable cooking area and the full barbecue footprint, rather than diameter alone.

Can I roast and smoke food on a Napoleon kettle BBQ?

Yes, a suitable kettle can be arranged for indirect roasting and smoking as well as direct grilling. The setup depends on your barbecue and recipe. If you plan frequent low-and-slow cooks, compare the Apollo smoker family too.

Do all Napoleon charcoal BBQs have cast iron WAVE grids?

No. Cooking grid material depends on the model. Current PRO kettles use porcelain-coated cast iron WAVE grids, while Premium models have different grid specifications. Check the product listing for the barbecue you are considering.

Is a rotisserie included with a PRO charcoal kettle?

A rotisserie-ready riser ring on an equipped PRO kettle allows use of compatible rotisserie equipment. It does not mean a motor, spit and forks are included. Check the listing and choose the correct optional kit for your model.

How do I clean a Napoleon charcoal barbecue?

Allow the barbecue and ashes to cool fully, then remove ash using the model’s collection system. Clean the cooking grids, bowl and ventilation components as instructed in the manual. Care methods differ between porcelain-coated cast iron, plated grids and other surfaces.

What warranty comes with a Napoleon charcoal BBQ?

Warranty terms vary by product, generation and component. Consult the warranty documentation for the exact kettle, cart barbecue or smoker you choose, including coverage periods and conditions.

Can you help me choose between charcoal and gas?

Yes. Charcoal suits people who enjoy preparing and managing a fire, while gas offers convenient ignition and heat adjustment. Explore our Napoleon gas BBQs, visit the wider Napoleon BBQ range or ask our team to talk through the options.

Find your next Napoleon charcoal barbecue

Whether you want a compact kettle for relaxed dinners, a cart barbecue for weekend gatherings or an Apollo smoker for longer cooking projects, choose the equipment that fits the meals you love making. Browse the Napoleon charcoal BBQs and smokers here, or contact BBQs 2u for practical advice on your next outdoor cooking setup.