The 5 Best Charcoal Grills for Cooking Outdoors

Final Verdict

We think the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is the best choice for most people, especially those who want something convenient for casual summer grilling. It's reasonably priced and easy to use, and it consistently outlasts its warranty. But if you're aiming to be the next seasoned pitmaster, a kamado-style grill like the Big Green Egg is a good investment: It heats up faster than conventional steel grills and boasts superior heat retention and convection capabilities (so it burns charcoal more efficiently, too).

How to Shop for Charcoal Grills

Cooking Area

The grill size you should select largely depends on how you intend to use it. You can get away with a smaller grill if you plan on sticking to intimate date nights and small family gatherings. But if you anticipate having backyard gatherings for friends and neighbors regularly, then you'll likely need a bigger grill. Choosing a model that's too small will overcrowd the grill, so food will take much longer to cook and it won't taste quite as good. On the other hand, choosing a grill that's too large will be much less efficient and require unnecessary maintenance.

A four-person household should opt for a grill with a surface area between 250 and 300 square inches. People with large families and anyone who plans on entertaining often should opt for a grill with 600 square inches of cooking area or more.

Maintenance

Do you remember the last time that you were eager to clean the grill? It might not be your favorite part of the process, but maintenance and cleaning requirements are important to consider. Even though charcoal grills aren't as easy to clean as gas models, many manufacturers have started including handy features like removable ash catchers that make cleaning your charcoal grill more efficient.

Special Features

Certain features can make grilling (and the subsequent cleanup) easier. Hinged grates or side charcoal doors are convenient because they make it easier to add charcoal throughout the cooking process. But other features, like built-in dome thermometers, are less necessary. They're rarely accurate because they're better at measuring the temperature of the air above the food rather than the actual cooking surface. A simple meat thermometer can deliver more accurate results.

Questions You Might Ask

What are the benefits of a charcoal grill over a gas grill?

The main differences between these two types of grills are that charcoal grills generally provide greater flavor, heat, and versatility. "Charcoal imparts a distinct, smokey flavor that gas grilling lacks," says Citrin. "What makes charcoal grills unique is that you [can] incorporate different kinds of wood like cherry, apple, or mesquite, which means you can add complexity of flavor to whatever you're grilling."

The other concern is the heat factor: "When you buy high-quality lump charcoal and use something like a ceramic style grill, it can burn at temperatures as high as 700 degrees, whereas a standard gas grill is much lower in temperature," Citrin adds. "Plus, with kamado-style grills, you can transform your grill into both a smoker and an oven, which a gas grill simply cannot do."

How do you start a charcoal grill?

For cooking purposes, you don't want to use lighter fluid to start a charcoal grill. (After all, no one ever encountered a fuel-like aftertaste and thought "yum!") But the good news is that the easiest and safest ways to start a charcoal fire don't require lighter fluid anyway.

First, select your medium: Lump charcoal gives you a hotter, faster burn, while briquettes give you a cooler, slower burn. Ideally, you'll place your charcoal in a charcoal chimney (also called a "chimney starter"). The amount of charcoal that you'll use depends on your heat and duration needs. Use less charcoal for cooking slowly on low heat, and more charcoal for cooking fast at hot temperatures.

For low heat, fill your chimney 1/4 full; for medium heat, 1/2–3/4 full; and for high heat, fill the chimney to the top. Then place newspaper, paper towels, and a bit of cooking oil beneath your chimney and light your pile using a long lighter. When you notice the top layer of your charcoal has turned gray (it'll take roughly 10–15 minutes), it's time to pour your lit charcoal into the grill.

How do you clean a charcoal grill?

Before you start cleaning your charcoal grill, you should preheat it. Once it's hot, take a long-handled stiff wire brush to the grate and give it some elbow grease. If you don't have a brush, you could also use a ball of tin foil or even a sliced onion half. When you're done cooking, repeat this process. You might also consider oiling the bars of the grate before grilling (to prevent food from sticking) and again once you're done (to help prevent rusting.) Don't forget about seasonal maintenance, like removing the ashes and covering the entire grill with a cover.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Leslie Joblin, a contributing writer for Real Simple with two years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. To compile this list, she thoroughly researched the most popular charcoal grills on the market and considered factors like cooking area, maintenance, and special features. Leslie also received expert advice from Josiah Citrin, chef and author of Charcoal: New Ways to Cook With Fire.