7 Best Charcoal Grills Consumer Ratings & Reports 2023

Nothing is more fun than throwing a BBQ party for your friends and family members.

It’s a day to have some happy moments with people you love the most. This party is impossible without Charcoal grills.

They are famous for their simple setup and adding smoke-enriched flavor to the food.

Today, people prefer them over gas grills because they are super affordable and come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs.

Although tons of options are out there, you don’t need any ordinary grill. You should pick the best charcoal grill for a BBQ party as one wrong selection can ruin the whole party spirit.

In this post, I will tell you what factors you should check before buying a charcoal grill.

Besides, I’m sharing going to review the best charcoal grills according to consumer ratings and reports that will keep your party mood on.

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Here are the top-rated products we picked out that you would be interested in depending on your budget…

Best Charcoal Grills Consumer Ratings & Reports

We have compiled a list of the 7 best charcoal grills according to consumer ratings and reports in 2023.

1. Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch

Features at a glance
  • Handy work table
  • Precision Heat Control
  • Attractive, sturdy, and solid
  • One-Touch cleaning system
  • Convenient Lid Holder

Do you need a premium quality charcoal grill? Only Weber can offer you the best value for your money as its Performer grill has set a benchmark for other brands due to its ease of use and unique features.

The grill body is made of top-quality steel, while the grates are made of stainless steel and have a durable porcelain coating.

This 22-inch porcelain-enameled bowl offers a cooking space of 363 square inches, an ideal space for 13 burgers and fries in one batch.

You can keep a tab on the internal temperature of the grill via the built-in thermometer. You can set a precise temperature as per your recipe.

Adjustable dampers will offer precise heat control. For extinguishing coal, all you have to do is to close the damper completely.

No matter how hot your grill is, you won’t have finger burns thanks to the heat shield mechanism designed for the lid’s handle. You can initiate the grilling process with a button push. Indeed electronic Touch-N-Go is a handy feature.

You can keep tools and seasoning on the side work table. This charcoal grill has front hooks where you can hang grilling tools for easy access. The mounted timer lets you set a specific time for cooking.

You don’t have to place the lid on the ground as you can slide it easily on one side. When it comes to cleaning, a soapy scrub is good enough to bring back this system’s shine.

The one-touch cleaning system and removable aluminum ash catcher make the whole cleanup quick and simple.

related: Best Propane Grills

What We Like!
  • Ample storage space underneath
  • Wheels for Easy transport
  • Removable LCD cook timer
  • Built-in lid thermometer
  • 3D interactive assembly instructions
Things to Consider!
  • Ash catcher is hard to take off

2. PK Grills Portable Aluminum Charcoal Grill and Smoker

Features at a glance
  • Grill plus smoker
  • 300 sq. in ample cooking space
  • 4x efficient than steel grill
  • Durable Aluminum Construction
  • Rust Proof and durable

In case you are on the hunt for the best heat conducting charcoal grill, then this Cast Aluminum grill from PK will make you put your search on pause.

Its solid cast aluminum construction makes it an excellent heat conductor. Grill will heat up pretty fast and won’t get cold quickly. Thereby, you can easily keep grilled food items warm by sliding them on the sides.

Cast Aluminum is a rust-proof material that lasts longer than steel and other materials available in the market. As Aluminum conducts heat faster than steel, thereby it is 4 times more efficient.

PK grills are known for their durability, efficiency, and outstanding performance. In case you buy this unique shape model with four vents, you can enjoy coverage from rust, breakage, and burnout for at-least a decade.

Whether you are in a mood to make steaks for the whole family or planning to grill Turkey on Thanksgiving, PK grill brings an adequate cooking space, aka 300 square inches.

As this grill is designed with a 4-Point Venting System, you can do both slow and fast cooking on it.

This award-winning charcoal grill is super portable. Simply fold it down and take it with you on a camping trip or some other adventure. The sturdy wheels allow quick and easy transport.

related: Best Portable Gass Grills

What We Like!
  • Maintains Exact Temperature
  • 2-Zone Cooking
  • Portable, rugged, easy to use
  • Suitable for slow and fast grilling
  • Side Shelf with cup holder
Things to Consider!
  • Scooping out ashes from the system is a challenge

3. Dyna-Glo DGN486DNC-D Heavy-Duty Charcoal Grill

Features at a glance
  • Charcoal tray adjustment system
  • Functional Design
  • Cast-iron cooking grates
  • Sturdy grill Construction
  • Easy to Assemble

BBQ enthusiasts always like to invest money in a fully functional charcoal grill like this one from Dyna-Glo.

Whether you are a casual griller or a professional cook, adding great flavor and taste to your food with this smoke-enriched grill is super simple.

The best selling point of this grill is its charcoal tray adjustment system. By lowering or raising a charcoal tray, you can fine-tune the heat level to enjoy great flexibility during cooking.

This grill offers 686 Square inches of cooking space, so making 24 hamburgers at one time is possible.

Throwing a big BBQ family party won’t require any catering service as you can handle it all on your own.

Its heavy-duty cart has 8-inch resin wheels that offer optimal Maneuverability. Side shelves provide extra cooking space, while the storage basket is good enough to keep other ingredients.

Inside the pack, you will find three heavy-duty -, hi-gloss porcelain-enameled grates that retain heat and maintain the juicy flavor of grilled meat and chicken.

Adding charcoal to this grill is quite simple as Dyna-Glo has added an easy-to-access heavy-duty steel door. Another way to add charcoal is to remove the grates.

You can find a stainless temperature gauge to set the temperature right. Once grilling is done, its high-capacity ashtray is well-designed to make cleanup a breeze.

What We Like!
  • Nonstick Sliding grills
  • Heavy-duty cart with side shelves
  • Excellent Maneuverability with resin wheels
  • Ample Cooking space, 686 square Inch
  • Heavy duty steel charcoal access door
Things to Consider!
  • Ashpan is shallow

4. Royal Gourmet 30″ BBQ Charcoal Grill and Smoker

Features at a glance
  • Grill plus offset smoker
  • 2-in-1 control
  • Porcelain wire cooking grates
  • Excellent mobility
  • 800 sq. in cooking surface

Do you need the best-in-class outdoor grill? Don’t look around as Royal Gourmet offers you a unique combination of high-capacity grill and offset smoker.

So, grilling multiple briskets, steaks, and pork shoulder at the same time is made possible. It lets you serve food as per guests’ requirements.

People into classic grill will love to buy this 30-inch charcoal grill that unlocks 800 square inches of cooking surface.

Ignite the coal once and prepare grill food for everyone in one batch. It would let you save your time and energy.

Its 438 sq. in Porcelain-coated steel wiring grates retain heat and let meat sear ideally. Once grilling is done, keep ready food on a 179 inches chrome-plated warming rack, so everyone enjoys hot food.

The grill body is made of stainless steel and has an eye-catching black coating, which will withstand 400-degree temperature and won’t flake off fast. There are sturdy wheels on the base for quick transport.

Excellent airflow is assured through the side air vent. You can fuel this system with lump charcoal, briquets, and some wood chips to enhance food flavor.

Inside the pack, you will find a scald-proof handle, temperature gauge, and smokestack.

related: Best Electric Smokers

What We Like!
  • Ample storage space
  • Removable ashtray for easy cleaning
  • Easy to access hanging hooks
  • Adjustable heat control
Things to Consider!
  • The ashtray is not rust-proof
  • The cover isn’t included.

5. Royal Gourmet 30″ BBQ Charcoal Grill and Smoker

Features at a glance
  • TRU-Infrared Charcoal Grates
  • 360 sq. in cooking space
  • No-Fall through grates
  • Less Charcoal-Consumption
  • Hinged Lid for Easy Opening

Grilling professionals love to grab charcoal grills that prevent a flare-up. Thereby, Char-Broil has introduced charcoal grills with Infrared technology.

Food gets even heat distribution on this cooking system, and you won’t experience any cold or hot spots.

Its TRU-Infrared Charcoal Grates provide more heat control and let you do more grilling with less charcoal. You will save your time, energy, and money by investing in this model.

This nice-looking kettle grill has a hinged lid design; you don’t have to worry about lid placement during cooking.

Its hinged lid pops open while you are tending to charcoal or turning the side of the steak.

The lid-mounted temperature gauge lets you set the temperature right. You can close the lid vent to lock the food’s juicy flavor or open it to start the slow cooking process. For cleaning the grill, simply slide in the ashtray.

This charcoal kettle grill brings a 360- square inch total cooking surface with a porcelain-coated grate to offer cooking efficiency.

The body is made of metal and has a beautiful black finish.  The grill is designed with a chrome-plated wire bottom shelf. Two wheels on base boost mobility.

What We Like!
  • Low flare-ups, Flavorful food
  • Easy slide-in ashtray cleanup
  • Stable Chrome base
  • Easy to transport with wheels
  • Large Adjustable dampers
Things to Consider!
  • Adding Coals and chip is difficult

6. Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

Features at a glance
  • Best Grill for Beginners
  • Meet Large Family Food Need
  • One-Touch cleaning system
  • Highly Adjustable grill with vents
  • Versatile-Direct/Indirect heat

Weber was the company that first invented Kettle Grill. Now it’s offering an innovative and modern version of the classic kettle grill, which is worth every penny.

This latest design has added convenience and integrated new technology. Thereby, charcoal grill lovers always make it their first choice.

The body of the charcoal grill is made of steel and has durable weber wheels for excellent maneuverability. Fitting 13 hamburgers on its 363 square inches of space won’t be a challenge.

A porcelain-enameled lid and bowl will lock temperature inside and offer consistent heat to enhance the flavor of grilled food.

There is a side hook to hold the Lid; no need to find the right place to put it.

The durable finish of this weber kettle grill will withstand harsh temperature and weather conditions. It won’t start peeling off like other ordinary charcoal grills.

The Clean-up process will remain hassle-free due to its removable ashtray and one-touch cleaning system.

You can adjust the temperature for controlling the temperature of your grill. Whether you are in a mood for direct or indirect heating,  all you have to do is arrange charcoal on the fuel grate.

Super plated steel grates retain heat so you can enjoy the best grill-food flavor. They are durable and withstand high temperatures for quite a long.

When it comes to putting together this kettle grill, you need to install the BILT app on your smartphone. It lets you explore 3D assembly instruction for quick set-up.

related: Best Electric Griddle

What We Like!
  • Rust-Proof Lid and bowl
  • Convenient Lid hook
  • Adjustable Damper for heat control
  • 3D Interactive assembly instructions
Things to Consider!
  • Removing Ashtray is a Difficult Task

7. Royal Gourmet CD1824A Charcoal Grill, BBQ

Features at a glance
  • Porcelain cooking grates
  • Lid-Mounted Temperature Gauge
  • Height-adjustable Charcoal pans
  • Shelves for Grilling Tool Organization
  • Two side Work and Prep tables

If you are searching for the best charcoal grill for camping, you should consider buying one from Royal Gourmet.

It offers excellent grilling performance with some innovative features. Premium-quality Stainless steel material is used to create the grill body. The black interior finish makes this grill eye-catching.

On the front side, you will find an easy access front door to tend charcoal; its handle will stay cool all the time.

There are two side shelves to offer extra working space. You will get a total of 598 inches of the cooking surface where you will set 392 sq. in of the cooking grate and 205 sq. in of warming rack.

This system unlocks chrome and porcelain enamel steel wiring for excellent heat retention.

The best part of this Royal Gourmet grill is its easy-lift charcoal pan. You can adjust the pan height to increase or decrease the distance between food and charcoal.

This charcoal pan has holes to improve airflow. Less charcoal is good enough to enjoy grill efficiency.

When it comes to precise temperature control, manufacturers have designed bodies with two side dampers.

You can adjust them to enhance airflow and ensure efficient charcoal burning with minimal heat loss. Additional airflow comes from an adjustable cap on a smokestack.

Post-cooking cleanup won’t make you tired as this model has an easy to pull-out ash drawer.

What We Like!
  • Primary and Secondary Cooking Space
  • Accessible Front door with stay-cool handle
  • Heat control with adjustable vent and dampers
  • Easy cleanup with ash pan drawer
Things to Consider!
  • Model is not suitable for slow/low Grilling.

Types of Charcoal Grills

You can find three different types of Charcoal grills in the market. Each version lets you grill all kinds of food, but basically, everyone has an exceptional quality. Let’s find out more.

Kettle Grills

Standard charcoal grills are kettle grills that are near-spherical in shape and have a compact design. They are available in 22 to 26 inches diameter.

On a small one, you can quickly cook 15 burgers while a big one offers more space. Their round shape allows heat to retain inside, so food cooks at an even heat level.

You can easily maintain them as they are usually integrated with removable ashtrays.

Whether you want to prepare food at low-temperature or high-one, this specific grill type offers a versatile cooking experience.

If you are learning to grill, you should always buy a kettle grill.

Barrel Grills

They are shaped like a steel barrel, and it’s bigger than other types of models. If you plan big BBQ parties quite so often, you should go with the barrel.

The big one is usually 36 inches long and brings a cooking area of 435 square inches. They typically have an air vent, chimney, and wheels for ease of use.

This type’s price is higher than kettle grill, but you spend more for getting extra grill space.

Ceramic Grills

This kind of charcoal grill is more expensive than other types. You can have a restaurant-style grilling experience of this kind.

A mid-range model will cost you at least more than $600. They are available in a variety of sizes. With these specific grills, you can have precise temperature control.

Whether you want to cook food at 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 500 degrees F, this grill comes in handy.

How to Choose the Best Charcoal Grill

In the presence of thousands of charcoal grill models, you should base your choice of the best model on the following factors.

Size

The first thing to check while exploring a variety of charcoal grill is the size. The question is, what size do you need?

Well, the answer depends on your family size.  When you check the grill description, then the manufacturer offers details like primary and secondary square inches.

The Primary Square Inches

It tells you about the available grilling space you have. A high number of inches means you can put more hot dogs and steaks on the grate and cook large quantities of food simultaneously.

A large family requires more square inches than a small family. Besides, if you expect guests quite often and plan a big BBQ party, you need to go with high square inches.

The Secondary Square Inches

It explains the working area’s available space. It provides you a measurement of the warming rack or side burners.

On warming grills, you can keep other food like vegetables warm while steak is in the process.

A large household should consider getting a grill with more than three or four burners, so you don’t have to BBQ food in batches. Cooking in more batches means getting tired quickly.

Materials

Check the material with which a grill is made of. Generally, you will find a grill made of stainless steel, cast iron, cast aluminum, and ceramic.

In case you need the best grilling experience, be ready to invest in ceramic. They are quite popular among food lovers as they keep food while enhancing its taste.

Stainless steel grills are expensive. It’s because this metal is rust-proof and easy to clean. Professional grillers always prefer this material over others.

Maintenance

You need to clean a charcoal grill every time you use it properly. Some manufacturers offer a one-touch cleaning system, while others don’t care about it at all.

Try to invest in a model that requires less maintenance effort from your side.

Customer Support

Read customer reviews about different grills to find out whether the company offers good customer support or not.

You come across various issues with a grill after buying. You should invest in a company that provides after-service, so your grill-related concerns should be addressed timely. Else, you will get frustrated.

Burner

The more burner you have, the more control you will have on the heat. Besides, they let you make the most of direct and indirect heat.

These days, you can have your hand on innovative infrared burners. Chefs love them as they let you sear food perfectly.

Food flavor locks in, and you can achieve high heat quickly with this kind of burner. So, a charcoal grill with an infrared burner is worth investing in.

Grates

You can find two types of grates, such as enameled Porcelain or stainless steel. Experts commonly use Porcelain as these grates maintain a high temperature for quite some time as Porcelain is a good insulator.

In case you need something that lasts longer, invest in stainless steel as it won’t get damaged due to weather conditions and resists rust.

Electronic Igniter

Gone are the days when you need to use the traditional way of igniting the fire.

Now one push button is good enough to activate your grill. Find a grill with this specific feature as it brings convenience.

Rotisseries

Do you like to cook Rotisseries? If yes, then find a grill that lets you cook meat at less heat, so you can have a perfect rotisserie to enjoy with your family.

Not every grill offers this specific feature so that you can search according to your preference.

Side Burners

Always buy a grill pan that lets you handle a complete meal in the same space.

Yes, I’m talking about side burners where you can prepare steak sauce and ready some stir-fried vegetables while hot dogs or steaks are in process.

If you don’t have a side burner, you will get tired quickly. It’s because you need to walk back into the kitchen to make the sauce while getting back in the backyard for checking steak.

This isn’t what you want, so grab a grill with some side burners.

Timer

Do you know how chefs perfect a recipe? Yes, they follow the timing.

They don’t over or undercook a meal because they stick with a timeline. So, lookout for a charcoal grill that has an integrated timer.

Warming Racks

You can’t serve it all at the same time. Once the food is grilled, you need to put it on warming racks to stay hot until you serve them.

You should invest in a grill that brings these racks.

Thermometer

Built-in thermometers let you monitor cooking temperature and have complete control over the heat.

Some brands offer multi-purpose thermometers. Like you can remove it and check the interior temperature of food.

Cleaning

Some grills have removable ash catchers to clean up a breeze, while others don’t have any such facility.

You need this feature to add a bit of comfort to your life. Many brands add grill brush in the package, so you don’t have to find a separate one from the market.

Assembly

You need to do the setting of a charcoal grill. The best grill system is easy to put together, where you don’t need to follow too many instructions.

If the assembly of a grill takes time, you surely can’t enjoy BBQ dinner with friends as your energy drains faster in this task.

Portable

Many charcoal grills are generally heavy, but they are designed with wheels, so transporting them from the backyard to the garden won’t cause any shoulder pain.

However, this facility isn’t available with every model, so you better watch out.

Aesthetic

Remember, you need to use this grill in front of your guest to be presentable. Black and silver stainless models are prevalent.

However, it would help if you considered investing in colorful enamel versions that are super eye-catching.

Smart Functions

Do you need some innovative features in your grill? Think of buying highly advanced grills that you can control with an application.

Many brands are integrating an app with systems, so you can remotely control the grill temperature or set the right temperature for a specific recipe.

Even you can unlock tons of recipes with a click of a button from these brand-specific applications.

Wrapping it Up

A BBQ party is the best way of spending some fun-filled time with your friends and family.

You need the best class Charcoal grills that will offer mouthwatering BBQ meals at a price you can afford.

Even when you use standard briquets, smoke will impart a yummy taste to food, and this kind of grill experience is hardly achieved on a gas grill.

Besides, they are famous all over the world due to their ease of cleaning and simple setup. A beginner in the grilling world should always go with a charcoal one as gas grills are difficult to handle.

People Also Asked About Charcoal Grills 

What’s good on a charcoal grill?

You can prepare a variety of food on a charcoal grill.

The best ones you can make are Turkey Breast Escabeche, Charred Belgian Endives, Embed-Roasted Baba Ghanoush, Smokey BBQ chicken, Swordfish steaks, and BBQ briskets.

How many pounds of charcoal do I need?

When you deal with a charcoal grill, always add more coal as it will make the grill hotter.

For cooking hot dogs and burgers, you need at least 20 coals. In case you need a mouthwatering searing steak, more than 25 coals are required at a time.

Should you clean the grill after every use?

Yes, it would be best if you brush every time you use it. Once grates cool down, use a grill brush and start removing stuck food particles from it.

A wire brush is good enough to handle this quick cleaning job.

How long should you let the charcoal burn before cooking?

In case you need a high heat level, let coal burn for 10 minutes. When you need medium heat for the recipe, you should burn the coat at-least for 20 minutes.

Should I get a charcoal or gas grill?

Charcoal grills have a simple setup, and they are portable. You can dial down the heat in a charcoal grill while you can get control over temperature on a gas grill.

The reason people prefer charcoal over the gas grill is the smoke flavor it adds to every meal.

Do you cover the grill after lighting charcoal?

You need to lighten the charcoal and let the airflow for some time.

After 5 minutes, you can cover the lid. Let coal burn for at least 15 minutes or until the time they look ashy and grey.  It’s the time when you can start cooking.

Do you close the lid when lighting charcoal?

Don’t close the lid just after igniting the coal. It would be best to let some air pass through the coal, so charcoals burn at a reasonable speed.

If you cover it right away, then it will kit the fire, and you need to initiate the lit-up process again.

What can I use instead of a grill brush?

Don’t have a grill brush to clean up the grate. In that scenario, you can use a nylon scouring pad or aluminum foil.

What temp kills bacteria on the grill?

You should always preheat the grill for at least 20 minutes.

The reason for this preheat is to increase the temperature at least up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any food bacteria.

How do you cook a steak on a charcoal grill?

Preheat the grill for 10 minutes, place steak on the grill and cook one side for 5 minutes.

Turn the side and cook another side for 3 minutes for getting medium-rare taste or 10 minutes for medium-well flavor.

What do you do with charcoal after grilling?

If you have some partially-used coal, don’t throw them out. Keep them dry and use them in your next grill session.

Don’t extinguish partially-burned coal with water else. You can’t reuse them later.

Is it better to leave the grill open or closed?

If you keep the grill open, heat will escape from it, so cooking time boosts up. For a quick cooking time, you should close the lid.

The heat will trap in a covered area so that you can prepare chicken, roast, and large steaks quickly.

How many times can you reuse lump charcoal?

It would be best if you reused barely-used lump charcoal at-least once. If you throw them after one use, it will be a big waste of money.

How do you dispose of charcoal?

Give ashes some time to cool down. Pour water and mix it with ashes, so no coal remains burned.

Wrap cold ashes in an aluminum foil and then dispose of them in a bin.

Read More: Consumer Ratings & See all Blogs here

Ellen Thomas

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