A charcoal grill is one of the most convenient options for cooking outdoors because it doesn't need electricity or gas to power it. It is also a great way to add flavor to your food, as charcoal gives a unique smoky taste that cannot be replicated with other cooking methods.
Charcoal grills are more affordable and portable than gas or electric grills, making them a popular choice for camping trips, picnics or backyard gatherings. Charcoal works simply and straightforwardly - burning charcoal heats the air inside the grill, which in turn cooks your food.
Some popular charcoal grill types include kettle, barrel, and kamado grills. Kettle grills, like Weber's original charcoal grill, are round and compact with a lid that can be conveniently closed for smoking or indirect cooking. Barrel grills have a larger capacity for cooking food, making them suitable for bigger gatherings. Kamado grills, meanwhile, are egg-shaped and made of ceramic material, which helps retain heat more efficiently.
Among all the alternative cooking methods, charcoal grills are also known to produce the least smoke, making them a suitable option for those who want to minimize their environmental impact.
If you're planning to purchase a charcoal grill and looking for a reliable brand, Weber is a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts. They offer a wide range of charcoal grills in different sizes and styles, and this blog will highlight the 5 best ones to help you choose the right one for your needs.
5 Best Charcoal Grills from Weber
Buying a charcoal grill from Weber means you buy from a trusted brand that has been around for 65+ years. Over the years, Weber has consistently delivered high-quality grills known for their durability and performance.
As an industry player for decades, Weber has reworked and refined its production over years to make an ideal charcoal grill. That's why we have curated a list of the 5 best Weber charcoal grills for you to choose from.
For Grilling Even If You're Hiking - Smokey Joe® Charcoal Grill 14"
Key Specs:
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Height: 17 inches
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Width: 14.2 inches
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Depth: 14.5 inches
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Diameter: 14 inches
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Total Cooking Area: 147 square inches
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Primary Cooking Area: 147 square inches
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Cooking Grate Type: Plated steel
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Color: Black
Why Choose It:
Walk, hike, climb, and carry the compact Smokey Joe® Charcoal Grill 14" with you—it is perfect for grilling on the go. You can enjoy the luxury of eating whenever and wherever you want, as you don't have to put it somewhere and wait for it to cool down before you pack it. The grill comes with a plated steel cooking grate that makes cleaning easy, and the heavy-duty bowl and lid are porcelain-enameled, making it rust-resistant.
This grill holds up to five burgers made with a Weber burger press. This is pretty enough for a family, a small group of friends, or just you and the wilderness.
This grill is lightweight and compact, making it extremely portable. Its durable construction ensures it can withstand any outdoor adventure. The porcelain-enameled bowl and lid provide even heat distribution for perfect grilling results every time. Plus, the plated steel cooking grate is easy to clean and maintain.
Dampers allow you to control the temperature inside the device without lifting the lid, so you don't lose heat and can cook more consistently. The ash-catcher makes cleaning up after your grilling session a breeze. This grill's compact size does not compromise its cooking capabilities—it can easily fit in a small car trunk or be carried by hand.
For Better Portability with Its Double Lid Lock - Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18"
Key Specs:
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Height: 19.7 inches
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Width: 20.5 inches
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Depth: 19.7 inches
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Diameter: 18 inches
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Total Cooking Area: 240 square inches
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Primary Cooking Area: 240 square inches
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Cooking Grate Type: Plated steel
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Color: Black
Why Choose It:
Raising the bar to holding eight burgers during a single cooking session, this grill is the perfect option for those who want a larger cooking space but still with portability in mind. It has a double lid lock feature, making it even more secure and easy to transport. The Tuck-N-Carry™ lid lock doubles as a lid holder so you can place the lid aside while grilling.
Additionally, its porcelain-enameled bowl and lid provide reliable heat retention, cooking food evenly with no hot or cold spots. You will feel this, especially when cooking a larger variety of food on the grill. And with dampers to control the temperature, you can easily achieve consistent results every time.
The larger carry handle makes it easier to carry on rough or uneven terrain. The grill also features a rust-resistant aluminum ash catcher for easy cleanup after grilling. Its compact size and durable construction make this grill a great option for outdoor adventures, beach cookouts, or even backyard barbecues.
For Cooking Different Dishes At Once - Master-Touch Charcoal Grill 26"
Key Specs:
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Height: 42.90 inches
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Width: 27.00 inches
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Depth: 33 inches
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Diameter: 26 inches
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Total Cooking Area: 588 square inches
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Primary Cooking Area: 508 square inches
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Cooking Grate Type: WEBER CRAFTED stainless-steel, hinged
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Color: Black, Smoke Grey
Why Choose It:
You travel with a group, and two of you want pizza, while the other 4 want packages, and one person craves a smashed burger. If that's the case, we hope the Master-Touch Charcoal Grill 26" is with you on the trip - as it allows you to shift WEBEFR CRAFTER cooking grates and transform your grill into different cooking zones.
Shifting the grates involves removing the center of the cooking grate, dropping in a piece of custom-fit grillware, and cooking whatever you want with the proper cooking settings. The WEBER CRAFTED stainless-steel grates are designed to withstand the high heat from charcoal and can also be easily removed for cleaning.
There is a bottom damper smoke setting for the airflow regulation, so you can control the temperature of your grill with ease. The damper is also rust-resistant and can be used for long-lasting use. And with the One-Touch™ stainless-steel cleaning system, you can easily clean out the ash after each use. The warming rack area is 80 square inches. The built-in lid thermometer makes monitoring the temperature a piece of cake.
For Cooking for a Large Group - Ranch Kettle Charcoal Grill 37"
Key Specs:
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Height: 42 inches
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Width: 37.7 inches
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Depth: 44.7 inches
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Diameter: 37 inches
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Total Cooking Area: 1,104 square inches
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Primary Cooking Area: 1,104 square inches
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Cooking Grate Type: Stainless steel, hinged
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Color: Black
Why Choose It:
Enjoy the cooking with no limites with over 1,000 square inches of cooking area. The Ranch Kettle Charcoal Grill 37" is perfect for cooking for large groups and events. Its massive size allows you to cook multiple dishes simultaneously, making it ideal for hosting backyard BBQs or tailgating parties.
The stainless steel hinged cooking grate makes it very easy to add charcoal if you feel like extending your cooking time or adding more pieces to cook extra food. The hinged design allows you to easily access the charcoal without removing the entire grate, ensuring that your dishes are cooked evenly and efficiently.
The slide Tuck-Away™ lid holder provides a convenient solution for holding the lid while you check on your food or add more charcoal. This feature also helps save space, making it easier to maneuver around the grill and cook comfortably. Tool hooks are also within reach for hanging grilling tools, such as tongs, spatulas, and brushes.
For a Mini-Kitchen Convenience Outdoors - Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill 22"
Key Specs:
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Height: 43.5 inches
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Width: 48 inches
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Depth: 30 inches
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Diameter: 22 inches
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Total Cooking Area: 363 square inches
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Primary Cooking Area: 363 square inches
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Cooking Grate Type: Gourmet BBQ System plated steel hinged
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Color: Black, Copper, Green
Why Choose It:
Well, this is something new and massive: a kettle-based grill with shelves and a charcoal storage bin. The Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill 22" is not your average backyard grill. It comes equipped with a Touch-N-Go gas ignition system that allows you to start the charcoal fire at a button, saving you time and effort.
This device holds up to 13 burgers, so you can even have a small outdoor party with your friends and family. The built-in lid thermometer ensures you cook your food at the perfect temperature for maximum flavor. The cooking grate is compatible with GBS inserts, so you can experiment with various cooking methods and recipes.
There is a weather-protected CharBin storage container so you can take coal with you everywhere without worrying about getting it wet. Additionally, the all-weather wheels make it easy to move the grill around your backyard or to a different location for outdoor events even when it's wet, sleet, or snow. There are 3 batteries of type AA and AAA, so you have no surprises here.
How to Choose the Best Charcoal Grill? 5 Factors to Look for
Buying a charcoal grill is usually a long-term investment, so don't rely only on what you need now or in the upcoming six months. Try to invest in a device that can serve not only you but your whole family in terms of cooking area and quality of results. When looking for the best charcoal grill, here are five factors you should consider.
Size
There are round and rectangular grills, and they accommodate different volumes of food. If you cook for a large group or if you like hosting outdoor parties, go for a cooking grate with a diameter of around 22 inches. This should fit 13 burgers or even more, depending on their size.
On the other hand, if you rarely use your grill or just for small family gatherings, a smaller cooking grate should do the job. If you know, you'll need the grill for 5-6 people at most, a 14-inch or 18-inch grill would be sufficient, depending on the food choices.
When it comes to size, we know the smaller the better because portability is key to enjoying your grill. So, if you have a limited space on your balcony or patio, you might want to consider a smaller charcoal grill. However, remember that the larger the cooking surface, the more food you can cook at once.
Material
You will have choices for the cooking grate's material, such as cast iron, stainless steel, enameled steel, ceramic, etc. No one is absolutely better than others, but they differ in terms of heat retention and distribution, durability, price, and maintenance.
If you are looking for a traditional grill to cook burgers or hot dogs occasionally, stainless steel would be more suitable as it's easy to clean and relatively affordable. However, if you want a versatile grill that can handle different cooking styles such as smoking and searing, cast iron or ceramic could be better options.
Ease of Assembly
Screwing some parts together will be needed, no matter how simple the grill is designed. Most models come with assembly instructions that are easy to follow, but some may require patience and time.
To save yourself from frustration, choose a grill that comes mostly pre-assembled or at least has clear instructions with labeled parts. You don't want to spend hours putting together your new grill instead of actually using it.
Ease of Cleaning
Removable ash bucket is our strong recommendation, as disassembling different parts to clean is the least enjoyable part of grilling. Easy-access grease trays and drip pans are also important for convenience in cleaning.
To prevent food from sticking to the grill and make cleaning easier, consider purchasing a grill with a non-stick coating or porcelain-enameled surface. These surfaces tend to be more durable and rust-resistant.
Coal and Ash Management
Most probably you'll need to add coal or wood chips during grilling and then dispose of the ash afterward. Some models have convenient features for managing coal and ash, such as an adjustable charcoal tray or a removable ash catcher.
Having these features can make your grilling experience more efficient and less messy, so consider them when choosing a grill.
Be aware that you need a safe method of disposing of hot coals and ash, preferably in a fireproof container until they cool completely.
To Sum Up
Weber offers a wide range of charcoal grills, and you can find one for your solo trips, your family's backyard parties, or your restaurant's patio. The crucial part is the grill's material, which will determine the grilling experience and your food's taste. Consider the size, construction material, additional features, ease of use, and cleaning when making a decision.
Remember that a good charcoal grill invests in delicious meals and enjoyable moments with family and friends. Happy grilling!
