Best charcoal grills

We've tested dozens of different grills over the years, and one thing stays true: Nothing beats the flavor of tender veggies or juicy hamburgers fresh off of a charcoal grill. While gas grills are convenient and easy to use, charcoal-fueled models are the best grills for anyone who cares deeply about their food's flavor.

We spent hours on assembly, cooked pounds of meat and vegetables, and left each grill in the elements to test for ease of use, heat retention, resulting flavor, and durability. Whether you're smoking meats for a crowd or cooking up hot dogs for the family, we've tested and reviewed a grill for you.

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches kitchen products.

Our top picks for the best charcoal grills

Best overall: Weber Original Kettle 22" - See at Amazon

Best smoker: Weber Smokey Mountain 18" - See at Amazon

Best portable: Weber Smokey Joe 14" - See at Amazon

Best Kamado: Kamado Joe Classic II - See at Amazon

Best cart-style: PK300 Grill and Smoker - See at Amazon

Best for beginners: Masterbuilt Gravity Series - See at Amazon

Best overall

This Weber grill is iconic for a reason. It's hard not to love the design of the Weber Original Kettle 22-inch Charcoal Grill. Truly one of the best charcoal grills ever made, it's been around for decades with hardly any changes and probably belongs in the Museum of Modern Art. Not only is it our favorite charcoal grill, it's also the best budget charcoal grill. For under $200, you won't find a cheaper grill that will give you as many years of good use.

It's perfectly designed. We found that the simple, circular shape naturally gathers charcoal evenly in the basin and ensures even heat distribution, providing perfectly cooked food every time. The top and bottom vents allow heat control for direct and indirect cooking, and the bottom features an ash catcher. It doubles as a smoker, too, with a basin deep enough to add a pan of water to keep meats from drying out when cooking low and slow. While it took some effort to maintain the perfect temperature, we smoked a rack of ribs that were fall-off-the-bone tender.

It's also fairly weatherproof and highly mobile. The tripod leg design makes tilting and rolling a cinch (as does the handle). Plus, made from a lightweight steel, so you can easily pick it up and place it in the bed of a pickup or store it during the non-grilling season. We found that ash disposal was easy, too. The three-blade ash sweeper and removable ash catcher are simple and effective. We've tested the 22-inch Weber Kettle and think it's a great size for most people because it easily fits a whole brisket or pork shoulder.

Best smoker

This pill-shaped smoker is the best way to smoke food over charcoal. There's nothing quite like the flavor of slow-smoked meats, especially when it's perfectly cooked over charcoal. The Smokey Mountain from Weber is one of the best charcoal smokers we've tested, thanks to its sturdy design, manual controls, and even cooking. We think it's one of the best charcoal smokers for beginners, too.

It's durable. While a different shape, this smoker has the same construction as the Original Weber Kettle. It's made from solid steel with a coat of porcelain enamel, so it should stand up to wear and tear. We've noticed no durability issues during testing, even when it's been left outside to face the elements.

Using it takes practice. The Smokey Mountain runs on charcoal, wood-smoking chips, and water. Our tester said that it takes a bit of trial and error to find the correct combination, but once you do, you'll be producing tasty food in no time. You'll also have to ensure that it keeps a consistent temperature. But that extra effort is worth it, in our opinion — after long-term use, we've been consistently impressed with our food's depth of flavor when it's smoked on the Smokey Mountain.

It's not for everyone. This is a smaller smoker that requires quite a bit of work to produce flavorful results. For something a little easier to use or better fit for frequent smoking, check out our best barbecue smoker guide.

Best portable

Our favorite portable grill is a mini version of our best overall. There are tons of portable grills out there, but the most basic and familiar is the miniature version of our pick for the best charcoal grill, Weber's 14-inch Smokey Joe. Our tester fit about five (crowded) burgers on the grate, so it's plenty for a normal carload of people. It's withstood the elements, and we've noticed no long-term durability issues to the steel shell or enamel coating. We think it's the perfect grill to pack up for tailgating and camping — just don't forget a storage bin or bag to store your grease, ash, and grit.

If you're willing to spend a little extra, we also like the portable grill from Snow Peak. If you're looking for a great camp grill, there are plenty of fancy options out there. For a few hundred dollars, we really like the Snow Peak Takibi Fire and Grill, an extra-compact stainless steel grill that folds up for easy packing.

Best kamado

Kamado grills are the gold standard of charcoal grilling. As Olunloyo told us, a ceramic kamado grill — a design that originated about 3,000 years ago in Japan — is the best investment you can make in a charcoal grill. We like the Kamado Joe Classic II because it boasts exceptional quality, yet costs less than its competitors.

We love its design. Unlike some of its competitors, the KJ Classic II comes with a robust frame, sturdy (if somewhat small) locking wheels, an adjustable grate, multiple grate levels, and an ash catchment system. We found that it's virtually weatherproof, but we'll always tell people to buy a cover.

It's efficient and powerful. The construction allows you to cook between 225 and 750 degrees Fahrenheit and maintain consistent heat — it's basically a giant ceramic oven. This also makes it unbelievably efficient, and we only used about half the fuel we normally would in a stainless-steel kettle grill. When it comes to a Kamado-style grill, you won't find much competition for the Kamado Joe Classic II, save for the Big Green Egg. We've tested both and believe the Kamado Joe reigns supreme.

Best cart-style

This cart-style grill is backed by a 20-year warranty. The original PK kettle grill hit the market the same year as the Weber, and it is among the most efficient and durable small charcoal grills we've tested. As opposed to the thin, powder-coated or porcelain-enameled steel found in more affordable kettle grills (such as the Weber), PK grills use thick, cast aluminum instead. It's not only more heat- and weather-resistant, but much more conductive, meaning you'll have a much easier time getting — and keeping — it hot. Indeed, it had excellent heat retention in our tests.

This is the best charcoal grill with a cart for a casual griller. We found that the 324-square-inch cooking space held just enough food for a small party. It also features a folding shelf for a plate, and a large bottom shelf for a tray. The series of baffles and the wide surface area make temperature control a breeze and also allow for small smoking endeavors. At $700, it's a bit of an investment for most people, but if you want a simple, efficient grill that will last, this is a fantastic choice.

Best for beginners

If you're new to grilling, Masterbuilt makes it easy. While charcoal is both notoriously difficult to light and regulate, even grilling beginners should have no problem with the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050. It works similarly to how an electric-powered pellet grill works, minus the auger that pulverizes the fuel ahead of it hitting the firebox. As much as we adore pellet grills and the flavor they offer, they just can't match the intense taste and experience you get from old-fashioned charcoal — which is why an easy-to-use charcoal grill is important.

It features WiFi connectivity. The Gravity grill has a digital, WiFi-ready control panel helps monitor and regulate temperature in real time, with a wired thermometer running through the grill box. It was easy to monitor — we could slip inside or tend to guests without having to worry that things might get out of hand.

It's tricky to put together and the steel is thin. There are downsides to this grill: firstly, it's a pain to assemble, and it took two grown humans, many odd contortions, and several hours to properly assemble it. The steel is fairly thin, so it's not going to retain heat or survive decades of use and weather like a four-figure, quarter-inch stick burner will, but frankly, that's to be expected for the price. In the end, the Masterbuilt Series 1050 is charcoal grilling with training wheels. If you like cooking with charcoal but would prefer to forgo the fuss and mess of tending a charcoal fire, this is the best beginner charcoal grill out there.

Our top picks, compared

What to look for in a charcoal grill

There are several factors to consider in how to choose a charcoal grill. For best results, we also recommend outfitting yourself with the best charcoal for grilling, the best charcoal chimney starter, and the best grill brushes.

Size: A large charcoal grill will offer a big cooking surface, which is good to cook for groups. For a portable grill to take to tailgates or camping, you'll have to sacrifice the cooking surface. If you plan to cook poultry or beef roasts, make sure the charcoal grill is tall enough to accommodate the food with the lid attached.

Grill material: Because your charcoal grill must withstand heat and contain a fire of organic materials, you want to make sure you're buying a grill with reasonably thick steel, cast iron, or cast aluminum. The thinnest charcoal grills we recommend are from Weber, but thanks to the brand's patented enamel coating, they hold up exceptionally well.

In the case of barrel grills, which are designed to burn more noxious fires (including oils, fungi, and impurities in wood), you'll want something much thicker. Raichlen and Olunloyo recommend springing for a grill with quarter-inch thick steel, but that comes with a hefty price tag. Tenth-inch (12-gauge) steel is sufficient for stick burning, especially with a little care and regular ash removal.

Design elements: Achieving precise temperatures with a charcoal grill is difficult, but you'll get a bit more control with air vents on both the top and bottom. Additionally, you should be able to adjust the height of the grate over the charcoal.

Smoking capacity: Some charcoal grills can double as smokers, meaning they cook meat very slowly, using more indirect heat than direct heat. You'll need a charcoal grill with a large interior to smoke bigger cuts of meat.

How we test charcoal grills

Our testing methodology

We spoke with several experts in the field about what to look for in a charcoal grill, from chef Shola Olunloyo of Studio Kitchen to veteran author and TV host Steven Raichlen, Hey Grill Hey founder Susie Bulloch, Thirteen executive chef Tobias Dorzon, and famed New York City butcher Pat LaFrieda.

Material quality: Grills have to live outside, generally, and while you should purchase and use a cover, a grill is going to have to stand up to some abuse with normal use. We looked for quality stainless steel or ceramic, and seeing that those grills tend to get expensive, we also looked for thinner steel with enamel coating (rather than easily chippable and not-so-rust-proof paint). We also took caster and wheel quality into consideration.

Setup: Depending on the grill you choose, setting up or building your grill can take anywhere between five minutes and five hours. Some grills we tested were so difficult to assemble we chose other comparable alternatives with easy setup. No one wants to spend five hours building a grill when they might find a similar one that comes preassembled, for instance. We timed how long it took to put each grill together, noting the amount of tools required and the number of people needed for assembly.

Performance: Because charcoal grilling depends so largely on the material of the grill, as well as the type, amount, and placement of fuel you use, we chose to focus on the experience of using the grill, the quality of the materials, and the design itself. We cooked pounds of veggies and meats and integrated each grill into our cooking routine to fully understand each grill's performance. We do find that grills with some sort of sealing material, be it a fiberglass or felt gasket, maintain temperature and cook more efficiently.

Warranty: While there's not much a warranty will cover if you misuse (or neglect) your grill, it's good to know when a brand stands behind its products. Because of its prolific presence and its 10-year warranty (on the bowl and lid) to many other brands' one-year warranty, Weber was an easy pick in this department. We read through each warranty policy to check for catches or strange wordings.

Meet the expert behind the guide

Owen Burke, former senior reporter: I'm an expert on kitchen essentials like gas grills, charcoal grills, and smokers. I've browned hamburgers, smoked meats, and barbecued veggies to test the grills in these guides.

Charcoal grill versus gas grill

A gas grill uses propane or natural gas to cook, while a charcoal grill is a basin (usually stainless steel, porcelain-coated stainless steel, or ceramic) meant to contain charcoal fires. Charcoal grills have the ability to get much hotter, generally, while propane grills are somewhat quicker to light (by about five minutes, according to grilling author and aficionado Steven Raichlen) and easier to tend.

Practically speaking, gas grills operate much like a stovetop: you set the heat with a turn of the knob. Charcoal requires more time and hands-on work, and charcoal doesn't produce a continuous flame. This heat variability makes charcoal grills a great choice for barbecue, since it offers you more flexibility and control. Charcoal also leaves gray ash after the flame consumes it, while propane and gas grills leave no ash at all.

Charcoal grill FAQs

How do I clean my charcoal grill?

There are many approaches to how to clean a charcoal grill, but while it's still warm, you can use a brush, scraper, or block to remove grease, drippings, and fuel residue. Here are some of the best grill brushes and cleaning tools we recommend. Another popular method, which should only be conducted while the grill is cool, is using a spray cleaner. We like this one from Kona.

How long should charcoal burn before grilling?

Charcoal will take about 15 to 20 minutes to light and turn into embers, but that can vary a good deal depending on what type of charcoal and how much you're using. The main thing to look for is that the coals are covered in a light grey ash. When the majority of coals look this way, it's time to cook.

Do I close the lid after lighting charcoal?

If you're using the grill basin to start your charcoal, leave the lid open while the coals light. The increased air circulation will help the coals light faster. The same applies if you're using a chimney starter: keep the chimney uncovered.

Once the charcoal is fully lit (and transferred to the grill basin if using a chimney starter), cover the grill for about 10 minutes or so to heat the grill itself. Then, you're ready to start cooking.

How much charcoal do I need?

The amount of charcoal you want to use depends on what and how much food you're cooking. If you're dealing with, say, a steak you want to sear, you'll want a full chimney starter (or a few pounds of coals).

If you're cooking something light like a filet of white-fleshed fish, you can get away with about a third of a chimney starter. When in doubt, though, just fill your chimney starter and shape the bed of coals as makes sense. It won't cost you too much to err on the safe side, and eventually, you'll get a feel for how many coals you need for the type of cooking you're doing.

The post Best charcoal grills appeared first on Business Insider