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.
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.
However, many grilling purists don’t feel that gas grills offer the same smoky flavor that you can get from a charcoal grill. Weber gas grills tend to cost more than charcoal models, but gas is usually cheaper to operate in the long run. The grill is a classic 22-inch kettle, offering 363 square inches of cooking space, and there’s a weather-protected charcoal storage bin underneath the grill’s shelf. Most charcoal grills are simple, but this one has various extra features that make it more convenient.
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.
Even if it costs a little more, you’ll be glad you shelled out the extra dough for that convenience, which takes away much of the pain in the ash. A grill grate is the surface you put your food on to cook, and it’s the only part that makes direct contact with your ingredients. With that in mind, the material your grate is made of directly affects your food’s taste and cook time, as well as the lifespan of your grill.
Grill grates are typically made with stainless steel, cast iron, and enamel, each with their pros and cons. A. Because it offers the easiest operation, a Weber gas grill is usually the best option for beginners. To start the grill, you only have to turn a few dials and press the ignition button, and your grill is ready in minutes. Cleanup is also easy, so you might be inclined to grill more often than if you had a charcoal model. When you’re choosing among the different types of Weber grills, opting for gas, charcoal, or electric is really a matter of personal preference.
“For the money you cannot beat this grill.” Cook up the best ribs with these five grilling tools. When it comes to charcoal grills, sometimes workspace is limited. This deluxe charcoal grill from Weber weber portable grill changes that, with space for food prep along with storage space underneath. It features an electronic touch-and-go gas ignition system and removable LCD cook timer and built-in lid thermometer.