Published 2026-04-21 by James Maxwell
Shoppers are searching for Aldi’s Kamado BBQ because it offers ceramic egg-style grilling at a fraction of the price charged by premium brands. The Aldi Kamado BBQ is a ceramic charcoal barbecue returning to Aldi Specialbuys in May 2026, priced at around £299.99. That puts it more than £1,200 below the entry-level Big Green Egg, which retails from around £1,549 in the UK.
Kamado-style BBQs have developed a passionate following among serious grillers. The ceramic construction holds heat far better than steel kettles, and the egg shape allows you to smoke low and slow for hours or sear at high temperatures — sometimes above 300°C — using the same setup. Until recently, that capability came with a premium price tag that put it out of reach for most households.
Aldi’s Kamado BBQ is trending because it brings ceramic egg-style grilling into the budget bracket for the first time in the 2026 BBQ season. The product last appeared in Aldi Specialbuys in 2025 and sold out quickly, which drove secondhand prices up and left a lot of disappointed shoppers. With a confirmed return in May 2026, searches have spiked again.
The timing matters too. Specialbuys work on a strict in-store and online window. Once stock goes, it goes. Shoppers who missed it last time are paying close attention this time around, and the price gap versus established competitors makes it one of the more searched BBQ deals of the year.
The Aldi Kamado BBQ at approximately £299.99 sits at the affordable end of a market that spans a very wide range. Here’s how it compares to the main alternatives:
The Aldi model undercuts Lidl’s comparable offering by around £50, based on prices seen during Lidl’s 2025 Specialbuys run. That’s a saving when the specs are broadly similar on paper, though Lidl’s version has received slightly stronger user reviews for build consistency.
What the table can’t tell you is that Big Green Egg’s premium isn’t purely about the ceramic. You’re also paying for a UK dealer network, a lifetime warranty on the ceramic shell, and a vast ecosystem of accessories. For a serious competition-level cook, that matters. For a family that wants to smoke a brisket on a Saturday, the Aldi version is a very capable starting point.
The Aldi Kamado BBQ will be available through Aldi’s Specialbuys range, both in-store and at aldi.co.uk, from late May 2026. Aldi has not confirmed the exact date at time of writing, so checking the Specialbuys page weekly from early May is the most reliable approach.
For shoppers who want alternatives available right now, the Big Green Egg is stocked by specialist outdoor retailers including Gozney-authorised dealers and garden centres nationwide. Monolith Kamados are available through Leisure Outlet and selected BBQ specialists. Lidl’s Kamado has not been confirmed for a 2026 return at time of writing.
We’re tracking prices on Kamado BBQs across UK retailers. Compare current options on Shopping.co.uk.
At £299.99, the Aldi Kamado BBQ is good value for anyone who wants to try ceramic grilling without committing to a four-figure spend. Ceramic Kamados outperform steel kettles on heat retention and fuel efficiency , you’ll use noticeably less charcoal over a long cook compared to a standard Weber kettle, which starts from around £189 for the classic 57cm model.
The trade-offs are real, though. Aldi’s Specialbuys products carry no long-term spares network, so if you crack the ceramic shell (a known risk if you heat the BBQ too fast from cold), replacement parts are not guaranteed to be available. Big Green Egg and Monolith both sell replacement ceramics and grates years after purchase.
The Aldi Kamado also lacks the accessory ecosystem that makes premium Kamados so versatile. No official pizza stone fitting, no certified deflector plates, no half-moon cast iron inserts. You can improvise with third-party accessories, but it requires more research.
For occasional weekend cooks and first-time Kamado owners, the value case is strong. For anyone planning to use this as a primary outdoor cooker year-round, the £749 Big Green Egg Small starts to look more sensible over a five-year horizon.
At £299.99, the Aldi Kamado BBQ is the cheapest new ceramic egg BBQ available in the UK in 2026, undercutting Lidl’s last comparable Specialbuys listing by around £50 and sitting more than £1,200 below the entry Big Green Egg setup.
Best place to buy: Aldi (aldi.co.uk and in-store) , the only retailer selling this specific product, with free click-and-collect available from most stores once the Specialbuys window opens in late May 2026.
vs. Big Green Egg: The Big Green Egg Large at ~£1,549 is a serious long-term investment with lifetime ceramic warranty and a UK dealer network; the Aldi version at £299.99 makes sense as a starter Kamado, but don’t expect the same longevity or parts support.
Our take: Buy the Aldi Kamado if you’re Kamado-curious and don’t want to gamble £800-plus on a cooking style you’ve never tried; wait if you’re a committed year-round griller who’ll resent the lack of spares in 18 months.
When does the Aldi Kamado BBQ go on sale in 2026?
Aldi has indicated a late May 2026 Specialbuys slot, but has not confirmed a specific date at time of writing. Check aldi.co.uk/specialbuys from early May and sign up for Specialbuys email alerts to avoid missing it.
Is the Aldi Kamado BBQ the same as a Big Green Egg?
Both use ceramic construction and the same egg-shaped design that retains heat efficiently for smoking and high-temperature grilling. The core cooking principle is identical. The differences are in build quality, warranty, spares availability, and the accessory ecosystem , areas where Big Green Egg has a significant advantage.
Can you use the Aldi Kamado BBQ for smoking?
Yes. The dual vent system lets you control airflow precisely enough to hold low temperatures (around 110-130°C) for slow smoking. It’s one of the main reasons ceramic Kamados are preferred over steel kettles for longer cooks.
What size is the Aldi Kamado BBQ?
Aldi has not published full specifications for the 2026 model at time of writing. Based on previous years’ listings, the cooking grate is approximately 46cm in diameter, which is comparable to a Large Big Green Egg and comfortably fits a whole chicken or a decent rack of ribs.