Barbecue & Grilling

Coastal cooking happens outside: whole fish over embers, salmon on a cedar plank, pizza from a blazing-hot oven. Here we cover the grills, ovens and tools that make it easy – and the recipes to use them for.

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In short

For one grill that goes anywhere, read the best portable grills. For pizza and anything that likes intense heat, the outdoor pizza oven guide. Then cook: whole fish, espeto style and cedar plank salmon, with a good fillet knife at hand.

Prawn skewers and fish grilling over glowing charcoal on a beach at sunset (AI image) — Prawn skewers and fish fillets on a charcoal grill by the sea (AI image)

Grills & Griddles

Grills and griddles

Small grills that travel to the beach or fit a balcony; a griddle guide follows.

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Portable grills

Small grills that travel: gas, charcoal and electric portable grills compared by weight, cooking area and setup – including the Weber Q 1200 and Traveler.

Pizza Ovens

Pizza ovens

Gas, wood or multi-fuel – and why a hot oven is just as good for fish and vegetables.

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Outdoor pizza ovens

Gas, wood or multi-fuel? How to choose an outdoor pizza oven by size, heat and fuel – the ovens worth buying, plus the peel, thermometer and cover you need.

Seafood on the Grill

Seafood on the grill

The two methods every coastal cook should know.

Whole fish, espeto style

Grill whole fish like the beach bars of Málaga: sardines on skewers by the fire, plus a step-by-step method for your grill, timings and the tools you need.

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Cedar plank salmon

How to grill salmon on a cedar plank – soaking, heat, timing and a simple lemon-herb glaze – plus the grill, knife and tools that make it easy.

Tools & Knives

Tools and knives

A flexible fillet knife, a fish basket and a thermometer do more for grilled fish than a bigger grill.

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Fillet knives

How to choose a fillet knife – blade length, flex, steel that handles saltwater and a grip that holds when wet – plus the six fillet knives worth buying.

Quick picks