Best Charcoal Grills In 2024

A charcoal grill is a type of grill that uses coal as a fuel source. Charcoal grills provide the classic smoky aroma and the sizzling and juicy texture to your meat. Charcoal grills ensure that the user has more control over the heat levels and temperature.

The finest grill for grilling is a charcoal grill since they are strong and compact. They allow you to create different grilling regions and also offer higher cooking temperatures than gas as well as electric barbecues.

Charcoal grills come in a variety of sizes, from small portable grills to large permanent ones. Many people prefer charcoal grills because they believe that the food tastes better when cooked over charcoal. In addition, charcoal grills are usually less expensive than gas grills.

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Why Buy A Charcoal Grill?

For the gorgeous, smoky taste that charcoal imparts to your cuisine, from hot dogs and burgers to pizza and pork chops, charcoal barbecues are a must-have for home cooks. Additionally, charcoal grills are generally less pricey than gas or pellet barbecues, allowing even those on a tight budget to cook outdoors. Charcoal grills are most likely preferred for their simplicity and cost, which naturally go hand in hand. In essence, a charcoal grill is a coal canister with a shelf above it and a cover.

What We Looked At Before Buying Charcoal Grill

These are the things that you must consider before purchasing your charcoal grill.

  1. Materials and stability

    The materials used to produce the charcoal grills range from porcelain to stainless steel or enameled steel. Each kind has a unique set of benefits and drawbacks. There is no incorrect choice for grill grates because it all depends on the food and cooking method you wish to use.

    Although they are built of a variety of materials, including cast iron, aluminum, and stainless or enameled steel. If you do not focus on the design, it will have rust patches, will not hold heat, and will not survive very long. Many charcoal grills come with wheels that make them more stable and also movable. As you may have noticed, there are several types of units available, ranging from models that can be relocated a few yards about your courtyard to ones that are built to be transported.
  2. Price

    Charcoal barbecues will cost between $50 and $2000 (or higher). From low-end to high-end versions, their grade, manufacturer, and features determine their price. Before choosing to purchase the grill, you must adhere to the spending limit you have established for it.

    There are budget, mid-range, and luxury charcoal grills available in the market. For those who want the simplest, most affordable grilling experience imaginable, budget barbecues are a terrific alternative. Grills in this price range are probably composed of aluminum rather than stainless steel and lack several features.

    An improvement in entry-level versions is provided by mid-range barbecues. These grills are often built with more stainless steel, are bigger, and may have additional amenities like rotisserie kits or movable charcoal beds. At your next get-together, a high-end charcoal barbecue will make you the talk of the neighborhood. Large proportions, very tough construction, and visually beautiful designs—these grills have everything you could possibly desire in a charcoal barbecue.
  3. Heat Retention And Manipulation

    We searched for charcoal grills that retained heat well while also enabling simple airflow changes via dampers, vents, or even other features like a movable charcoal tray. On a charcoal grill, you must regulate the flame as well as temperature level for food to be cooked properly.

    Simply change the quantity of air the flames take to ignite to do this. While the hood’s compartment and vents are utilized to regulate airflow. For optimal lighting and cooking, one of these will allow oxygen to enter the grill, while the other will allow fumes to escape.

    To manage the space between burners and food, you also need to elevate or lower the grill’s cooking panels and charcoal. As a result, controlling the heat is simple.
  4. Size

    It is wise to question oneself: How many guests will you typically barbecue for when choosing the size of the grill? What would be the largest group you could grill for at once? And how frequently will you need enough room to cook multiple racks of ribs or other large chunks of meat at once, like a brisket?

    Remember that size refers to more than just the number of hamburgers. You can simply establish twin zones on a larger charcoal grilling area for more flexible cooking. On the cooking surfaces, small charcoal grills have a maximum width of 26 inches. They are therefore ideal for smaller families or partners, and they work well as portable barbecues for camping and tailgating vacations.

    Next are medium-sized charcoal grills. This size makes it simple to regularly serve a big family, with cooking surfaces that range in width from 27 to 33 inches.

    There are also large charcoal barbecues. A huge charcoal pit would probably work the best for you if you frequently cook for large events like family gatherings or Game-day celebrations. We are talking about grilling surfaces that are at least 34 inches wide, giving you practically unlimited options for cooking setups and methods.
  5. Grill Features

    Some grills come with several unique qualities. Many grills have a rack on the grill’s base for convenient charcoal storage. A removable trash bin makes cleanup simple. Several grills also include smoker trays. A ledge is attached to hold the food thermometer close to the cooking grate for temperature monitoring. Hooks for hanging kitchenware on the sides and a few movable racks as well.
  6. Cleanup

    Invest in charcoal grills that are easy to clean up after every session. Make sure that most parts of the grill are dishwasher safe and detachable. Remove the grease and dust and food particles from each corner to ensure proper cleaning. Keep the grill in a safe place away from direct sunlight and away from accident prone zones.
  7. Construction And Air Control

    The charcoal grill should be durable and sturdy enough to absorb any shock from accidents. The legs of such grills should be strong and should be made from excellent quality steel. Invest in top-rated charcoal barbecues as they are made from high quality elements such as cast-iron and so on.

    Almost all charcoal grills have vents or holes at their base. You may obtain more air and a hotter fire by opening the vents widely. Vents can be partially closed to reduce airflow and to cool the flames. When lighting the charcoal and assembling the grill, ensure the vents are open. The vents of a charcoal grill can be blocked with ash if you are having difficulties getting it to light.
  8. Functionality

    A simple charcoal grill can serve many purposes and functions. They facilitate both higher as well as lower temperature cooking, giving you more control. They promote versatile cooking through indirect and direct heat.

    You may grill, barbecue, fry, bake and do other things depending on the grill’s design. Charcoal grills give incredible flavor to the meat. They are less expensive as they do not have burners or valves, which increases the price of any appliance.
  9. Thermometers

    Many charcoal grills in the market come along with thermometers to gauge the temperature of the heat. Thermometers help the user in cooking their food perfectly and not leaving the food either undercooked or overcooked. These thermometers sort of give a food safety guarantee and also promote sharper consistency as you cook at the same temperature for a long time. There is less wastage of food. It also saves time and money. The food, when cooked at the same temperature, tastes much better and juicier.

The 10 Best Charcoal Grill In 2022

Best Overall: Weber Original Kettle Premium 22″ Charcoal Grill
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Best In value: PK Grills Charcoal Grill
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Best Digital Control: Masterbuilt Digital Charcoal Grill
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Best Heavy Duty: Dyna-Glo Charcoal Grill
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Best Kamado Style: Kamado Joe 18-inch Charcoal Grill
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Best Offset: Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill
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Best In Budget: Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill
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Best TRU-Infrared: Char-Broil Charcoal Kettle Grill
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Best With Performance: Weber Performer Charcoal Grill
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Best Aesthetics: Char-Griller Kamado Charcoal Grill
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Best Overall: Weber Original Kettle Premium 22″ Charcoal Grill

The Weber Original charcoal grill has 22.5 x 22.5 x 27-inch dimensions making it easy to maneuver, and its 32.3-pound weight makes it portable enough to take on camping trips or picnics.

The enameled cast iron cooking grates provide even heat distribution, ensuring that your food comes out perfectly cooked every time and holds up to 13 burgers. The porcelain-enameled bowl and lid are designed for durability, they won’t rust and are easy to clean.

The heavy-duty plated steel legs provide stability, and the high-capacity ash catcher collects debris for easy cleanup.

This classic grill features a built-in lid thermometer for precision cooking, rust-resistant aluminum dampers for durability, and a lid hook for easy storage.

Pros

  • Includes Built-in Thermometer
  • Provide Aluminum Dampers
  • One-Touch Cleaning System
  • Comes With Lid Hook And Wheels

Cons

  • Needs To Improve Quality Control

Best In value: PK Grills Charcoal Grill

The PK Grills charcoal grill has dimensions of 23 x 54 x 43 inches and a weight of 90 pounds. The large grilling surface area allows for plenty of space to cook multiple items at once.

The 4-point venting system ensures that food is cooked evenly, and the two heating zones allow for precise temperature control.

The grill also features a built-in thermometer, so you can always keep an eye on the temperature of your food. The two wheels allow for easy mobility, so you can take your grill wherever you want to go.

The grill is made of two pieces of aluminum that are riveted together, making it extremely durable. The handles on the grill are also made of aluminum, so they will not get hot to the touch.

Pros

  • Provides a 4-point Venting System
  • Includes 2 Heating Zone
  • Easy To Port With Durable Wheels
  • Durable Construction

Cons

  • Hard To Assemble

Best Digital Control: Masterbuilt Digital Charcoal Grill

The Masterbuilt digital charcoal grill has 33.07 x 61.02 x 52.17 inches and it weighs 203 pounds, so it is large enough to accommodate your needs.

It can reach temperatures of up to 700°F in just 15 minutes. This makes it ideal for cooking at high heat, which is perfect for searing meat.

The digital control panel makes it easy to set and monitor the temperature, so you can be confident that your food will be cooked to perfection.

One of its best features is the fact that you can control it using WiFi or Bluetooth. This means that you can easily adjust the temperature and cook time without having to worry about manually controlling the grill.

Additionally, the grill has a folding stainless steel shelf and a stainless steel side shelf for extra preparation space.

Pros

  • Reach Temperature Upto 700°F in 15 minutes
  • Controlled By Bluetooth And WiFi
  • Includes Digital Control Panel
  • Folding Stainless Steel Shelves

Cons

  • Bad Customer Support

Best Heavy Duty: Dyna-Glo Charcoal Grill

The dimensions of the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Grill are 55.79 x 28.43 x 50.98 inches and its weight is 79 pounds. It features three heavy-duty cast iron bodies and porcelain-enameled cooking grates.

It features an adjustable charcoal tray that allows you to control the amount of heat, as well as a heavy-duty cart with side shelves.

The 8-inch wheels make it easy to move the grill around your backyard. The side shelves are ideal for holding platters and utensils, while the storage basket provides a convenient place to store your charcoal when not in use.

It also features a stainless steel temperature gauge for precision cooking, as well as a heavy-duty steel charcoal access door that makes adding fuel easy.

Pros

  • Includes Adjustable Charcoal Tray
  • Provide Side Shelves And Storage Basket
  • 3 Cast Iron Cooking Grates
  • Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Body

Cons

  • Some Quality-Related Complaints

Best Kamado Style: Kamado Joe 18-inch Charcoal Grill

The Kamado Joe 18-inch charcoal grill has dimensions of 18 x 18.11 x 36 inches, so it will easily fit on most patios or decks. The grill also has a weight of 250 pounds, so it is sturdy enough to withstand heavy use.

It features a cast-iron grilling surface that is pre-seasoned and ready to use. It also has an adjustable air damper that allows you to control the level of heat, so you can cook your food to perfection.

This grill features a dual-adjustment top vent that is rain resistant, making it ideal for use in any weather. The Air Lift Hinge system makes it easy to open and close the lid, and the stainless steel grates are designed to provide even heat distribution.

Pros

  • Sturdy Constructed Body
  • 2-Tier Cooking System
  • Easy To Move With 4 Wheels
  • Adjustable Dual Top Vent

Cons

  • Should Improve Customer Support

Best Offset: Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill

The Royal Gourmet has dimensions are 53.39 x 27.95 x 48.82 inches, and it weighs 54.3 pounds. This unit also features a side table, which provides additional prep space for your meal.

This unit includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack, and 184 sq. in. offset smoker, all of which make it easy to cook delicious meals.

The 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan allows you to control the heat of the fire, while the 4.4 lb. coal capacity lets you cook for a large group.

It features a lid-mounted thermometer gauge for easy and convenient temperature control while grilling.

Pros

  • Height Adjustable Pan
  • Includes Lid Mounted Thermometer Gauge
  • Front And Side tables For Extra Preparation

Cons

  • Lid Don’t Set Perfectly

Best In Budget: Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill

The Cuisinart charcoal grill is a compact and lightweight grill that is perfect for tailgating, camping, or picnics. It has a size of 14.5 x 14.5 x 15 inches and a weight of 2 pounds.

It features a 150-square-inch chrome-plated cooking rack, making it large enough to accommodate multiple burgers or hot dogs.

The Dual venting system allows you to control the level of heat, so you can grill your food to perfection.

The grill features three secure lid locks, which help to prevent the lid from being blown off by the wind.

Pros

  • Easy To Port
  • Provide Dual Vent System
  • Includes 3 Lid Locks

Cons

  • Small Cooking Area

Best TRU-Infrared: Char-Broil Charcoal Kettle Grill

The Char-Broil charcoal kettle grill comes with dimensions of 26 x 26 x 39 inches, it takes up minimal space, and its 360-square inch total cooking surface provides plenty of room for grilled favorites.

Plus, its TRU-Infrared technology heats food evenly and reduces flare-ups, meaning your food will be cooked to perfection every time.

This grill features a hinged lid that allows easy access to the coals and a mounted temperature gauge that makes it easy to monitor the temperature of the grill.

It also has a porcelain-coated bowl and lid that resists rust and heat damage, and an ash catcher that makes cleanup a breeze.

Pros

  • 360 Square Inches Cooking Area
  • Equipped With TRU-Infrared Technology
  • Includes Removable Ash Bowl
  • Hinged Lid With Attached Temperature Gauge

Cons

  • Not Heats Evenly

Best With Performance: Weber Performer Charcoal Grill

The Weber charcoal grill comes with dimensions of 29 x 42 x 43.5 inches and a weight of 66.2 pounds, it is large enough to accommodate a variety of food items.

It features a built-in temperature gauge for precise cooking. The grill also has a removable ash catcher for easy cleanup.

The side table provides a convenient place to prep food or sets down dishes. It offers 363 sq. inches of cooking area.

The cooking grate is compatible with GBS inserts and is hinged for easily adding charcoal while grilling. The grill also features a warming basket, side table, and storage basket.

Pros

  • Cooking Grate Is Compatible With GBS Inserts
  • Provide One Touch Clean System
  • Includes Built-In Thermometer Display
  • Side Table Include

Cons

  • Installation Is Time Taking

Best Aesthetics: Char-Griller Kamado Charcoal Grill

This grill has a dimension of 45 x 31 x 47 inches and a weight of 97 pounds. It is made of powder-coated steel and has a cast iron cooking grate.

The grill also features a built-in temperature gauge, so you can always ensure that your food is cooked to perfection.

The grill also features an easy-dump ash pan and double-wall insulation that helps to keep the heat in.

This particular model features two folding black metal shelves, which are great for storing grill accessories or extra charcoal.

Additionally, the exterior finish is powder-coated steel, which helps to resist corrosion and keep the grill looking new for years to come.

Pros

  • Provide Double Wall Insulation
  • Easily Reach Temperature From 200ᵒ F to 700ᵒ F
  • Large Locking Wheels

Cons

  • Some Rusting Complaints

Difference Between A Gas And Charcoal Grill

Gas grills require more awareness and more maintenance than charcoal grills. A propane grill is a complicated monster that consists of burners, pipes, tanks, valves, and an ignition mechanism of some kind. 

There are more things to worry about in addition to having extra stuff to repair when it breaks. Did you fully tighten the propane tank? Does that hose have a leak? 

While grilling on a gas barbecue is undoubtedly simpler although your installation is more costly and complex. 

Moreover, gas grills do not add any aroma of their own which charcoal grills do all the time.

FAQs

How Do You Start A Charcoal Grill?

You start your charcoal grill using a chimney starter. The grill will be ready and in working condition in about 10 minutes only if you lay some crushed paper at the bottom of the tool and ignite the base first. There is another way in which you can use an electric charcoal lighter.

How Do You Use A Charcoal Grill?

As your first step, you need to calculate the number of charcoal briquettes you need. This depends on the size of your grill and what is that you are cooking. The charcoal must then be lit using a chimney starter or another instrument. From this point on, you should wash, oil, and preheat your cooking grills before adding food to the grill. Utilize the top and lower apertures to regulate the grill’s temperature while you cook your meal.

How Do You Clean A Charcoal Grill?

Using a wire grill cleaner or scraper, you may cleanse the grills. If necessary, you may remove the grates and wash them in a cleaning solution for a few hours to make sure to remove oil and burnt-on food. To avoid rust, be sure to lubricate them after cleaning them with a cloth or paper towel.

How Do You Put Out A Charcoal Grill?

Closing the cover and closing the top and lower vents to shutting off the supply of oxygen is the best technique to put out hot coals.

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