8 best charcoal grills

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Cooking food on charcoal under a lid allows you to get the desired dishes in any weather, keep the heat high and save time, bake the pieces evenly, and reduce the consumption of coal. The grill is convenient for stationary use in the country, in the courtyard of a private house or for picnic trips. For anyone interested in how to choose a charcoal grill, we offer practical advice from experts. A follow-up review of the top eight models will show which products are liked by customers in the reviews more than others. This will narrow down the choices and save time, as well as help you not regret buying in the future.

How to choose a charcoal grill

The key parameters when choosing a charcoal grill are:

  1. Brazier size. It depends on how many users can simultaneously cook a dish on charcoal. For example, a 47×64 cm grill will allow you to roast 18 burgers or 4 chickens at a time.
  2. Wall and lid material. Grills are made of metal and ceramic. The former are stronger and better tolerate transportation. They are also lighter. But the metal, sooner or later, rusts, despite the enamel coating. Ceramic grills are more fragile if dropped accidentally, but they keep heat much better and never rust.
  3. Construction height. The location of the grate determines how far the cook will have to bend to check the condition of the dish or turn it over to the other side. The parameter varies from 40 to 120 cm.
  4. Lattice material. The working surface with rods on which meat, vegetables or fish are laid can be made of stainless steel or cast iron. The second option will be heavier, which will affect the convenience of subsequent cleaning. But cast iron will never “lead” from heating.
  5. Grill weight. The mass of the installation for charcoal cooking can be from 6 to 100 kg. This affects the convenience of transportation, especially when you have to load the device into the trunk.
  6. Important functions. Each grill, depending on the model, has certain functions that are useful for cooking on charcoal. The height adjustment of the grates allows you to insert large pieces of meat so that they do not rest against the lid. Folding tables on the sides make it easy to store forks and other accessories. The bottom stand is convenient for stacking firewood, poker. Wheels make it easy to transport on a flat surface. The thermometer shows the temperature under the lid to cook according to the recipe. Temperature control expands the operating possibilities. The fire deflector will not let the user get burned when opening the lid.

Review of the best charcoal grills

Now that we have a good understanding of the key features of the charcoal grill, let's move on to our TOP-8. The list of the best models was compiled after analyzing the characteristics of the goods on the website https://rankquality.com/grills-and-barbecues/ and reading customer reviews.

Nomination a place Name of product price
Review of the best charcoal grills 1 Primo Oval XL All in One RUB 309,000
2 Kamado joe big joe RUB 164,900
3 Big Green Egg Large EGG RUB 160,900
4 MONOLITH Junior 201021 RUB 54,900
5 Weber Performer Original GBS RUB 38,400
6 Char-Broil Performance 580, 122x55x112 cm RUB 17,990
7 Weber One-Touch Original 57 cm RUB 17,900
8 Weber Go Anywhere, 43x31x41 cm RUB 8,049

Primo Oval XL All in One

Rating: 4.9

Primo Oval XL All in One

In the first place is the charcoal floor grill from Primo, which comes on a support stand with four wheels. To prevent the installation from rolling spontaneously, a parking brake is provided. Inside there is a two-tiered grill that allows you to cook for 8-10 people at once. The grill is made of ceramics, which keeps heat for a long time, does not rust and is highly environmentally friendly. Inside, you can cook in two temperatures at the same time. Charcoal meat always turns out juicy and tender in it. The owners in the reviews are glad that the grill grate consists of two halves, making it easier to access the coals. The temperature reaches 200 degrees in 15 minutes, after which you can start cooking.

Users in reviews praise the grill for its tightness. The chamber and air ducts are closed so tightly that, if necessary, you can make a completely insulated container and simmer food. This prevents soot from forming on the edges of the meat – it is impossible to overcook food in it.

Advantages

  • four wheels on a stand;
  • there is a brake for parking on a slope;
  • two folding tables on the sides;
  • a lattice of two tiers.

disadvantages

  • weighs 91 kg – it is unrealistic to load it into the car yourself;
  • high price;
  • takes up a lot of space.

Kamado joe big joe

Rating: 4.8

Kamado joe big joe

And here is another ceramic grill from the American company Kamado. The floor-standing charcoal unit has cast iron legs with a height of 137 cm, suitable for tall users 180-190 cm, as well as a spacious grate with a diameter of 61 cm. On the side of the bowl, there are two folding tables and attachments for a shovel and a poker. The model weighs 113 kg and runs on four braked wheels. The lid has a soft tilt mechanism and is securely held open. It has a thermometer. The charcoal grill is not only suitable for frying, but also allows smoking food. In the reviews, the owners like the system with a pull-out ash drawer, so that ashes and pieces of burning coals are not carried by the wind around the territory.

Особенностью этого гриля является запатентованная технология Divide&Conquer, что в переводе означает “разделяй и властвуй”. This allows you to cook at different temperatures at the same time. For this, there is a movable heat deflector inside that blocks the heat from the coals and creates indirect heating zones. The innovative design helps you bake chicken and fry sausages nearby without burning anything.

Advantages

  • keeps warm for a long time;
  • there are folding tables;
  • there are hooks for hanging the scapula, poker;
  • four wheels with brakes.

disadvantages

  • high price;
  • weight 113 kg;
  • the lid lifting mechanism gradually loses its smoothness.

Big Green Egg Large EGG

Rating: 4.8

Big Green Egg Large EGG

The Large is the largest charcoal grill in the Big Green Egg range. The stove is made of ceramic and has a round grill with a diameter of 46 cm. The elongated vertical shape of the bowl allows you to cook on several levels at the same time. At a time in it it will turn out to fry meat or vegetables at once for 8 people. In the reviews, the owners praise the product for the thick ceramics and uniform heating of the steaks. The body can be cut into the countertop, so the charcoal model is often used in restaurants for making cutlets for burgers and various game.

We found this grill the best because there are the most accessories in the Big Green Egg range. It is for this closed carbon furnace from ceramics that the company manufactures: stands for ribs, cast-iron pans of two halves, three-level grates, poultry holders, ceramic stones. All this expands the possibilities of charcoal cooking and makes grilling a real gourmet dream.

Advantages

  • reinforced stand on 4 legs;
  • folding wooden tables;
  • built-in thermometer;
  • rich options for packaging.

disadvantages

  • high price;
  • not the most comfortable height 84 cm – you have to bend over.

MONOLITH Junior 201021

Rating: 4.7

MONOLITH Junior 201021

And here is a more compact ceramic grill for charcoal cooking from the German company MONOLITH. The goods are manufactured directly at a factory in Germany. The grill grill diameter is only 33 cm. This has contributed to more compact dimensions, so it is convenient to transport the unit even in the trunk of a car. Despite the reduced size, the grill height is 95 cm, so the cook will have to bend less. Thick ceramic with a lid seal protects food from overdrying, helping to keep it juicy. A thermometer built into the lid with a clear scale provides control over the temperature regime. Based on the reviews, the owners are pleased with the pizza tray, which expands the possibilities of charcoal cooking.

Our experts singled out the grill as the best because of the special hole for the aroma chips. This allows you to add cherry and other wood chips to the coals without opening the main cover to release the temperature. The dishes will turn out to be more aromatic, and this will not affect the cooking time and convenience of the process.

Advantages

  • sturdy support frame;
  • castors with brakes;
  • insulated lid handle;
  • two wooden folding tables;
  • hook for hanging the scapula.

disadvantages

  • side handles do not have thermal insulating pads;
  • there is no ash and ash collection system.

Weber Performer Original GBS

Rating: 4.5

Weber Performer Original GBS

The Weber brand offers an enamelled steel grill. The height of the structure is 112 cm, which customers like in the reviews. The charcoal barbecue maker is also praised for its good temperature retention and easy ash cleaning. The 57 cm diameter grate allows you to cook for up to 10 people at once. The grill has a large metal table and a net for storing firewood. The lid has a thermometer and an insulated handle. At the bottom, the manufacturer made holes for adjusting the air passage and an ash box. The lid from the bowl can be removed completely and put back in a special retaining bracket.

The stove is placed on a metal frame with four wheels (two small and two large diameters), which expands the possibilities for cross-country ability on uneven soil. This is important when going out into the countryside or in the yard of a house where there are no paved paths. Moreover, the weight of the structure is 24 kg, so it is convenient to transport the grill in a car and get it even with the effort of one person.

Advantages

  • easy to clean;
  • extra large work surface makes cooking easier;
  • the temperature does not drop;
  • bracket for fixing the cover.

disadvantages

  • chips form on the enamel;
  • thin metal case.

Char-Broil Performance 580, 122x55x112 cm

Rating: 4.4

Char-Broil Performance 580, 122x55x112 cm

This is a powder coated steel grill. The grill for charcoal cooking has dimensions of 55×48 cm. Additionally, there is an upper grill for heating food. The charcoal tray can be adjusted in height to bring the heat closer or further away from the food. There are tables on the sides, and there is a firebox below. Users in the reviews praise the convenient charcoal tray, which is divided into four compartments. Thanks to this, the heat is evenly distributed and does not wake up. To clean the drawer, simply remove it from the grill and empty the entire contents. This makes it easier to care for the kitchen appliance.

We paid attention to the grill due to the presence of adjusting holes for the passage of air both in the food compartment and in the firebox. This allows you to more accurately control the heat and cool the food faster so that it does not overheat if the coals are too hot. Rotary control windows are located on each side, which is useful when cooking dishes at different temperatures at the same time.

Advantages

  • two levels for cooking;
  • high wheel protector;
  • ash does not fly out of the box;
  • convenient pallet with coals.

disadvantages

  • the lid handle is not insulated;
  • does not understand, therefore it takes up a lot of space.

Weber One-Touch Original 57 cm

Rating: 4.3

Weber One-Touch Original 57 cm

And here is another Weber grill with a round bowl and a completely removable lid. The device is made of steel and equipped with a high quality enamel coating. If you clean the walls with a brush, the paint will not be damaged, but it will chip from impacts with hard objects. There is a thermometer in the grill lid. The model is installed on a tripod with two wheels and one support stand. The grill diameter is 57 cm. You will have to cook at a height of 101 cm. There are three holes in the bottom of the bowl for air supply and ash collection. In the reviews, the product is liked by the owners with safe handles and ease of movement due to the weight of 13 kg.

This grill was ranked among the best thanks to the patented One-Touch technology. It implies the presence of three knives inside the bowl, which remove all carbon deposits in one swivel motion. Soot and ash adhering to the walls immediately end up in the ash collector. This greatly simplifies the subsequent cleaning of the grill, especially with frequent use.

Advantages

  • large wheels for transportation;
  • insulated handle;
  • the lid is suspended by a loop;
  • there is a firebox.

disadvantages

  • an open ash collection system is not safe;
  • high cost for branded accessories;
  • after 2 years of operation, chips appear on the enamel.

Weber Go Anywhere, 43x31x41 cm

Rating: 4.2

Weber Go Anywhere, 43x31x41 cm

The review is completed by a rectangular street grill with dimensions of 43x31x41 cm. It provides one grid for cooking on charcoal 40×25 cm. The products are closed with a lid with two air flow regulators, which allows you to control the temperature, but there is no thermometer itself. The kit also includes a tray for collecting ash and a grate for direct placement of coals. The round bowl helps cook the whole chicken to collect the fat. The grill is based on a frame made of stainless tubes. The owners in the reviews like the thick metal of the case and the high-quality enamel coating. The lid has an insulated handle with a heat breaker, so your hands are not hot when you open it.

We have listed it as the best for hiking. The grill weighs only 6 kg, so it can be delivered to the picnic site on foot. The collapsible design of the stand helps to reduce the size during transportation.

Advantages

  • insulated handle;
  • stainless steel legs;
  • affordable cost;
  • indirect heating possible;
  • keeps the heat with briquetted coal up to 6 hours;
  • two regulators in the cover for air supply.

disadvantages

  • there is no thermometer;
  • the lower grate for coals bends;
  • some lack side handles.


Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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