The charcoal grill is a quintessential piece of American culture. From burgers flipped on a classic kettle to huge racks of ribs in massive barrel-shaped cookers, it’s hard to imagine summertime without some sort of charcoal grill. And while there are countless makes and models on the market, the best charcoal grills can be both durable and affordable.
When choosing the best charcoal grill to suit your needs, budget is a good place to start. Then think about the capacity you need as well as the types of foods you want to cook—any charcoal grill will work for burgers, dogs and steaks, but not all will suffice for grilled pizza or breads, for example. You should also factor in where you’ll be doing your grilling and whether or not portability is a factor. Finally, consider special features like multiple dampers, accessory hooks and side tables and easy-to-clean ash pans.
While cooking on a charcoal grill takes more time to master than cooking over gas because you don’t have the same easy temperature control, there are plenty of gadgets out there to help with the process. A meat thermometer is a handy tool for regulating temperature, and something more advanced, like the Flame Boss 500-WiFi Smoker Controller can simultaneously monitor the internal temperature of foods while they’re cooking and the ambient grill temperature.
But it all comes back to finding the best charcoal grill for your needs. Whether you’re looking for something super basic or ultra heavy duty, here are our picks for the best charcoal grills to buy right now.
- Best Charcoal Grill Overall: PK Grills Original Charcoal Grill & Smoker
- Best Extra Large Charcoal Grill: Dyna-Glo X-Large Heavy-Duty Charcoal Grill
- Best Basic Charcoal Grill: Weber 18-Inch Original Kettle Charcoal Grill
- Most Versatile Charcoal Grill: Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Grill
- Best Charcoal Grill Smoker Combination: Broil King 958050 Offset Smoker Grill
- Best Campsite Charcoal Grill: Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
- Best Compact and Portable Charcoal Grill: Trailblazer Portable Campfire Stove
Best Charcoal Grill Overall
PK Grills Original Charcoal Grill & Smoker
PK Grills is known for doing charcoal grills right. While the line has expanded into advanced models like the PK360 and more compact options like the PKGO, the Original Charcoal Grill & Smoker is still a highly-rated pick that rightfully earned its spot as best overall. It has a unique capsule shape and four vents that allow you to control the temperature—open all the vents for high-heat cooking or leave a couple closed to grill low and slow. You can also create two-zone cooking areas that let you slow cook your steak and then finish it off over high-heat for the perfect charred finish. The entire capsule is constructed of aluminum, which conducts heat four times more efficiently than steel, ensuring that heat is properly dispersed throughout the capsule. Plus, it has 300 square inches of cooking surface so you can feed a crowd if you need to.
Best Extra Large Charcoal Grill
Dyna-Glo X-Large Heavy-Duty Charcoal Grill
If you want the capacity to cook up three dozen burgers at once, consider this large charcoal grill from Dyna-Glo. It’s got 816 square inches of cooking space, plus a ton of clever features that make it well worth its price tag. A hand crank allows you to raise or lower the charcoal tray to control cooking temperature, while a steel door allows for easy addition of charcoal and easy cleaning when the cooking is done. A built-in thermometer lets you track the interior temperature, while side tables serve as prep stations, a lower rack holds supplies and an attached bottle opener is a convenient added perk.
Best Basic Charcoal Grill
Weber 18-Inch Original Kettle Charcoal Grill
If you’re only planning to cook up some dogs or burgers for the family now and then, by all means consider the classic Weber kettle. This iconic grill couldn’t be simpler, and that’s exactly why it hasn’t changed much since the mid 20th century, when the first model became the first widely available charcoal grill ever sold. With a damper in the lid and ash-clearing ports at the bottom, it’s relatively easy to control airflow and keep the coals good and hot. There are 240 square inches of cooking space, enough for a family barbecue or for use at the campsite or tailgate. And the price is hard to beat; for such a solid, reliable piece of equipment, it’s hard to believe it costs less than $100.
Most Versatile Charcoal Grill
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Grill
If you want to use the same grill to slow smoke pork butts, cook pizzas and breads, sear steaks and flip burgers, this Kamado is a great choice. Kamado style grills, also called eggs, are based off the Japanese Kamado, “an earthenware cooking urn whose original design is probably at least 3,000 years old,” explains renowned BBQ expert Meathead Goldwyn. According to Goldwyn, Kamado grills “are excellent smokers and superb roasters. They are [also] fine pizza and bread ovens because the sides and domes absorb heat and radiate it back like a professional brick oven so the pizza and bread can cook properly from above.” The Char-Griller Akorn is an exceptional price given its excellent performance with many types of food and its thoughtful design features, like fold-down shelves, a removable warming rack and an easily accessed ash pan.
Best Charcoal Grill Smoker Combination
Broil King 958050 Offset Smoker Grill
This offset smoker allows for hours of low and slow smoking, so you can get truly perfect ribs, brisket, pork shoulder and more. The smoker can also be used as a secondary grill, allowing you to cook at different temperatures simultaneously or to just cook more food at once. As for the primary grilling area, its 625 square inches of space served us even when cooking for a group of more than 20. Dual dampers and a chimney allow for precise airflow control, while each chamber has side doors and ash trays that make adding more charcoal (or wood) and cleaning out ashes easy.
Best Campsite Charcoal Grill
Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Clocking in at just 14.5 pounds, the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill really can go pretty much anywhere, like the deck or the park or the beach. The grill’s folding legs elevate it off the ground during use, reducing the risk of fire, and lock the lid in place for easy carrying (and to save space) when you’re not grilling. The grates can accommodate six burgers, two large steaks or about a dozen dogs at once. Dual dampers in the lid allow for excellent heat control, while twin plastic-coated side handles let you move the grill even when it’s hot. As a bonus for the campsite, the elevated design of this little grill lets it radiate heat in 360 degrees while it’s cooking, helping you keep warm on chilly evenings.
Best Compact and Portable Charcoal Grill
Trailblazer Portable Campfire Stove
Ease of setup is one of the reasons this little stove/grill/mini fire pit is a great choice for use at campsites or for an impromptu backyard s’mores session. But its compact size and light weight are where the Trailblazer truly shines. When packed down, the three-pound grill takes up about the same amount of space as a loaf of bread, so you could easily bring this thing along on a backpacking trip. With a bed of charcoal or even a crackling fire going and the grill grate in place, you can quickly cook up a half dozen burgers (or whatever else is on the menu). And because the Trailblazer raises the coals or wood fire off the ground, it’s safer than making a traditional campfire, too.
