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Best Charcoal Grill • Reviews & Buying Guide (November 2024)

Updated: November 11, 2024

Best Charcoal Grill • Reviews & Buying Guide (November 2024)

Charcoal grills are a stapple outdoor cooking option due to their versatility. Choosing one is a relatively easy process providing you take some time to look at their different features and read some reviews beforehand.

Kingsford is a famous name when it comes to the wonderful world of grilling. Any Kingsford charcoal grill is a classic. The company has been at it for decades and still doing better. Take a look at a few of the newer models.

Pretty much everybody who loves to grill enjoys a good, old-fashioned charcoal grill. When shopping for one, we want the best charcoal grills we can find. Design does affect function and all the grills are a bit different.

Pretty much everybody who loves to grill enjoys a good, old-fashioned charcoal grill.

Consider size and needs to make a good choice. Three of the more popular Kingsford models are described here so you can have a look for yourself. When you find some charcoal grills for sale, take some time to choose and invest wisely.

Gas and charcoal combination grills are a fantastic way of cooking all different types of food. Many are also featuring a side burner in order to cook vegetable accompaniments in close proximity to the rest of the meal for convenience.

Designed to look great in any yard while providing great flavor to all different types and cuts of meat, gas and charcoal grill combos are suitable to be used by all adults, whatever their cooking ability, and can be large enough to cater for the masses.

Best Charcoal Grill

Kingsford Charcoal Grill Foldable Side Shelf & Tool Hooks

Kingsford Charcoal Grill Foldable Side Shelf & Tool Hooks

Here we have the brilliance of Kingsford at work on a grill that is not only a nice looking design in polished black, but also has versatility to its cooking abilities. This grill is almost four feet wide and over 26 inches deep with not one, but two cooking areas.

One cooking area in this grill, which could double as a smoker, is 360 square inches which is perfect even for larger groups of hungry people. The secondary cooking rack, also of cast-iron, is 205 inches squared in total area.

One cooking area in this grill, which could double as a smoker, is 360 square inches which is perfect even for larger groups of hungry people.

This is intended as an optimal patio grill. You can reach very high temperatures or easily moderate temperature with the many adjustable vents included in the design. You are assured Kingsford durability.

The wood slatted side shelf, stained dark to match the grill body, does indeed fold down and sports side hooks for all the essential tools. Plenty of storage space is available due to a nice rack at the bottom of the grill stand.


Kingsford OGD2001901-KF Outdoor Charcoal Kettle Grill

Kingsford OGD2001901-KF Outdoor Charcoal Kettle Grill

For even more affordable models of charcoal grills for sale, we find this great little 27 inch round Kingsford grill ready to go at a great price. This is a basic grill, but has adjustability and is easier to clean than larger grills. It is a good beginner’s grill.

The total cooking area, at 354 square inches, is ideal for couples or small groups of people. Keep in mind this is a fine grill but it is also designed to be basic, simple, easy to use, and easy to clean.

Keep in mind this is a fine grill but it is also designed to be basic, simple, easy to use, and easy to clean.

Much like the finer gas grills: this charcoal model has the cast iron grating with porcelain coating. That means less burning and even easier cleaning. Such a grating design also provides optimal natural flavors to come through.

Naturally, there is a bottom rack for some storage and wheels so you can move it from one spot to the next without dropping. The rotational air vent works well to adjust temperature and smoke output.


Kingsford GR1031-14985 Barrel Charcoal Grill

Kingsford GR1031-14985 Barrel Charcoal Grill

This is more of a grill and smoker than just a grill. It sports plenty of extended workspaces of just the right dimensions. You can store anything you need for the cooking on the bottom, side or front racks provided. It helps to stay organized and prepared when you are the grill master.

At just over 3 feet long for the main cooking compartment, there is a total of 698 square inches of broad cooking space to place your culinary collections. The warming rack atop is a chrome plated, cast iron grating. This is perfect for cooking foods at lower temperatures or keeping cooked foods warm.

When it comes to producing that good old charcoal smoke and mesquite or cedar smoked meat collection, the Kingsford experience simply cannot be beaten.

When it comes to producing that good old charcoal smoke and mesquite or cedar smoked meat collection, the Kingsford experience simply cannot be beaten. This is definitely the grill for the real enthusiast.

The bottom rack is broad and great for storage. Wheels are included for improved transport. It is a perfect outdoor deck grill.

Best Wood Pellet Grill

REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill

REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill

A wood pellet grill really is good for the money, especially this sturdy model. This is perfect for wood smoking meat projects for large parties. With a 40 pound hopper capacity, this grill can run some serious selections of cooking all at one time while bringing in wood fire flavors.

The REC TEC uses something called “Smart Grill Technologyâ„¢” which is a mechanism that precisely controls heating at a range starting from 180 degrees F up to 500 degrees in increments of five degrees.

The finish stands up to high temperatures even after extended use. It comes in a red maroon color with a black base.

It is constructed of durable stainless steel with strong, micro polished bull horn handles also crafted of strong steel. The cooking area is a total of 702 square inches, which is almost two feet deep to three full feet wide.

The finish stands up to high temperatures even after extended use. It comes in a red maroon color with a black base. Assembly is required, so have the basic tools ready and be prepared for at least an hour of set up time.

Best Gas Charcoal Grill Combo

Char-Broil 463714514 Charcoal and Gas Combo Grill

Char-Broil 463714514 Charcoal and Gas Combo Grill

A sleek looking combination gas and charcoal grill, the Char-Broil 463714514 has a lidded gas chamber with three burners that can provide up to 36,000 BTUs and a lidded side burner that can provide up to 12,000 BTUs for quality cooked meat.

The gas chamber of this grill features a fully adjustable height, crank operated grate and a charcoal access door. A slide out ash pan is also incorporated into this model’s design, allowing for extremely easy cleaning after cooking.

This product is a quality yet inexpensive combination grill that will last for many years to come.

With porcelain-coated wire swing-away sections and porcelain-coated cast-iron primary grates, this product is a quality yet inexpensive combination grill that will last for many years to come, offering good value for money.

Standing at almost 47″ high, this piece of cooking equipment is 74″ long with a 28″ depth, and gives a total cooking area of 505 square inches making it a perfect option for those who like to cook for large amounts of people at once.


DynaGlo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill

DynaGlo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill

Featuring commercial grade quality stainless steel burners for optimum performance, the DynaGlo DGB730SNB-D offers durability and longevity with a traditionally good looking design, and will look at home in any yard or outdoor area.

With wheels for easy maneuverability, this grill has a charcoal chamber with an easy to use tray adjustment system that allows you to control the temperature that your food is cooked at to ensure fantastically good tasting results every time.

Offering a respectful total cooking area of 952 square inches, the DGB730SNB-D is capable of cooking up to 38 hamburgers at once.

Offering a respectful total cooking area of 952 square inches, the DGB730SNB-D is capable of cooking up to 38 hamburgers at once, all while leaving the side burner free for cooking the accompanying vegetables, such as potatoes and corn cobs.

Giving a decent 24,000 BTUs cooking power in total, this grill is perfect for the serious outdoor cook, and is a great option for catering for larger parties. Its electronic ignition system ensures easy lighting, while its incorporated thermometers allow you to keep an eye on cooking temperatures.


Smoke Hollow PS9900 4-in-1 Gas Charcoal Smoker and Grill

Smoke Hollow PS9900 4-in-1 Gas Charcoal Smoker and Grill

With four different cooking options in one piece of outdoor equipment, the Smoke Hollow PS9900 can be used as either a gas or charcoal grill, or as a smoker or searing burner to provide variety to the flavor of your different meats.

Standing at 54″ tall, this grill is 82″ long with a 23″ depth, making it a large piece of equipment that can cater for lots of people; its infrared three burner liquid propane chamber can cook up to 20 burgers at once, while its charcoal grill can be used to add the classic barbeque flavor to food.

Featuring porcelain coated grills and warming racks, the PS9900 is a durable and long lasting product.

Featuring porcelain coated grills and warming racks, the PS9900 is a durable and long lasting product that is well suited to larger gardens and gatherings. Heat is fully adjustable on this model, with the gas grill having temperature regulators and the charcoal grill being adjustable.

What’s more, thanks to the innovative design of this product, clean-up has never been easier with removable ash pans and grease trays making the process a quick and painless one for all involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose charcoal BBQ grills?

Some people cannot afford technologically advanced super gas grills, but they still love to grill and they like the old methods.

Though most of us are aware that smoked foods have some negative effects on health, many of which can be prevented by taking vitamin C, there is still nothing quite as good as a nice charcoal grill taste. These grills are easy to transport and since the fuel is charcoal, it is pretty cheap compared to a gas grill that runs on propane tank.

Some people cannot afford technologically advanced super gas grills, but they still love to grill and they like the old methods. In this case, such folks are in luck because even the best charcoal BBQ grills are quite reasonably priced.

Where do I buy charcoal BBQ grills and smokers?

You can get a simple, basic grill or go all the way up to the most decked-out outdoor charcoal grills.

The best thing to do in order to find a good grill of the charcoal burning variety is to go online and check out some of the links on our website. When you shop around, you will be seeing a lot of black smokers and grills and grill smokers perfect for your barbecue pleasure and party enjoyment.

You can get a simple, basic grill or go all the way up to the most decked-out outdoor charcoal grills. Some of them are great smokers as well. Add the wood chips of your choice for flavoring, switch up different types of charcoal such as hardwood.

What features should I look for?

Larger grills and especially grill smokers are going to take much more effort and elbow grease to clean than some of the more basic models available.

You should ideally get the grill you want and avoid holding back because you don’t think you deserve the best. Kingsford grills are some of the best on the market and overall charcoal grills ratings rate this company’s grills high on the scales because they work, they last, and they stay intact. Also, be sure to get plenty of charcoal pans for grills too.

The main thing you do need to consider is ease of cleaning. Larger grills and especially grill smokers are going to take much more effort and elbow grease to clean than some of the more basic models available. If you actually do not have much spare time in your life, choose a simpler grill.

Why buy a combination grill?

Gas grills do not offer the same great and unmistakable flavor that comes with cooking over mad hot charcoals.

While gas grills are often bought because of their ease of lighting and cleaning, and their ability to change temperature quickly and effectively, they unfortunately do not offer the same great and unmistakable flavor that comes with cooking over mad hot charcoals.

Combination cookers, however, offer the best of both worlds; allowing you to cook meat and vegetarian meat substitutes over a gas grill for even distribution of heat, before finishing them off on the charcoal chamber to give it that unique and distinctive taste that we all know and love, combination grills are the ideal solution for those who don’t like to decide between the benefits of the two.

Are combination grills very expensive?

Combination gas and charcoal grills do tend to be more expensive than grills that feature just one of these cooking preferences.

Combination gas and charcoal grills do tend to be more expensive than grills that feature just one of these cooking preferences, with some being even more costly than the price of buying two separate but different grills (although this doesn’t seem to be the case all too often).

Offering the best barbequing experience possible, these types of grills are a great purchase if you find yourself planning to cook outdoors often, and so many people feel that this increase in price is often worth it for the increase in the quality of food when cooked thoroughly by this piece of equipment.

Are combination grills bigger than standard grills?

Because their design incorporates both a gas and a charcoal grill, combination versions do tend to be significantly bigger.

Because their design incorporates both a gas and a charcoal grill, combination versions do tend to be significantly bigger, commanding more presence in a yard than you may be already used to, and therefore taking up far more room – something that can be a problem in smaller homes.

However, because of their increased size, combination grills are ideal for anyone who finds themselves cooking for many people at once, or for people who have different preferences when it comes to this style of cooking. Some combination grills are able to cook over 40 hamburgers at the same time, making them great for parties.

In Summary

As you can clearly see, a charcoal grill is a popular commodity. There are so many models and the company has an excellent reputation. Find the right grill or grill/smoker and you have a product which always pleases.

Combination grills are great for anyone who likes the convenience of cooking on gas, and the flavor that comes with charcoal. With many available on the market today, they are not as expensive as they once were, but are slightly more costly than your standard grill.

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