
The biggest drawback to charcoal grills is cooking time. Simply shifting the charcoal position provides a whole new cooking option. With strategic placement of the charcoal, you can smoke a rack of ribs in an afternoon. This lets the chicken heat up to the right temperature slowly and evenly without drying out.Ĭharcoal grills can also be used to smoke meat over a long period of time. Chicken should be cooked with indirect heat, meaning the hot coals are pushed to one side of the grill and the meat rests on the other side. For burgers and hotdogs, you want the heat directly under the food to give it a blast of cooking power and sear the surface of the meat. There are two ways to cook on a charcoal grill: With direct heat or indirect heat. But for big parties and big families, a large charcoal cart grill does an amazingly efficient job. Getting up to the right heat is critical for charcoal, so a bigger model can be more hassle if you’re only cooking a couple of cheeseburgers. Cart grills are typically bigger than kettle grills, and that means you’ll need more charcoal to heat up the large area. They may also come with a handy side tray and storage shelf underneath. They are also easy to assemble and easy to store in a garage or shed during the off-season.Ī charcoal cart grill looks more like today’s gas grills, with a rectangular grilling surface and boxy shape. They are smaller than gas grills, but that’s a good thing for getting the right temperature without wasting heat and space. They’ve been around for nearly 100 years, so clearly the design works. These charcoal grills have the classic design of a circular surface with a rounded dome lid. When you think of charcoal grills, you probably imagine a kettle grill. (Or maybe it’s just a cheap way to make burgers taste yummy.) Cart vs. From starting the coals to dumping the ashes, it’s a time-honored tradition and a quasi-religious experience. Everything takes a little longer but feels more important and sacred. Setting up a charcoal grill is simple since the device itself is simple: Three or four metal legs, a pit for hot coals, a metal grill for the food, and a dome lid to contain the heat and smoke.Īnd best of all, there’s something to be said for the ritual of charcoal. For a reasonable price, you can have a great backyard grill that will last for years. And charcoal grills are also more affordable. The smokey charcoal penetrates burgers, chicken, and steak with a taste that screams hot-weather fun. But the flavor is unmistakable and delicious.

And yes, it can take a few minutes to get the charcoal hot and ready for cooking. Yes, the charcoal grill creates ash that must be cleaned. But there’s more to these grills than just an attractive price point. So why would you ever want to ditch the gas grill and opt for a charcoal cooker? Simple answer: The best charcoal grills are cheaper and the food tastes better. Gas grills are easier to use, easier to clean, and cook food faster. And with the right grilling know-how, you’ll be hosting gourmet backyard parties and family dinners all season long. Today’s modern charcoal grills are as stylish as they are useful.

If you’re still using an old grill that’s more rust than a cooking appliance, it’s time for an upgrade. What to consider when buying the best charcoal grills We also looked at material, size, weight, and built-in features like thermometers to narrow down the list. We grilled the best charcoal grill contenders based on reviews, recommendations, personal testing, research, and user impressions. Best budget: Fire Sense Black Notebook Charcoal Grill.Best for gas grill lovers: Weber 15501001 Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill.Best for large parties: Royal Gourmet CD2030X Deluxe Charcoal Grill and BBQ Smoker.Best for experienced grillers: Char-Griller E56720 AKORN Kamado Charcoal Grill.Best overall: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill.Vegetables, hotdogs, pork chops, ribs, and more will all taste better when you cook them with these dependable, high-quality charcoal cookers. These grills are easy to use, so even if you are a terrible chef, you can still cook up impressive food. The smokey flavor of charcoal briquettes or hardwood lump charcoal infuses burgers and chicken with distinct summer magic.

With better temperature controls and smoking options, charcoal grills are becoming the cooking device of choice for serious outdoor eaters. The best charcoal grill is an affordable way to cook mouth-watering meat and veggies. The grill is an icon of the American backyard and it’s more popular than ever.
