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The Best Charcoal Grill (Review) in 2020

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By Kitchenistic
Published 16:08 pm

Many have argued that charcoal grills produce the best food and they are truly the perfect pick for anyone with a passion for cooking. They are particularly handy to have during the summer months and if you have an avid griller in your friend circle, then an amazing charcoal grill might just be the best present for them this holiday season. Charcoal is often burnt at a hotter temperature to gas, or wood barbeques, and produces a unique smokey flavor. Whether you’re cooking hamburgers, steaks, sausages, garlic bread, or veggie delights, the charcoal grill will offer your food an interesting and exciting flavor and is sure to be a hit at any social event.

So, let’s take a look at our top picks. In this list we’ll show you our top choices, models that boast the best value.

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Best Choice
Check Latest Price
Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Barbecue Grill and Smoker
Char-Griller Barbecue Grill and Smoker
premium pick
Check Latest Price
Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill
Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill
best value
Check Latest Price
Show contents
Contents
  1. The Best Charcoal Grill
  2. 1. Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
  3. 2. Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Charcoal Grill
  4. 3. Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill
  5. 4. Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
  6. 5. Char-Griller Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
  7. 6. Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill
  8. 7. PK Grills Original Grill & Smoker Combination
  9. 8. Char-Griller Barbecue Grill and Smoker

The Best Charcoal Grill

1

1.

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

BEST CHOICE
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Key Features:

22-inch model

Porcelain enamel lid

Specialized lid-hook for easy grilling

Ash catcher

Choice of black, copper, or green

Check Latest Price

The first pick on our amazing list of charcoal grills, is the classic Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill. This 22-inch model comes in the choice of a black, copper, or green exterior and is certainly bound to impress your guests. This pick contains a specialized lid thermometer and is able to cook 13 burgers at a time, thanks to its built-in burger presser. The ash-catcher makes clean up particularly easy and means you won’t have to spend hours trying to clean up after you’ve cooked your feast. The porcelain-enamel lid means that this grill is rust proof and will be able to withstand the outside elements. It also boasts a lid hook, and this makes grilling even easier, because you don’t have to worry about placing the lid on the ground. Users have commended this awesome grill for its beautiful exterior, supreme grilling abilities, and immaculate design. This grill is certainly a hit for any grilling fanatic and combines both top-quality with a beautiful design.

Pros

Brilliant design

User ease

Superior grilling quality

Easy to clean

Cons

Pricier than some other models

2

2.

Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Charcoal Grill

Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman's Grill
Key Features:

10.25 inches x 8.25 inches x 19 inches

Cast iron model

Hibachi style

Flip-down door

US family owned brand

Check Latest Price

Next up we have an amazing cast iron model that is perfect for any camping trip, or patio party. This model comes in two adjustable heights and is thus is easily tailored to ensure maximum grilling comfort and ease. This special hibachi-styled grill comes with a draft door to regulate heat and your coals are easy to access through a special flip-down door. This family brand is made in the US and pride themselves on top-quality and grilling prowess. Thanks to this model’s impressive heat-retention abilities, this pick can stay hotter for longer with even less charcoal. It’s thus an economical and sophisticated choice for anyone with a passion for entertaining.

Pros

Great value

Adjustable height

Easily portable for camping trips

Cons

Can easily rust and thus must be properly dried and oiled

3

3.

Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill

BEST VALUE
Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill
Key Features:

17 inches x 14.2 inches x14.5 inches

Porcelain-enamel lid

Can cook 5 hamburgers at a time

Dampers to allow temperature control

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Number three on our list of epic charcoal grills is certainly a model that prides itself on incredible value. This 14-inch Smokey Joe Weber is a brilliant pick for smaller gatherings and is able to effectively grill five burgers in its specialized burger press. This is truly the perfect pick for your patio or camping trip and will suit anyone with a smaller dwelling, or less extensive grilling needs. Since it’s so compact and lightweight it’s a brilliant pick for any travel needs and can be easily stored when not in use. This porcelain-enamel lid that Weber is so famous for, allows this model to retain heat and ensures that it won’t rust. This is thus a durable pick, despite its amazing price. The cooking grate also ensures that this grill retains heat and that it’s super easy to clean. This is a zero fuss, great value small charcoal grill.

Pros

Amazing value

Won’t rust

Portable and compact

Cons

A small grill, so not suited to extensive grilling needs

4

4.

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Key Features:

160 square inches grilling surface

Can cook 6 burgers at a time

Porcelain and enamel lid for zero-rusting

Easy lock lid

Rectangle shape

Check Latest Price

Number four on our fantastic list of best charcoal grillers is another amazing pick by the powerhouse that is Weber. When it comes to grilling and all things barbeque related, this brand are in the serious know. This go-anywhere charcoal grill can make up to 6 burgers at a time thanks to the awesome Weber burger press. It’s a super compact and lightweight pick which makes it ideal for camping trips or grilling in smaller places. As always, the special porcelain-enamel lid means that this pick won’t rust and is therefore super durable. When not in use, you can lock the lid which makes transportation super easy. The specialized dampers allow you to control the levels of oxygen in your grill and enable you to easily regulate the temperature so that you can grill your food to perfection every single time. Users have praised this model if you’re an urban-dwelling griller and don’t have loads of space in which to house a huge grill. They have also noted that despite it’s small size, it’s a highly durable small charcoal grill.

Pros

Rust-proof

Durable

Compact and light

Cons

Cooks 6 burgers at a time and thus not suited for large-scale grilling needs

5

5.

Char-Griller Patio Pro Charcoal Grill

Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
Key Features:

250 square inches for your grilling needs

Special cast iron grilling grates

Wooden handle, side shelf, double steel bottom, and side-air vent.

Check Latest Price

Number 5 on our list is a fantastic and stylish model by Char-griller. This gorgeous model is sure to be a hit at any barbeque and will add serious style and elegance to your patio or garden. This charcoal grill comes with an array of interesting and unique features, including a ‘keep cool’ wooden shelf and handle for added user-ease, a double steel bottom, and a specialized side air-vent for easy temperature regulation. It also has wheels on the bottom so that it can be easily moved around when not in use.  Users have commended this awesome grill for its beautiful exterior, quality materials, grilling quality, and value.

Pros

On wheels for easy moving

Stylish design

Great value

Cons

Needs to be self-assembled

6

6.

Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill

Weber 15507001 Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill
Key Features:

22-inch model with a 363 square inch grilling cooking area

Porcelain-enamel bowl

Electronic gas system

Built-in thermometer

On wheels for easy moving  

Comes in black, copper, or green

Check Latest Price

Number 6 on our list is a stunning and exclusive pick by Weber. This 22-inch model boasts the classic porcelain-enamel bowl and comes in a choice of a black, copper, or green exterior. The cooking area is a whopping 363 square inches and thus it is perfectly suited for larger grilling needs. The electronic gas system is based on ‘touch and go’ technology and makes grilling an even easier feat. The aluminium ash-catcher makes cleaning a total breeze and the built-in thermometer means that you can always cook your food to perfection. This model has been praised for its amazing durability, gorgeous design, user-ease, and easy assembly. This is truly a phenomenal large charcoal grill and will be a hit at any barbeque.

Pros

Gorgeous grill design

High quality materials for extended durability

Easy to clean

Storage shelf

Cons

Much pricier than other models due to extra features

7

7.

PK Grills Original Grill & Smoker Combination

PK Grills PKO-GCAX-X PK Original Grill & Smoker Combination
Key Features:

Aluminium model for high durability

Graphite or silver color

10-year guarantee against rust, breakage, and burn-out

300 square inch cooking surface

Griller and smoker combination model

Check Latest Price

Lucky number 7 on our wonderful list of best charcoal grills is a spectacular grill and smoker combo by PK Grills. This model boasts a unique capsule shape and the 4 specialized vents ensure that you can easily control the temperature and grilling speed to ensure grilling precision every time. This model is made from aluminium which makes it super durable. In fact, it’s so durable that the makers offer consumers a 10-year guarantee against burn out, rust, and breakage. This pick is perfect for bigger events and large families and embodies a 300 square inch cooking surface for maximum grilling needs. It has also won a number of awards and is thus celebrated amid grilling connoisseurs. This brand amalgamates impeccable quality, beautiful craftmanship, and noteworthy durability. If you’re passionate about grilling and grilling well, this might just be the pick for you.

Pros

Highly durable

10-year warranty

Large cooking area

Cons

Pricier than other models

8

8.

Char-Griller Barbecue Grill and Smoker

PREMIUM PICK
Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Barbecue Grill and Smoker
Key Features:

Cast iron, gauge steel, and porcelain coated steel

314 square inch cooking surface

Griller, smoker, and convection oven

Folding shelves

Damp ash pan

Check Latest Price

The final pick on our list is a premium quality charcoal grill by Char-Griller and it’s made of cast iron, gauge steel, and porcelain coated steel. This gorgeous charcoal grill and smoker comes in a choice of red, blue, or black and boasts 314 square inches of cooking surface. The specialized insulated design means that this model needs to use less charcoal but can still maximize ultimate heat. This amazing model includes a special locking lid, two specialized shelves that fold away when not in use, a damp ash pan for easy cleaning, double insulation for extra heat retention, and a specialized heat gauge.  This model boasts absolute top-quality and stunning design and users have commended it for its diversity (it can cook anything from meats, to bread thanks to the convection oven feature) and durability.

Pros

Large cooking and grilling surface

Highly durable

Preparation space

Double insulation

Premium quality

Cons

Pricier than some other models

Best Charcoal Grill Buying Guide & FAQ

Things to Consider When Buying a Charcoal Grill

Types of Charcoal Grills

There are a number of different charcoal grills. They come in an array of shapes and sizes. Some have lids to retain heat and specialized venting systems, and others don’t. They also differ in terms of what materials are used to construct them. Some of the key grills include:

  • Ceramic Grills

These models retain heat super effectively and are also able to keep moisture in the food. They can get super-hot and are a great pick for bbq foods, breads, and pizzas.

  • Kettle Grills

These charcoal grills have a special lid, grid, and a venting system. The kettle shape is said to be better at even heat distribution and is a good idea if you are cooking a lot of food.

  • Barrell Grills

These simple grills look like half of a steel barrel. They are usually cheaper than other models and are a great introductory pick for anyone who wants to grill. Some models have a lid and are thus better suited for retaining heat.

Summer picnic with small charcoal grill

Benefits of Using a Charcoal BBQ Grill

Charcoal BBQ grills will infuse your food with delicious flavor, are often cheaper to buy, and have the added bonus of getting really hot. They are thus a great option for anyone who loves to grill.

Best Charcoal Grill FAQ:

Q: How charcoal grills work?

A: Charcoal grills work by utilizing a direct grilling method. You simply pop your coal in the chamber and heat the coal with your matches or lighter. You then place a grill on top of the heated coals and place your food on top of the grill. The heat is conducted between the grill and the grid and cooks your food accordingly. Grilled food is characterized by the grid crosshatches that imprint on the food.

Q: What are the pros and cons of using a charcoal grill?

Pros:

  • Charcoal grilling adds a lot of flavor to your food
  • Usually get hotter than gas models
  • Often cheaper to purchase

Cons:

  • Fire risk is larger
  • Can take longer to heat up initially
  • Greater fire hazard and thus should always be watched

Q: How much charcoal do I need to use when grilling?

A: As a general rule of thumb, the more charcoal you use, the hotter your fire will be. If you are cooking a lot of food or catering for a lot of people you will want to use more coal, than if you’re only cooking a few burgers. You can start with about 15 or 20 coals and work your way up if needed. You can always add extra coal if you need.

Q: Does it take long to assemble?

A: Some charcoal grills come pre-assembled and are thus very easy to use. Others will require some preliminary set-up time. Check the user manual and opt for a brand who promise a quick set up and user ease. Most grills won’t take too long to set up and if you need some help you can always tempt your friends with the promise of a delicious barbeque afterwards.

Picnic-with-small-charcoal-grill

Our Top Pick

While we adore all our amazing large and small charcoal grillers, we are totally obsessed with the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill. This 22-inch charcoal grill comes in the choice of a black, copper, or green and will be a hit for any barbeque. This model comes with a specialized lid thermometer and can cook up to 13 burgers at a time. An added ash-catcher makes cleaning a super quick feat and the porcelain-enamel lid makes this model rust proof. It also comes with a lid hook, for added user-ease.  Customers have commended this brilliant mid-range grill for its beautiful exterior, superb grilling abilities, and classic design. This grill will impress all your guests and is the perfect pick for summer barbeques and parties on your patio. This model boasts amazing quality, fantastic value, and a stunning design. It certainly won’t disappoint.

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