9 Best Charcoal Grills Reviews For 2020

Have you heard about the story of a pre-historic traveler about 5,300 years ago?

It’s about the remains of a well-preserved traveler in the Tyrolean, in the Alps found by scientists in a glacier.  Scientists noticed a small box containing pieces of charred wood wrapped in maple leaves, beside the man. 

Maybe that guy was on his way to meet up with a friend for a picnic – that we will never know.  What we do know, however,  is that charcoal has served a great purpose to man for thousands of years.

And today, we acknowledge the charcoal’s importance in our everyday lives with our review of the Best Charcoal Grill for 2020.

Top 9 Best Charcoal Grill

1. Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill, Black

We start our list with one of the most iconic, and famous brands in the grill industry.  Weber has been making quality grills for more than 60 years and still growing strong. Its founder, George Stephen revolutionized the backyard grill industry in the 1950s.

The Weber 10020 Smokey Joe, is a compact and portable charcoal grill that is perfect for patio grilling or anywhere you want to bring it to cook great food.  It’s small yet mighty, with its porcelain-enameled bowl and lid fused to the steel, preventing rust through and burn off.

Its 14.5-inch square cooking surface can grill 3 steaks or 6-7 burgers to perfection.  The rust-resistant aluminum dampers adjust the heat inside the grill, by allowing or restricting airflow. The heavy-gauge steel charcoal grate and the plated steel cooking grate are built to last for years. 

For ease of handling, the grill has a glass-reinforced nylon lid handle at the top of the lid.  The plated steel cooking grate provides sufficient cooking area to handle your steaks, sausages, burgers, and more. And with an aluminum ash catcher, it’s easy to clean-up after a satisfying grill. 

Pros

• Compact and portable
• Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
• Rust-resistant aluminum dampers
• Plated steel cooking grates
• Aluminum Ash Catcher for easy cleaning
• Durable

Cons

• Hard to access lower dampers

2. Weber 441001 Grilling, Black

Another Weber on our list that will not disappoint, is the Weber 441001. A slightly bigger model than the 10020 Smokey Joe, this small but capable grill can handle up to 9 burgers all at once. 

With its porcelain-enameled lid and bowl which are baked on a 1500⁰F, the finish is fused to the steel which prevents rust or peel, for years and years.  The aluminum dampers allow airflow in and out of the grill for a higher temperature when needed. 

The durable plated steel cooking grate retains heat for even cooking and is very easy to clean. The Weber’s one-touch cleaning system provides hassle-free ash clean-up after every use. Its durable wheels built to withstand the elements, allow you to push or pull the grill to anywhere with ease. The good news is, the legs of the Weber are very easy to remove with just one push of a button.

If you’re in the market for a portable and durable charcoal grill under $100 that is good for 4-6 people, this is a great product to consider. 

Pros

• Compact and portable
• Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
• Rust-resistant aluminum dampers
• Plated steel cooking grates
• One-touch cleaning system
• Durable wheels for easy transport

Cons

• Hard to access lower dampers

3. Oklahoma Joe’s 19402088 Rambler Portable Charcoal Grill, Black

Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Portable Charcoal Grill is one of the best charcoal grills under $200, a well-built, heavy-duty grill.

The thick cast-iron grates are perfect for searing steaks.  The height-adjustable charcoal tray makes it easy for you in slow-cooking, or searing your food.  The 218-square inch cooking surface can handle 6-7 burgers with ease.

The large air dampers at the side is convenient when you want to achieve maximum heat inside the grill. And the professional temperature gauge with a glow-in-the-dark accent, makes sure you can monitor the heat inside your grill.

The lid handle features an easy-to-grab rubber grip and stays cool to the touch.  Sturdy side handles give you confidence it won’t slip whenever you carry this grill around. The full-size, easy to remove grill pan makes it very easy to clean the grill after use.

This is a durable, solidly built, portable charcoal grill that you can enjoy cooking with for many years to come. 

Pros

• Well-built and durable
• Large dampers allow maximum heat
• Professional temperature gauge  for easy monitoring
• Thick cast-iron grates
• Full-size, easy to remove ash pan
• Very easy to clean

Cons

• Some parts of the grill body’s steel not as thick

4. TACKLIFE 22.5-inch Charcoal Grill

The good thing about the Tacklife Charcoal Grill is that it’s easy to assemble, unlike some grills that seem complicated. But where this grill shines is its portability and large cooking surface at the same time. Cooking for 6-10 people using this grill is easy-peasy.

You can grill 12 regular-sized hamburgers to perfection with its accurate heat control air vent. The temperature gauge is a welcome feature that allows you to keep track of preheat status and monitor the inside temperature of the grill. 

The round porcelain-enamel coated bowl and lid retains heat for an even grill, and can withstand high temperatures of up to 800 degrees. It went through a high-quality spraying process which makes it rust-proof and will not easily chip or crack even with frequent use. The angled lid hook allows you to hang your lid on the side of the grill to avoid placing the lid on the ground.

It also has a one-touch cleaning system, with a deep ash catcher at the bottom of the grill for easy ash dumping.  The large wheels and 32cm stainless steel legs allow it to be moved from one area to another without worry.   If your current grill needs an upgrade to a bigger yet highly portable grill, you may want to keep the Tacklife 22.5-inch Charcoal Grill top-of-mind. 

Pros

• Large cooking surface for a portable grill
• Easy to assemble
• Accurate heat control air vent
• Reinforced Support Frame & Large Wheels
• Porcelain-enamel coated lid and bowl
• Built-in temperature gauge
• Convenient lid placement
• Ash catcher for easy cleaning
• Very portable

Cons

• Bottom holes on the kettle for the ash catcher is a bit small

5. BEAU JARDIN Premium 18 Inch Charcoal Grill for Outdoor Camping

The Beau Jardin Premium 18-inch Charcoal Grill deserves to use the word “premium” for a low-range price point charcoal grill.

It may seem ironic, but you have to check out the features of the grill, and you will see that Beau Jardin was right.

In terms of the build quality, this is a well-made grill from the thickened 1mm round porcelain-enameled coating grill bowl and lid. It retains heat and makes it flow evenly for great cooking. 

The rust-resistant adjustable aluminum air vent allows for heat control without lifting the lid. The insulated side handle makes it easy to move the grill without worrying about scalding your hand.

The highly-durable plated steel charcoal grate withstand even the highest heat from the charcoal fire for a direct or indirect grilling. The two side handles of the cooking grate makes it easy to lift when adding or adjusting charcoal. 

The convenience of the inside lid hanger hook allows the lid to be hung with ease. A one-touch cleaning system is achieved with the deep ash catcher at the bottom of the grill. The seamless connection of the grill legs to the bottom bowl makes it sturdier and more stable compared to other brands.

It’s easy to assemble, easy to use and clean, but best of all, it will give you great pleasure in grilling your favorite foods with all the superior smoky flavor. This is a premium product at an affordable price. 

Pros

• Porcelain-enameled coating grill bowl and lid (1 mm)
• Aluminum rust-resistant air dampers
• Durable plated-steel charcoal grate
• Cooking grate side handles for easy lift
• Sturdy legs and seamless connection for stability
• Insulated side handle to deflect heat
• Inside lid hanger hook
• Easy to assemble
• Easy to clean

Cons

• No built-in thermometer gauge

6. TACKLIFE Charcoal Grill, 22.5 Inch Smoker

Another Tacklife charcoal on our list. But this one is slightly better even if both are 22.5-inch charcoal grill. Where this particular model inched out our earlier Tacklife grill, is the double grill design making this a charcoal and a smoker grill. 

This grill has a thermostatic grill that is attached to the lid and the bowl.  This makes it ideal for smoking your meat indirectly while directly grilling your food on the main grill. Other than that, both Tacklife grills are identical in all its features. 

The good thing about the Tacklife Charcoal Grill is that it’s easy to assemble, unlike some grills that seem complicated. But where this grill shines is its portability and large cooking surface at the same time. Cooking for 6-10 people using this grill is easy-peasy.

You can grill 12 regular-sized hamburgers to perfection with its accurate heat control air vent. The temperature gauge is a welcome feature that allows you to keep track of preheat status and monitor the inside temperature of the grill. 

The round porcelain-enamel coated bowl and lid retains heat for an even grill, and can withstand high temperatures of up to 800 degrees. It went through a high-quality spraying process which makes it rust-proof and will not easily chip or crack even with frequent use. The angled lid hook allows you to hang your lid on the side of the grill to avoid placing the lid on the ground.

It also has a one-touch cleaning system, with a deep ash catcher at the bottom of the grill for easy ash dumping. The large wheels and 32cm stainless steel legs allow it to be moved from one area to another without worry. If your current grill needs an upgrade to a bigger yet highly portable grill, you may want to keep the Tacklife 22.5-inch Charcoal Grill top-of-mind. 

Pros

• Double grill design
• Thermostatic grill designed for smoking food
• Large cooking surface for a portable grill
• Easy to assemble
• Accurate heat control air vent
• Reinforced Support Frame & Large Wheels
• Porcelain-enamel coated lid and bowl
• Built-in temperature gauge
• Convenient lid placement
• Ash catcher for easy cleaning
• Very portable

Cons

• Bottom holes on the kettle for the ash catcher is a bit small

7. BEAU JARDIN Charcoal Grill 18 Inch Portable Kettle BBQ Grill

The Beau Jardin Charcoal Grill 18-inch Portable Kettle is great for outdoor barbecue cooking. With its durable 18-inch of BBQ grill plated steel cooking grate, it can handle any food you want to grill. This is a perfect go-to kettle grill for camping, tailgating, or even just a simple backyard grilling with friends. 

It now has an upgraded two bowl handles, and two durable wheels for easy transportability. It’s porcelain-enameled coating grill bowl and lid allows maximum heat retention and distribution for optimal cooking. 

The rust-resistant adjustable aluminum air vent allows for heat control without lifting the lid. The insulated side handle makes it easy to move the grill without worrying about scalding your hand.

The highly-durable plated steel charcoal grate withstand even the highest heat from the charcoal fire for a direct or indirect grilling. The two side handles of the cooking grate makes it easy to lift when adding or adjusting charcoal. 

The convenience of the inside lid hanger hook allows the lid to be hung with ease. A one-touch cleaning system is achieved with the deep ash catcher at the bottom of the grill. The seamless connection of the grill legs to the bottom bowl makes it sturdier and more stable compared to other brands.

It’s easy to assemble, easy to use and clean, but best of all, it will give you great pleasure in grilling your favorite foods with all the superior smoky flavor. A value for money grill that you will enjoy for many years.

Pros

• Porcelain-enameled coating grill bowl and lid
• Aluminum rust-resistant air dampers
• Durable plated-steel charcoal grate
• Cooking grate side handles for easy lift
• Sturdy legs and seamless connection for stability
• Insulated side handle to deflect heat
• Inside lid hanger hook
• Easy to assemble
• Easy to clean

Cons

• No built-in thermometer gauge

8. Kamado Grill V-Medium Charcoal Grill Barbecue Cooking System

V-Medium Charcoal Grill Barbecue Cooking System is one of the best-designed grill on our list.

This product is a Kamado grill with good looking ceramic. Shaped like an egg, this is a very efficient grill that is excellent in maintaining the temperature inside it.

If you’re looking for a small grill for 1-3 people, this baby will give you a lot to smile about. Roasting, barbecuing, or even searing steak can be done in this versatile piece of beauty. The juiciness of the meat will sure to be retained as it holds the temperature at a consistent level. The dampers on top of the lid makes all this possible.

The temperature gauge leaves all the guessing behind to monitor the temperature for your cooking. It comes with a stainless steel trolley with easy moving wheels and brakes. It’s FDA approved steel grid allows heat retention allowing for an even cooking surface. It holds a good amount of charcoal and is ideal for small cooking. 

Pros

• Excellent in temperature control
• Ideal for slow cooking for smoky flavor
• Stylish design
• Stainless steel trolley good for moving around
• FDA approved steel grid good in heat retention

Cons

• A bit on the expensive side

9. Hasty-Bake 290 Hastings Stainless Steel Built-in Charcoal Grill

This is probably the ultimate charcoal grill on our list. 

With a whopping 1,194 square-inch of cooking surface, this grill is a “beast”! It has a combination of 16 and 18 gauge stainless steel; and 18 and 12 gauge stainless steel lift and firebox. It has two individually controlled fireboxes allowing for direct and indirect cooking whenever you want.

Cooking large items on the Hasty-Bake 290 is not going to be a problem. It has one common firebox for a dual-zone fire trays. Those two fire trays are independently controllable with a crank. It means you can cook using one fire tray or cook using both at the same time.

It has a large storage area at the bottom where you can store your grilling tools and even large bags of charcoal. It’s not affected at all by the heat from the grill so you can access it even while cooking. 

The cooking surface of 1,194 square-inch is composed of 3 individual cooking grates that cover the entire surface. Above it is the same length as one piece warming rack that can be removed easily. The dual fire trays can be adjusted to move closer to the charcoal or heat source. You can sear on one fire tray and slow cook on the other at the same time.  

Both fire trays also have their heat deflector which can be put on top for indirect cooking. You can put water on top of the heat deflector if you want your meat to have more moisture. The fire trays also have their ash pans for easy cleaning. There are built-in thermometer on both sides for easy monitoring.

The Hasty-Bake also has an exhaust system on both sides so it acts like a convection oven when utilized. This is a great charcoal grill that is designed for your kitchen or backyard, being a built-in grill. It’s great if you’re the type who is fond of inviting friends and families for a big gathering in your house. This is more than capable of feeding 20-50 people all at once.

It’s the most expensive grill on our list, but for those who are looking for all these features in a charcoal grill, it will be worth every penny because this machine is built to last. 

Pros

• Large cooking space at 1,194 square inches
• 18 and 12 gauge stainless steel lift and firebox
• Two individually controlled fire trays
• Adjustable fire trays for moving closer or away from heat source
• Removable warming rack
• Strategic exhaust system on both sides for a convection style of cooking
• Two individual ash pans for easy cleaning
• Large storage space at the bottom
• Optional stand and cart if you want it to be moved around
• Capable of cooking for a party of 20-50 people

Cons

• Not ideal for those who will only use it occasionally

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the advantage of a built-in charcoal grill?

The advantage of a built-in charcoal grill is that it is not prone to dings or dents compared to movable grills.  It can also blend in a kitchen room or backyard’s design or theme.  And they are usually more durable and heavy-duty.

Do you immediately close the lid after lighting a charcoal?

No. It’s better to keep the lid open and even the vents to allow air to pass through and sustain the charcoal fire.  Cutting off oxygen will extinguish the fire and you will find yourself lighting the charcoal again.  

How do you put out a charcoal grill? 

The best way to put out a charcoal grill is to close off the lid and the vents cutting off the oxygen supply to the coal.  Oxygen is needed to create and sustain fire, so its absence does the opposite.  If your grill is an open grill and no lid or vents, the fastest way is to pour water on it to immediately kill the fire. 

How much charcoal do I need?

This is a good yet tricky question because the amount of charcoal you need varies depending on what you’re trying to grill. Think of charcoal as solid fuel, once you’ve lit it, it’s difficult to reuse them.

To not waste charcoal, the golden rule is to use only one layer especially if the food you’re trying to grill cooks quickly like burgers and steaks. However, you can add another layer for chicken because it takes longer to cook.

How long should charcoal burn before I start grilling?

When it comes to charcoal grills, timing is everything. Most people start grilling as soon as they’ve ignited the charcoals which is not totally bad but it’s not the optimal time yet.

You need to make sure that the charcoals have reached their maximum heat temperature so you can grill more efficiently.

Generally, you should wait and spread out charcoal for 20-30 minutes. However, you can start as early as 10 minutes if you’re in a rush.

How long will a charcoal grill stay hot?

This is usually a concern among grillers because of course, everyone wants to extend the fun as much as possible. In order for charcoal grills to retain heat, you need to add a few charcoals once in a while.

However, if you’ve run out of charcoal, don’t worry, it can still grill for up to an hour – which is also enough time to get yourselves a new pack!

CONCLUSION

There are so many brands out there that will convince you that they have the best charcoal grill for your needs. And some companies do have a lot of different models for different types of users. Some companies only focus on a certain type of customer, while others try to cater to all types of customers.

We all have different needs and requirements, and there are lots of factors to consider whenever we decide to buy.  This is only a guide on which charcoal grill may be suitable for you. Some people buy based on price alone, while others are willing to shell out a small fortune for a charcoal grill that meets their needs.  Others will set a certain budget to play around with, but will go beyond once they have seen a feature that they want. 

Whether you belong to any of the types of customers above, one thing is certain, choosing any from the list after comparing all their features, you are a step closer to your ideal charcoal grill.  Sooner or later, you are going to pull the trigger and the chance of being satisfied with your choice will be very high.