Most Brits love a BBQ and as we approach the summer months, many are sure to dust off their trusty grills and host a get-together in their garden. We always hope the summer will bring sunshine, but we also know better than to trust the weather forecast. Here at Electric Radiators Direct, we’re delving deep into BBQ-ing habits, discovering how many Brits can’t wait to be back behind the grill – even if that means outdoor cooking in the wind and rain.
We surveyed 2,000 UK adults on what they say are the perfect BBQ conditions. Alongside this, we’ve analysed the average spring temperatures across the UK, to reveal which locations offer the best temperatures for BBQ-ing.
What do Brits say are the perfect conditions to BBQ?
According to our research, exactly half of the nation says the perfect months to get the BBQ out are May and June – if you’re looking for a sign to get your family and friends round to show off your cooking skills, this is it! A further 14% – or around 9.4 million of us – prefer to hold off and wait for the warmth that August brings.
But it appears that over 5.3 million of us can’t bear to wait that long! As almost one in ten (8%) admit they’ll get the BBQ out in either January, February, or March. If you’re one of those people, you’re a certified BBQ devotee! And for over 1.3 million Brits, BBQ is on the menu at Christmas, as 2% admitted to BBQ-ing as late in the year as October, November, and December! Perhaps these people leave out corn on the cob rather than mince pies for Santa?
Brits take ‘beer blankets’ to the next level as nearly a quarter admit to BBQ-ing between 0°C and 15°C
As part of our research, we also asked Brits what they think is the optimum temperature for a BBQ.
Overall, it seems that a comfortable 20°C is considered ideal, with almost one in five (19%) opting for this.
However, 13% admitted they prefer it slightly cooler and say 18°C is the most appropriate temperature to get grilling.
Although our findings suggested that Brits wait until May or June to get the BBQ out for the first time, by analysing the average spring temperatures across the UK, we can see that in reality, you’d be lucky to reach 18°C during these months. The average remains at around 13.3°C country wide, with the warmest temperatures being in London, Manchester, Southampton or Gloucester, where temperatures average 13.5°C. But it appears some Brits don’t fare well in the heat and prefer to BBQ on the cooler side, as only 6% of the population - or just over 4 million people – would only choose to BBQ at anything above 26°C. Research shows that some like to brave the cold, with over a fifth (23%) admitting they think it's acceptable to BBQ between 0°C and 15°C. Brrr!
It was the 18-24 age group that were the most receptable to the cold, with over one in five (13%) admitting they would BBQ between as little as 0°C and 6°C! Likewise, 17% of this age group said they would choose to have the first BBQ of the year in either January, February or March. Hot chocolate instead of Pimms we imagine? But it doesn’t end there, as our research found Liverpudlians have the thickest skin (or warmest beer blankets) when it comes to BBQ-ing in cooler conditions, as 2% - or around 18,000 people – admitted it only takes 5°C to get them out in the garden. Liverpool, we applaud your dedication to a good time!
We spoke to BBQ-ing expert, Marcus Bawdon from the UK BBQ School about when he thinks is the best time to BBQ, and it appears he’s in agreement with Liverpool!
Marcus says...
“I love cooking in the colder months because it's more of a challenge when you have to contend with the elements... And my favourite weather to cook in is snow!
Most people will pack away their BBQs for the colder months and they miss out. Wrap up warm and enjoy standing next to the BBQ when cooking to keep yourself warm. Sometimes on the hottest of summer days it's too hot to stand near a hot BBQ.”
“I've even cooked Christmas dinner on the BBQ for the last 12 years and I love a bit of me time on Christmas morning, outdoors cooking turkey and trimmings on the BBQ.
Some hard-core BBQ-ers like myself relish the challenge of cooking in adverse conditions and see BBQ season as running year-round.”
Come wind, rain or shine – nothing deters Brits from a BBQ
Inspired by Marcus’s brave approach to BBQ-ing, we asked the nation whether they had ever gone ahead with a BBQ, despite the fact it was raining – and over half (52%) of the public has. Although this comes as no surprise, as we know the typical British weather has a way of raining on our parade.
It appears that the 25-34 age group aren’t afraid of a little water, as over half (57%) said they had gone ahead with a BBQ when it had been raining.
The wet weather bothers those in Bristol the least, as over two thirds (67%) - or over 312,000 Bristolians – admitted they weren’t about to let a little bit of rain ruin their parade (or BBQ) and have gone ahead with plans despite a downpour.
Interestingly, it was the North-Eastern city of Newcastle that showed the most animosity to rain, as almost three in five (59%) said they had either cancelled or turned down BBQ plans due to the wet weather. According to Weather Spark, the driest month in Newcastle is March, so Geordies may want to get the BBQ out a little earlier in the year to avoid the rain.
Our research showed we’re not all desperate to get grilling, as over a quarter (26%) of those in Edinburgh choose to not BBQ at all, no matter the weather! As one of the coolest cities in our study, we can see why - in the spring, temperatures here sit at around 11.5°C.
Where offers the best conditions for a spring BBQ?
As part of our research, we analysed the average spring temperatures across the UK to determine which locations offer the best conditions for a BBQ at this time of year.
- On average, the South East of England is the warmest in spring, with temperatures averaging 15.05°C. Although slightly cooler than Brits admitted they’d prefer, this region offers the best BBQ weather during this season.
- This is followed by East Anglia (15.01°C) and the Midlands (14.36°C).
- On the other hand, the UK regions with the lowest temperatures are unsurprisingly the North of Scotland, which musters a measly 10.91°C and East Scotland with a slightly warmer average temperature of 11.47°C – although we think Liverpudlians would have no issues with BBQ-ing here!
Average UK spring temperatures by region
| Region | Max Avg. Spring Temp (2022) |
|
SE England |
15.05°C |
|
East Anglia |
15.01°C |
|
Midlands |
14.36°C |
|
SW England |
13.97°C |
|
NE England |
13.46°C |
|
NW England |
13.14°C |
|
Northern Ireland |
12.99°C |
|
West Scotland |
12.11°C |
|
East Scotland |
11.47°C |
|
North Scotland |
10.91°C |
Although the South East of England that offers the best BBQ weather in spring, our research shows the cities of London (14.5°C), Manchester (13.5°C) and Southampton (13°C) offering the warmest temperatures.
Whereas in Dundee, Bradford, Aberdeen and Durham, the average spring temperature is the lowest, at around 11°C – therefore offering the most unfavourable temperatures for BBQ’s.
Average UK spring temperatures by city
| City | Average temp in spring (°C) |
|
London |
14.5°C |
|
Manchester |
13.5°C |
|
Bristol |
13°C |
|
Cambridge |
13°C |
|
Exeter |
13°C |
|
Gloucester |
13°C |
|
Southampton |
13°C |
|
Bath |
12.5°C |
|
Birmingham |
12.5°C |
|
Cardiff |
12.5°C |
|
Chelmsford |
12.5°C |
|
Coventry |
12.5°C |
|
Derby |
12.5°C |
|
Leicester |
12.5°C |
|
Newport |
12.5°C |
|
Northampton |
12.5°C |
|
Norwich |
12.5°C |
|
Nottingham |
12.5°C |
|
Oxford |
12.5°C |
|
Peterborough |
12.5°C |
|
Plymouth |
12.5°C |
|
Portsmouth |
12.5°C |
|
Sheffield |
12.5°C |
| City (Continued) | Average temp in spring (°C) |
|
St Albans |
12.5°C |
|
Warrington |
12.5°C |
|
Wrexham |
12.5°C |
|
York |
12.5°C |
|
Brighton |
12°C |
|
Blackpool |
12°C |
|
Carlisle |
12°C |
|
Glasgow |
12°C |
|
Kingston upon Hull |
12°C |
|
Leeds |
12°C |
|
Lisburn |
12°C |
|
Liverpool |
12°C |
|
Middlesborough |
12°C |
|
Swansea |
12°C |
|
Wolverhampton |
12°C |
|
Belfast |
11.5°C |
|
Derry |
11.5°C |
|
Edinburgh |
11.5°C |
|
Newcastle upon Tyne |
11.5°C |
|
Sunderland |
11.5°C |
|
Dundee |
11°C |
|
Bradford |
11°C |
|
Aberdeen |
11°C |
|
Durham |
11°C |
Making sure your guests stay warm: Choosing the right patio heater for your outdoor space
Here at Electric Radiators Direct, we know that heating your garden can be just as important as heating your home, especially when BBQ season is underway. We have a huge variety of outdoor heaters to suit whatever space your outside space looks like. If you’re not sure what type you need, read on to find out our top tips for choosing the right heater.
There are a number of aspects to consider when it comes to selecting an outdoor heating solution. For electric patio heaters, there are multiple options available:
Shortwave heaters (near infrared)
The ideal option for those who are looking for robust, on-demand warmth. Fitted with a powerful tungsten bulb, they emit the strongest level of infrared warmth, perfect for counteracting colder temperatures – especially great for those in the North and East of Scotland!
Fast acting, they reach high temperatures in a matter of seconds and usually emit a distinct ruby glow. Due to their intensity, shortwave heaters are best suited for intermittent heating where instant and reliable warmth is needed. Least affected by air movement, they’re also a great choice for more exposed locations.
Our bestselling shortwave patio heaters
Ecostrad Solaglo
Ecostrad Sunglo
Ecostrad Heatglo
Mediumwave heaters
The mid-point between the immediate warmth of near infrared and the subtle long-lasting warmth of far infrared. Fitted with a carbon filament bulb, they emit a calming, low-glare light and longer-lasting warmth suitable for more extended use.
While mediumwave heaters can still withstand some airflow, they aren’t as robust as shortwave heaters and their warmth may be disrupted by stronger gusts of wind, so we recommend installing these heaters in sheltered outdoor spaces.
Our bestselling mediumwave patio heaters
Stratus
Ecostrad Thermaglo
Ecostrad Apex
Longwave heaters (far infrared)
Providing gentle, longer-lasting radiant warmth, these patio heaters use ceramic heating elements with zero light output so there’s absolutely no glare.
They take a little longer to warm up, but heat on a deeper level and continue to supply heat even after switch-off, for superior efficiency. Most affected by air movement, longwave infrared heaters are best used in sheltered indoor spaces.
Our bestselling longwave patio heaters
Herschel Aspect XL
Herschel Summit
Herschel Advantage IR
Electric patio heaters are adaptable for every type of setting
Lightweight and versatile, electric patio heaters can be installed within minutes. And there are three main fitting options:
Wall mounting is a great choice for targeting seating areas in your garden. Many patio heaters come with adjustable brackets so you can get the perfect angle every time.
Freestanding fitting gives you full portability with your patio heater, offering convenient, transportable heating for any setting.
Ceiling mounting is ideal for sheltered outdoor spaces, creating a discreet and unobtrusive heating solution. Positioning your patio heater on the ceiling will allow you to direct warmth to where it’s needed most.
Check out our Buying Guide for everything you need to know before making a purchase, including the different types of electric patio heaters, how they’re installed and their levels of control.
About our research
We surveyed 2,000 UK adults on their preferences when it comes to BBQ-ing. We then matched this to average spring temperatures across the UK using Weather Spark.
Key learnings
- Half of the population state that May and June offer the best conditions for a BBQ, but millions admit they’ll start as early as October!
- Overall, it seems that a comfortable 20°C is considered the ideal temperature for a BBQ.
- On average, the South East of England is the warmest in spring, with temperatures averaging 15.05°C.
- With BBQ season underway, it’s important to keep guests warm no matter what the UK weather throws at us. Electric patio heaters are the perfect solution, coming in tow with a range of heating technologies and installation options to suit your outdoor space perfectly.