Weber charcoal grills also tend to have a smaller cooking capacity and fewer special features than gas models. Has 580 square inches of area with cooking and warming zones. This full-size Masterbuilt is another model that came out on top when we tested charcoal grills. It fires up to an impressive 700 degrees Fahrenheit, and the charcoal is stored inside a vertical hopper so the heat is drawn in horizontally and diffused before it hits the grates. Temperatures can peak in as little as 15 minutes after lighting the charcoal—that’s really, really fast for a charcoal grill.
If you often grill after dark, look for a Weber model with lighted control knobs or lighted handles. These amenities make it much easier to see what you’re doing, so you can be sure weber portable grill that your food is grilled perfectly. The grill’s lid is secured on a convenient hinge that makes it easy to open, and the unit is mounted on a cart with four locking caster wheels.
The fire and heat from the newspaper ignites the bottom coals, then the fire builds up. When the top coals are covered with gray ash, you’re ready to go. Recently, they changed the company name to SnS Grills and introduced their very own Slow ‘N Sear Kettle Grill. If you add the cost of a Slow ‘N Sear insert to a weber gas grill Weber Performer (and you should) the Slow ‘N Sear Kettle is about the same price. This makes it a solid package deal that’s definitely worth the consideration of folks on the lookout for a new charcoal burner. Speaking of Slow ‘N Sear, this company was built on their innovative charcoal insert, mentioned above.
The Weber can also smoke low and slow at a rock-steady cooking temperature. With three heavy-duty grates for cooking, you’ll have plenty of room for all those burgers and brats with this stainless charcoal grill from Dyna-Glo. The smoke stack allows for temperature control and the side shelves and storage basket have room for keeping food and grilling tools nearby. “We used our grill for a large BBQ at our house and it was able to handle a large amount of food—chicken, dogs, burgers, veggies. The features make this grill easy to use and adjust to cook your food as you like it.
In her spare time, you’ll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend. Ribs cooked on the Nexgrill had lots of bark but were juicy and tender inside. Stack your charcoal briquettes in two rows of two deep along the inner wall of the grill.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that’s designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections. If you want a Weber for tailgating, camping, etc., this is one of the best portable grills out there. We noted similar temperature performance from the Nexgrill, along with similar rib results.
This sturdy charcoal grill is as effective for cooking burgers in your backyard as it is for feeding hungry sports fans while tailgating. And, during our last round of grill testing, it won our top prize for best overall. Cast iron components add substantial weight to your charcoal grill, so if you’re leaning toward that material, get yourself a grill with wheels. The heavier the grill, the more troublesome moving and cleaning it may be. Dropping ash around the yard, in the garage, or, worse, on your clothing, can be annoying to clean up, so ensure you’ve got the space to make moving your charcoal grill a breeze.
Meat from the Nexgrill was delicious, with just a bit more flavor than the Weber. Between them, I’d say it largely depends on your budget and what style of grill you prefer for other meats like burgers or steak. For our tests, each grill gets a full chimney of lit charcoal and a 6-pound chicken opposite the coals for indirect heat. For this review, I focused on the top-rated Gold and Platinum Medal winning models from the AmazingRibs.com database of almost 600 searchable equipment reviews. The list below spans a range of features and prices, including both newer models and well-established leaders in the field. Weber provides the dimensions of a grill’s primary cooking area, secondary cooking area, (including side burners and warming trays), and total cooking area.
Leaky grills are harder to control and get rated accordingly. To dial in my target cooking temperatures accurately, I use multi-channel digital thermometers with temperature probes clipped to the cooking surface. Charcoal grills usually don’t have as many bells and whistles as gassers, but I assess whatever goodies are included, particularly ash removal systems. This multi-level charcoal grill from KamadoJoe features a thick-walled, heat-resistant ceramic shelf that locks in smoke and moisture when cooking.
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 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.