Flimsy charcoal grills with loose, warped lids and rickety moving parts make temperature control a nightmare. Charcoal grills don’t need to be tanks made of heavy, quarter inch-thick steel, but they shouldn’t be tin cans that lack structural integrity. It’s true that great charcoal grills don’t have to cost a lot, weber charcoal grill but there are many high-end models with superb construction and compelling features. For most of us, price is a key element in all purchasing decisions. Whatever your charcoal grill budget may be, I strongly advise getting a model that has an ash removal system, such as Weber’s One-Touch removable ash bucket.
weber bbqs 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.
Ribs cooked on the Napoleon grill came out tasty, though with bark that was a little dry. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. These are the worst mistakes to make when grilling at a tailgate.
That’s because Weber offers so many models that choosing the right one for your yard can be a challenge. Its lid dampers allow you to easily control the temperature of the grill, and there’s enough room inside the bowl to manipulate your charcoal for precise cooking. When you’re done, empty the ash catcher before stowing the grill away (and keep in mind that cleaning it can get messy).
It has 406 square inches of total cooking space and a built-in thermometer, along with side shelves for storage. I have had over 50 grills—from a Weber gas grill to a Traeger pellet grill. In my search for the best grill, I have found it,” said one buyer.
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.
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.
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.
Cooking ribs low and slow on the Nexgrill required just 4 hours, 30 minutes. Its rack came out well too, though like the Napoleon, its bark was more pronounced than what the Weber produced. I also consider look, feel, functionality, durability, and price.