A charcoal grill is an essential cooking tool for any barbequing enthusiast. Whether it is grilling meat, chicken, seafood, or vegetables, the charcoal grill serves up perfectly char-grilled food.
Discover the Delights of Perfectly Char-grilled Food
Using a charcoal grill is the best way to cook all types of char-grilled recipes for your family and guests. Once you have savored the taste of char-grill steak, seafood, chicken, or vegetables, you will never want to cook on an ordinary grill again.
The 10 Best Charcoal Grills
- Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Portable Charcoal Grill
- Char-Griller E82424 Smoker Side Fire Box Portable Charcoal Grill
- Royal Gourmet CD1824E Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill (Our Top Pick)
- Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
- Weber 15501001 Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill
- Giantex Charcoal Hibachi Grill
- Dyna-Glo DGN486SNC-D Charcoal Grill
- Uten Barbecue Charcoal Grill
- Americana Swinger Charcoal Grill
Our Top Pick for the Best Charcoal Grill
Our top pick for the best charcoal grill is the Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill.
Weber is a well-respected name in the barbeque industry so you can trust their charcoal grill to deliver a superb grilling performance. With a stylish classic design and smart user-friendly features, you will create authentic char-grilled food like a grill master.
Check the price on AmazonHow to Choose the Best Charcoal Grill
Charcoal grills come in 3 main styles: free-standing, semi-portable, and ultra-portable. Freestanding models, such as the Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Portable Charcoal Grill, are a great choice for people who want a stay-put grill that can be set up in their favorite spot on the patio or in the garden.
Semi-portable grills, such as the Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, have wheels so you can move the grill anywhere you like and store it after use.
Ultra-portable grills, such as the Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill, the Char-Griller E82424 Smoker Side Fire Box Portable Charcoal Grill, or the Hibachi-style Uten Barbecue Charcoal Grill can be used for camping or trailblazing adventures.
To find the perfect charcoal grill, you need to consider important features such as construction, grilling space, temperature control, and clean-up.
Construction
Strong and durable steel or cast aluminum construction always matters when it comes to a charcoal grill as the material needs to withstand high temperatures. The metal grilling plates should be made out of heavy-duty carbon steel, stainless steel, or chrome plating. A porcelain-enameled lid and grilling bowl help to retain heat as well as provide extra durability.
Grilling Space
The grilling space depends on how many people you will be cooking for. A small 160-square-inch grilling plate will suffice for 2 or 3 people. If you plan to host a lot of parties, you will need a larger grilling space such as 250 or 360-square-inch, especially if you want to cook different types of food at the same time.
Cooking Versatility: Grilling or Smoking
Some charcoal grills give you extra cooking versatility. As well as grilling, you can use the grill as a smoker to make delicious Texas-style smoked meats.
A grill may give you the choice of using gas or charcoal.
Temperature Control
Precise temperatures are tough to achieve with charcoal grills. So look for helpful temperature features such as a venting system, adjustable dampers, and grilling grate.
Venting System
A venting system, which has 1 or more vents, allows the air to flow properly throughout the grill and maintains even heat.
Adjustable Dampers
Adjustable dampers raise or lower the temperature of the grill to suit your individual grilling needs.
Adjustable Grilling Grate
An adjustable grilling grate allows you to adjust the grate’s height so that you can move your food closer or further away from the coals.
Fast Cleanup
A charcoal grill can be messy to work with so a removable ash pan will collect the ashes and keep your grilling space mess-free.
10 Best Charcoal Grills – Reviews
1. Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Portable Charcoal Grill
The Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Portable Charcoal Grill is an excellent choice for grilling sessions at the campsite, the beach, or while you and your crew are tailgating.
Built to last, the grill’s durable steel construction features a red powder-coated steel exterior and a porcelain-coated steel interior finish. You can expect superior cooking results as the triple-walled insulation retains cooking temperatures from 200-700°F.
With a generous 153-square-inch cast iron cooking surface, there is plenty of space for your favorite barbecued food. The cooking grate also minimizes flare-ups and you can grill more food with less charcoal.
To control the temperature and airflow, the grill has a built-in stainless steel temperature gauge and top and bottom adjustable dampers. The hinged lid also seals in the char-grilled flavors while you cook.
Two durable handles allow for easy portability and 3 short sturdy legs keep the griller steady while you grill up a storm. The ash pan makes clean-up quick and easy.
Char-Griller offers a 1-year warranty on its charcoal grill.
Pros
- Great quality
- Very good price
- Excellent value for money
- Superior grilling performance
- Durable cast iron
- Powder-coated steel exterior finish and a porcelain-coated steel interior finish
- Triple-walled insulation
- Sturdy hinged lid
- Very good primary cooking area
- Cast iron cooking grate
- Holds heat better than expensive ceramic grills
- Dual dampers and built-in heat gauge for precise heat control
- Compact and portable design ideal for tailgating and camping
- Two durable handles and 3 short sturdy legs
- Easy to clean ash pan
Cons
- Only 1-year warranty
2. Char-Griller E82424 Smoker Side Fire Box Portable Charcoal Grill
With a compact and multifunctional design, the Char-Griller E82424 Smoker Side Fire Box Portable Charcoal Grill is tailor-made for camping or picnics. The charcoal grill has a solid heavy-gauge steel construction, a cast iron cooking grate, and its generous 250-square-inch cooking surface can fit up to 12 burgers.
You can either attach the side firebox onto most of the Char-Griller barrel grills to create mouth-watering Texas-style smoked meats or use it as a free-standing or table-top grill.
For excellent heating control, the dual adjustable dampers provide consistent airflow and the hood closes securely to seal in the authentic char-grilled flavors. The lid’s stay-cool handle protects your hands from the heat and the sturdy legs keep the grill stable on a level surface.
Lifting and carrying the grill is made easy with the 2 strong handles that are located on either side of the grill.
Your grilling area will stay clean with the charcoal sliding ashpan drawer that makes cleanup a breeze.
The Char-Griller tabletop is covered by a 90-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great price
- Heavy-gauge steel construction
- Generous 250-square-inch grill can fit up to 12 burgers
- Two adjustable dampers
- Connects to most Char-Griller charcoal barrel grills as a side firebox
- Can be used as a smoker
- Can be used as a free-standing grill or a tabletop grill
- Compact, portable design
- Stay-cool hood handle
- Two sturdy legs and two strong handles
- Easy access sliding charcoal ash pan drawer
- Quick and easy assembly
Cons
- No temperature gauge
- Paint can blister or peel off
- Can rust easily
- Cannot be attached to the #1515 Char-Griller Barrel
3. Royal Gourmet CD1824E Charcoal BBQ Grill
The Royal Gourmet CD1824E Charcoal BBQ Grill has all the features you need to grill all your favorite char-grilled food. This sturdy metal grill has a spacious 474-square-inch grilling space for 10 people and 2 side shelves give you plenty of cooking preparation space.
Stylish as well as functional, the shelves come in an attractive matt black design. To maximize space in your cooking area, the side shelves can be folded down out of the way. You can store your cooking utensils or other tools on the bottom shelf, and the cart has 2 large wheels for extra portability.
The secret to great barbecuing lies in maintaining the perfect temperature. Royal Gourmet helps you to achieve this with its integrated stainless steel thermometer that provides precise heating control.
Other smart design features include the thick steel chamber that allows for 360° heat circulation, a stainless steel warming rack, a lid with a stainless steel handle, and a 6-height adjustable charcoal pan with holes, all of which helps to maintain the right cooking temperatures for perfectly cooked food. This grill even has an integrated bottle opener.
It is very easy to increase or reduce the airflow throughout the cooking chamber, just open or close the damper as required.
Keeping your charcoal grill clean is easier with Royal Gourmet’s unique clean-up solution. The left-over ash can be stored in the draw-out ashtray drawer at the bottom which facilitates mess-free clean-up after you have finished your cook-up session.
The Royal Gourmet charcoal grill is covered by a 180-day return policy and a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Very good value for money
- Affordable price
- Ultra-portable
- Sturdy metal design
- Stylish
- Heat efficient grilling chamber
- Large workspace
- Foldable shelves
- Bottom storage shelf
- Stainless steel warming tray
- Front access charcoal door
- Six height-adjustable charcoal pan
- Precise thermometer
- Innovative air and temperature control
- Built-in temperature gauge
- Draw-out ashtray drawer
- 180-day return policy
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Ashtray drawer is too shallow
- Complex assembly
4. Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Enjoy exceptional barbecues every day with the iconic Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill.
With a solid rust-resistant steel construction and a crimson porcelain-enameled lid and bowl, the Weber grill is designed for long-term durability.
There is a generous 363-square-inch plated steel hinged grate which gives you plenty of room for 12 burgers, a selection of steaks, sausages, fish, or chicken and you can easily maneuver the coals for direct or indirect cooking. The 2 glass-reinforced nylon handles have storage hooks for all your grilling tools.
Grilling is effortless with the Weber. Its precision heat control system includes 3 air vents that are regulated by swiveling damper blades which maximize airflow and a built-in thermometer. The heat shield helps prevent your lid handle from getting too hot.
For extra mobility, the grill has 2 weather-resistant sturdy wheels and the extra leg gives the grill extra stability.
Weber’s One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle-free cleanup of charcoal ash into a high-capacity, removable ash catcher.
The Weber Kettle grill comes in attractive colors and the grill is covered by a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Affordable price
- Superb grilling performance
- Solid steel construction
- Crimson porcelain enamel capsule
- Extra-large hinged grilling grate
- Precision heat control
- Built-in thermometer
- Three air vents and swiveling dampers
- Cooking grate is easy to clean
- Handle has a heat shield
- Durable all-weather wheels
- One-Touch cleaning system
- Removable ash catcher
- Two glass-reinforced nylon handles with tool storage hooks
- Attractive colors
- Easy to set up
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Lid’s material is a bit flimsy and does not fit very well
5. Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
The Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is the perfect griller for camping, tailgating parties, and urban grillers.
Built to last, the steel bowl and lid are porcelain coated for durability, rust resistance, and easy cleaning. The triple nickel-plated cooking grate is easy to maintain and makes great grill marks on your favorite meats.
Featuring an ultra-portable design, you really can take the grill anywhere. However, do not be put off by its smaller size, the grilling plate has a generous 160-square-inch of grilling space that can fit 4 medium-sized steaks. The built-in lid hangers let you place the lid on the side of the grill, and you can use the lid as an effective wind barrier.
The 2 adjustable dampers have 3 vent holes, which allow you to lower or raise the temperature depending on your grilling needs.
For extra safety, the glass-reinforced stay-cool handle protects your hands while you char-grill your food.
The Weber grill has steel-plated pivoting legs that lock the lid into place and the whole grill packs down into a rectangular toolbox size for easy transportation.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Incredibly affordable
- Great value for money
- Go-anywhere design
- Durable rust-resistant steel and porcelain-enameled coating
- Ultra-compact and portable size
- Good 160-square-inch grilling surface area
- Dual dampers and 3 air vents
- Glass-reinforced stay-cool nylon handle
- Steel pivoting legs
- Packs down into a toolbox size
Cons
- Grill is situated too close to the charcoal
- No temperature gauge
6. Weber 15501001 Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill
If you are a barbecuing enthusiast, the Weber 15501001 Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill is a great investment as it delivers a high grilling performance.
The stylish black porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are highly durable and the heavy-duty steel cart provides extra portability.
Char-grilling is made super easy with the Weber. There is a built-in thermometer, an adjustable damper with 4 aluminum vents, and a removable mounted backlit LCD digital timer, which give you ultimate control over the final grilling result.
To fire up the grill, the electronic Touch-N-Go gas ignition system allows you to ignite the charcoal with just a push of a button.
You can arrange the charcoal on the fuel grate for either direct or indirect grilling and the heavy-duty 363-square-inch grilling grate can fit 13 burger patties. The cooking grate comes in 2 sections and the removable section can be used with Weber’s Gourmet BBQ System cookware collection.
The innovative One-Touch cleaning system collects the ashes into the removable ash carrier, which can be emptied into the large CharBin storage container.
Extra features include a wire bottom shelf, an extra workspace to prep food or store tools, and a glass-reinforced nylon handle.
For extra portability, the steel cart has 2 locking caster wheels and 2 all-weather 8-inch rubber-molded wheels.
Weber offers a 10-year limited warranty, and the grill is compatible with a 14.1 oz. or 16.4 oz. disposable liquid propane canisters.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- High-performance
- Great portability
- Stylish black finish
- Heavy-duty steel cart and porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
- 7.5-inch high lid
- Extra-large 363-square-inch steel grilling plate
- Grilling place can be used with Weber’s Gourmet BBQ System cookware collection
- Built-in lid thermometer
- Removable backlit LCD digital timer
- One-Touch cleaning system
- Removable large CharBin storage container
- Electronic Touch-N-Go gas ignition
- Adjustable damper with 4 air vents
- Precision heat control for optimal cooking results
- Extra wire bottom shelf
- Glass-reinforced nylon handle
- Steel cart has 2 locking caster wheels and 2 all-weather rubber-molded wheels
Cons
- Expensive
- Lid can blow off easily
- Timer only lasts for 99 minutes
7. Giantex Charcoal Hibachi Grill
The rugged Giantex Charcoal Hibachi Grill is perfect for camping, picnics, tailgating, or grilling sessions on the patio.
Made from solid and sturdy premium cast iron, this charcoal grill provides excellent heat retention and conductibility and is guaranteed to last for a lifetime of happy grilling.
The hibachi-style grill has a good-sized 12.5 x 8.5-inch cooking space which is perfect for cooking burgers, steaks, kebabs, or chicken.
Giantex has specially designed this charcoal grill with a unique feature. The double-sided grills have 2 different heights so you can adjust them according to your cooking needs. You can adjust the fire by sliding the air regulating door left or right to get the optimal temperature. The front fire grate gives you safe and easy access to the coals.
Although cast iron cookware must be seasoned before the first use, the Giantex charcoal grill has already been seasoned, so it is ready for you to start char-grilling straight away.
As this charcoal grill has sturdy feet, you can place it directly on the ground or on a table.
Transporting the grill is made easier with the 2 integrated handles.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Very affordable price
- Great value for money
- Perfect for picnics, tailgating and car camping, and grilling sessions on the patio
- Solid preseasoned cast iron
- Excellent heat retention and conductibility
- Good sized grilling plate
- Double-sided grilling net has 2 adjustable heights
- Air regulating door for easy access to the coals
- Front fire grate
- Sturdy integrated feet provide good stability
- Two integrated handles
Cons
- Heavy
- Not ideal for large grilling sessions
- Can be hard to control the heat and airflow
- No lid
- Cast iron can rust if it is not maintained properly
8. Dyna-Glo DGN486SNC-D Charcoal Grill
The Dyna-Glo DGN486SNC-D Charcoal Grill gives you everything you need to enjoy an authentic charcoal grilling experience on your verandah or in the backyard.
Built to last, this sturdy and stylish stainless steel charcoal grill has porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and a heavy-duty cast iron door.
This grill has plenty of space for all your entertaining grilling needs as its large 686-square-inch cooking area can hold up to 24 hamburgers at the same time. You can use the 2 side shelves for keeping meat and vegetables ready for grilling or serving plates, and the bottom storage basket can be used for other cooking accessories.
User-friendly features include a stainless steel handle on the lid, an easy-to-read stainless steel temperature gauge, a front charcoal access door, and an adjustable charcoal tray.
To minimize heat loss and maximize burn efficiency and temperature control, the grill has a stainless steel smoke stack with an adjustable flue, and sliding side dampers.
When you have finished grilling, the heavy-duty cart grill has 2 sturdy 8-inch wheels and 2 castor wheels for easy mobility and storage.
The high-capacity ash pan collects all the leftover grease and ash and it is removable for quick and easy clean-up.
You can also purchase a heavy-duty custom-fit cover (Model DG576CC) to protect the grill. Dyna-Glo offers a 1-year limited warranty for the charcoal grill and a 3-year warranty for the cover.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Great performance
- Easy to assemble and use
- Sturdy and stylish stainless steel
- Heavy-duty cast iron
- Large cooking surface
- Two side shelves
- Bottom storage basket
- Large stainless steel handle on the lid
- Front access charcoal door
- Adjustable charcoal tray
- Stainless steel smoke stack has an adjustable flue
- Easy to read stainless steel temperature gauge
- Heavy-duty cart grill has 2 sturdy 8-inch wheels and 2 castor wheels
- Easy to move and store
- Protective cover can be purchased separately
- High-capacity ash pan
Cons
- Expensive
- Stainless steel is not overly durable
9. Uten Barbecue Charcoal Grill
For superb barbecuing at the campsite or while you are backpacking, the Uten Barbecue Charcoal Grill is a great choice.
The Uten grill is made of cold-rolled iron and it has a premium chrome wire mesh grate, which has heat, rust, scratch, and warp-resistant properties and it is safe to cook on.
One of the easiest grills to set up, you just unfold the 4 feet and the grill is ready to go.
Starting a fire is made super easy with the 12 airway vent design, so the fire burns faster and your food is cooked quickly. To start cooking, just place the charcoal under the grate and light the grill up. For a cleaner grilling experience, the airflow holes stop any ash from sticking to your food.
Whether you are feeding friends on a camping trip or even using the grill in your apartment, the grate can cook enough food for 3-5 people.
Highly portable, the grill has 2 wire handles and thick metal feet foldaway underneath so it is a carry-anywhere grill.
Uten also makes a large, foldable stainless steel grill which is ideal for 5-10 people. The grill is covered by a 1-year-warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Great price
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for 3-5 people
- Ideal for camping, picnics, the beach, tailgating
- 12 airway vent designs
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Ash-free grilling design
- Two handles
- Portable foldable design
- Strong and sturdy legs
- No installation setup required
- Easy to clean
- Available in a larger size
Cons
- Grill has to be placed on a level surface
- Large grill is not very sturdy
10. Americana Swinger Charcoal Grill
One of the best charcoal grills on the market, the Americana Swinger Charcoal Grill is a great choice for barbecue lovers.
The bright red oversized tilt-away hood and good-sized bowl create the best grilling and smoking experience. For precise grilling results, there is an adjustable vent on the hood, and front and rear vents give maximum temperature control.
You can grill away to your heart’s content as the grill’s 332-square-inch cooking surface is designed to fit 16 meat patties. The 6-position chrome-plated cooking grid can grill medium, rare, and well-done meat at the same time. An elevated fire grate enables the Swinger to grill faster while also preventing bottom burnouts.
Two folding wooden side tables give you heaps of storage space for your utensils or meat, and the removable ash pan allows for quick clean-ups. The grill has 2 stay-cool handles to protect your hands.
For easy transport, just fold down the side tables, grasp the front 2 legs and let the easy-rolling wheels guide the grill to your perfect barbecuing spot or store it away.
The Americana Swinger charcoal grill is covered by a 90-day warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Very affordable price
- Large cooking grate can fit 16 meat patties
- Excellent grilling results
- Loads of grilling versatility
- Six-position chrome-plated cooking grid zones
- 21.5-square-inch grill
- Can be used as a smoker
- Durable folding composite-wood side tables
- Elevated fire grate
- Attractive red tilt-away large hood has an adjustable vent
- Front and rear adjustable air vents
- Two stay-cool wooden handles
- Easy-rolling wheels
Cons
- Complex assembly
- Instructions are hard to follow
- Only a 90-day warranty
Our Top Pick for the Best Charcoal Grill
Our top pick for the best charcoal grill is the Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill.
Weber is a well-respected name in the barbeque industry so you can trust their charcoal grill to deliver a superb grilling performance. With a stylish classic design and smart user-friendly features, you will create authentic char-grilled food like a grill master.
Check the price on Amazon
