5 Best Charcoal Grills of 2024, According to Experts

This large kettle grill is remarkably versatile. On the stainless-steel grate, there’s room to grill about 13 hamburger patties at once. However, because you can adjust the heat by opening and closing the vents in the bottom and in the lid, it’s easy to control the heat. That means when thick pork chops or chicken legs are on the menu you can sear them, then close the vents and reduce the heat to prevent them from charring before they’re done. The grate is hinged on both sides so it’s convenient to lift one side and add more briquets if you’re having a party and turning out hot dogs throughout the evening or cooking a turkey or pork butt low and slow for hours.

Lots of extras make the grill convenient to use. In the lid, there’s a thermometer and on the bottom, a place to hang your tools. A heat shield underneath the lid handle makes it easy to open without singeing your hand, and the lid rests on the side of the grill while you turn the kabobs or baste the ribs. Underneath the kettle, there’s a big bucket called an ash catcher; using a lever, you sweep the ashes into it. The only thing missing are side tables for holding a platter. You can choose your Weber with a black, green or copper finish.

Yes, you can spread out burgers and brats across the wide grates, but thanks to a crank that lets you lower the charcoal pan, moving it further from the food, you can also slowly smoke a rack of baby back ribs without worrying about flare-ups. To fill the grill pan, you’ll need a lot of briquets and you’ll find you have to add more often. However, a door makes it easy to replenish the charcoal and a shelf below the grill gives you a place to keep an extra bag at the ready.

Unlike a kettle-style grill, this Royal Gourmet has side tables to hold your tongs and trays and platters. You’ll also find a thermometer in the lid to give you a rough idea as to how hot it is under the hood and a warming rack that’s helpful for keeping the burgers warm and for heating the buns. There’s a large ash tray right on the front of the grill that’s easy to remove and empty.

If you’re one of those grillers who really likes to experiment, you’ll be willing to pay big bucks for the control and flexibility you get with this heavy ceramic grill. Its ability to hold in heat, maintain a steady temperature, and keep in moisture makes it possible to grill a pizza, smoke a prime rib, and yes, cook a perfect steak. You can cook on two levels at once so you can slow smoke salmon at the same time that you’re fast grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids.

Instead of briquets, the Kamodo Joe uses lump hardwood charcoal. Although it can be hard to find, it lights easily and burns slowly. This model is distinguished from other kamados by its spring-loaded hinge which makes it easy to raise and lower the heavy domed lid and prevents it from slamming shut. When it’s in the closed position the lid seals to hold in heat. An adjustable vent on top gives you control over the temperature inside the cooker. There’s an ash drawer that slides out to make it easy to dump the ashes after they’ve cooled down.

For the price of the grill, you get a wheeled stand and side tables with hooks for your tools. The exterior is a distinctive red.

With this grill you get the best of both worlds. It can be used with either charcoal or a propane tank so you can quickly cook swordfish steaks and veggies during the week and then go for ribs or London broil with big smoky flavor on the weekends. The grate is large enough to sling about 20 burgers. However, on this grill it’s hard to control the heat flow, so it’s better for relatively fast cooking items than roasts or whole poultry.

Even when you opt to cook over charcoal, you turn on the gas burners to light the briquets, eliminating one of the big hassles of charcoal grilling. The Gas2coal has two side tables and one has a gas-powered burner for heating barbecue sauce or baked beans, a feature you won’t find on a charcoal-only grill. In the lid, there’s a temperature gauge and under the hood, a warming rack.

If there’s always a party in your backyard, you’ll love this grill. It has a grate that can handle at least 28 hamburgers, depending on how big you shape your patties. As it has a crank to raise or lower the cooking surface, you can slow roast a leg of lamb or quick grill shrimp or hot dogs. Under the grates, there’s a door to make it easy to stoke the grill with briquets if you’re cooking throughout the afternoon or evening.

The Char-Griller has a warming rack that you can use to keep food at serving temperature or heat up buns. With two side tables, you have a landing pad for your tongs and basting brush. Under the grill there’s a shelf for stashing your chimney starter and an extra bag of charcoal. Nice features include a thermometer in the hood, a removable ash pan, and a bottle opener on the front, so the griller in chief can open their cold one.