Luxury Charcoal Grills

Big grills and grill/smoker combos

Luxury charcoal grills aren't recommended by all reviewers. Many experts say the basic features of a moderately priced kettle grill are all the average griller will ever need. These grills are more intended for expert grillers looking for absolute precision in temperature control and the widest set of cooking options and accessories.

The grill that stands out in this price range is The Big Green Egg (*Est. $750), though it's a bit different than most charcoal grills. Instead of a kettle or box shape, The Big Green Egg is shaped like its name suggests. It is a Kamado-style ceramic cooker, which means it's designed to hold a specific temperature for extended periods of time. Its cooking grate is completely sealed by its ceramic exterior -- which remains cool to the touch even as the grill reaches high temperatures -- and can cook for hours on only a few coals. Users on Epinions.com say the grill is one of the most versatile on the market, with the ability to grill, smoke and bake all kinds of dishes quickly and efficiently. The grill doesn't have as much space as some other charcoal grills (the large Big Green Egg's grill has an 18-inch diameter, smaller than any Weber One-Touch), though users say the grill's versatility more than makes up for its size. Be aware that the company doesn't provide a warranty for grills bought over the Internet, and its ceramic components can chip, according to some owners.

The Cajun Grill (*Est. $940) offers a traditional box-style grill with easily adjustable features. Its coal tray can be raised and lowered to several different settings for searing, baking and smoking. The coal tray also has an unusual V shape that makes the coals easier to light, though reviewers at Cook's Illustrated say that it unevenly distributes heat, making for cold spots on the cooking grate. The Cajun Grill's components are all very durable, including a heavy 16-gauge steel exterior and 12-gauge steel for its coal grate. Its cooking grate, on the other hand, is 4-gauge and coated in porcelain, which experts say allows for delicate cooking, though it needs careful maintenance to prevent wear. A blogger at BarbecueGrillsAndSmokers.com gives this grill his top rating and says it's a grill that will last a lifetime. Although Cook's Illustrated says the grill is solidly built and very versatile, it gives it a low overall rating because of the uneven heat distribution and lack of a hinged cooking grate.

For equally high-grade components and cooking versatility, the Hasty-Bake Continental (*Est. $1,000) offers everything the Cajun Grill does with the addition of a viewing window. This way, you can check on your food without letting any heat or smoke escape. The Hasty-Bake Continental prides itself on its ability to retain smoke and flavors, though it's unclear how much this smoke interferes with the window's visibility. Not many reviews exist for the Hasty-Bake Continental, though the BBQGuys.com, a grill manufacturer and retailer, lists Hasty-Bake as one of its top-rated companies. Like the Cajun Grill, the Hasty-Bake Continental offers a five-year warranty on workmanship and parts and a 10-year warranty on stainless steel components.

It makes sense that Weber would have a grill in this luxury set, though its model, the Weber Ranch Kettle (*Est. $1,100), doesn't perform as well as other grills in this price range. The Weber Ranch Kettle is certainly impressive. It offers 1,104 square inches of cooking space, which Weber says is enough to cook 19 Cornish hens. The grill also offers a better cooking grate than a normal Weber, manufactured out of heavy-gauge steel. Yet aside from these upgrades, not much separates the Weber Ranch Kettle from a regular Weber One-Touch charcoal grill. It features the same ash cleaning and venting system and lacks many useful accessories, such as side tables and an adjustable coal grate. The Weber Ranch Kettle may be a good buy if you plan on cooking for large groups, but even then the Cajun Grill and Hasty-Bake Continental models mentioned above might be better buys.