Rank | Header | Name | Rating | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |  | Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill | (4.9) | |
2. |  | Beau Jardin 18-inch Charcoal Grill | (4.7) | |
3. |  | Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill | (4.5) | |
4. |  | Cuisinart CCG-190 Charcoal Grill | (4.3) | |
5. |  | Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill | (4.1) | |
6. |  | Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill | (3.9) |
Not all of us are fortunate enough to live in an area where one can take out their charcoal grill during any time of the year. Those of you who live in agreeable conditions for all-year-round outdoor grilling should take advantage of the weather by purchasing an affordable charcoal grill.
Charcoal grills tend to cost significantly less than gas ones, so if you've never used a grill before, this type is the optimal choice to familiarize yourself with various cooking techniques on the grill. Before you know it, you'll be a master on the grill.
Hopefully one of the six best affordable charcoal grills will encourage you to try something new that won’t cost you a lot of money.
#1. Winner - Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Those who need a charcoal grill that caters to a variety of cooking methods will not be disappointed with the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill.
Its versatility is its defining trait and plays a role as to why it is still a bestselling piece of outdoor equipment after decades of being on the market.
The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill has a 22.5-inch diameter, which leaves more than enough room cook several cuts of meat at once.
It features an incredible vent design that permits adequate heat control. Since this control is feasible, the charcoal grill can also function as a smoker.
Most gas grills cannot ensure control over the transfer of heat. Consequently, the fact that this grill allows heat control only works to increase the appeal to purchase this affordable charcoal grill.
If the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill has caught your eye, you'll be happy to hear that it will only set you back less than $150. If you opt out for the lid to come in color black instead of a copper shade, you might be able to purchase this charcoal grill for less money.
Features
#2. Beau Jardin 18-inch Charcoal Grill
Since the Beau Jardin 18-inch Charcoal Grill is an extremely affordable option for outdoor cooking, you shouldn’t expect it to come built with advanced features.
Beau Jardin specifically used a simple design rather than an intricate one when manufacturing this charcoal grill.
While you won't get the same size or performance compared to the Weber above, you're also talking about only spending a third of the cost.
Those who you on a tight budget will find that the Beau Jardin 18-inch Charcoal Grill will satisfy all your grilling needs.
When you combine simple design with durable material, you end up with a charcoal grill that can perform the basic grilling tasks.
The body of the Beau Jardin 18-inch Charcoal Grill consists of a combination of aluminum and steel, which explains why it weighs less than 12 pounds. The lightweight construction makes this grill ideal to equip yourself with for a camping trip.
Thanks to the porcelain enamel bowl, the grill can effectively retain heat, which means the food will cook at a consistent level. The air vents also play their part in regards to providing enough circulation for the food to grill properly and still taste great.
Features
#3. Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill
If you value portability to be a must-have charcoal grill design feature, you'll find that the Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill will cater to your grilling needs.
When you pick up the box this grill comes in, the first thing you will notice is how lightweight the box feels.
This is because it weighs less than 10 pounds, which is unheard of in the charcoal grill market.
It does not come with handles on the side, but the lid does feature one.
To transport the Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill will prove to be difficult because you're vulnerable to touching the burning charcoal on the bottom.
The lack of handles is a major complaint buyers had, but the revelation didn't shock them since this charcoal grill costs less than a tank of gas.
For a family of five, the Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill is ideal especially because it can hold and cook up to five burgers. The burgers that were used to scale were ones made with a Weber burger press.
The low price tag of the Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill makes it perfect for those who want to practice charcoal grilling or just need a simple grill to cook basic dishes.
It comes with the same porcelain enamel lid and bowl that the other affordable charcoal grills have, and it costs a fraction of the price.
Features
#4. Cuisinart CCG-190 Charcoal Grill
Cuisinart has been a leader in the kitchenware market for decades, and it continues to live up to its reputation. The brand began to sell small kitchen appliances and grew to manufacture other cooking tools such as outdoor grills.
After considering various Cuisinart grills, the one that offers the most bang for your buck is the CCG-190 Charcoal Grill.
Initially, you will most likely assume that the CCG-190 Charcoal Grill is too small for you to effortlessly cook a meal for the entire family because it has a diameter of 14 inches.
However, the 150 square inches of cooking space translates to the chrome plated grill being able to accommodate six burgers at the same time.
Even though the Cuisinart CCG-190 Charcoal Grill has a tiny price tag, it doesn't reflect the overall quality of the grill. For instance, the firebox comes coated with enamel, which ensures that the grill puts up with extremely harsh cooking conditions.
Next up is the dual venting system that keeps the heat at a stable level. This stability in temperature allows you to either cook a meal quickly under hot temperatures or to simmer a meal under low temperatures.
Keep in mind that the Cuisinart CCG-190 Charcoal Grill doesn’t come with handles on the side, but it does include three locks that can secure the lid of this grill in case you want to move it somewhere.
Features
#5. Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Customers rave about the durability of the Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill since it has lasted them years after continuous use.
Weber purposefully designed the 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill to operate as a portable yet durable grill.
Typically, portable grills weigh less than 10 pounds, so how does the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill fall under the portable category when it weighs over 14 pounds.
The manufacturer claims to hold portability and durability to the same standard in regards to the design of this charcoal grill.
Based on the weight alone, it’s clear that Weber did place durability above ease of transport.
The addition of porcelain enameled coating ensures that rust or fading does not occur, which is good news for the food you'll be grilling. While most affordable charcoal grills feature aluminum or steel as a base, the cooking grate of the Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is made out of triple plated nickel.
Most charcoal grills that cost less than $50 cannot grill a variety of meals, so you’re stuck cooking the same dishes over and over again. The Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill breaks that stereotype because you can grill any type of food to perfection on it.
Features
#6. Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill
Whether you're using the charcoal grill for your family or a couple of friends, it's always wise to take into account the size of the grill cooking surface.
The Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill is the biggest charcoal grill on this list, so if you're planning a big cookout anytime soon, you should seriously consider purchasing this one.
When you combine a barbecue, offset smoker, and charcoal grill, your result comes in the form of the Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill.
Regardless of the meat, you grill on it, it will always taste juicy and tender while maintaining a smoked flavor.
You can cook for a range of six to fifteen people with the Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill, with different meat surrounding the cooking surface.
The cooking surface you’ll primarily put to use measures around 435 square inches, and comes with porcelain wire cooking grates.
Having complete control over the temperature of this charcoal grill is an easy feat because all you have to do is open the air vents when necessary and read the temperature displayed on the built-in thermometer.
This allows you to pinpoint exactly which meat is ready and which requires more time on the grill. The Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill can be your go-to outdoor grill to feed your friends and family.
Features
Final Thoughts
Grill enthusiasts encourage those new to the art of grilling to attempt to master using a charcoal grill because it cooks food to a superior quality that puts gas grill cooking to shame.
If you're really having a hard time deciding which type of grilling is best, you might pick the best of both worlds and go with a pellet grill.
Out of all the charcoal grills to choose from, I'm partial to the Weber grills mentioned above, but examples from Cuisinart, Royal Gourmet, and Beau Jardin are absolutely worth a look.