Grilling with charcoal does take a little practice. You have to learn how to light the charcoal and adjust the airflow to control the grill temperature, but the effort is worth it for delicious grilled meals. Over the years, I’ve personally used several of the best charcoal grills, and the following are my top picks if you’re in the market for a new grill.
My Top Picks
Reviews of The Best Charcoal Grills
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Kamado Joe Classic Joe II
If you’re experienced with charcoal grills, the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II is a worthwhile purchase for your patio. This Kamado-style grill has ceramic walls and a unique egg-like shape that offers better heat retention and fuel efficiency, and it can be used for high-heat grilling as well as smoking. I love it! The Classic Joe II has a two-tier grate system that lets you cook foods at different temperatures, and its lid has an assisted-lift hinge that makes it easier to open and close. The grill is mounted on caster wheels and has two side tables where you can place your grilling tools, and with proper care, it will last for many years.
The Specs:
Style: Kamado Dimensions: 46.5 by 28 by 48 inches Weight: 233 pounds Cooking Surface: 250 square inches
The Pros:
Suitable for grilling and smoking Two-tier grate system Assisted hinge on lid Easy-to-empty ash drawer
The Cons:
Expensive Heavy
Buy the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II:
2. Best Budget Charcoal Grill: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
For beginners, the Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill is an easy-to-use option that isn’t too expensive. This classic grill has a round grate that’s 22 inches across, and one side hinges upward, allowing you to adjust the charcoal underneath. There’s a hook on the side of the grill where you can hang the lid while tending to your food, and the grill is mounted on two wheels, so you can move it around your yard easily. It doesn’t have any bells and whistles, but it’s a solid entry-level model that many avid grillers love.
The Specs:
Style: Kettle Dimensions: 22.5 by 22.5 by 27 inches Weight: 37 pounds Cooking Surface: 363 square inches
The Pros:
Reasonable price Classic, easy-to-use design One-touch cleaning system Built-in lid hook
The Cons:
Tricky to assemble
Buy the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill:
3. Best Cart-Style Charcoal Grill: Char-Griller Classic Charcoal Grill
Cart grills have built-in side tables and lower storage shelves, making them a convenient all-in-one station for food prep and cooking. This model from Char-Griller has a large cooking surface, as well as a secondary rack for warming foods like burger buns, and it has a crank that lets you raise or lower the charcoal tray to adjust the cooking temperature. The grill is mounted on locking caster wheels for easy portability, and there’s a large pull-out ashtray that makes it easy to clean, as well.
The Specs:
Style: Cart Dimensions: 57.4 x 27 x 51.7 inches Weight: 88 pounds Cooking Surface: 810 square inches
The Pros:
Large cooking surface Mounted on wheels Height-adjustable charcoal tray Side tables and storage shelf
The Cons:
Small damper
What Others are Saying: The Char-Griller Classic Charcoal Grill is well-rated among food publications, and both Serious Eats and Food & Wine say it’s the best cart-style charcoal grill. Buy the Char-Griller Classic Charcoal Grill:
4. Best Portable Charcoal Grill: Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill
If you’re looking for a charcoal grill you can take to the beach, on a picnic, or even to a tailgate, the Everdure CUBE is compact and convenient. It has two large handles that make it easy to carry, and it can be used on any surface, whether it’s a wooden picnic table or a truck bed. The grill comes with a built-in food storage tray and cutting board for on-the-go prep, and they latch into place on top of the grill to serve as a lid while you’re traveling.
The Specs:
Style: Portable Dimensions: 13.7 x 16.7 x 9.1 inches Weight: 15.4 pounds Cooking Surface: 115 square inches
The Pros:
Compact and easy to carry Built-in food storage tray and cutting board Can be used on any surface Available in several colors
The Cons:
Fairly small cooking grate No lid while cooking
Buy the Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill:
Other Charcoal Grills to Consider
If you’re not ready to give up the convenience of a gas grill, the Char-Griller Double Play gives you the best of both worlds. One side of the grill uses propane for quick and easy cooking, while the other is powered by charcoal for those times you want the best flavor. It has a total of 1,260 square inches of cooking space, and it can even be outfitted with an additional side box for smoking meat. The Char-Griller Double Play Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill is available at Home Depot for $449.
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi! I’m Gina, the author and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste, where I share my favorite lightened up recipes made with whole, fresh ingredients. I love grilling for my family when the weather gets hot, whether it’s something easy like Turkey Burgers or more adventurous recipes like Grilled Chicken Tacos. I’ve used many different grills over the course of my career, and I’ve tested several of the models included on this list. For the ones I haven’t used myself, I turned to my favorite food bloggers and cooking publications for reviews and prioritized products from brands that I know make high-quality grills.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Charcoal Grill
What to Consider Before Buying a Charcoal Grill
Charcoal grills come in a range of shapes and sizes, and there are a few key features to look at as you compare models: Style: There are multiple styles of charcoal grills available, including kettle, cart, kamado, and portable options. Kettle grills tend to be the most basic and affordable, while cart-style charcoal grills have built-in prep area and storage. Kamado grills have a unique egg shape and are made from ceramic, which makes them ideal for heat retention. Cooking Area: The capacity of a charcoal grill can be anywhere from 100 to 1,000 square inches. The larger the cooking area, the more food you’ll be able to cook at one time without overcrowding. Charcoal Adjustment: As you cook, you may need to adjust the charcoal inside your grill. Some grates have hinges that give you easy access to the briquettes, and others have height-adjustable charcoal trays that you can raise or lower to help control the temperature.
How Do You Light a Charcoal Grill?
The easiest way to light a charcoal grill is by using a tool called a chimney starter. You fill the tube up with your charcoal, then place lighter cubes or crumpled newspaper underneath the starter. When you light the fuel on fire, it will spread upward to the charcoal, and in 20 to 30 minutes, your briquettes should be red hot and ready to transfer into the grill. Alternatively, you can use an electric charcoal starter to light the grill. Some people use lighter fluid, but it can give your food an off flavor, and I don’t really recommend it.
How Do You Use a Charcoal Grill?
To use a charcoal grill, you’ll want to start by lighting your charcoal using the steps listed above. When the charcoal is red hot, carefully transfer it into the charcoal tray, then cover the grill to allow it to heat up before placing food on the grates to cook. You can control the heat of a charcoal grill by adjusting its air vents or dampers. When the vents are fully open, the grill will be hotter, and as you close them, the temperature will go down.
How Do You Put Out a Charcoal Grill?
When you’re done cooking, it’s easy to put out a charcoal grill. All you have to do is put on the lid and close all the air vents. This will deprive the charcoal of oxygen, causing the fire to go out. However, the grill will still be hot for quite some time—often an hour or more, depending on how much charcoal is left—so use caution when touching it.
What’s Better: Gas vs Charcoal Grill?
There are benefits to both gas and charcoal grills, and the best option depends on your cooking style. Gas grills are easy to use, even if you’re a beginner. They light easily and heat up quickly, and you can adjust their temperature using knobs on the front of the grill. Charcoal grills, on the other hand, take longer to light and are a bit trickier to adjust. However, many people love charcoal grills because they give food more of a smoky flavor than gas grills.
The Best Grilling Recipes
Once you get the hang of using them, charcoal grills are a versatile tool for grilling and smoking your favorite foods. You can use them to cook classic cookout foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, and steak, and they’ll give the meat a delicious smoky taste. However, you can cook many other recipes on a charcoal grill—here are a few of my favorite grilled recipes to get you started:
Grilled Chicken Panini Grilled Pineapple Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs Blackened Grilled Salmon Skewers Grilled Corn on the Cob BBQ Chicken
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
