The 8 Best Charcoal Grills of 2022

Touch-N-Go electronic gas ignition system lights charcoal briquettes with the push of a button . Includes two charcoal fuel holders and a weather-protected charcoal storage container. Charcoal grill has a one-touch cleaning system with high-capacity, removable ash catcher. Storage includes a lower wire shelf and three hanging hooks for mitts and tools.

Vents above and below need to be adjusted, oftentimes during cooking. A charcoal grill is harder to cook on, too, since you can’t just turn a mound of burning charcoal from “low” to “high” like you can with the flames of a gas grill by simply turning a knob. Experience the evolution of the iconic Kettle where charcoal grilling meets low-and-slow smoking.

weber charcoal grill

We have several recommendations for charcoal grills, at a host of price points. However, for under $200, we think a lot grillers will be happy with the Weber Original 22-Inch Kettle Grill, which performs incredibly well and will last forever. From Weber to Napoleon, we’ve tested gas grills that cost less than $100 up to grills that cost more than a used car. The most boring product on this list may be the most necessary. With the 18-inch Weber Original Kettle Grill, you can still get the full Weber charcoal grilling experience for under $100.

The Weber grill has three legs—an inherently stable design, because having three points of contact means the legs will automatically “find their level” even on bumpy ground. That said, the Napoleon model’s four legs felt just as stable, and more stiff, on a garden-variety concrete patio—and also allowed Napoleon to install a big, square shelf underneath the grill. The Weber grill has a smaller, triangular shelf, but it’s far less useful. We backed this reporting up with comprehensive research—the in-depth, professional reviews at AmazingRibs.com being a standout source—and hands-on time with grills at the big hardware chains. Featuring the biggest selection of sauces, rubs and accessories! The Weber Original Kettle dots the backyard of millions of American homes, making it practically synonymous with summer grilling.

Deanna McCormack has reviewed dozens of products for The Spruce and thoroughly tested her portable grill out in her backyard and a beach campsite. She’s an expert on all things home, including kitchen appliances, grills, and other cooking gadgets. When he’s firing up his charcoal, Karl likes to shove all of it to one side of the kettle.

Just like full-size models from the brand, this 14-inch grill has a porcelain-enameled lid and bowl, as well as steel grates and an ash catcher down below. The grill has a crank that you can use to move the coals closer or further away from your food to control the temperature and speed of your cooking. The testers at Consumer Reports say that there aren’t as many variations between charcoal grills compared to gas or pellet grills, portable bbq but there are some heat control features worth noting. The air control required for charcoal grills actually makes them dang good smokers, too. This gives smoke plenty of time to leisurely caress foods and impart that magic, smoky goodness. Many condo and apartment dwellers want a small grill that fits on their modest patio, but they often encounter restrictions on using charcoal and likely need to look at alternative fuels.

At times, the inside of this grill hit temperatures as high as 400 degrees F. And sadly, the ribs it produced came out burned, charred and overdone. Interior temperatures had a greater swing, jumping up to 300 degrees F during periods of cooking. While its ribs came out tender and juicy overall, the exterior bark had a few burnt spots.

This same desire for escapism led the growing Tiki culture—an adaptation of what was perceived as the tropical lifestyle. In the mid-1950s, his father told him that he had to make a choice, says Kempster, either he sells grills or he works at the metal company; he couldn’t do both. So without much financial weber genesis 2 backing, Stephen took a chance, struck out on his own and began to grow his burgeoning business. At the time, Weber Brothers Metal Works was filling orders for metal buoys for both the Coast Guard and the Chicago Yacht Club. So Stephen took two of the half spheres for the buoys and created a grill.