Best charcoal grills in 2023 CNN Underscored

And sadly, the ribs it produced came out burned, charred and overdone. We noted similar temperature performance from the Nexgrill, along with similar rib results. Cooking ribs low and slow on the Nexgrill required just 4 hours, 30 minutes. Its rack came out well too, though weber charcoal grill like the Napoleon, its bark was more pronounced than what the Weber produced. Interior temperatures had a greater swing, jumping up to 300 degrees F during periods of cooking. While its ribs came out tender and juicy overall, the exterior bark had a few burnt spots.

She is perfectly happy to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd. The Weber grill has three legs—an inherently stable design, because having three points of contact means the legs will automatically “find their level” even on bumpy ground. That said, the Napoleon model’s four legs felt just as stable, and more stiff, on a garden-variety concrete patio—and also allowed Napoleon to install a big, square shelf underneath the grill.

That doesn’t mean all charcoal grills are created equal, however. This is a superior grill to most on the market — it’s built to function and to last, and it’s worth every penny. First, you’ll find ample space on the steel cooking great for weber genesis 2 a whole lotta food. You could readily cook half-a-dozen steaks at once or enough burgers to feed a baseball team, including the relief pitchers. Retailing at around $200, this grill is well-priced considering the upgrades from the original.

weber charcoal grill

A few twists of the knobs, and I can have a high-heat zone, medium-heat zone, and low-heat zone at the ready. There are many approaches to how to clean a charcoal grill, but while it’s still warm, you can use a brush, scraper, or block to remove grease, drippings, and fuel residue. Here are some of the best grill brushes and cleaning tools we recommend. Another popular method, which should only be conducted while the grill is cool, is using a spray cleaner.

The new PK 300 also comes with cast-aluminum lugs and legs, so nothing is bound to fall apart or buckle like it would on a cheaper grill. It handles about five (crowded) burgers on the grate, so it’s plenty for a normal carload of people, which we find is just right. There are tons of portable grills out there, but the most basic and familiar is the miniature version of our top recommendation, Weber’s 14-inch Smokey Joe. We like the Kamado Joe (KJ) Classic II because it makes few, if any, concessions in quality, but is priced well.

The first bite of tender, fall-off-the-bone meat makes taking it low-and-slow worth every moment. The Smokey Mountain Cooker™ smoker has two cooking grates for smoking multiple items at once, and easily adjustable dampers for precision heat control. Wake up and light the smoker, because succulent pulled pork and fall-off-the-bone ribs come to those who wait. The Smokey Mountain Cooker™ smoker has two cooking grates for smoking multiple items at once, and dampers that adjust easily so that you’re always in control of the heat—and your feast. The Master-Touch Premium grill can sear the perfect steak, and then easily transform into a smoker for smoking low-and-slow ribs or pork shoulder. With new features such as a convenient hinged lid and charcoal ring for efficient fuel consumption, the Master-Touch Premium is your answer to grilling.

The enclosed ash catcher below the grill body is a major upgrade in this version and makes cleanup much easier (more on that later). Great Value for the Price- Weber offers a charcoal grill for everyone. Weber grill sizes range from the 14 inch Smokey Joe Portable to the 37 inch Ranch Kettle. The Weber Summit is widely considered to be the best charcoal grill Weber has ever produced. With nine collections of charcoal grills, there’s a Weber to meet your needs.

It’s a basic grill, as most charcoal barbecues are — no side burners, shelves, infrared, glowing temperature knobs, etc. The Original Kettle is a practical barbecue for straight-up grilling — searing and finishing steaks, chops, fish, veggies, and more. Plus, its generous size and ample room under the lid make it easy to roast large items over a longer period. To boot, the app boasts scores of recipes to keep your menu fresh and your family excited about trying new foods.

A cover will protect your grill from getting stained by rain and rusting. Ribs cooked on the Nexgrill had lots of bark but were juicy and tender inside. We dismissed the many cheaper knockoffs of the Weber kettle, including models by (or branded as) Kingsford, Char-Broil, PizzaQue, and Grill Zone. They’re not much cheaper than the Weber, and the quality just isn’t there. If the ash catcher is even slightly warm, the ash inside is still a fire hazard. We backed this reporting up with comprehensive research—the in-depth, professional reviews at AmazingRibs.com being a standout source—and hands-on time with grills at the big hardware chains.