Love the smokey Flavor? Best Charcoal Grill Reviewed
There’s no question that it takes considerable skill to produce deliciously grilled food using a charcoal grill. However, skill is not the only factor. The quality of your “tool” can have a huge impact on your results. After all, you’re playing with fire here. Of course, finding the best charcoal grill isn’t easy. Backyard barbecues are an American pastime which means that there are so many options for you to choose from. Fortunately, we know which grills are top-notch and which ones will burn you. Below is a list of the best charcoal grills in the market:
- Love the smokey Flavor? Best Charcoal Grill Reviewed
- Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
- Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr, Kamado Grill
- Napoleon PRO605CSS Mirage Charcoal
- Dyna-Glo DGN486DNC-D Heavy Duty Charcoal Grill
- Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
- Char-Griller Portable Box Charcoal Grill
- Charcoal Grill Buying Guide:
- What type of charcoal grill are you looking for?
- What size or capacity do you need?
- What about temperature control?
- Is it easy to clean?
- Is it durable?
- What kind of grates does it come with?
- 5 More Charoal Grills that will bring you amazing grilling experience
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Review: The Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch Charcoal Grill is probably the most popular outdoor grill in the world. Its iconic design was first introduced in 1952 and has been gracing the backyards of Americans ever since. It has excellent grilling performance, whether you’re cooking meat, fish, or veggies. Its shape allows for 2-zone cooking which is a must if you want versatility. The cooking grate is hinged which makes refueling your grill while something’s cooking super easy. It features a One-Touch cleaning system which includes an enclosed high capacity ash catcher at the bottom of the grill to make clean up easier and less messy. There’s even a lever that you can use to sweep the ash into the ash catcher, so there’s no need to manually do it from inside the grill. To make things even more convenient, there’s a lid hook where you can place the lid to keep both of your hands free while you’re dealing with the meat on the grill. Speaking of, the lid as well as the bowl are constructed of porcelain-enameled heavy gauge steel which are excellent at retaining heat. The best thing about this Weber grill is durability. This is one grill that can be passed down from one generation to the next. Just ask any Weber grill owner.
Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr, Kamado Grill
Review: It’s not unusual for kamado style grills to cost a mint. There’s no question that these grills are worth the investment. But for people who don’t have the budget for it, a kamado grill can be an unattainable dream. Fortunately, that’s no longer true because the Char-Griller Akorn Jr is here. This kamado-style grill may be smaller than others in the market but it’s no less powerful. It is made of 22 gauge steel with a powder-coated exterior finish and a porcelain-coated steel interior finish. Yes, it’s not made of ceramic like traditional Kamado grills but the triple-wall insulation more than makes up for this. Not only does it enable the grill to hold heat consistently, it also ensures that your burn charcoal efficiently while reaching high temperatures. The grill offers 153 square inches of cooking space that you can use to grill, smoke, roast, and even bake delicious meals. It has a temperature range of 200 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Adjustable dampers can be found at the top and bottom of the grill for easy temperature control. There’s an easy dump ash pan that makes cleanup quick and easy. Moreover, the grill comes with handles to make it easy to transport if you feel like grilling on the go. If you’re not sure if kamado style grilling is for you, this is a good model to start out with.
Napoleon PRO605CSS Mirage Charcoal
Review: If the Weber Kettle is too big for your needs and your budget, we’ve got a mini charcoal that should be right up your alley. The Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill will fit just right in your small deck or patio. It comes with 250 square inches of cooking space which is perfect for a family of four. It is made of powder-coated heavy duty steel for durability and even heat distribution. The barrel shape design makes it suitable for 2-zone cooking and the cast iron cooking grates are perfect for searing steaks. There’s a removable charcoal tray for easy cleanup and side vents which makes temperature control easy. For extra storage, this mini charcoal grill features a side shelf and a metal storage rack at the bottom. The lid is hinged to free up your hands, so you can handle the meat on the grill with ease. It comes with a wooden handle that’s heat resistant, keeping your fingers safe even when you’re cooking at high heat. In addition, the grill comes with two wheels on one side of the cart to make it easy to roll out from the garage whenever it’s time to get cooking. Excellent performance, ease of use, and durability – all of that for less than a hundred dollars. Who says budget-friendly means cheap? With this grill, you get more than your money’s worth.
Dyna-Glo DGN486DNC-D Heavy Duty Charcoal Grill
Review: If you’re looking for something slightly bigger than what we’ve recommended, then you should check out the Dyna-Glo Heavy Duty Charcoal Grill. This big badass unit comes with 686 square inches of cooking space which translates to 24 burgers at a time. There’s an additional 200 square inches on the warming rack to keep your buns hot. The body of the grill is made of steel and cast iron with a black powder coating and polished steel detailing. The smoke stack is made of stainless steel and features an adjustable cap for temperature control. The charcoal tray is adjustable using a large hand-crank located on the front of the grill which also helps control the amount of heat reaching the food on the grates. Speaking of, this Dyna-Glo grill features three porcelain-enameled cast iron grates which are great at absorbing and transferring, creating delicious sear marks. In addition, you also get an ash tray that slides out for easy cleanup, a temperature gauge, and side shelves for extra prep space. The heavy duty cart comes with a bottom shelf for storage and two wheels for maneuverability. The access door to the charcoal is also located at the front of the grill as well as a bottle opener. All in all, this is one heavy duty grill you won’t regret getting.
Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
Review: If the Weber Kettle is too big for your needs and your budget, we’ve got a mini charcoal that should be right up your alley. The Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill will fit just right in your small deck or patio. It comes with 250 square inches of cooking space which is perfect for a family of four. It is made of powder-coated heavy duty steel for durability and even heat distribution. The barrel shape design makes it suitable for 2-zone cooking and the cast iron cooking grates are perfect for searing steaks. There’s a removable charcoal tray for easy cleanup and side vents which makes temperature control easy. For extra storage, this mini charcoal grill features a side shelf and a metal storage rack at the bottom. The lid is hinged to free up your hands, so you can handle the meat on the grill with ease. It comes with a wooden handle that’s heat resistant, keeping your fingers safe even when you’re cooking at high heat. In addition, the grill comes with two wheels on one side of the cart to make it easy to roll out from the garage whenever it’s time to get cooking. Excellent performance, ease of use, and durability – all of that for less than a hundred dollars. Who says budget-friendly means cheap? With this grill, you get more than your money’s worth.
Char-Griller Portable Box Charcoal Grill
Review: While the Akorn Jr. is a portable grill, it’s not the best portable charcoal grill on our list. That honor belongs to the Char-griller Box. This barrel-shaped grill features heavy steel construction for durability and heat retention. It offers 250 square inches of primary cooking space provided by the cast iron cooking grates. It also comes with two adjustable side dampers – one on the top half and one on the bottom half – for temperature control. Plus, there’s a sliding drawer to make it easier for you to access the coals and dump the ash out. The cool hood handle keeps your hand safe even when you’re cooking at high temperatures. The grill isn’t light at 40lbs but it does come with two side handles to make it easy to transport from the car to the picnic table and back. It’s the perfect solution to grilling on the go. And when you’re done with using it as a portable grill, you can use it as a side fire box by attaching it to a Char-Griller Pro Deluxe, Wrangler, or Outlaw. Like its grill performance, this model also does well when used as a smoker. The only drawback we can see is that once you transform this into a smoker, you can’t remove it anymore and use it as a portable grill. That being said, it costs just a little over $50 so it won’t break the bank if you decide you wanted another one.
Charcoal Grill Buying Guide:
There’s no question that charcoal grills are the king of the barbecue. These grills produce more smoke, better flavor, and, under certain circumstances, can even burn hotter. If you want to try your hand out at grilling, this is the one you should look for. However, there are plenty of choices available and not all of them are great. While charcoal grills are a lot less expensive than other types in the market, not all of them will be well worth your money. You need to make sure you choose the best tool for the job when you’re playing with fire unless you want to get burned. Below are some tips on how to find out which charcoal grill is calling your name.
What type of charcoal grill are you looking for?
Charcoal grills have differing designs to suit the varying needs of outdoor chefs the world over. There’s the kettle grill which promotes even heat distribution and allows for two-zone cooking. There’s the barrel grill that allows you to cook a large amount of food at the same time such as multiple racks of ribs. Some barrel grills feature a smoke box on the side which allows you to do some low and slow cooking as well. Kamado grills are a type of charcoal grill which is made of ceramic. These grills are known for excellent heat retention as well as moisture retention. They are great for smoking, roasting, and even baking.
What size or capacity do you need?
It doesn’t matter what grill you’re getting, size will matter. Bigger is only better if you have many mouths to feed or if you want to be able to cook different types of food at the same time. Big is also a good option if you want more versatility in your style of cooking. If you want a grill with 2-zone cooking capability, you’ll need that extra space. Aside from the amount of food you want to cook and the type of cooking you want to do, you also need to consider the location. Where do you plan to place your grill? How big is the space available? You need to give your grill around 2 feet of clearance on each side for safety reasons, so make sure to take measurements. You also need to consider storage. When winter comes, do you plan on leaving your grill where it is or do you plan on storing it? If it’s the latter, you need to consider how much space you have available for storage.
What about temperature control?
You can’t produce delicious barbecue if you can’t control the temperature in your grill. There are a lot of factors that can affect temperature control when you’re using a charcoal grill – the lid, the dampers, the distance between the coals and your food, the thermometer, and your level of skill. While the last factor is just a matter of practice, the rest will be reliant on the grill of your choice. This means that you need to make sure that the top and bottom vents are easy to open and close. They should also create a tight seal, ensuring that heat doesn’t escape from inside the grill. The same goes for the lid. Both of these features will enable you to have better control over the temperature inside the grill. Some models feature an adjustable charcoal grate which allows you to choose who near or how far your food will be from the charcoal. This feature is another way for you to control how much heat your food is exposed to.
Is it easy to clean?
Charcoal can get really messy and can be hard to clean. You’ll need to look for a charcoal griller that has an easy-to-use ash removal system in place, so that you don’t end up turning over your grill just to get the ash out. Some grills will feature a removable tray while others will feature a mechanism that allows you to sweep away the ash into a receptacle for disposal.
Is it durable?
A charcoal grill should last you at least a couple of years because they have less moving parts and electronics compared to gas and electric grills. Some grills like the Weber Kettle can last several decades, passed from one generation to the next. But there are also some that are flimsily made. Since you’re going to be investing your money in one, you need to make sure that it won’t go to waste. Three materials that we recommend are stainless steel. 16 or 18 gauge steel, and ceramics. In addition, make sure to check the thickness of the material used by the manufacturer. Thicker materials increase the durability of a grill and its ability to retain heat.
What kind of grates does it come with?
The type of material your grates are made of can affect how well your food cooks as well as how long your grill will last. Grates come in a variety of materials and each one has its benefits and drawbacks. Cast iron, for example, are excellent at heat retention and can easily make those delicious sear marks. However, it requires a lot of maintenance and can easily rust without proper care. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is easy to maintain and clean. It also lasts a good long while. It doesn’t hold heat as well as cast iron but it does a pretty good job. However, it does turn dark after a while so don’t expect your grill to still look pristine after a couple of uses.
Aside from the material, you also need to check the thickness of the grates. Thin grates are better than thick ones. This is because thick grates can affect the amount of radiant heat released into the meat which causes uneven cooking. In addition, they are heavier and harder to lift when adding more fuel (unless the grates are hinged). Moreover, thicker grates can be expensive. Take note that you can buy grates separately if the grill of your dreams don’t come with decent ones. So, this isn’t really a deal-breaker. Just something you should keep in mind.