The Best Charcoal Grill 2023, Tested and Reviewed

This article was updated by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats. She’s written close to a dozen pieces on all styles of grills and done firsthand testing of smokers and grills featured in her articles. Ariane Resnick, who also updated this article, is a special diet chef, weber bbq certified nutritionist, and bestselling author. She has more than 20 years experience in the food and writing spaces and believes in a joy-filled approach to health and wellness. Then, completely open the propane tank’s valve slowly and pause to allow time for the gas to travel through the gas line.

Grill efficiency lies in other design details, he explains, such as the positioning of the grates and air dampers. Great flavors start at the heart weber bbq of every Weber grill—it’s lid and bowl. The design, which has stayed pretty much since 1962, promotes even heat circulation inside the grill.

Take a look at our chart and see how best selling Weber gas grills from different collections compare to each other. It adds another four inches of grill space for a total cooking area of 18 inches, which means eight burgers instead of five. The Spirit II E-310 is a perfectly fine gas grill, just not an exceptional one. There were some flare-ups during cooking, and we found about a 15-degree difference between foods cooked in the front and those in the back and center. There’s truth to the idea that you get what you pay for – and what you overpay for. When you examine most of Weber’s offerings, you’ll find that they’re simple and well engineered, not over-engineered.

Ace carries a comprehensive lineup of the entire Weber Grill catalog. We have the ideal Weber grill to suit your outdoor setting, patio, or deck. With your very own Weber, you can be the celebrity chef of your own backyard! As brands go, Weber is a highly trusted name in the outdoor grill industry. Boasting classic charcoal grills to cutting edge gas grills, Weber’s lineup will impress you with its versatility and focus on reliable functionality.

Place the griddle or skillet on the gas grill and turn all burners to HIGH. Do not oil the griddle or skillet as we want the meat to stick to the surface to promote crustification. The main cooking grate is actually three separate pieces that can be lifted off of the grill for access to the charcoal tray—which has holes big enough to brush ash through. Below, a slide-out ash tray/shelf/drawer runs the entire width of the grill. The latter part enables you to use accessories such as a wok, a Dutch oven, and a pizza stone.

Before any grill goes out, the brand tests everything to ensure it matches the brand’s high standards. In terms of longevity, Weber grills will last you practically forever (as long as you take care of them). And if for some reason something goes wrong with your grill, Weber has an excellent customer support team, who can help you find replacement parts and services. Whether you’re an avid camper or a tailgate fanatic, Weber’s wide array of portable grills have something for you. These smaller units offer a surprising amount of power in their compact frames.

The Performer also has Original’s top and bottom damper arrangement, which allows high-heat cooking and serves as an excellent smoker in low-heat applications. Its temperature fluctuated no more than 20 degrees over six and a half hours of smoking. The hinged sides and pop-out center of the grate are nice for adding charcoal while cooking. We found it difficult, however, to use these to arrange or bank the coals without burning ourselves, as it required us to remove the entire grate for safety. It includes a cart with a work table, a charcoal storage bin, and a sensible lid-holding rack.

If you do want something a bit cheaper or smaller, we’ve also tested and recommend the Q 1200. As you might know, starting a charcoal grill usually begins with simply getting the coals warmed up in a chimney starter. It comes with an auto-start gas ignition that consistently lit the coals for us.

From the portable table-top Hibachi grill (perfect for camping trips as well as backyard grilling) to the original Kettle Premium that will take you straight back to those amazing cookouts of yesteryear. From burgers and veggies to shish-kebabs and fillets, you will love how your charcoal grill provides your feasts with that telltale charcoal-grilled aroma that you’ve come to know and love. Both times we tested it, we found the grill was really easy to use, as it’s easy to light, has immaculate temperature regulation, and practically operates itself. It was the fastest pellet grill to reach 500 degrees, achieving it in under 10 minutes.

All grills are fully assembled, plus we carry Weber accessories and Blue Rhino propane tanks. The pill-shaped Smokey Mountain drops the coalbed down a foot or two, adds a door to throw new coals on and comes with a porcelain-enameled water rack to keep things nice and humid. If you want food closer to the fire, there’s a grate beneath the top grate for charring. The brand started in Illinois, and Weber continues to make its grills in Huntley, Illinois, while they’re designed and engineered in the Chicago quarters. From the classic Kettle to the brand-new Stand-Up Griddle range, here’s everything you need to know about Weber, America’s favorite grill maker.