The Best Charcoal Grill Under $500

Charcoal grilling is a beloved tradition among outdoor cooking enthusiasts, known for its smoky flavor and versatility. However, many people assume that high-quality charcoal grills come with a high price tag. But that’s not necessarily the case.

After conducting extensive trial and error on a range of models, our team has discovered that there are some fantastic charcoal grills available for under $500. These grills may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, but they still offer excellent performance, durability, and value for money.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best charcoal grills under $500 based on our trial and error. We’ll explore the top features and benefits of each model, as well as any potential drawbacks, to help you find the perfect charcoal grill for your budget and outdoor cooking needs. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just starting out, our top picks will help you cook up a storm for your family and friends without breaking the bank.

1. Best Overall: Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

One of the best charcoal grills by The Disney Chef is the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill. The majority of Amazon customers have given this grill five stars, which all speak to the grill’s incredibly high efficiency.

It’s simple to keep an eye on temperatures as you cook thanks to the dampers and the built-in thermometer. As a result, you can prepare a variety of foods on the grill.

The premium grill’s cooking grate features two corners that can be raised to add more coal without lifting the entire thing. Its side handles have tool storage, and its lid has additional heat protection beneath the grip.

Customer Reviews

The ash collector is where the biggest distinction can be seen: the original had an open plate, whereas this premium version has an enclosed container. However, both offer a one-touch cleaning system that removes the ash from the kettle’s bottom.

Reason to buy:

✅ Classic style

✅ Ash canister that is enclosed and a one-touch cleaning system

✅ Without removing the grates, the grill can accommodate more coal.

Reason to avoid:

⭕ Little bottom shelf for storage

2. Best portable grill: Coleman Propane Grill | RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill

If you spend time outdoors, you know the importance of purchasing a portable propane grill. The Coleman Propane Grill is a compact grill that delivers 20,000 BTUs of heat across 285 square inches of grilling surface.

This grill is ideal for tailgating, picnicking, camping or anywhere you want to enjoy grilled food but don’t have access to an outdoor kitchen. This grill is also easy to transport and set up: no tools are required for assembly!

This best charcoal grill under $500 is the perfect grill for anyone who’s ready to take their grilling to the next level.

It comes with patented Swap Top interchangeable cooktops, which allow you to switch out grill grates for griddle or stove grates (sold separately).

They’re easy to use, and they ensure that you’ll be able to make whatever you want on your grill, whether it’s burgers, eggs, bacon, or grilled cheese.

The Instastart button ignites the grill without the need for a match or lighter, so even if you’re not an expert at starting fires yet, this grill is still going to be easy for you.

Customer Reviews

And when it’s time to take your food off the grill? The collapsible design makes it easy to store in your car trunk or closet when it’s not being used.

Reason to buy:

✅ Portable propane grill perfect for camping, picnics, and football games

✅ Heats a grilling surface of 285 square inches with 20,000 BTUs.

✅ Easy to move and fits into most car trunks is the collapsible design.

Reason to avoid:

⭕ Possibility of rust

3. Best Value: Royal Gourmet CC1830S 30″ BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker 

More than 800 square inches of cooking space, split among various grilling surfaces, can be found on the Royal Gourmet charcoal barbecue.

With a warming rack and an offset smoking system, the primary cooking area, which is around 438 square inches, offers a good amount of room and is ideal for grilling for larger groups.

This grill can be ideal for you if you want the smoky flavor of your meats but don’t want the full smoker experience.

This is due to the fact that it also has a tiny smoker box, which makes it simple to add a little of the smokey flavor some people enjoy. Moreover, this grill is considered as Best Grill smokers.

Customer Reviews

The heat of this charcoal barbecue may also be adjusted thanks to the fire pan, which is simply raised or lowered. The cooking grates are porcelain-coated, which helps them maintain the heat while providing better ventilation through a side door.

Reason to buy:

✅ Includes a miniature smoker box.

✅ A large cooking area

✅ Easily portable

✅ Has a number of surfaces

Reason to avoid:

⭕ Adjusting the charcoal pan can be more difficult than suggested.

⭕ It might weigh more than other charcoal grills of a similar design.

4. Best price: Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill, Black

This Char-Griller Charcoal Grill can be a wonderful choice if you’re searching for a grill that fits in a smaller area or if you just intend to cook for a small number of people.

This grill is just ideal for less than 4 people, with a cooking surface area of roughly 250 square inches.

The cast iron construction of the cooking grates makes them more enduring and heat-resistant than those of other grills, despite the fact that cleaning them could be more challenging.

They are thicker than typical grates, which enables them to heat up more quickly and for longer periods of time, in addition to being made with cast iron for durability.

Customer Reviews

Additional features including the barrel design and the larger side air vent improve heat circulation and temperature management.

Additionally, this grill has a drawer for storage that is big enough to accommodate all of your cooking tools.

Reason to buy:

✅ Wheels made of plastic for portability

✅ Grates made of cast iron are more durable

✅ A sizable side vent to improve airflow and allow temperature regulation

✅ A tool rack and storage drawer

Reason to avoid:

⭕ Smaller than other grills, however, that might not be a problem if you’re short on space.

⭕ More challenging to clean

5. Best kettle grill: Weber Performer Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black

Although this grill may not be as opulent as some of the expensive Weber models, it is among the best under $500.

This charcoal grill is shielded from the elements to avoid rust and other weather-related damage, and it is coated with a porcelain finish to maintain temperature and heat dispersion.

With more than 360 square inches of cooking space, the Weber Performer grill is ideal for feeding a family of average size. On the lid, there is a damper that can help keep the heat within while also allowing more air to pass through the grill.

This grill’s one-touch system and porcelain-enameled bowl with a lid that collects ash and slides out for disposal make cleaning it simple.

There are many storage choices, including a wire shelf underneath the grill, hooks for hanging grilling accessories, and a porcelain-coated metal table on the right side for a prep area close at hand.

By changing the dampers to reduce oxygen flow and extinguish the coals, owners can control heat. For detailed assembly instructions, they can also access 3D interactive information via the BILT app.

Customer Reviews

Despite being heavier than other grills of a similar caliber, this model does have four wheels, which makes transporting it simpler. This grill features about everything you could ever desire in a charcoal grill, including a shelf and hooks to store your tools.

Reason to buy:

✅ Hooks and shelving for improved storage

✅ The damper can be changed.

✅ Wheels make transportation simple.

✅ Because the ash catcher is removable, cleaning it is relatively simple.

Reason to avoid:

⭕ Compared to other grills of this size, it is heavier, but that is to be expected from a Weber heavy-duty ceramic grill.

⭕ It might not include a warming rack.

6. Best Weber grill: Weber Spirit E-310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill, 46510001 model – Black

The benefits of this grill are that it is the perfect size for hosting a BBQ or everyday family grilling. It has porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates which retain even heat for the best-tasting food. It also comes with a cover, a side table, and 4 stainless steel folding chairs.

This grill is built to last with a heavy-duty, porcelain-enameled lid and cook box that won’t rust or peel over time.

The grill comes with six tool hooks to make accessing grilling tools as easy as possible. The grill’s low maintenance and easy-to-clean grease management system will also help keep your grill in top shape for years to come.

Customer Reviews

To keep the wheels from getting stuck in the grass or on a patio, this grill is equipped with heavy-duty caster wheels that allow you to move your grill anywhere you want it.

Before making a choice, check out our reviews of the best charcoal grill under $500 below.

Before doing that, be sure to read our evaluations and buying guide of the best charcoal grill under $300 to find out more about the many models available and how to purchase one.

Reason to buy:

✅ Exactly the right size for hosting a barbecue or regular family grilling

✅ Cast-iron cooking grates with porcelain enamel maintain consistent heat for the tastiest cuisine.

✅ Heavy-duty caster wheels allow you to move your barbecue around on the grass or a patio with ease.

Reason to avoid:

⭕ This grill couldn’t be any disadvantages.