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Best Charcoal Grills: Comparing Large, Portable, and Budget Options
Updated on Jul. 30, 2024
Nothing beats the taste of food cooked over hot charcoal. Sure, gas grills may be a bit more convenient, but charcoal grills have long been a favorite tool of backyard grill masters. Large charcoal grills are great for cooking food for a crowd, while portable options are ideal for tailgating, taking to the park for a picnic, or bringing along on a camping trip.
While pellet smokers are a favorite among some chefs, many charcoal grills have an attached smoker that offers versatility when cooking. No matter what kind of griller you are, we found the best charcoal grill for every budget and every occasion.
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Best Overall Charcoal Grill
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
There’s a reason the Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill is a favorite in the grilling community. The premium 22-inch model is an upgrade from the original and is our pick for the best overall charcoal grill. This version has an enclosed ash container as opposed to the exposed plate, and the one-touch cleaning system offers a hassle-free experience. Plus, the porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel. This grill comes in three colors and will fit about 13 burgers at a time.
Pros
- Updated ash collector
- Easy-to-use cleaning system
- Built-in lid thermometer
- Cooking grate is hinged for easily adding charcoal while grilling
Cons
- May not be big enough for large-volume grilling
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Best Budget Charcoal Grill
Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
The Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill is proof you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a quality grill. This budget-friendly pick has 250 square inches of grilling space that fits a tri-tip, whole chicken or several kabobs. It’s made of heavy steel with cast iron grill grates and has an easy-to-use temperature control. When it’s time to clean the grill, just pull out the pan and dispose of the ash. It also has a handy side tray, perfect for light prep work or keeping food ready.
“This is a nice grill. It is compact, but you can cook a lot of food on it. It was relatively easy to assemble. It does not take up a lot of room on our patio,” said one verified buyer.
Pros
- Affordable
- Useful temperature control
- Easy to clean
- Durable powder-coated finish
Cons
- Some buyers had difficulty with assembly
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Best Large Charcoal Grill
Dyna-Gio Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Shelves
Cooking for a crowd? This 32-inch charcoal grill from Dyna-Gio offers enough cooking space to grill 30 burgers at a time. The dual-zoned cooking areas are ideal for preparing two separate items at once, and the cooking grates are porcelain-enameled cast-iron, which retains heat for properly cooking food. The hood’s easy-lift handle is designed with a temperature gauge and double-wall liner. Bonus: This grill can also be used as a smoker!
Pros
- Big cooking area
- Can be used as a smoker
- Easy to assemble
- Has wheels for portability
Cons
- Large size not ideal for small outdoor spaces
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Best Portable Charcoal Grill
Fire Sense Notebook Charcoal Grill
For those looking to bring the heat with them, the portable Notebook Charcoal Grill from Fire Sense is a great option. The compact design comes with a charcoal and grill rack and is made of high-heat-resistant painted steel. When you’re done, fold it up in seconds and carry the now-one-inch thick grill away. Its extreme portability makes this the best charcoal grill for tailgating, picnics in the park and camping trips. Buyers love that it’s ultra-compact and easy to clean.
Pros
- Portable and foldable
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not ideal for grilling for a large crowd
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Best Charcoal Grill with Gas Ignition
Weber Performer Deluxe Touch-N-Go
Get the fire going with a touch of the button with the Weber Performer Deluxe Touch-N-Go. This 22-inch charcoal grill uses a propane ignition system (propane tank sold separately) to light the charcoal briquettes. It also features a handy LCD countdown cook timer that can be attached to the grill or removed if you need to run inside while still keeping time. This charcoal grill also has a one-touch cleaning system and high capacity ash collector. A sturdy side table keeps tools and food handy while grilling and the CharBin storage container underneath protects your charcoal from the elements.
Pros
- Easy gas start
- Has LCD cook timer
- Side table for food prep
- Charcoal storage bin
Cons
- Pricey
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Best Charcoal Grill with Rotisserie
Domccy Stainless Steel Barrel Charcoal Grill
You can do it all on the Domccy Stainless Steel Barrel Charcoal Grill. This 49-inch grill with two charcoal trays is ideal for large family gatherings. The rotisserie cooks large hunks of meat such as whole chickens and roasts—the 110-pound spit load means you can even roast a small pig! The powerful electric motor spins the spit at a speed of seven rotations a minute so your food will cook evenly. The grill can accommodate 176 pounds of food, so while you can certainly use it for light weeknight cooking, this behemoth is ready to cook up a massive weekend feast.
“Great to use all summer long for those pool parties. Highly would recommend this grill for your summer needs and those rotisserie chicken dinners,” writes one verified buyer in a glowing 5-star review.
Pros
- Included rotisserie spit rod
- Great for large capacity grilling
- Made of stainless steel
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not ideal for small decks or patios
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Best Value Charcoal Grill
Royal Gourmet Barrel Charcoal Grill with Smoker
If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, the Royal Gourmet Barrel Charcoal Grill with Smoker is an excellent value. This 30-inch charcoal grill has just over 800 square inches of cooking space—plenty of room for grilling up dinner for family or having a few friends over. It offers the versatility of an offset smoker, so you can grill and smoke meat at the same time. This charcoal grill is also easy to assemble and clean. And with more than 1,800 five-star reviews on Wayfair, buyers noted it was great quality and gave it high marks for the price.
Pros
- Great value
- Has offset smoker
- Simple assembly
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Some buyers didn’t like the charcoal holder
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Best Splurge Charcoal Grill
Kamado Joe Classic Joe II Charcoal Grill and Smoker
If you’re ready to take your grilling skills to the next level, the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II is worth the splurge. This 18-inch charcoal grill/smoker combo includes plenty of updates from the original Kamado, including a thick-walled, heat-resistant shell that locks in smoke and moisture at any temperature. Compatible with Kamado’s grilling accessories, it has a two-tier Divide & Conquer grill system so you can smoke or sear with precise temperature control. Plus, the grill dome can be lifted with a single finger!
“I’ve wanted one of these for 20 years. I wish I would’ve bought it years ago. It’s so well-made. Solid construction. I’ll have this for life. It’s amazing how little charcoal it uses! Steaks, burgers, BBQ, this thing does it all,” said one buyer.
Pros
- Grill/smoker combo
- Precise temperature control
- Lightweight lid
- Durable construction
Cons
- Pricey
What is the safest charcoal to use?
Lump charcoal is the most natural and organic option. Charcoal briquettes are quicker and easier to work with, but their composition includes more chemicals, which means they’re less safe and healthy to use.
What are the disadvantages of charcoal grilling?
While the flavors imparted into your food are nigh unbeatable, charcoal comes with a lot more cleanup, less temperature control (you can’t simply turn a dial), the potential for more carcinogens in your food, and increased risk of burns, smoke inhalation and other fire-related injuries.
