It scored incredibly high for performance, with testers praising it for its attractive Maillard reaction grill marks during the steak test. As a smoker, it burned through wood quickly, but with regular monitoring, the temperature was consistent and accurate. A cheap charcoal grill isn’t worth the savings if it’s unstable, struggles to maintain temperature, or is awkward to use. Likewise, a high-end, expensive grill is only worth the splurge if it helps you cook a superior steak (or burger, or whatever), and is a pleasure to use. Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Grill The Go-Anywhere is a good example of Weber’s quality dropping when the grill is below a certain price point. It yielded good charring and grill marks in our testing, but the temperature of the finished food varied by more than 15 degrees.
Four dampers provide excellent airflow but may prove difficult for a beginning griller to learn to manipulate. As our searing test showed, not fully respecting the power of the airflow can result in flares, over-charring, and dried food. The stainless steel grate has a hinged, removable section that facilitates quickly adding more charcoal during long cooks, weber portable grill and the lid, while heavy, is well-hinged and easy to open and close. The Char-Griller Super Pro is a versatile steel barrel charcoal grill with a whopping 850 square inches of total cooking area, if you count the top warming rack. The main grates are made of heavy-duty cast iron and resemble the grates of some of the best gas grills we tested this year.
It’s also a lot compared with the Weber’s 363-square-inch cooking area. 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.
To see for myself, I filled my yard with highly rated grills and enlisted the help of a year-round charcoal grillmaster who also happens to be a Weber enthusiast (and also happens to be my husband). With open minds and lots of raw meat, we tested seven promising charcoal grills under $500. And to learn more about how we tested and what we looked for, scroll to the bottom.
Toast to the authenticity of charcoal grilling, classic design, and taste loved around the world—the Original Kettle. Its ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, while the dampers can be easily adjusted for precise temperature control. Whether they were charcoal or propane, stationary or portable, all of our favorite Weber grills had some things in common. High-quality Weber grills are easy to assemble (although as with most other brands, the charcoal grills have fewer parts and are simpler to put together than gas models). The best grills are intuitive to use, without confusing bells and whistles. The heat source is consistent, as well as simple to adjust and add to while cooking.
This is located below the kettle or barrel of the grill, and many models include a handle that dumps the ash. Do not put hot ashes in a trash can, or scatter them over grass or in wooded areas until they are entirely cooled. Immerse yourself in the sound of crackling briquettes and the rich, inviting smell of smoke. Stay true to the modern version of the kettle that started it all – the Original Kettle. The One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle-free charcoal ash and debris cleanup by sweeping it into the rust-resistant ash catcher.
You can thank the porcelain-enameled bowl and lid, which are heat retention pros, for that. Still, keeping an eye on the thermometer will help you determine if you need to add more coal, wood, or even adjust the airflow using the rust-resistant aluminum dampers. These vents are also useful when extinguishing the fire, as closing them cuts off oxygen. The Q 1400 is the electric cousin of the gas-fueled Q 1200 and is a good fit for balcony cooking where gas or charcoal are prohibited. The grill temperature on the high setting maxed out our thermometer at 610°F after five minutes. Shying away from going full-bore on the temperature yielded fine results in our cooking tests, with reasonably even cooking.
The cost of the grill is justified with thoughtful design features, like a hinged lid with an XL handle and a front-loading fuel door so you can easily add or remove charcoal or wood. It’s also super sturdy, with four wheels and plenty of work and storage space. You’d be forgiven for thinking this charcoal grill was “just” a smoker, thanks to its design. With features and functions that optimize low-and-slow grilling and smoking, this handsome grill is well worth the moderately high price.
Cast iron or cast aluminum grates will give you better grill marks if those are a significant consideration, as both are more conductive than stainless steel. That’s not to say you won’t get caramelization with stainless steel, but the distinctive patterns won’t be as prominent. In terms of longevity and consistent results, we have to give proper respect to the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill. The somewhat annoying issue of where to put the lid aside, its no-frills design delivers consistent heat and easy heat regulation at a price that justifies the quality. If you’re looking for a cart or barrel-style charcoal grill, the Char-Griller Classic Cart Style Charcoal Grill performed the best in this category.