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Charcoal Grills

Weber 15501001 Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill

The Weber Performer Deluxe is the perfect addition to any backyard and for those who like to entertain guests. The grill features an exclusive gas ignition system that ignites charcoal instantly.

  • Plenty of cooking space
  • Good quality and durability
  • Work table is handy
  • Quick and easy clean up
  • Comes with extra accessories
  • Gas ignition is a great feature
  • Timer is of poor quality
  • Price is a bit inflated
  • Not very portable
Key Features
  • One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle free cleanup
  • Electronic Touch-N-Go gas ignition system that ignites charcoal with a push of a button
  • Removable LCD cook timer and built-in lid thermometer
  • Precision Heat Control with adjustable dampers
  • Weather protected CharBin storage container for charcoal so there when you need it
  • Work table for food prep, platters, seasonings, and tools
Specifications
Warranty

PK Grills Original Outdoor Charcoal Portable Grill & Smoker Combination

For over 60-years the cast aluminum PK Grill and Smoker has been winning the respect of casual grillers, BBQ enthusiasts and professional cooks by turning out great food while having a stylish build.

  • Heavy and sturdy
  • Great for both Grilling and Smoking
  • Retains heat extremely well
  • Very easy to assemble
  • Great quality
  • No Ash Catcher
  • No temperature sensor inside the grill
  • No extra features
Key Features
  • Durable Rust Resistant Aluminum Construction
  • Easy to Use Patented 4-Point Venting System
  • 4-Point Venting System ideal for direct and indirect cooking
  • Detaches easily from stand for transport
  • Great for Tailgating, camping, fishing/hunting cabins, etc
  • 2 work shelves where you can prep food
  • Nickel-plated steel grates
  • Plenty of space under the grill for different accessories
Specifications
Warranty

Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Grill and Smoker

Kamado cooking comes from ancient cooking methods that used clay ovens for insulation. Kamados are made of heavy ceramics. Char-Griller has developed the Kamado using technology to make it durable.

  • Perfect for high heat or a slow smoke
  • Cool looking design
  • Reasonable price
  • Good sized cooking area
  • Solid and easy to use
  • Temp controls are great
  • Long-term construction is questionable
  • Doesn't work for indirect grilling
Key Features
  • Durable steel construction built to last.
  • Triple-walled to retain heat and maintain temps from 200-700 degrees
  • 2 large 8" front wheels and rear locking wheel for easy moving
  • Adjustable top and bottom dampers maintain airflow and heat control
  • Easy dump ash pan for quick and easy clean up
  • 2 side shelves with utensil hooks fold away when not in use
  • Cast iron cooking grates
  • Insulated design means more heat while using less charcoal
  • Features Locking Lid and 2 folding black metal shelves
Specifications
Warranty

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

The Weber Original Kettle consists of a heavy-gauge porcelain-enameled lid and bowl for durability. The grill has a stainless steel cleaning system, a cooking grate and a removable ash catcher.

  • Easy to clean
  • Reasonably priced
  • Large grilling space
  • Plenty of available accessories
  • Easy and quick assembly
  • Too large to be considered a portable charcoal grill.
  • Other units are better at smoking
Key Features
  • One-Touch cleaning system with ash catcher provides easy ash cleanup
  • Hinged cooking grate allows for adding charcoal while grilling
  • Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
  • Built-in lid thermometer
  • Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
  • Avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling by using lid hook
  • Adjustable dampers for precision heat control
  • Tripod design with 2 wheels and 1 peg leg makes it easy to move around
  • Handle shield protects the handle from overheating.
Specifications
Warranty

Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill

The Char-Broil Charcoal Kettle Grill is everything you need for a basic backyard barbecue. It has 360 square inches of cooking space, on a porcelain-coated cooking grate.

  • Easily removable Ash Catcher
  • Porcelain coated grates
  • Lower fuel consumption
  • No fall-through grate
  • Easy mobility
  • No extra accessories
  • Charcoal can get messy and dirty
  • Loses a lot of smoke in the rear
Key Features
  • Char-Broil TRU-Infrared cooking system provides greater temperature control
  • Hinged lid with mounted temperature gauge for ease of operation and temperature monitoring
  • Removable ash bowl for simple clean-up
  • Vent on the lid opens to let heat out and closes to increase cooking temperature
  • Two wheels for easy mobility and a chrome-plated wire bottom shelf for stability
Specifications
  • 360- square inch total cooking surface.
  • 22.5-inch diameter porcelain-coated cooking grate
  • 25.8-inches long x 25.8-inches wide x 38.8-inches high
  • 36 lbs
Warranty

Charcoal Grills Overview

Be prepared for the grilling season and get ready to cook food that is tasty, fast and convenient for you and your guests! If you love the smokey taste of burgers and veggies then a charcoal grill is exactly what you need.

Charcoal grills use direct heat that sear the bottom of your meal in addition to circulating heat. By using charcoal, not only does it burn for a long time but you can also use it to add flavor.

So, which charcoal grill is right for you? When shopping for a charcoal grill it’s important to take into consideration the quality, durability, and performance of the grill. Consider which material you want your grill to be made of, the size of the grill, the quality of the grates, it’s cleaning system, venting system, storage and more.

With so many options, we’ve done our best to narrow down your search by comparing some of the most popular charcoal grills on the market. We’re confident that our comparison will help determine which charcoal grill will have you cooking like a champ at your next gathering.

Is a Charcoal Grill Better Than a Gas Grill?

When purchasing a grill, it’s important to determine whether to purchase a charcoal grill or gas grill. There are many upsides to purchasing a charcoal grill.

In term of heat, charcoal is hotter than gas, which means that your meat will have a better sear.

Everyone loves a good flavorful meal. When it comes to grilling, a charcoal grill is able to provide better flavor. Charcoal adds a smokey flavour which is unbelievable, especially when slow-smoking large cuts of meat.

Lastly, when it comes down to pricing, a charcoal grill may be inexpensive compared to some gas grills.

Charcoal Grill Styles

When it comes to charcoal grill styles, there are 3 main types: the kettle charcoal grill, ceramic grills and the barrel grill.

The kettle charcoal grill is a classic grill that has the appearance of a metal ball with legs. If you are looking for a portable option then a kettle grill may be right for you.

Ceramic grills on the other hand are shaped more like an egg. A ceramic grill is one of the most versatile options as you can use it to grill, smoke, and even bake pizzas.

The barrel grill looks similar to a gas barbecue. The grill is hinged and the top is rounded. This type of grill is great for smoking large pieces of meat.

What’s the Difference Between Lump Charcoal and Briquettes?

Lump charcoal is made from hardwood such as hickory, mesquite, oak or other hardwood. Also known as chunk charcoal, it starts faster than briquettes and be slightly more costly.

Briquettes on the other hand are cheaper than lump charcoal. Briquettes are made of ground and powdered compressed charcoal that is mixed with starch, coal dust, nitrates and more. While briquettes do not start as fast, they burn longer and more evenly. Briquettes can either be plain and self-igniting. Plain briquettes require light fluid to get started, whereas self-igniting briquettes have flammable compounds that assist in burning.

However, when determining which type of charcoal to use, you should always review best practices for the product you have purchased.