Visions of tasty backyard cookouts never cease no matter what season it is. It’s always a great time to up your outdoor cooking game by using the best charcoal grill you can find. A charcoal grill might sound less luxurious than a gas grill, but when it comes to flavor, the best charcoal grills absolutely compete. I’ve been reviewing grills and smokers full time since 2012. To my knowledge, nobody else does this full time, and nobody else has cooked on as many grills and smokers as I have.
If you’re committed to charcoal, but envious of your neighbor’s shiny gasser, the Napoleon Charcoal Professional Cart Grill may be the answer. Only a few premium and luxury BBQ brands offer stainless steel weber gas grill charcoal grills. Napoleon’s Professional is one of the more beautiful models we’ve seen in this price range. This stainless steel charcoal burner feels right at home in a shiny outdoor kitchen ensemble.
It has 406 square inches of total cooking space and a built-in thermometer, along with side shelves for storage. I have had over weber gas grill 50 grills—from a Weber gas grill to a Traeger pellet grill. In my search for the best grill, I have found it,” said one buyer.
For instance, it’s equipped with a propane-powered ignition system that gets your coals lit quickly and easily, and there’s a cook timer built into the grill cart. The Nexgrill Cart-Style Charcoal Grill is a compelling alternative to the Weber, especially if you prefer a cart-style backyard cooker. That design gives you a handy side tray and more cooking surface room. In fact, at 572 square inches, this updated larger grill has even more cooking space than the previous version, which offered 390 square inches. It’s also a lot compared with the Weber’s 363-square-inch cooking area. The air control required for charcoal grills actually makes them dang good smokers, too.
Our favorite bird from this batch was the one cooked on the Weber, though it was a tough call. The bird cooked on the Nexgrill cart-style grill came in right behind, a close second in terms of flavor and texture. Charcoal grills are also often more affordable than their gas counterparts, making them a good option for tight budgets and beginner grillers. All you need for charcoal grilling is a lighter, a bag of charcoal and your favorite ingredients. In no time you’ll be reaping the rewards of an easy meal with true smoky flavor. Many Weber gas grills have a built-in thermometer in the lid, which allows you to easily keep track of the temperature of the grill.
The Weber can also smoke low and slow at a rock-steady cooking temperature. With three heavy-duty grates for cooking, you’ll have plenty of room for all those burgers and brats with this stainless charcoal grill from Dyna-Glo. The smoke stack allows for temperature control and the side shelves weber gas grill and storage basket have room for keeping food and grilling tools nearby. “We used our grill for a large BBQ at our house and it was able to handle a large amount of food—chicken, dogs, burgers, veggies. The features make this grill easy to use and adjust to cook your food as you like it.
The Nexgrill definitely gets hot enough to create a nice sear, but you do have to work a little harder than you do with the Weber to avoid overcooking your meat. You can also raise the Nexgrill’s adjustable charcoal tray basket to its highest position. Whatever grill you choose, do not rely on the built-in dial thermometers, which can be off by 50°F to 100°F (10-38°C). These dials are usually located in the lid, not down on the grill surface where the food is—and you’re not eating the lid, so its temperature is irrelevant.
A. Weber doesn’t permit converting a propane gas grill to a natural gas model due to safety concerns. The process would require disassembling the grill and gas components, which can be very dangerous and may not result in a functional grill. For the same reason, Weber doesn’t allow conversion from natural gas to propane either. A revamped model with a larger grilling space and solid price point. The difference between the two was largely in the crispiness of the skin, with the Weber producing the superior results.