With charcoal grills, you have a lot of freedom over the cooking operation, allowing you to create mouthwatering dishes every time. To create several cooking zones, set the coals wherever you’d like on the grill, and use as many as you’d like to get the ideal temperature. If you want a scorched surface, cook directly over the embers; if you prefer a more delicate cooking method and a smokey flavour, transfer the meal to a cooler area. However, keep an eye on the coals since they could need to be topped off before your cooking is finished. And before putting your grill away, don’t forget to properly extinguish it.
For a very long time, the main grilling equipment used by backyard grillers was charcoal. Gas grills first appeared on the market and quickly gained popularity; as a result, gas soon replaced charcoal as the preferred fuel for most home grillers. The popularity of charcoal has recently increased, although it still comes in second place.
Generally speaking, charcoal grills are more affordable, have fewer moving parts that might break, and offer a much broader temperature range. A very high-quality charcoal kettle that will cook whatever you want, from low-and-slow smoked ribs to sizzling T-bones, can be purchased for $50–100. And you can guarantee there are a tonne of versions in every price range to pick from. See our picks for the best charcoal grill by scrolling down.
01. Best Overall: Weber Charcoal Grill
Key Features: Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
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4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
Stay true to the modern version of the kettle that started it all—the Original Kettle, invented by Weber’s founder, and loved around the world. Its ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, while the dampers easily adjust for precise temperature control. With a One-Touch cleaning system for easy cleanup after a long day of grilling, the Original Kettle will always be the grill built for everyone
Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press. One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle-free ash cleanup. Removable, aluminum ash catcher. Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl Retain heat, and won’t rust or peel. Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
Dampers allow you to easily control the temperature inside your grill. 3D interactive assembly instructions for this product are available through the free BILT app.
02. Best Runner Up: Weber
Key Features: Weber Original Kettle 18 Inch Charcoal Grill, Black
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4.7 out of 5 Star Rating
Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling. Dampers allow you to easily control the temperature inside your grill. Durable plated steel cooking grate retains heat and is easy to clean. 3D interactive assembly instructions for this product are available through the free BILT app.
Holds up to nine burgers made with a Weber burger press. Dimensions – Lid Closed (inches) : 36″H x 18.5″W x 23″D. One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle-free ash cleanup. Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel.
03. Best 2nd Runner Up: Char-Griller Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
Key Features: Char-Griller Patio Pro Charcoal Grill, Black
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4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
CHARCOAL GRILL – Barrel style BBQ Grill with heavy duty steel construction and powder coating finish, the perfect grilling solution for small decks, backyards, and patios. LARGE COOKING AREA – 250 square inch total cooking area delivers exceptional taste and charcoal flavor.
BARBECUE GRILL FEATURES – Thick Cast Iron Cooking Grates, Bottom Storage Rack, Heavy-Duty Steel Construction, Side Air Vent, Stay Cool Wood Handle, Wheels for Easy Mobility, and Side Shelf Workstation with Barbecue Tool Storage Hooks EASY TO ASSEMBLE & CLEAN – Assembles easily and quickly cleans up after use with the Easy Dump Ash Pan.
04. Best 3rd Runner Up: Cuisinart
Key Features: Cuisinart CPG-256 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Black and Dark Gray
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4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
8-in-1 COOKING CAPABILITIES: 256 sq.in. of cooking space, with an integrated Sear Zone expands your cooking capabilities; Smoke, BBQ, Grill, Roast, Sear, Braise, Bake, and Char-Grill.
PORTABLE DESIGN: Lightweight at 45lbs, 24 x 18 x 15, and the locking lid with handle makes it easy to take anywhere.
ADVANCED WOOD FIRE TECHNOLOGY: With a wide temperature range from 180°F to 500°F, the digital control automatically adds pellets as needed to regulate the temperature.
DIGITAL CONTROLLER: Electronic auto-start ignition, digital auto temperature control and real-time LED temperature display.
05. Editor’s Pick: Char-Griller
Key Features: Char-Griller E56720 AKORN Kamado Charcoal Grill & Smoker, Pack of 1, Blue
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4.7 out of 5 Star Rating
Triple-walled steel construction makes this grill fuel-efficient | Large 8″ Locking Caster Wheels | Features Locking Lid, 2 folding black metal shelves, Easy dump ash pan, Double wall insulation & Heat gauge. Insulated design means more heat uses less charcoal and less airflow means insulated heat for juicy meat
Cooking surface is cast iron, Body is constructed of 22 gauge steel, Exterior finish is powder coated steel, Interior finish is porcelain coated steel. Cart is constructed of tubular steel w/rubber wheels, locking caster on front, Indexed damper is numbered so you can note the position of the damper.
Product dimensions | 45” L x 31” W x 47” H | Weight – 97 lbs. | Temperature range – 200ᵒ F to 700ᵒ F | Total cook area – 447 Sq. In. | Recommended clearance – Min 3 Feet from side and rear, keep grill at least 15 feet away from any combustible material.
06. Best Recommended: Dyna-Glo
Key Features: Dyna-Glo DGD381BNC-D Compact Charcoal Grill
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4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
Dyna-Glo DGD381BNC-D Compact Charcoal Grill
Are you ready to take your grilling to the next level of performance? This Dyna-Glo grill will equip your patio or deck with a durable, highly functional centerpiece that friends and family will gather around for many years to come. Not to mention your envious neighbors. With a track record of long-lasting products that help you achieve perfectly grilled, flavorful food, it’s no wonder consumers consistently rate our grills as ‘a cut above’ the others.
Nothing compares to the taste of freshly cooked food from a charcoal grill. This Dyna-Glo grill is designed to include all of the necessary features and functionalities to help you achieve that consistent juiciness and flavor time after time.
It all starts with porcelain-enameled, cast iron grates for maximum heat transfer and searing across the grill’s 545 square inches of cooking space. An easy-to-use charcoal tray adjustment crank allows for temperature customization, while a steel charcoal access door helps you maintain the fuel source during cooking. The removable, high-capacity ash pan provides hours of maintenance-free grilling, and a heavy duty, steel-body construction keeps your grill going strong for many years of enjoyment.
Every time you light up your Dyna-Glo grill, you’re on your way to enjoying juicy burgers, succulent steaks and evenly cooked chicken that will put your meals in a class of their own. With such high-performance grilling only steps away, you’ll want to raise the lid on your Dyna-Glo whether it’s rain, shine or snow.
07. Best for Budget: IronMaster
Key Features: IronMaster CI-1608 Pro, Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Hibachi Grill Small, Portable for Indoor & Outdoor Japanese Yakitori BBQ Charcoal Grills, 2 Heights, Air Control & Coal Door
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4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
This Japanese hibachi style charcoal grill is made entirely of high-quality cast iron. It is very sturdy and reliable. Its superior heat retention allows for perfect grilling every time. Perfect for outdoor camping or for placing on open balconies and on tabletop in the backyard.
Crafted with care, cast iron has a finer finish, making cleaning easier. Seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil. The pro version of the grill comes with a stainless steel anti-scald hook and 2 green silicone handles.
Special storage box so that the small grill becomes more portable, the grill into the storage box can be dry storage is not easy to rust. The grill is pre-installed and ready for immediate use when the grill is removed from the box. Coals are easy to add through the door
08. Best Portable: Oklahoma Joe’s
Key Features: Oklahoma Joe’s 19402088 Rambler Portable Charcoal Grill, Black
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4.7 out of 5 Star Rating
Heavy-duty Steel construction ensures durability you can trust. Thick cast-iron grates produce a perfect sear. Height-adjustable charcoal tray lets you grill with high heat or cook Low and slow. Large air dampers allow for accurate airflow control. Full-size, removable ash pan makes clean-up easy
09. Best Weber Jumbo Joe
Key Features: Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18 Inch Black
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4.7 out of 5 Star Rating
Travel with taste, or grill up a quick meal on your patio with the Jumbo Joe portable charcoal grill. The compact size with larger grilling area and convenient carry handle is perfect for any weekend getaway or spontaneous day at the beach. Combustion by-products produced when using this product contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
Holds up to eight burgers made with a Weber burger press. Compact and lightweight for grilling on the go. Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel. The Tuck-N-Carry lid lock doubles as a lid holder to avoid placing the lid on the ground. Dampers allow you to easily control the temperature inside your grill. 3D interactive assembly instructions for this product are available through the free BILT app.
10. Best Expensive Charcoal Grill: Everdure
Key Features: Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Fusion 29-Inch Charcoal Grill with Patented Built-in Rotisserie System & Quick Electric Ignition, Outdoor BBQ Grill, Adjustable Rod Height, Easy Clean-Up, Matte Black
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4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
FAST FLAME IGNITION – With the press of a button you can get your charcoal burning at the right temperature in just 10 minutes with the Fast Flame Ignition System. Combining the ease of a gas grill with the benefits of cooking over charcoal.
BUILT-IN ROTISSERIE SYSTEM – Powered by the click of a button, grill an authentic rotisserie meal with patented Rotiscope Technology. The built-in rotisserie has 3 height settings supporting up to 30 lbs. Cook rotisserie chicken, pork, and more.
FOOD HELD TIGHT – Keep everything from small chickens to suckling pigs firmly in place on the rotisserie rod thanks to the jaw-like Cliplock Forks. These are the ideal grill accessories for the perfect backyard BBQ and rotisserie.
CLEAN & SAFE GRILLING – The ideal outdoor patio grill, the FUSION is easy to maintain. It contains a porcelain enamel firebox and charcoal tray for easy cleanup. The removable charcoal tray allows for simple lump charcoal reloading/adjusting.
CONTEMPORARY DESIGN – Inspired by minimalist Danish design the FUSION is the perfect balance of functionality and elegance. From the 59-in. retractable power cord, to the detachable pedestal and automated rotisserie system.
Conclusion:
Charcoal grills: come in a variety of sizes, including small portable devices, heavy tabletop models, and enormous ones that can serve a crowd. Although large grills are better for cooking larger amounts of food at once, small grills are easier to operate. While the typical 22-inch kettle works well for families who grill frequently, most smaller grills are ideal for one to four people and the occasional griller.
Shape: Traditional charcoal grills are round. Because of their design, coals are more likely to be placed in the middle of the floor under the grate, resulting in indirect cooking surfaces around the edge. Also available are rectangular charcoal barbecues. They enable the creation of more clearly defined cooking zones, equating them more closely to gas grills, which some individuals may find.
Functionality: There’s no need to spend a lot of money if you only want to sometimes make tea on a charcoal grill. You only need a basic model with an appropriate cooking area for the number of people you want to invite. If you intend to use it for smoking, consider purchasing a more insulated charcoal grill that can maintain temperatures better and longer.
Special additions: When evaluating charcoal grills, we keep an eye out for extras like storage shelves, tool holders, and big handles. A movable charcoal tray that makes it easier to manage the temperature of the grates and how near the coals are to the meal is one of our favorite’s features. Even though they sometimes come at a cost, these little additions make grilling more pleasant.
