A small gas grill usually costs between $500 and $1,000; a medium costs between $1,000 and $2,400; a large costs between $2,400 and $3,800. A small charcoal grill usually costs between $90 and $400; a medium costs between $400 and $1,200; a large costs between $1,200 and $2,300. For a family of four, look for a grill with approximately 400 to 500 square inches of cooking area. When summer rolls around, there’s nothing like a delicious barbecued meal.
Overall, it’s a fantastic grill for a fair price considering its features. If you’re new to the world of charcoal grills, this is an easy, user-friendly option that you can grow into as you become more experienced. There’s a 560-square-inch cooking surface for grilling and smoking, plus you can weber portable grill keep an eye on your steak remotely via the app. Thanks to its smart design, ashes fall into a bucket at the hopper’s base, and cleanup is as easy as opening the door to empty it. Make grilling season easier on yourself and clean your grill at the start of each grilling session, not at the end.
At $139, Weber’s original, kettle-style charcoal grill continues to stand the test of time. In our high-heat searing tests, Weber delivered the best balance of seared exterior and medium-rare interior steak. The Weber kettle grill gave us tasty chicken too, with crispy chicken skin.
That’s because Weber offers so many models that choosing the right one for your yard can be a challenge. Its lid dampers allow you to easily control the temperature of the grill, and there’s enough room inside the bowl to manipulate your charcoal for precise cooking. When you’re done, empty the ash catcher before stowing the grill away (and keep in mind that cleaning it can get messy).
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.
It has 406 square inches of total cooking space and a built-in thermometer, along with side shelves for storage. I have had over 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.
Start by lighting your coals and letting your grill heat up for about 10 minutes. This should heat the grates enough that any crusted-on food can be easily removed with a grill brush. After you clean the grates, oil them using a paper towel dipped in oil and held in tongs.
Be mindful of marketing copy advertising how much food will fit on a grill’s grate. A charcoal grill that claims it can fit eight burger patties may only be able to cook one prime rib at a time. In this case, it’s helpful to look at user photos and consider the shape of different foods you like to weber charcoal grill cook. Charcoal briquettes and lump charcoal are easier to ignite and keep lit than ordinary firewood. That said, charcoal (especially in briquette form) produces a lot more ash than hardwood. And if you plan to cook low and slow we suggest adding a few chunks of hardwood to your charcoal pile.
This 18-inch ceramic grill has thick walls that lock in smoke and moisture, and you can use it to grill and smoke food thanks to its tower-style vent and built-in lid thermometer. Of course, there are several other benefits to charcoal grills. They’re typically more affordable than propane, natural gas, and pellet grills, and they also burn hotter, allowing you to get a beautiful crispy crust on your food. Plus, because charcoal grills typically have a simple design, they’re less likely to break down, and when they do have problems, repairs are usually straightforward. We tested the 22-inch Weber charcoal grill in black, but Weber also offers an 18-inch version of its original kettle design. There are certainly fancier and more expensive grills to use for cooking, but for a balance of affordability and quality, you can’t go wrong with this classic.
They’re versatile too since they can use either traditional charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal as fuel. Our last test is grilling barbecued ribs, specifically baby back pork ribs. This style of cooking requires strict temperature control over a period of multiple hours. Ideally, a quality charcoal grill (or any smoker) will keep its fire humming along close to 225 degrees F for as long as possible. Lidless charcoal grills may be good for simple grilling, like cooking burgers and shrimp over direct heat, but you need a lid to successfully roast turkeys and smoke ribs. The average full-size grill is around 400 to 500 square inches—plenty of room to make enough food for a backyard gathering.