1. Best Overall: Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill, Black
You can get a smaller version of the Weber Kettle Premium grill, which we placed as our top overall pick, with Weber’s Smokey Joe. This grill offers you all the quality and simplicity of cooking that the traditional Weber design offers, but in a more portable form.
This grill is significantly smaller than the Kettle Premium, which has a 22-inch diameter and is 14 inches wide instead. This makes it far more ideal for recreational uses.
You have a grill you can use to bring delicious flavors on your next camping trip or that may be the focal point of your next tailgating party. It will also work if you simply want an additional room in your yard.
Aluminum dampers offer dependable and simple temperature control, while an aluminum ash collection makes cleanup unnecessary. One of the best grill covers will keep your barbecue safe.
The bowl and lid are porcelain-enameled, so you won’t experience the peeling paint that you frequently see on less expensive grills. The grill still has all the luxury features we’ve come to expect from a Weber grill.
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Reason to buy:
✅ Holds up to five burgers made with a Weber burger press
✅ Compact and lightweight for grilling on the go
✅ Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
Reason to avoid:
⭕ It would be challenging to cook on this grill for larger groups. You should consider whether or not you can tolerate the 147-square-inch cooking space.
2. Best portable grill: Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill, Red
It is obvious that it is built to survive a long time because its body is made of cast iron and steel. This charcoal barbecue has an inner porcelain-coated steel finish and a powder external coating, which together contribute to its durability.
The built-in temperature gauge and ash pan of this charcoal barbecue make it easier to remove the used charcoal.
Hot spots are even less likely thanks to the circular design, which also encourages equal heating of the grilling surface.
Additionally, the grill has some contemporary convenience features, like two sizable handles on either side of the grill to make moving it easier and an ashtray for simple cleanup underneath.
Reason to buy:
✅ It is practical for multiple grills and provides the space to hold a large number of grills.
✅ This model’s watchword is fuel efficiency due to its superior fuel maximization and cast iron construction.
✅ The presence of a temperature-regulating mechanism makes it simple to control temperature and heat.
✅ Any form of cooking may be done conveniently in the kitchen, and there is a one-touch cleaning system.
Reason to avoid:
⭕ It permits the waste of charcoal.
3. Best value: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black
This best charcoal grill under $200 is equipped with a variety of features that make using it a delight.
Although the design of this grill is based on the traditional Weber kettle grill, Weber has not stood still. To keep the Weber Original at the top of the field, the grill expert has consistently improved on their original design.
One such feature is the one-touch cleaning system, which directs food scraps and soot into an ash pan made of aluminum and located underneath the grill.
It is simple to remove, making grill cleanup easy. A convenient hinge on the grill’s cooking grate enables you to open it up and add charcoal.
This implies that if you have a separate location for lighting your coals, such as a chimney starter, you may continue to cook without stopping while your grill is running to feed all of your visitors.
You may still get all the same high-quality building materials that you would expect from a Weber barbecue.
Steel that has been porcelain-enameled for the main firebox gives you strength and rust resistance. Moreover, you can read the post Best Charcoal Grill Under $100 to learn more about the best cheap grills.
Reason to buy:
✅ The materials used to construct the Weber charcoal grill make it strong and long-lasting.
✅ Its wheel makes cooking comfortable and convenient from anywhere in the home, and because of its sizable cooking surface, outside cooking has become much simpler.
✅ A cast iron insulating handle that diverts all heat away from the handle and facilitates grilling is one of the materials it is constructed of.
✅ Because grilling requires cleanliness, the Weber charcoal grill’s ash catcher is a great feature.
Reason to avoid:
⭕ Undoubtedly, everything wonderful has a negative aspect. The damp knob on this machine might be worn out over time, which is a drawback.
4. Best price: Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill with Coal Door, Black
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill with Coal Door is a great option for those who are looking for a grill that is both durable and easy to clean.
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill with Coal Door comes pre-seasoned, which means it will not require seasoning before its first use. It also comes with an attached coal door that will allow you to add more coal as necessary.
This grill features a sliding mechanism that enhances airflow, which allows the food to cook evenly. It has an easy-to-use coal door, which makes it easier to add more coal without opening the lid of the grill.
This grill is a great way to cook outdoors. The grill provides superior heat retention and requires less charcoal due to its coal door design.
Reason to buy:
✅ Temperature control just becomes very easier and can be used to control the temperature easily.
✅ Heat is distributed evenly, and also ensures that all food stays on top as it is made of cast iron.
Reason to avoid:
⭕ Even though this Lodge charcoal barbecue is composed of cast iron, if left outside without a grill cover, it gradually rusts.
5. Best charcoal grill: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Copper
These Weber charcoal grills are simply wonderful and excellent, with great features that fit best charcoal grills under 200 like a nice 363 square inches cooking area or cooking surface.
This grill has a bowl and a lid is entirely made of porcelain, contributing to the grill’s longevity and durability.
Without ever raising the grill lid, the temperature of the charcoal barbecue may be simply changed. You just simply turn the damper knob till it suffocates the oxygen flow when it is off.
More charcoal can easily be added while grilling without interfering with the operation of your barbecue.
This is feasible because the Weber charcoal barbecue has a cooking grate that retains heat and is always hinged to make it simple to add more cooking charcoal when necessary.
This sort of grill is ideal for outside cooking since it is equipped with sturdy wheels that enable easy movement. The wheels are all fine because they are sturdy and constructed of high-quality alloy.
Reason to buy:
✅ Aluminum-coated steel with a removable, large-capacity aluminum ash catcher, the one-touch cleaning system
✅ An aluminum damper that resists rust, along with two glass-reinforced nylon handles with tool hooks
✅ The free BILT app offers 3D interactive assembly instructions for this product.
Reason to avoid:
⭕ The damp knob on this machine might be worn out over time.
1. How do I get the best value for my money when shopping for a charcoal grill?
When shopping for a charcoal grill, look for features that match your needs and budget.
Consider brands with a good reputation for quality and reliability, and compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money.
Don’t overlook budget-friendly options, as many of them offer great features and quality at an affordable price.
2. What is the best way to clean my charcoal grill grates?
To clean your charcoal grill grates, start by brushing off any excess ash or debris with a grill brush.
Then, heat up your grill to a high temperature and use a crumpled piece of aluminum foil to scrub the grates.
Alternatively, you can soak the grates in a solution of hot water and dish soap for a few minutes before scrubbing them with a brush. Rinse the grates thoroughly and dry them before using them again.
3. What is the difference between direct and indirect cooking on a charcoal grill?
Direct cooking on a charcoal grill involves placing food directly over the heat source, while indirect cooking involves placing food away from the heat source, with the lid closed.
Indirect cooking is ideal for larger cuts of meat or foods that need to cook slowly and evenly, while direct cooking is best for smaller cuts of meat or foods that need to cook quickly.
