Few cookers can match the feel and experience of charcoal grills. These classic outdoor grills can be a source of nostalgia for many people, as they think back on BBQs-past in the backyard with friends and family. The burning coals create a deep smokey flavor that lingers in the air and in every bite we take. Charcoal’s thermal properties also make it an easy fuel to cook with, making it great for several styles of grilling.

Modern charcoal grills are different from the ones you probably grew up seeing in your backyard; however, these units are still easy to use. Charcoal grills now come with more features than ever before and can be found in a variety of sizes, shapes, and configurations. With all of these additional accessories and features, choosing a charcoal grill is now a lot more complicated than it used to be. That is why we’ve created a buyer’s guide to charcoal grills: a comprehensive list of every kind of model on the market today. In the end, we hope you find the charcoal grill that perfectly fits your needs and lifestyle.

 

WHAT CONFIGURATION SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Deciding between a freestanding charcoal grill or a built-in charcoal grill is more than just an aesthetic choice. In fact, your grill’s configuration dictates other factors like location and mobility. It’s important to choose the grill that best suits your needs and outdoor space.

 

Freestanding Charcoal Grills

Some mobile charcoal grills are on wheels for the most movability. Other freestanding charcoal grills are on legs if you are concerned about the stability of a grill on wheels. These grills can travel with you, either to another spot in the backyard or outdoor events like tailgates or friendly neighborhood cooking competitions. Besides being portable, freestanding grills are much easier to clean than their built-in counterparts. Charcoal leaves behind significant amounts of ash in the grill; therefore, easy cleanup is an important factor to consider. Many units come with ash-removal mechanisms to make cleanup even easier. For camping trips, these mobile grills can also come with portable charcoal pits for quick cooking on the road.

 

Built-In Charcoal Grills

Installed like built-in gas grills, these units are examples of how far charcoal cookers have come. They are easily installed into your outdoor island and become a beautiful focal point for your backyard kitchen. Their stainless-steel exterior is also extremely durable and stunning to look at.

 

HOW DO CHARCOAL GRILLS COMPARE TO KAMADO SMOKERS?

Kamado smokers are versatile cookers that have a handful of distinct qualities. For starters, its ceramic shell makes it a powerful heat insulator and its unique egg shape dome makes it easily identifiable. These smokers’ design allows for limited airflow, which helps control internal temperatures and produce excellent steaks. Charcoal grills, on the other hand, allow for plenty of airflows. Here are some more differences that distinguish these two models from one another.

 

Charcoal Grills

Normal charcoal grills have an increased amount of airflow, which ultimately requires more fuel peruse. That is why we always recommended keeping a healthy stock of coals during grilling season. Charcoal grills are usually made from anything from commercial grade stainless steel to cheaper, painted metal. Steelworks are great for charcoal grills because it's a great heat conductor. This allows home cooks to perfectly sear burgers and steaks.

 

Kamado Smokers

Kamado smokers’ design permits limited airflow, which lowers the amount of fuel needed. The lack of airflow also helps meats stay extra moist and juicy while cooking. Ceramic is an excellent material for insulation and is usually the main selling point for kamados. One of the downsides to ceramic is that it takes longer to heat up than steel. However, it will eventually hold high temperatures for longer periods of time than steel. If you’re interested in experimenting with different styles of cooking or preparing meat on indirect heat, kamado smokers might be the move for you.

 

WHAT SIZE CHARCOAL GRILL IS RIGHT FOR ME?

The size of your charcoal grill might seem like a simple question, but there are still some important questions to ask yourself before making a purchase. For example, how many people do you plan on grilling for regularly, AND what is the maximum amount of people you could be possibly grilling for? And finally, how often would you grill for that maximum number of people?

Once you’ve answered these questions, the size of your grill will become more apparent. The size of your grill is not just about how much meat you can fit on it at once. In fact, your grill’s versatility is dictated by its size. Your available surface area will determine your grilling setup, and how much space you have for indirect cooking. Two-zone grilling will call for a large enough space that allows you to have bank charcoal on one side and the charcoal basin on another. If this interests you, a larger charcoal grill might be the right choice for you. Here is a breakdown of grill sizes and their features:

 

Small Charcoal Grills

Coming at under 26” in width, these small grills are perfect for smaller families, singles, or couples. They are also very portable and can accompany you to events like camping trips, tailgates, and more. Although small grills can cook burgers and hotdogs perfectly well, they do limit you in space and versatility. Cooking on indirect heat might be tricky to nearly impossible with the limited cooking area of a small charcoal grill.

 

Medium Charcoal Grills

Medium charcoal grills are great if you need to constantly feed a large family. With grates measuring between 27” and 33” in width, these girls have the necessary room to prepare meat and side dishes with ease. While these grills don’t offer the same mobility as smaller models, they offer enough space to have dual cooking zones and utilize indirect heat. This is the right choice for you if you want to be able to crank out several courses at once at your next party.

 

Large Charcoal Grills

If you’re someone who regularly hosts large gatherings or has an extended family to feed, a large charcoal grill is the right choice for you. With cooking surfaces starting at 34” in width, home cooks can use all kinds of cooking techniques at their next BBQ. Use direct heat to simultaneously sear dozens of steaks, while also using indirect heat to gently smoke other cuts.

 

WHAT CLASS OF CHARCOAL GRILL SHOULD I BUY?

Now that you’ve decided on what size of grill suits you best, it’s time to consider the class of charcoal grill that’s right for you. When it comes to classifications, shoppers have four to choose from Luxury, Premium, Practical, and Economy. These are differentiated in quality, features, and overall performance.

 

Luxury Charcoal Grills

These state-of-the-art charcoal grills are entirely built from commercial-grade stainless steel or aluminum for durability. They also come with lifetime warranties, but their high-quality construction offers unparalleled longevity. Luxury charcoal grills are also the only class that comes with adjustable split-tier charcoal trays that provide great versatility while cooking. Other convenient features include digital controls and electric charcoal starters.

 

Premium Charcoal Grills

These modern models are made from stainless steel or cast aluminum for high durability similar to the luxury charcoal grills. They also often come with lifetime warranties proving their ability to withstand the outdoor elements. Premium charcoal grills come with adjustable-height charcoal trays as a bonus for grillers. Other great features include hidden rotisseries, charcoal chamber doors, and push-button ignitions.

 

Practical Charcoal Grills

Practical Charcoal Grills are usually built from mixed materials and come with decent warranties that range up to ten years. With proper care, these grills can last you up to a decade, but can’t compete with Premium or Luxury grills’ durability. Other features may include charcoal access doors, electric ignitions, and adjustable charcoal trays.

 

Economy Charcoal Grills

These budget-friendly models can be made from ceramic, cast iron, or painted steel. Economy grills do not come with the same durability as more expensive models; therefore, they will require replacement sooner. Some models come with 10-year warranties, but their duration may vary. Most economy grills are kettle cookers with limited versatility when it comes to cooking.

 

TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT

Controlling heat produced by charcoal may have a steep learning curve, but it is extremely important for properly cooking on your grill. And the end result is the rewarding feeling of devouring a delicious smokey dinner. The ways of controlling a fire include adding more fuel, stoking the coals, and adjusting airflow with control mechanisms. These mechanisms often refer to steel air dampers. These methods allow you to manipulate the charcoal fire’s combustion, with larger fires producing higher heat, etc.

Using a temperature controller, like the Pitmaster IQ regulators, is another way to manage airflow inside your grill. A wireless or remote BBQ thermometer is recommended, especially one with multiple probes to measure the temperature of both your grill and food.

 

ACCESSORIES

Charcoal grills are known for their versatility, which includes the use of their multiple accessories. Regardless of what brand you choose, your charcoal grill should come with an ash tool for cleanup and stoking coals, a chimney for quick ignition that doesn’t add the taste of lighter fluid to your food, and an electric charcoal starter. Lastly, home cooks should invest in a durable grill cover to protect their cooker from weather damage and prolong its longevity.

 

CLEANING YOUR CHARCOAL GRILL

Proper cleaning is essential for prolonging your grill’s longevity. Charcoal ash that is left at the bottom of your grill will damage your cooker over time and become more difficult to clean once it’s wet. This high-alkaline sludge will eat away at your steel grill over time. Ash that has been mixed with food drippings will not only become sticky but turn flammable as well.

Look for grills that come with an easy-clean mechanism, such as an ash drawer, ash basket, or slide-out ash pans for simplified cleaning.

It’s important to note that ashes should never be disposed of in your yard or garden. Wet ash produces lye’s caustic properties and can burn your pet’s paws.

 

We’re Here to Help!

If you have any doubts about choosing a grill, feel free to call us at 866-848-3473 or send us an email. Our NFI-certified experts are here to answer any questions. Or check out our other Learning Center articles to expand your grilling knowledge. And as always browse our selection for more info.

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