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Looking for a new charcoal grill? Here our experts rank the top 10 best charcoal grills on the market.

In the United States, it’s estimated that 63% of the majority of grillers utilize their grills or smokers all-year round.

Most of the households, if not all, have a charcoal grill in their backyard where all barbecuing takes place. The favorite days for barbecuing being mother’s day, father’s day. July fourth, labor day and memorial day.

It’s become a custom that great weekends are spent in the backyard, grilling some delicious steak with family and friends. To enjoy the flavor of charbroiled meals, it’s vital to own one of the best charcoal grills.

There is a variety of charcoal grills you can choose from. And having the right information about your ideal grill saves you time and more.

This is why we ought to check out the top 10 best charcoal grills of this year.

The Best Charcoal Grills

1. Weber 741001 Original Kettle

It comes as no surprise that a Weber tops the list as most of the grillers are known to enjoy grilling with a Weber charcoal grill. The grill has a 360 square inches making it perfect for, especially for large crowds. The heat-resistant handles have glass reinforcement as the bowl and lid are reinforced with porcelain.

The tight-sealing lid helps you to use your charcoal grills like a smoker with top and bottom vents. This allows you to control the temperature quickly. The Weber 741001 can heat up to very high temperatures. So it’s vital to buy a quality thermometer to help regulate it.

The assembly instructions are visual unlike most other, written ones. The only shortcoming of this grill is that it does not favor rare steak lovers.

2. Fire Sense Notebook Charcoal Grill

The fire sense grill is a small grill with 228 square inches of cooking space that folds down to a one-inch height for more comfortable transportation and storage. This specification by itself makes it the ideal grill for those that love camping and tailgating.

The biggest shortcoming of its simple structure is that ventilation is quite challenging, and prolonging your fire will be an uphill task.

It’s not advisable to use the grill for massive cuts of meat or slow-cooking. The grill is not steady in structure but has a lightweight touch as an advantage which you should evaluate the next time you are in search of a camping grill.

3. Char-Broil Charcoal Grill

This grill is considered a favorite because of its 480 square inches of cooking space and an additional secondary surface of 100 square inches of porcelain. The grill is fitted with a frost-situated iron door, making it easy to check the fire without tampering with the temperature of the food.

The charbroil grill is readily available for people looking for an ample cooking space but not willing to pay a fortune.

Like any other grill, this one has a few challenges. The grill is not easy to assemble as it comes with a set of very confusing and complicated instructions. Most people will find it frustrating to put it together or take longer than expected. Additionally, it’s essential to be careful with the charcoal tray as the frame that holds it is not steady.

4. Char-Griller 2-2424 Table Top Charcoal Grill and Side Fire Box

The grill adds to the list of small charcoal grills but one with additional features that makes it unique. It has a cooking space of 250 square inches with a sturdily built cast iron cooking grate. An offset firebox makes it quite handy for smoking.

Even with its unique features, we can’t help but feel that the manufacturers could have done a better job. This is because of the paint which is not durable, and when the charcoal grill heats up to 500 degrees, the color turns to carbon. The other challenge is that you can only use it as a smoker or grill and not both functions.

Lastly, the grill, once assembled into a smoker, cannot be switched to a grill, and while using it as a smoker, the firebox tends to leak.

5. Backyard Grill 4-Burner Charcoal Grill

The Backyard charcoal grill is among the most intelligently built grill in the market with a gas burner on the side. Additionally, the manufacturers were keen on the small details that better its durability and portability. The charcoal grill offers 557 square inches of cooking space and an additional 188 square inches as a warming rack.

The grill comes with three stainless steel tube burners with one gas side. It has an integrated ignition attached to the LP gas tank and has porcelain coated heat plates. For grilling enthusiast, this is the best charcoal grill which offers the best of both worlds.

You will have the option of both charcoal and gas grilling.

6. Kamado Joe Classic II

Fitted with sleek black wings and a dazzling cherry-red body, the KJ classic brings to mind an angry bird with a first glance. Its specifications are what makes it even more attractive with a thick-wall ceramic shell giving it grilling and smoking mastery. It’s also fitted with an airlift hinge that allows for effortless opening and closing.

The charcoal grill comes fitted with a control tower on the top vent to allow for maximum control and precision when managing the temperature. If you are looking to improve on your grilling game, then this might be the top charcoal grill choice for you.

7. Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill

A quality porcelain-coated cooking grate is one of the most attractive features of this make that assures you protection for your food. The charcoal grill has a comfortable 360 square inches of cooking space and simple design built for durability.

It comes with a clear and detailed manual that fastens the assembly process and does a great job of conserving charcoal and an easily portable ashtray for better cleaning.

The flaws in this charcoal grill are that it has a single handle on the top, thus making it hard to move around. The charcoal grill has only room for a single layer of charcoal which most people might find unpleasant.

8. Weber 441001 Original Kettle 18-Inch Charcoal Grill

Considered among the biggest names in the grilling world, there is more to like about this grill. First, it has 240 inches of cooking space fitted with a steel-plated cooking plate. The charcoal grill is sturdy with rust-resistant vents and porcelain coated lid and bowl that is baked at 1500 degrees for maximum durability.

The handle is heat resistant allowing you to move the grill quickly. It, however, comes with its challenges and the most common is its only ideal for a group of 4 people and below. If you are hoping to grill your thanksgiving turkey, then you might be in for a surprise as it cannot hold a full-sized turkey.

9. Cuisinart CCG-190RB Portable Charcoal Grill

If you are a grilling fan who does not own a back yard, then this is the ideal grill for you. Regardless of small size, the charcoal grill has a cooking space of 150 square inches that’s enough for grilling a family’s burgers. The lid is fitted with a lock to ensure smooth transportation and has a dual-venting system that makes it easy to control the temperature.

However, opening the bottom vent can be challenging as it is close to the ground. The legs of the grill can also be wobble. But one has the option of adding rubber shoes to improve steadiness. The manufacturers would have aced the structure if only they a leg extension to the grill allowing it to be easily raised.

10. Char-Griller 56720 Akorn Kamado

The char-griller is a kamado-style charcoal grill with plenty of cooking options, high-temperature grilling abilities, and excellent fuel efficiency. The grill comes with as a 2-zone cooking space that the griller can set. The charcoal grill is well made and a battery operated option.

It offers a total of 302 square inches of primary cooking space and an additional 165 square inches of warming rack. The bottom section is easily removable for cleaning and has a three leg stand for stability. It’s also available in a variety of colors.

For better fuel efficiency, the body and lid have thick insulation that helps to keep heat trapped. The charcoal does not support temperatures above 700F as they can melt or degrade the material. The body is highly insulated steel that is a double wall that makes it lighter and durable.

Best Charcoal Grills – A Final Word

For charcoal grillers quality, a spacious headroom and well-coated lid are the best features for an ideal charcoal grill. Outdoor enthusiasts fancy a portable charcoal grill and light in weight so that the grilled meat can add a nostalgic feeling to the camping.

Above all features, affordability is the most important. Hence many (the author included) are opting for the best charcoal grills at the prices they offer value for their money.

Check out our blog for more information on the top charcoal grills available in the market.