June is almost upon us, as is barbecue season and the imminent arrival of smoky smells wafting enticingly over the fence. If you’re considering upgrading your barbecue for summer 2022, you’d better act fast. Homebase pinpoints Thursday, May 26, as the day when barbecue shopping reaches fever pitch in the UK: “On this day demand starts to rocket to more than 400 per cent,” a spokesperson says.

There’s a profusion of styles on offer, from eggs to barrels, and portable designs to niche offerings such as the charcoal parrilla (an Argentine-style charcoal grill; £475, blackboxbbq.co.uk). If you’re going for a traditional barbecue, should you plump for gas or charcoal? Derek Nixon, managing director at Landmann Ltd, notes a “resurgence in charcoal, with people desiring

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