Barbecues and outdoor grilling are about as American as apple pie! The most recent US census in 2011 showed that over 79.1 million of us had enjoyed an alfresco grilling session in the previous year.
For many years, the debate over gas versus charcoal grills has raged as hot as the flames themselves. Let’s take a look at some of the best charcoal grills and why, in my opinion, you really should be considering purchasing one of the top-rated charcoal grills.
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Charcoal Grills For 2023
Why Choose the Best Charcoal Grill?
If you favor taste over convenience, then the best charcoal bbq is definitely for you. Sure, gas grills may be quicker to start up, less messy and easier to use, but you just don’t get the same outdoor taste as a charcoal grill—so my father would always tell me on our Saturday afternoon grill sessions.
Unfortunately, it seems grilling over charcoal is pretty much a dying art. A survey by HPBA, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, in 2017, found over 64 percent of grills owned in the USA were gas powered. There are still, however, many top rated charcoal grills available to choose from, for that burning ember taste.
Why Does Charcoal BBQ Taste Better?
Some uneducated guests may simply refer to that BBQ taste as “burnt!” True, there are many inexperienced chefs who will char, or burn, their meats too much, even when using the best charcoal grill. However, there are several scientific reasons why food, if it’s done correctly, tastes so much better cooked over charcoal.
Much of the smoky flavor that defines outdoor grilled food comes from the vapors and essences that arise from the smoke. Ironically, many of these compounds are already in the food you are grilling and are released when the food is heated up.
Cooking over gas, especially with vaporizer bars or other modern technologies, can also produce these vapors, but charcoal adds so much more. When charcoal burns, it breaks down the lignin of charcoal into all-important, flavor-adding compounds.
Lignin
Lignin is the resin which holds together the cellulose strands that form wood. Also found in charcoal, when it breaks down it releases two other compounds to give the food a smoky taste and smell—guaiacol and syringol.
Lignin is the key to that spicy and smokey, aromatic, bacon-like flavor we all love so much in charcoal-grilled food.
Guaiacol
Guaiacol is a compound found in lignin, which gives the actual smoky flavor and appears as a yellowish aromatic oil. As a flavor compound, it comprises 85 percent of the world’s production of vanillin, the essential fragrant part of vanilla. You may also recognize the flavor from roasted coffees or bourbon whiskey.
Syringol
Syringol is the part of lignin which gives the aroma to the smoke and adds yet more flavor. When the lignin burns and oxygen breaks it down, the compounds are released in the form of smoke, which sticks to the moist surface of the meats.
Syringol is often used in artificial smoke flavorings, for a BBQ taste without using a grill.
If the above hasn’t already whetted your appetite for the best charcoal grills, this short YouTube clip further explains the flavor chemistry.
It’s Not Just About the Flavor Compounds, but the Heat Too
The other boost charcoal offers, when it comes to grilled foods, is the higher burning temperature it has, compared to gas. When cooking meats, like steaks or hamburgers, this can add to the sear effect, or that crunchy surface of the meat.
Charcoal burns crazy hot, much hotter than most gas grills could ever dream of. The reason for this is that charcoal consists pretty much of pure carbon. Charcoal manufacturers get the pure carbon content by carbonizing wood.
An important part of any cooking process, outdoor grilling included, is the Maillard reaction, first discovered in 1912 by Louis Camille Maillard. This chemical reaction, between the amino acids in food and the sugars that reduce while cooking, significantly contributes to the flavors of any cooked foods.
How The Maillard Reaction Works?
The Maillard reaction dictates how your food browns, as a higher heat on the outside of the meats breaks down proteins into amino acids. These amino acids react with the aforementioned reducing sugars to create that browning effect, or caramelization. The higher temperatures of charcoal leads to a better sear on thick cuts of meat, like steaks or chops.
Charcoal grills will tend to burn at about 700 degrees Fahrenheit for that perfect searing of meats. Gas and electric grills may struggle to reach temperatures over 600 degrees, although new infrared technologies or sear boxes can now offer a comparable sear. (click here if you would like to learn more about choosing a infrared grill).
The infrared grates or higher temperature sear boxes are normally only found on the top end gas grills. Value for money wise, you will get a better sear with the best charcoal grill than a comparable gas model.
The Disadvantages of a Charcoal Grill
Of course many would argue that flavor isn’t everything! The debate between gas grills versus the top-rated charcoal grills has raged on as long and heated as the Mac vs PC rivalry. Gas grill owners will argue that a gas grill is far more convenient to start, easier to clean up and cheaper to run.
True, you can’t beat a gas grill to quickly fire up on a midweek night, for a couple of burgers or steaks with the family. You can easily control the heat, and no more fussing about with messy ignition fluids; just turn a dial and set the cooking temperature.
When you’ve finished with a gas grill, you can simply turn the gas supply off and leave it to cool before storing away. No dirty ashes to clean up, and LPG gas tends to work out much cheaper to use than constant refueling with charcoal.
Which Is Better, Gas or Charcoal Grill?
There’s no simple answer. The HPBA survey we mentioned earlier, which stated 62 percent of homes owned a gas grill, also found 50 percent owned a charcoal grill—which indicates that 12 percent of households own both! That translates to about 20 million American households.
Is that 20 million people who can’t make their mind up, or just a realization that the best type of grill depends on what you’re cooking? Meats which take longer to cook and crave more of that smokey flavor benefit more from the smoke of charcoal than the burning grease of gas grill vaporizer bars.
A blind taste test, conducted by Good Housekeeping in 1998, found tasters couldn’t distinguish the difference between chicken or hamburgers cooked over the two fuels. But when it came to steak there was a definite difference in flavor, with charcoal winning every time.
The following video, from Art of Manliness, looks in more detail at both sides of the argument, but it really is a matter of personal preference.
In Summary—The Advantages of the Best Charcoal Grills
Most purists would argue that an outdoor grill which doesn’t use charcoal is not really a BBQ, but you may still be undecided. Here are the pros of owning one of the top-rated charcoal grills.
- Flavor, the big one, as described in detail above.
- A charcoal grill will tend to be hotter than all but the most premium gas grills. Charcoal will burn at around 700 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to the 500 or 600 degrees of an average gas grill.
- Charcoal grills will offer more bang for your buck. They will normally be much cheaper to buy, with prices starting as little as $20 for a basic bucket grill.
- Easier to set up, with less internal workings to go wrong than gas grills.
- Most charcoal grills are easier to move and more portable than complicated gas grills.
- Charcoal can add to the ambiance you get cooking over an open flame, which is rarely replicated by electric or gas grills.
What to Look for in the Best Charcoal Grill
Hopefully, you are still with me and have decided charcoal is definitely the way forward when it comes to the best-tasting barbecued foods. However, not all charcoal grills are built the same—there are barrel grills, Kamado, kettle, offset smokers, and even another alternative is a smoker and grill combination to consider.
To help you find the best charcoal BBQ, I have compiled a short list of the factors you should consider.
Size and Cooking Area
Perhaps the first question you should ask yourself is where do you intend to use your new charcoal grill most? Who, or how many people, are you going to be grilling for?
Do you need something suitable for taking on a picnic (we cover our list of the best portable charcoal grills elsewhere on this site), or a large charcoal grill for on your patio? Remember, the best charcoal grills will get very hot, so you will also need to consider clearance space on your patio.
Most manufacturers tend to measure the cooking area of a grill in square inches, or how many hamburgers you can fit on it. As a general rule, a chicken breast, average New York steak or hamburger will need 24 square inches of cooking space.
If you buy too small a charcoal grill, you may struggle when feeding larger numbers. Too large a grill and you’ll use more fuel than necessary, and have less room for guests or prep areas.
The Type of Charcoal Grill
Although a charcoal grill can be as simple as a steel bucket with a grate on top, the best-rated charcoal grills come in a variety of designs. The size factor may affect which type of charcoal grill you choose, along with what or how you intend to cook.
Kettle grills or ceramic Kamado style grills will be best when your outdoor space is limited. They will offer an ample cooking space for most gatherings, between 200 and 400 square inches, without taking up too much valuable yard space. Ceramic grills will, however, be less portable, due to their weighty builds.
If you need more grilling capacity for larger groups, you may be better considering a barrel style grill or offset smoker. These larger grills will take up much more space but can often have cooking areas of 600 to 800 square inches or more.
What Type of Meat and How Do You Intend to Cook It?
You need to think about what types of grilling methods you’re going to use most. Smaller grills will be unable to cope with larger chunks of meat, such as turkey or ribs. You will also be unable to indirectly grill those larger chunks of meat with a smaller grill.
Does the charcoal grill need a lid? If you intend to use your grill as an oven or for smoking meats, you will definitely need a tight-fitting lid. Kettle grills with a domed lid offer enough space for indirect grilling zones, and a lid allows for some basic smoking.
A barrel-style charcoal grill will normally offer more space for different heat zones and methods of indirect grilling. Some may even feature an offset smoke chamber for adding wood chips to, or the facility to add one later.
Overall Ease of Use
You may think it’s as easy as just lighting the coals and throwing your meat on the grill, but maintaining the correct cooking temperature is a skill. It will never be as easy to set the temperature on a charcoal grill as it is with the dial on a gas grill.
However, features like air vents, chimney stacks, or adjustable charcoal racks can make it easier to prevent burnt food. The tight-fitting lid we mentioned earlier can also help you keep that temperature without heat escaping.
Kamado-style grills will generally be best at keeping their temperature, but they feature quite a steep learning curve. Kettle grills, which feature vents and dampers at both the base and in the domed lid, can be easier to master.
Build Quality and Durability
The material used in the construction of a charcoal grill and how it stands up to intense heat over time will determine the quality of your grill. Heavy-duty materials, like cast iron, cast aluminum, or heavy ceramic, will normally be used on the top-rated charcoal grills.
If you’re looking for the best charcoal grill for your money, they will often be porcelain coated or chrome-plated materials. Thinner materials may not always stand the test of time, due to the constant exposure to high temperatures.
How Long Should a Charcoal Grill Last?
Depending on the quality of materials used and the correct maintenance and cleaning, the top charcoal grills should last you a lifetime. Many of the charcoal grill recommendations we look at in the reviews below feature long or extended warranties.
Weber, one of the top-rated charcoal grills manufacturers, includes a 10-year unlimited warranty on all its products and is known for outstanding customer service. Manufacturers like Char-Griller and Dyna Glo have also followed suit with their top charcoal grills.
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
Directly related to how long your charcoal grill will last is the ease of cleaning. The big downside of charcoal grills is the ash created by the burning of charcoal. It’s a messy job that nobody particularly relishes, but some top rated charcoal grills have features which make it easier.
Ashtrays or pans, usually under the grill, or sometimes mounted on the side of the grill, are a popular solution. Some of the best charcoal grills will also feature additional doors, especially on barrel charcoal grills. This makes for quick removal of the ashes without taking the grates off or moving the food.
Always allow your charcoal grill to cool down completely before cleaning it. Never be tempted to throw water on it to cool it down—not only is it dangerous but it will ruin your grill. There are very few replaceable parts, unlike a gas grill, although you may need to invest in new grates for the cooking surface occasionally.
How Much Do the Best Charcoal Grills Cost?
Here’s the best news! The best charcoal grill will normally be much less expensive than a premium gas grill. For your money, you’ll get a larger cooking area, more durable construction, and perhaps even a longer warranty than a similar gas grill.
Charcoal grills range from around $50 for a basic budget model to $2000+ for some of the very top rated charcoal grills. A decent sized kettle grill could cost as little as $200, with larger barrel charcoal grills sometimes available at a similar price.
Try to set a budget and stick to it. Do you really need all those additional features or extra square inches of cooking area? Will it even fit in your backyard? In most cases, the very cheapest grills will be made of lower quality materials and you will definitely need to invest in a cover, or consider storing it indoors, to prolong its life.
What Is the Best Charcoal Grill on the Market?
There’s not a single best charcoal grill on the market which is suitable for everybody's requirements. In the charcoal grills review below, we’ve tried to feature a variety of the best-rated charcoal grills to suit different needs.
Best Overall—Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
With very little change since it’s introduction in 1951, the Weber kettle charcoal grill still offers the best combination of price, performance, and convenience. A very basic design uses steel—coated with porcelain enamel—for the firebox, and is mounted on sturdy aluminum legs.
Although the Weber kettle is available in different sizes, we have chosen the 22-inch model, which offers 363 square inches of grilling area. That should be ideal for groups of three or four people, but there’s also a larger model if you need to feed more.
You can cook almost anything on the Weber kettle, with the large domed hood even allowing you to sear a whole turkey. Air vents on the lid allow for easier temperature control and some basic smoking setups. A one-touch cleaning system enables you to clean your grill quicker, with blades that remove the leftover ashes.
Where the Weber really excels is in the design and durability. The one-piece porcelain-enameled cook box has no welded joints which would allow heat to escape—likewise the domed lid too. Still made in the USA, this kettle grill is built to last and comes with Weber’s unlimited 10-year warranty.
Pros
- Quality construction, with steel and porcelain enamel.
- Lightweight at just 33.1 pounds.
- Assembles in minutes.
- Classic design—circular cook box allows for convection-like cooking.
- Easy to use and control the temperature with dual air vents.
- Easy-to-read temperature gauge in the hood.
- Nylon handle features heat shield to protect your hands.
- Versatile, with many accessories available, including rotisseries, pizza stone and more.
- A one-touch cleaning system, for hassle-free cleanup.
- Rust resistant and guaranteed for a full 10 years.
Cons
- Not really portable, although easy enough to move around your backyard.
- Legs may feel wobbly when moving the grill, but a locking mechanism secures the grill when being used.
Best For An Upgrade—Weber 15501001 Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black
At first glance, this upgrade may just look like the Weber kettle grill with a workbench attached. However, the Weber Performer Deluxe charcoal grill has raised the ante with its many added features.
Much larger than most Weber grills when assembled, this model offers plenty of storage options, including an under-counter charcoal bin. It’s not just about the extra storage, though; it also has a gas ignition system and an advanced ash-catcher unit.
The touch-n-go gas ignition system means all you have to do is put the charcoal in the grill and turn on the gas burners located under the grill. The removable aluminum ashtray has a large capacity, so you can quickly clean your grill before the next use.
Using the same porcelain-enamel bowl of the kettle grill, it features an improved grate construction, which is hinged for versatility. The steel grates can be used with a variety of accessories fitted in any combination, including a wok, Poultry roaster, griddle, sear grate, or pizza stone.
The other accessory included is a removable LCD timer but, to be honest, an iGrill thermometer would be a better purchase. Although none of the upgrades are essential, if you have the extra space and the extra budget, the Performer Deluxe could be the ideal family charcoal grill for you.
Pros
- Plenty of storage, with a large work table and under-counter space.
- Large charcoal bin to keep extra fuel handy.
- Versatile hinged grate construction.
- Large removable aluminum ash catcher makes it simple and quick to clean up.
- Gas-powered ignition for easier lighting.
- Same hood thermometer and heat shielded handles as the standard kettle grills.
- Plenty of additional accessories available.
- Weber quality assured, with a 10-year warranty and excellent customer service.
Cons
- Poor quality LCD timer.
- You need an external cylinder for the flame ignition, which could run out without you realizing.
- Are the extra features really worth the extra cash? That’s for you to decide.
- Additional accessories can be expensive.
Best Compact Charcoal Grill for Smaller Patios—Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill, Black
If you have a limited patio space, this small, barrel-style charcoal grill from Char-Griller could be a perfect choice. Despite its small-to-medium size, the Patio Pro charcoal grill still offers 250 square inches of cooking space.
Unlike many other smaller top-rated charcoal grills, the Char-Griller Patio Pro features a traditional trolley design which isn’t too close to the floor. Although lower models are ideal for camping, the last thing you want when cooking in your backyard is to be hunched over.
Heavy steel construction and cast iron grates mean this top-rated charcoal grill isn’t too portable, despite its compact size. A double layer of steel enables the grill to hold the heat better and prevents any potential burnouts.
The hinged lid makes flipping over food a breeze, while built-in shelves can be useful for juggling the food around the smaller cooking area. There’s even a useful wooden side shelf for storing even more food or grill utensils.
For such a compact model, the Patio Pro is a surprisingly effective griller, with excellent even temperature and side air vents for better control. The compact nature of the grill means it will preheat quicker and use much less fuel. It’s also good value for money.
Pros
- Compact footprint, ideal for apartment balconies or smaller patios.
- Reasonable sized cooking area of 250 square inches.
- Bottom storage rack for an extra bag of charcoal.
- Double-lined steel base for durability and keeping the heat in.
- Side vents make temperature control easy.
- Easy dump ash pan for a less messy clean up.
Cons
- The hinged lid often doesn’t fit flush, allowing smoke and heat to escape.
- Cast-iron grates are prone to rust—always coat with oil after use to prolong their lifespan.
- Not really portable at over 50 pounds, better suited to small spaces than life on the road.
Best Large Patio Charcoal Grill—Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D Dual Zone Premium Charcoal Grill, X-Large Stainless
Some of us are lucky enough to possess a larger patio for outdoor gatherings. I always remember our backyard being the party of choice for my father’s friends, come grilling season. It was times like these when a large barrel-style grill would prove invaluable.
This Dyna-Glo charcoal grill isn’t just an extra large grill, it’s a versatile one too. A huge cooking area of 816 square inches combines with the ability to regulate two different heat zones. You could easily cook for up to 30 people at once with this grill.
Inside the stainless steel body of the grill, you will find two individual charcoal baskets, with a removable steel divider in the center. A dual crank system allows you to raise or lower each tray of burning charcoal, to fine-tune the temperature.
Large steel access doors on the front of this charcoal grill allow you to easily stoke the flames or add more charcoal while cooking. The cast-iron grilling grates are ideal for searing steaks while locking in those natural juices. A porcelain-enamel coating makes the grates durable and easy to clean, both before and after grilling.
Extra features include a side loading, large capacity ash pan and a stainless-steel smoke stack for better temperature regulation. With a thermometer built into the tight-fitting hood, you could easily take your skills up a level and smoke your own meats.
Pros
- Huge grilling area.
- Large, easy-access front doors.
- Independent control over the distance between the heat and the grates, for dual zone cooking.
- Plenty of extras including removable ash pan, steel adjustable flue smokestack, charcoal storage shelf, side shelves, and even a bottle opener built in.
Cons
- Heavy and very hard to move—you will definitely need two people to maneuver it around your backyard.
- Uses significant amounts of fuel, not suitable for singles or smaller families.
- Dubious quality materials used in the construction considering the higher price.
Best Lifespan—PK Grills PK Original Outdoor Charcoal Grill & Smoker
A more compact, but definitely more durable solution when looking for the best charcoal grill, is this Portable Kitchens model, the PK Original. Looking like something from the Jetsons, these grills have been handmade in the USA since the 1950s, with very little change.
There’s something rather special about this cast aluminum grill, which should last you for an eternity. The aluminum casing guarantees the grill is rust resistant, with even the hinges for the hood made from the same cast aluminum. I know people who have had this same charcoal grill for over 40 years.
It hasn’t got the largest cooking area, at just 306 square inches, but it’s sufficient for most small gatherings. The large hood does, however, enable you to grill a whole turkey or larger cuts of meat.
A four-point venting system allows you to grill hot and fast or low and slow when needed. You can also configure the areas in the firebox to choose between indirect or direct cooking, depending on how you lay out the charcoal. A hinged lid on the shorter side of the grill is unique and allows for more access to the cooking area, especially if you need a light.
The other neat feature I really like is the ability to easily remove the cook box from the wheeled stand. At over 45 pounds, it’s not really portable but could be the ideal charcoal grill to stow in the back of your truck for that next tailgating party.
Pros
- Possibly the most durable grill ever—aluminum casting is corrosion free.
- The quality build will last a lifetime, much longer than the 10-year warranty.
- Retro design, and double layered for better heat retention.
- Four-point venting system makes it easy to switch between grilling or smoking.
- Large workspace with dual shelves.
- Detachable from trolley for more portability—although it can be heavy to carry.
- Completely made in the USA.
Cons
- No ash catcher or removable ash pan.
- No temperature gauge in the hood.
- Very basic with few extra features.
Best Value for Money Charcoal Kamado Grill—Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Barbecue Grill and Smoker, Black
If you have been tempted to try a Kamado-style, or “egg,” charcoal grill, but are put off by the high prices, this entry level Kamado from Char-Griller could be for you. Usually, a Kamado grill would be made of earthenware or ceramic, but this relatively inexpensive model uses a double layer of 22-gauge steel.
It may not offer quite the same heat retention as ceramic or clay, but the double layer does help with insulation. A cast-iron cooking surface is great for more even cooking: cast iron is a better heat conductor. A locking lid also offers an airtight seal for keeping in the heat.
Kamado grills are known to promote a more even cooking and a greater flavor to the food you grill. They’re easy to clean and simple to use, with dual air-vents/dampers allowing for greater control of the temperature.
The smaller design means you use less charcoal, and placing it at the bottom of the “egg” means more indirect cooking is possible. Despite the compact design, this charcoal grill still offers 314 square inches of cooking space with a removable warming rack of 133 square inches.
The use of steel makes the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker much lighter than traditional Kamado grills, with two side handles for easier movement. It also includes two fold-down steel side shelves for a work area, with utensil hooks.
Pros
- Cool Kamado design with powder-coated steel on the outside, porcelain-coated on the inside.
- Double-walled steel construction for greater heat retention, but lighter than earthenware.
- Large total cooking area of 447 square inches: 314 inches primary, with a 133-inch warming rack.
- Can easily be used as a smoker in addition to a charcoal grill.
- Tubular steel trolley with locking caster wheels makes it easier to move around the patio.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Not a true “Kamado” grill and lacks the super heat-retention of traditional ceramic models.
- When learning to smoke, it’s not the easiest smoker to manage. Ensure you get those extra low temperatures.
- The thermometer in the domed lid tends to be inaccurate.
Also Worth A Mention—Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill, 22.5 Inch
This charcoal grill from Char-Broil may not be as popular as the Weber kettle grill but claims to offer a more even cooking temperature, due to an infrared cooking system.
The cooking area of 360 square inches is comparable to the Weber charcoal grills, but the porcelain-coated grate is much closer to the charcoal. Infrared technology heats up the grates more evenly, with less cold spots.
You will use less charcoal with this grill, and the infrared grates act as a radiant cooking surface. Thin openings on the grate help prevent flare-ups without the need for sear plates. The inverted V-shaped ridges offer a greater surface for more even heat distribution.
In practice, many users find the grates take longer to heat up, and—at lower temperatures—offer less even heat coverage. However, the domed lid is hinged, uncommon in most kettle grills, and helps keep the heat in.
A large adjustable damper on the lid opens to let heat out or closes to increase the cooking temperature. 360-degree air inlets around the perimeter of the grill allow for increased airflow and more even heating.
In a similar price bracket to the Weber, it offers the same cooking experience but lacks the interesting accessories offered by Weber. Unfortunately, many users also bemoan the build quality and some of the components included, especially the screws.
Pros
- Tru-infrared cooking system for more even heat distribution at higher temperatures.
- Lower charcoal consumption.
- Large removable ash pan.
- Porcelain-coated grates with narrow gaps to prevent food from falling through.
- Solid trolley with sturdy wheels and a storage shelf.
- Easy to use.
- 10-year limited warranty.
Cons
- Takes longer to preheat.
- Not as good at lower temperatures—indirect cooking can be troublesome.
- Poor components provided—screws will need replacing with strong metal screws as they start to signs of wear and tear.
Conclusion
My father always used to argue you couldn’t beat the flavor of meats grilled over the best charcoal grill. Grilling with charcoal gives you the satisfaction of knowing some real skill is involved, which you don’t get when using gas or electric grills.
It’s a skill that can be passed down from generation to generation, for the best tasting BBQ food for years to come, and something i talk about alot here at backyardgrillchef.com.
The other thing that hasn’t changed over the years, is Weber’s dominance of the best-rated charcoal grills. The Weber original kettle 22-inch charcoal grill is one classic piece of Americana that just refuses to go away.
When you buy a Weber grill, you’re buying something which will last many years if correctly maintained. This model offers a great mix of affordability, performance, ease of use and of course, durability.