The Best Charcoal Grills for Barbecues

Photo: depositphotos.com

Salmon grilled on cedar planks, grilled hot dogs, burgers, and vegetable skewers, seared steaks, and so much more can be served hot and ready from a charcoal grill.This type of grill infuses food with the distinct smoky flavor of Southern barbecue. This type of grill uses lit charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal as a heat source, and wood chips can be added for an extra unique taste. Food can be cooked directly on the embers, or grilled on a metal grate.

While construction varies across models, most charcoal grills include a lid to capture heat as well as intake and exhaust dampers. Charcoal grillers on the market range from basic to possessing extra features, like an ash removal system, thermometers, and temper control. Keep these elements and your budget in mind while checking out our picks for some of the best charcoal grill options.

Our Top Picks

Read below to find the top recommendations top-performing and long-lasting charcoal grills.

Photo: amazon.com

BEST OVERALL: Weber 14407001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

Weber’s classic and sleek-looking 22-inch Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill gets the job done in style. This steel charcoal griller features a specialized lid thermometer, a warming rack, and a built-in burger presser with a 13-burger capacity, for when you’re cooking for a crowd. Dampers allow precision heat control, and an ash-catcher makes clean up easy. The Weber’s porcelain-enamel lid is rustproof and includes a handy lid hook—so no more fumbling with a hot cover. This charcoal grill contains two durable rubber wheels, so it’s not difficult to move.

Photo: amazon.com

BEST FOR TRAVEL: Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

The Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is compact and lightweight with an attractive polished sheen. It’s one of the best portable charcoal grills, or for grilling on small patios where space is tight. The Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill has 160 square inches of plated steel grilling surface, including a burger press and a 6-burger capacity. Like other Weber grills, this one features a porcelain-enamel lid that prevents rust and dampers that allow for temperature control and precise cooking. Four handy metal feet prop the grill up on whichever surface you plan to cook on.

Photo: amazon.com

BEST COMBINATION: PK Grills PKO-GCAX-X PK Original Grill & Smoker

The PK Original Grill & Smoker offers two cooking functions in one versatile cast-aluminum model. The charcoal grill and smoker has a capsule shape and a 300-square inch grilling space, able to handle tasks from grilling sausages to an entire turkey. Four vents allow hot and fast or low and slow cooking. This cast-aluminum grill is durable, rust-proof, and lightweight, capable of conducting heat four times more efficiently than steel charcoal grills. The PK Original Grill & Smoker includes a side shelf and lower shelf for storage, and two wheels for convenient movability.

Photo: amazon.com

BEST BUDGET: Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill

There’s plenty to recommend with this budget-friendly Char-Griller model, including 250 square inches of grilling surface, a side shelf, and a side-air vent. What truly makes this compact grill stand out is its easy movability, even though it’s made from cast iron with a double-steel bottom. This space-saving grill features two large wheels that offer portability and the opportunity to reposition the grill to fit your space. The affordable Patio Pro Charcoal Grill is particularly well suited for small decks and patios.

Photo: amazon.com

BEST VALUE: Weber 15501001 Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill

The Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill is a serious deal, considering its spacious capacity, user-friendly design, and a host of features. This Weber model contains a 2-part steel grate system with 363 square inches of cooking surface, capable of handling up to 13 burgers at once. The electronic gas ignition is based on ‘touch and go’ technology and makes grilling an easier feat. The large removable ash-catcher and one-touch cleaning system offer even more convenience. This 22-inch model boasts the classic porcelain-enamel lid with a built-in thermometer, so you know when to adjust the heat. The Weber Deluxe Charcoal Grill also has precision heat control, allowing users to adjust the dampers without lifting the lid, assisted by a mounted LCD cook timer. To top it off, this Weber grill includes wheels for portability and a ledge for extra work space.