Budget Charcoal Grills

Basic charcoal grills

Although gas grills account for most of the grills sold in America, charcoal grills still make up about a third of the market and are praised by grilling purists as the only way to truly cook a burger. Although taste tests between gas and charcoal grills have proven inconclusive, most experts say charcoal grilling infuses food with a more natural, smoky flavor. Charcoal grills also tend to be cheaper, lighter and more portable than gas grills, though they do require a bit more skill to use properly. Charcoal briquettes take more time to heat, and charcoal grills require more cleaning than gas grills.

One name stands out in charcoal grill reviews: Weber. Its oval-shaped kettle grills have been around for more than 50 years. Although this brand may not appear at the top of every reviewer's list, it's mentioned in every single review, which can't be said for any other grill manufacturer. Weber's current standard charcoal models are the Weber One-Touch Silver (*Est. $90), depending on size) and the Weber One-Touch Gold (*Est. $150). The difference between the two comes from the quality of components; the Weber Gold features a stainless steel cleaning system, and the Silver offers a slightly less durable aluminized version. Both models receive high praise for their oval design, which reviewers say helps distribute heat evenly for better cooking. Reviewers' favorite feature, though, is the one-touch ash-cleaning mechanism that directs all ashes into an easily removable tray. Other features include aluminum vents above and below the cooking grate to allow for better temperature control, hinged cooking grates and glass-reinforced nylon handles that stay cool during cooking. Derrick Riches of About.com sums up his review of the Weber One-Touch Silver charcoal grill by saying, "It's the best."

Of course, Weber charcoal grills are not without their flaws. For one, the Silver and Gold lack many of the accessories common on most grills, such as side tables, a built-in thermometer and a lid-catcher. Furthermore, the exterior of the bowl is porcelain enamel (as opposed to a powder-coated exterior), which users say can crack and rust over time. Even About.com's Riches says the steel cooking grates can rust if not taken care of properly. Despite these concerns, almost every reviewer agrees that Weber charcoal kettle grills are the most versatile and user-friendly models on the market.

Char-Griller also makes a decent showing in this price range with its Char-Griller Outlaw (*Est. $205), a barrel-style charcoal grill. Barrel-style and box grills differ from kettle grills like the Weber because of their rectangular shapes, which allow for a greater cooking surface and make it easier to manipulate coals for indirect cooking. Some can also accommodate rotisseries. However, these grills can be inconvenient for cooking smaller amounts because of the increased time it takes to heat up and cool down the coals. Although the Outlaw charcoal grill doesn't appear in many reviews, it draws notice for its array of accessories and low price. Aside from 1,000 square inches of cooking space, the Outlaw offers a wooden worktable, three shelves beneath the grill, a warming rack, a thermometer and an adjustable coal grate for better heat control. Furthermore, the charcoal grill's cast iron grates and powder coat finish make it extremely durable. The grill does lack the airflow control available on the Weber, however, making it hard to extinguish the coals.

We also found reviews for Char-Griller's step-up model, the Char-Griller Smokin' Pro (*est. $210). Although this charcoal grill actually offers less cooking area -- 830 square inches -- it comes with a side fire box for smoking meats (only available as an extra on the Outlaw). With this option, "Doug" from BarbecueGrillsAndSmokers.com says the Smokin' Pro is the best grill for feeding large groups of people. Reviews from owners at Amazon.com tend to agree, saying the Smokin' Pro is a great charcoal grill for its price range, but some say the grill requires long hours of assembly.

Char-Griller also has a well-regarded smaller model, the Char-Griller Patio Pro (*est. $100). Though it has 250 square inches of grill, it shares many of the stylistic features and quality build of its larger brand-mates. At HomeBarbequeGrilling.com, a family of reviewers reports that the Patio Pro is tough enough for regular use all summer and this smaller Char-Griller can still cook more than enough food for a family.

With all of these extra features, why does Weber still get more attention than the Char-Griller? For many reviewers, it comes down to the comfort of owning a Weber. Weber offers a 10-year warranty on its grills' exteriors and one year on the grates, one of the best warranties available. By contrast, Char-Griller offers a five-year warranty on its grills' exteriors and one year on the remaining parts. Weber also provides 24/7 customer service and prompt replacement of any broken parts.

Mid-range charcoal grills: best blend of price, performance

Although more moderately priced charcoal grills from Weber and Char-Griller will satisfy most casual outdoor chefs, more expensive grills offer a wider range of accessories and add-ons that provide for a more convenient and precise cooking experience. You'll also find slightly better components, such as stainless-steel exteriors and cast-iron grates that improve the overall durability of the grill.

The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill (*Est. $330) includes many of the accessories and features lacking in the Weber One-Touch Silver and Gold models. In addition to standard Weber features, such as a hinged cooking grate and one-touch cleaning system, the Weber Performer offers grillers a work table, built-in thermometer, lid-catcher and storage areas for utensils and extra charcoal. Yet the feature that sets the Weber Performer apart from almost every other charcoal grill on the market is its unusual gas-assist lighting system. The use of gas and an ignition switch mean grillers can have hot coals ready in 10 minutes with little effort. About.com's Derrick Riches says this feature alone makes the Weber Performer well worth the cost, naming it one of his top picks for charcoal grills. The Weber Performer also receives praise from the CBS' "The Early Show" and NBC's "Today" show, both of which feature it as the best charcoal buy in segments on grilling. The only complaints about the grill stem from its plastic worktable, which users say isn't as sturdy as wooden or metal tables, though so far no users have reported specific problems. The gas ignition system uses small disposable propane cylinders for fuel.

The Weber Performer stands out because lighting coals and bringing them to temperature can be one of the bigger hassles of owning a charcoal grill. Of the options available, using lighter fluid is the most basic, though experts usually dismiss this method because it doesn't always heat coals evenly and can leave behind lingering chemicals that affect food. Solid fire starters, made from wax and wood fibers, are also available and are generally easy to use. With these, you build a small pyramid out of your coals, insert one of the fire starters at the base and light. Experts say that although this is a relatively safe and reliable way to start a fire, it can be inconvenient because it requires continually purchasing new starters. The method recommended by almost all experts and amateur grillers is to buy a charcoal chimney starter. This is basically a small metal tube, with one chamber for charcoal and another chamber beneath it for kindling (usually newspaper). Lighting the newspaper will slowly heat the bottom coals, which will in turn help heat the remainder. Most charcoal chimneys cost between $10 and $20.

Aside from Weber grills, we found many positive reviews for the Portable Kitchen Cast Aluminum Grill and Smoker (*Est. $315), from About.com's Derrick Riches and from user reviews at Amazon.com. Riches doesn't go into much detail, aside from saying that the grill's aluminum construction makes it a solid, durable grill. User reviews tend to be overwhelmingly positive (Portable Kitchen grills have a bit of a cult following), though there are a few stories of the grill's legs falling apart or the bottom falling out over time. This wouldn't be such a problem if Portable Kitchen's website contained any information about a warranty. With its otherwise limited features, the high price of this grill compared to similar models such as the Weber One-Touch makes it an iffy buy.