Equipment Review: Best Charcoal Grills

Could any affordable charcoal grill on the market trump our tried-and-true favorite, the basic Weber kettle? We reviewed 7 charcoal grills—watch to see how we tested them. See which ones heated up the competition, and which ones left us cold.

We tested seven charcoal grills priced at $400 or less.

Grilling: We grilled hamburgers, fish fillets, and beef satay skewers, rating grills on their performance during quick, hot cooking. Grills that provided a thick sear rated highest.

BBQ/Heat Retention: We barbecued baby back ribs for 4 hours, turning them every 30 minutes and adding coals after 2 hours. We also monitored the temperatures of the grills for 2 hours with identical volumes of hot coals and half-open vents, without opening lids. The best grills maintained steady heat with the least temperature drop.

Design: We considered how easy it was to add coals, as well as grill layout, air vent position and control, lid, wheels, handles, and other features that contributed to the grills’ performance, ease of use, and versatility.

Assembly: We timed a pair of testers with no special training as they assembled each grill, noting the quality of the instructions. Faster assembly times earned high marks.

Cleanup: Grills that made it easier to remove ashes rated higher.

Capacity: We tested the fit of 14-pound turkeys under the lid of each grill and whether eight 4-inch hamburgers could be grilled at once.

Construction Quality: We observed the sturdiness of each grill and its condition by the end of testing.

Grate: We preferred cast-iron bars and roomy cooking surfaces.

Favorite Features: We noted parts of the grill that helped it perform better or made it easier to use.

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[КоляАртёмов-ьы]

*Love it!! I used to use a propane grill and after using my Weber, the food just tastes so much better and the temp **MyBest.Kitchen** control is so easy! Will never use a propane grill again!*

[rackets]

I love my Weber! Far better than any other brand I've owned! Plus the stainless grate is great, especially in the humid climate of the gulf coast where I live. I've owned a grill with cast iron grates which rusted horribly with the constant humidity, not to mention it imparted a rusty iron flavor to food which was awful. Definitely loving my Weber! Plus, 3 years, NO rust!

[troyallen]

I love my Weber Performer and think it is the best choice all around, but I've never had coals that big fall into my ash catcher. lol

[nunurbuisness]

I would just buy the standard Webber and put a cheap hard table by it. the chimney starters work great no need for a propane starter

[MrTorontomario]

love my weber kettle grill. Had it for at least 8 years now. It still does the job no bells and whistles like some of the new versions. But anyone thats had food on it at my bbqs never any complaints in fact they eat more.

[hllywdz]

I have a Weber Performer Platinum. The gas starter is a super feature and I absolutely love it. It's even easier than a piece of wadded newspaper, a few drops of vegetable oil, and a chimney starter, in fact I use my chimney starter with the gas starter sometimes and it couldn't be easier. The propane cylinder lasts quite a few uses. Although I don't use starter fluid, I'd say it lasts quite a bit longer than a bottle of fluid would from what I remember when I did. I can't say  how it stacks up against the other grills in the test, but the range of optional accessories make the Weber very versatile. I recommend it highly. I did find mine slightly used on Craigslist, almost new condition and paid $150, it's worth looking there if you're interested.

[tulsaflyboy]

Just purchased the weber platinum premium from lowes and did some burgers last night and today we are cooking BBQ chicken. I'm in love with the weber 😄

[chukzombi]

i bought a cheapo Meco grill about 20 years ago for 30 dollars and the thing is still going, it has stood outside in all the elements, does everything i want it to do. i picked up a weber smokey joe last month at a garage sale for 5 dollars and i can see why people love them. they are a lot of fun and i probably will buy a bigger version at some point. my old meco is still kicking butt though.

[rickfreeland]

I've had 6 or 7 Webers, several Charbroil Grills and currently have a $30, 000. automatic Southern Pride Grll and my Portable Kitchen grill from my eighth Christmas, 54 years ago. They are all nice grills, but only one will practically last forever, the PK grill. I won the World Championship Open Contest at the Memphis in May BBQ contest cooking Chicken on my Portable Kitchen Grill. I plan to give it to my Grandson Wes when he turns eight in a couple of years. I love my PK Grill. It's the best!

[jalleman]

Love it. I just got a perfomer grill and I must say it is spot on.I do alot of slow and low and this grill has performed up to speed.The best feature of this grill is that it can do it and do it well .I have several gas grills but they dont give the taste or attitude of charcoal. Oh yea I only use Stubbs coal as it has a unique flavor

[JoeyDoingThings]

A trend in a lot of these comment sections is that if one's choice didn't win, then that person says that the winner obviously paid for the result. What is the point of watching these videos if you aren't going to trust the results. I have had a Weber, that I picked up from a garage sale, for 10 years. It is incredible in almost all applications. This video confirmed what I already know. If she said another grill was better, would I go buy that grill? No, I love my Weber. But I wouldn't have said she was paid off, I would have thought that the grill she ended up recommending must be pretty awesome if it is better than my Weber. If you like your grill, great! But questioning the integrity of these videos proves you don't care about truth, you want to be validated for how you spend your money. It is pretty sad that you need to be validated if you like what you bought but are annoyed if someone else says something else is better. It is pretty pathetic actually.

[Fusiongearz]

Lots of people praise Weber and say nothing beats it. Don't know about that, but I got a Weber Onetouch as a gift and it is great. Has a feature where you can dump the ash in the kettle into the bucket with a lever, has some openings on the sides of the grates to add more charcoal and it works well for smoking meat. The only thing I would of liked is a side shelf and an easier way to move it other than the two wheels in the back.

[thekizer]

I have 2 webers. The first one took me 20 minutes to put together. Only a phillips screwdriver was needed to put the handles on. The second grill I bought took 15 minutes. This is a no hassle assembly for a years of use.

[crisworkizer]

I totally agree with the weber, its the best bang for the buck.the acceessories are endless for this kettle grill.personally I own two and a weber smokey mountain.these grills last a long time. my dad has the weber that I used at 16 years old that grill is 36 years old.replacement parts are also available through weber or verious bbq suppliers on line.this grill is well proven.

[Toophless]

My Weber Performer Deluxe has been a champion for me for over 20 years! It is a champ!

[Soussmeboules]

Nice advert for Weber! Sorry but I finally chosed a better one these Weber. It cost me EUR 329, 00 and it is certainly cheaper in the US. I opted for a Napoleon PRO22K-LEG, and this was definitely the best choice I could make (cast iron cooking grids, and offset hinged lid to open the bowl makes it way more practical and performant to cook than any of the Webers shown here). Funny you didn't have this one your test.

[ogamiito]

I own the Weber Performer and it is a solid grill, just add as slow and sear and it is perfect.

[cccantrell]

I love my 22" weber kettle. I have grilled in it. Smoked brisket, ribs and pork butts. Reverse seared steaks. It really can do just about anything. It is great for a family. My advise is save the cash and get the weber for $150. You can buy a chimney for cheap and start your coals that way. Then get the slow-n-sear for less than $100 (not necessary, but makes it easier).

[PhastRocket]

I have the basic Weber and it's the perfect charcoal grill, much better than a few propane grills I owned before. I get the smokey charcoal flavour, the temperature control is great, and the grill has generous surface to place my meat for either indirect or direct grilling.

[MysteryMusik]

Just bought a Weber Original Kettle Premium 22" Grill, and it definitely lives up to the reputation. Cooked some awesome burgers, chicken breast and steaks on it already!!