From slow smoking to high-heat searing: Charles Bentley’s new Ottimo range brings kamado-style cooking home

Outdoor cooking has evolved beyond quick grills and classic favourites. Today, it’s about taking time, exploring flavour and turning outdoor spaces into places to eat, gather and unwind – and Charles Bentley’s latest launch is designed to do exactly that. 

Introducing the Ottimo Searsmith Kamado range, a new collection of three versatile barbecues, designed to bring the craft of precision outdoor cooking into everyday gardens, patios and balconies, without the premium price tag. Inspired by traditional Kamado cooking, the collection allows home cooks to smoke, sear and roast using one beautifully designed grill. 

Designed for flavour, control and confidence 

At the heart of each model is a ceramic body engineered to retain heat and moisture, creating consistent temperatures and deeply flavourful results. From slow-cooked joints and smoked vegetables to high-heat searing, the barbecue adapts seamlessly to different cooking styles and tastes. 

A dual airflow system combining adjustable top and bottom vents gives cooks precise control over oxygen flow, while a built-in thermometer makes it easy to monitor temperatures throughout the cooking process, removing the guesswork and encouraging experimentation. 

Three sizes to suit every outdoor space and budget 

Recognising that no two outdoor spaces, cooking habits or budgets are the same, the Ottimo Searsmith range is available in three considered sizes. Designed to make kamado-style cooking more accessible, each model combines ceramic performance and versatility with a more accessible price point. 

• Ottimo Searsmith 13” Kamado Barbecue (RRP £149.00) – Compact and efficient, this space-saving model is ideal for smaller outdoor areas or cooking on the go. Featuring a ceramic fire box, cast iron charcoal plate and heat deflector, it delivers all the benefits of Kamado cooking in a streamlined design – perfect for relaxed cooking for 1-3 people. 
• Ottimo Searsmith 18” Kamado Barbecue (RRP £599.00) – Designed for family meals and easy entertaining, the 18” model offers generous cooking space alongside folding bamboo side tables for convenient prep. The flexible setup makes it easy to sear, grill and roast different foods all at the same time, while the wheeled stand allows for effortless repositioning outdoors – ideal for 4-6 people. 
• Ottimo Searsmith 24” Kamado Barbecue (RRP £799.00) – Perfect for hosting at scale, the largest model offers generous cooking capacity for up 8-10 people, with plenty of room to cook multiple dishes at once. An assisted lifting system ensures smooth, effortless opening, while expansive prep space and multi-zone cooking make it ideal for long, social cooking sessions and varied outdoor menus. 

Thoughtful materials, inside and out 

Beyond performance, the new range has been carefully designed to enhance both the look and feel of outdoor spaces. Finished in a sleek glossy pale green ceramic, each barbecue creates a refined focal point, while bamboo features like the handle and shelves add a warm and contemporary feel. 

Practical features are woven throughout the design, with folding side shelves providing space to prep, plate and keep ingredients close to hand, and wheeled, powder-coated steel stands offering both stability and easy movement outdoors. Features such as ash drawers on larger models make everyday maintenance simple and straightforward, while the durable ceramic construction supports efficient fuel use, helping to maintain steady heat with less charcoal. Built to last and guaranteed for up to 7 years, offering added peace of mind. 

For more information about Charles Bentley and to browse the full product range, visit www.charlesbentley.com. 

Ends

Editors notes

RRP

Ottimo Searsmith 13" Kamado - £149.00

Ottimo Searsmith 18" Kamado - £599.00

Ottimo Searsmith 24" Kamado - £799.00

Established in 1860, Charles Bentley is a sixth-generation family business and the UK’s leading manufacturer of brushware. What started as a chimney-sweeping brushes company has grown into a trusted British brand, with over 160 years of experience creating high-quality brushware for homes, businesses, and industry. Today, more than two million brushes and brooms are made every year, combining traditional values with modern manufacturing to meet the demands of customers across the UK and beyond. Alongside its brushware heritage, Charles Bentley is now known for a wide range of home, garden, and leisure products, from garden furniture and parasols to storage, barbecues, and decorative touches. Every piece is thoughtfully designed to bring comfort, style and practicality to everyday living. Still based in Loughborough, Charles Bentley continues to innovate while staying true to its long-standing values of quality, sustainability, and dependable customer service. Whether it’s a hand-finished broom or a beautifully crafted piece of garden furniture, the Bentley name is trusted by generations to deliver products that enhance everyday life.