If you’re cooking for one or two people, you can afford to lose some cooking space, but for events and dinner parties, you should skew larger. The larger the surface size, the more vegetables and meats you can cook at one time. No other grill in this group could match the rock-solid temperature control of this iconic cooker. Readings from our own thermocouples, plus a digital pit thermometer, confirmed this. Throughout the Weber’s 6-hour, 32-minute cook time, the grill’s internal heat levels never strayed beyond 25 degrees of our target, 225 degrees F.
We have a whole guide right here to help you get started with charcoal grilling, from arranging your coals to determining temperature and even controlling flare-ups. The best way to light your grill without the scent of chemicals is to forgo weber bbq lighter fluid and use a chimney starter. This model from Weber is our favorite for size and usability. To use one, load up the space on the bottom with a piece of newspaper or two, pile coals in from the top, then light the newspaper.
However, for about $200, we think a lot grillers will be happy with the Weber Original 22-Inch Kettle Grill. For five or more people, look for a grill with at least 550 square inches of cooking area. For one or two people, look for a grill with approximately 200 square inches of cooking area. It also has a rail system, letting users raise and lower its coal basket at nine different heights, and adjustable tripod legs to level it out on uneven surfaces.
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.
They’re versatile too since they can use either traditional charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal as fuel. Our last test is grilling barbecued ribs, specifically baby back pork ribs. This style of cooking requires strict temperature control over a period of multiple hours. Ideally, a quality charcoal grill (or any smoker) will keep its fire humming weber portable grill along close to 225 degrees F for as long as possible. Lidless charcoal grills may be good for simple grilling, like cooking burgers and shrimp over direct heat, but you need a lid to successfully roast turkeys and smoke ribs. The average full-size grill is around 400 to 500 square inches—plenty of room to make enough food for a backyard gathering.
A top-of-the-line gas grill crammed with features for a complete grilling experience. Its package makes it easy to handle and bring along for a trip to a friend’s house. Its size makes it best for one or two people, though, so if you need a bigger cooking surface, look elsewhere.
Here at BestReviews, our goal is help you make sense of your shopping choices. We work with industry experts to identify the most important features for the products we’re evaluating, and we then test out some of the top items to see firsthand how well they work. And because we buy our own products, you can trust that our recommendations are always completely unbiased. weber bbq Efficient grill that has built-in side tables for small families or gatherings. Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she’s tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.
The smaller the grill, the better for camping trips, small cookouts, or beachside BBQs. Remember, charcoal needs airflow and time to get to the proper temperature. You can always make your own charcoal if you don’t have any on hand.
In the early 1960s, gas grills entered the market and gained popularity, and gas eventually became the fuel of choice for most residential grillers. However, charcoal still runs a close second, and lately we’ve seen an uptick in its popularity. Due to their comparably simple construction, they tend to cost less than a similarly sized gas or pellet grill. Another powerful draw of these grills is the intense smoky flavor they create in the food they cook.
When you’re trying to decide what size Weber grill you need, think about the number of people you usually feed. It’s also important to consider the types of food you prepare most often. Hot dogs and hamburgers take up less cooking space than racks of ribs. If you’re in the market for a Weber grill, the shopping process can get overwhelming in a hurry.