Budget Charcoal Grills

Basic charcoal grills meet many grillers' needs

Gas grills may be king in terms of the number sold, but in America, charcoal grills still make up about a third of the market and are beloved by purists, who say they're the best for cooking burgers. Charcoal grills also tend to be cheaper, lighter and more portable than gas grills, but proper use does require more skill. In addition, charcoal briquettes take longer to heat, and charcoal grills require more cleaning than their gas counterparts. Finally, charcoal grill smoke contributes to air pollution.

One familiar name stands out in charcoal grill reviews: Weber. Its oval-shaped kettle grills have been around for more than 50 years. The Weber brand dominates, appearing at or near the top of almost every reviewer's list. Weber's current charcoal grills are the Weber One-Touch Silver (*Est. $70 to $90), the Weber One-Touch Gold (*Est. $130 to $300) and the Weber One-Touch Platinum (*Est. $250). The Silver and Gold models come in 18.5-inch and 22.5-inch diameters; the One-Touch Gold is also offered in a 26.75-inch diameter. The Weber One-Touch Platinum charcoal grill is offered solely in a 22.5-inch diameter.

The difference between Weber's One-Touch Silver and Gold grills is their component quality, an upgraded cleaning system and the addition of a thermometer and a roll-back lid that doesn't require removal in order to check on your food. The Weber One-Touch Platinum shares its features and quality with the One-Touch Gold, but adds tool hooks and a pair of side tables. All three Weber One-Touch charcoal grill models receive high praise for their oval design, which critics say helps distribute heat evenly for better cooking. Reviewers' favorite feature, however, is the ash-cleaning mechanism that directs all ashes into an easily removable tray. Other key features include aluminum vents above and below the cooking grate for better temperature control, hinged cooking grates and glass-reinforced nylon handles that stay cool during cooking.

Weber One-Touch charcoal grills aren't without flaws, according to the reviews we read. For example, the Silver and Gold models lack common accessories such as side tables and a tool hook. Furthermore, the exterior of the bowl is finished in porcelain enamel instead of a powder coat, and users say the enamel can crack and lead to rust over time. Despite these concerns, most  reviewers agree that Weber charcoal kettle grills are the most versatile and user-friendly available. Users give them high marks at sites like Amazon.com and Buzzillions.com, too.  Derrick Riches, About.com's barbeques and grilling guide, sums up his review of the Weber One-Touch Silver charcoal grill by simply saying, "It's the best."  He also gives the One-Touch Platinum a positive review, though he wonders whether the added cost might be better spent on a larger grill like the 26.75-inch Weber One-Touch Gold (*Est. $130 to $300).

The Char-Griller Outlaw (*Est. $150) is also an attractive budget option. The rectangular shape of barrel-style and box grills makes it easier to manipulate coals for indirect cooking than with kettle grills (since you can shove coals in the corners or to one side, or pile them in the middle and grill on the edges of the grate). The Outlaw, with its 1,038-square-inch cooking area (including the warming rack), is set up to cook for large groups of people. Note, however, that barrel-style grills like the Char-Griller take longer to heat up and cool down, so they're not an efficient choice if you generally cook small amounts of food. The Char-Griller Smokin' Pro (*Est. $200), another barrel-style charcoal grill, has 830 square inches of cooking space but includes a side firebox for smoking meats (only available as an added-cost option on the Outlaw). Reviewers laud both the Outlaw and the Smokin' Pro for their accessories and low prices. On either one, you'll find two side tables, a metal shelf below the grill, a warming rack, a thermometer and an adjustable coal grate for better heat control.

About.com's grilling expert Derrick Riches names the Char-Griller Outlaw one of the top 10 charcoal grills. Users give the Char-Griller grills high average overall marks at Amazon.com (4.1 stars) and Walmart.com (4.4 stars). Owners express overall satisfaction with both grills, though there are a few complaints about customer service. The choice between these models may come down to whether you'd rather have more cooking area or a smoker that comes with the grill. 

The smaller Char-Griller Patio Pro (*Est. $100), has 250 square inches of cooking area (about the same as an 18.5-inch Weber kettle grill). It also delivers some high-quality features common to the larger Char-Griller grills, like cast-iron cooking grates and a powder-coat finish. The Patio Pro, a barrel-style grill, has a side drawer that makes it easy to add coals or wood chips during cooking, plus a side shelf and air vent. It gets good reviews and a 4.4-star average overall rating from a significant number of users, both at Amazon.com and Buzzillions.com. 

With all of the additional features included on comparable Char-Griller models, why do Weber grills still get more attention? It boils down to peace of mind: Weber's warranty coverage is superior, with 10 years on the exteriors and one year on the cooking grates. Weber also provides 24/7 customer service and prompt replacement of any broken parts; you can even call the customer service hotline with grilling questions. In contrast, Char-Griller offers a five-year warranty on its grill exteriors and one year on the remaining parts.

Mid-range charcoal grills combine value and performance

While moderately priced charcoal grills like those discussed in the previous section will meet the needs of most casual outdoor chefs, more expensive grills provide added convenience, durability and cooking precision. The higher prices bring along more features and higher-quality components, such as stainless-steel exteriors and cast-iron cooking grates.

In addition to standard Weber grill features like a hinged cooking grate and one-touch cleaning, the Weber Performer Charcoal Grill (*Est. $330) adds a worktable, built-in thermometer, lid-catcher and onboard storage for utensils and extra charcoal. The Weber Performer's signature feature, however, is its gas-assist lighting system. Thanks to the use of propane and an ignition switch, hot coals can be ready in around 10 minutes. About.com's Derrick Riches says this feature alone makes the Weber Performer well worth its cost, and it ranks in his top 10 charcoal grills for 2011. User reviews are mostly positive. The Weber Performer's plastic worktable is the only noteworthy source of complaints: Owners are lean on the specifics, but they say that the plastic table isn't as sturdy as wood or metal. However, the Weber Performer's signature gas ignition system, fueled by disposable five-gallon propane cylinders, makes the grill a standout because lighting coals and bringing them to temperature is one of charcoal grilling's biggest hassles.

In addition to the perennial reviewer favorites from Weber, reviewers like About.com's Derrick Riches and Amazon.com users are favorable toward the Portable Kitchen Cast Aluminum Grill and Smoker (*Est. $300). Men's Journal, on the other hand, gives the Portable Kitchen the second-lowest score of any grill tested, saying, "the grilling surface is inferior… and I don't like that the coals are so close to it." User reviews skew heavily positive (Portable Kitchen grills have a bit of a cult following), though there are some stories of the grill's legs falling apart or the bottom falling out over time. Portable Kitchen covers the aluminum castings with a five-year warranty, but the other parts and features receive no warranty coverage at all. With its otherwise limited features and warranty, the Portable Kitchen Cast Aluminum Grill and Smoker's high price makes it an iffy buy versus similar proven models like the Weber One-Touch.