The Royal Leisure Charcoal Smokeless Portable BBQ transforms outdoor cooking by cutting your wait time down to just 5-10 minutes instead of the half-hour slog traditional charcoal BBQs demand. Its battery-operated airflow system speeds the charcoal up to cooking temperature fast, whilst using 85% less fuel than conventional models. You'll get 40-100+ minutes of grilling from just 250g of charcoal, which means you can cook for up to 6 people without constantly refuelling. The 320mm cast iron grill plate retains heat brilliantly and makes cleaning straightforward afterwards.
This BBQ works well for caravans, motorhomes, and camping trips because it's genuinely portable at 22cm high and 34cm diameter. It comes with its own carry bag, stays cool to the touch, and produces virtually no smoke compared to standard charcoal grills. The fan runs on 4 AA batteries (you'll need to supply these yourself), and there's a USB port built in for emergency phone charging. The stainless steel components including the drip tray, charcoal box, and ignition plate are dishwasher safe, which saves time when you're packing up.
Worth noting that whilst this BBQ handles smoke better than traditional models, you still can't use it indoors or in enclosed spaces. The adjustable airflow fan gives you decent control over heat intensity, though you won't get the same infinite temperature adjustment you'd have with a gas grill. For campers and caravanners who want proper charcoal flavour without the usual hassle and mess, this delivers on speed and convenience.
Royal Leisure Charcoal Smokeless Portable BBQ Features
- Royal Leisure Charcoal Smokeless Portable BBQ
- Cast Iron Grill
- XL Fan Assisted
- Easy start
- 5 - 10 minutes ready to cook time
- Bellows airflow system
- Large Capacity 1.5 hour grilling time
- Carry bag included
Specifications
- 34 x 34 x 22cm
- 31cm Cast Iron Grill Cooking area
- Weight: 5.05kg
Frequently Asked Questions
The battery-operated airflow system forces oxygen through the charcoal from below, creating a more complete combustion process that produces minimal smoke. Traditional BBQs burn charcoal with natural air circulation, which creates more smoke because the fuel burns less efficiently. The fan runs on 4 AA batteries and pushes air through vents in the charcoal chamber, reaching cooking temperature in 5-10 minutes compared to 30 minutes for standard charcoal grills.
Standard lumpwood charcoal or charcoal briquettes both work fine with the Royal Leisure Smokeless BBQ. Lumpwood lights faster and burns hotter, whilst briquettes provide more consistent, longer-lasting heat. You'll need roughly 250g of charcoal per cooking session, which gives 40-100+ minutes of cooking time depending on how high you run the airflow fan. Avoid instant-light charcoals or treated woods as these can damage the fan mechanism and produce unwanted chemicals.
Most UK campsites allow this type of portable BBQ because it stays cool to the touch and produces minimal smoke, but you'll need to check individual site rules first. Some sites have total fire bans during dry periods, whilst others require BBQs to be raised off the ground. The Royal Leisure BBQ sits 22cm tall and won't scorch grass or damage pitch surfaces when used on its feet. Its virtually smokeless design means you're less likely to disturb neighbouring pitches, though you still can't use it inside awnings, tents, or enclosed spaces for safety reasons.
A set of 4 AA batteries runs the fan for approximately 4-6 cooking sessions depending on how long you cook and what fan speed you use. Higher fan speeds consume more battery power but give you hotter cooking temperatures and faster charcoal ignition. The fan box detaches completely, so you can swap batteries quickly between cooking sessions. Standard alkaline batteries work fine, though rechargeable AAs are more economical if you plan to use the BBQ regularly throughout the camping season.
The cast iron grill is dishwasher safe, though hand cleaning with hot soapy water and a stiff brush maintains the seasoning better. Remove the grill whilst it's still slightly warm as food residue comes off easier. The stainless steel drip tray, charcoal chamber, and ignition plate all go in the dishwasher without issues. After washing the cast iron, dry it thoroughly and rub a thin layer of cooking oil over the surface to prevent rust, especially if you're storing the BBQ between camping trips.
The forced airflow system handles wind better than traditional BBQs because the fan controls the oxygen supply rather than relying on ambient air movement. Light rain won't stop it working, though you'll need shelter overhead to keep the charcoal dry and maintain consistent temperature. Heavy rain or strong winds above 20mph will affect cooking performance as heat escapes faster and water can cool the cast iron grill. The fan box is splash-resistant but not waterproof, so remove it before storing the BBQ if it gets wet during cooking.
The complete unit including the cast iron grill, stainless steel components, fan box, and carry bag weighs approximately 6-7kg when empty. The cast iron grill plate accounts for most of this weight but gives you the heat retention that makes cooking faster. This weight makes it genuinely portable for loading into caravans, motorhomes, or car boots, though it's heavier than disposable foil BBQs. The carry bag has handles and protects your vehicle from soot and ash residue when transporting between sites.
Wait 5-10 minutes after lighting for the charcoal to develop a grey ash coating before putting food on the grill. The airflow system gets the charcoal hot quickly, but cooking on flames rather than glowing coals gives you burnt outsides and raw insides. You'll see the flames die down and the charcoal turn grey when it's ready. The adjustable fan speed lets you control temperature once you start cooking, turning it down for slower cooking or up for searing meat at higher heat.
The USB port works as an emergency charging source but outputs lower power than mains chargers or dedicated power banks. It'll charge smartphones slowly and won't handle tablets or laptops reliably. The port draws power from the same 4 AA batteries that run the fan, so using it for charging reduces how long your batteries last for cooking. It's there as a backup option if your phone dies whilst you're camping and you need to make a call, not as a replacement for proper charging equipment.
The 320mm diameter cast iron grill gives you roughly the same cooking space as a standard 12-inch frying pan, which fits 4-6 burgers, 8-10 sausages, or 4-6 chicken pieces depending on their size. The circular shape means you can't fit long items like corn on the cob lengthways, but the heat retention from cast iron cooks food faster than standard chrome-plated grills. For feeding 6 people, you'll need to cook in batches for main courses, though the cast iron stays hot between loads so your second batch cooks just as quickly as the first.
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