Page: 6 of 6
In this report

See Also

Charcoal Grills: Ratings of Sources
Total of 18 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Men's Journal
July 29, 2009
The Charcoal Experiment
by Steve Mazzucchi
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAdam Perry Lang, author of the cookbook "Serious Barbeque," tests six charcoal grills and rates each on a scale of 1 to 10. He gives his highest rating to the Big Green Egg, naming it the "expert's pick." The 26.75-inch Weber One-Touch Gold is named "best value." The lowest ratings go to the Char-Broil Santa Fe and the Portable Kitchen Grill.
2. 417 Magazine
August 2008
A Greener Way to Grill
by Brittany Leckey
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBrittany Leckey profiles the three most energy-efficient grills on the market: one charcoal, one gas and one electric. The Big Green Egg is deemed the greenest charcoal grill because it requires less fuel -- in this case, charcoal -- due to its unique design. The Big Green Egg's cooking versatility is also noted.
3. About.com
As of May 2011
Top 10 Charcoal Grills
by Derrick Riches
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDerrick Riches is About.com's go-to guy for information on grills. His top-10 list includes many brands and types not mentioned in other reviews, such as the Old Smokey Classic. He gives the highest rating (5 stars) to the Weber One-Touch Silver, the Big Green Egg and Weber Performance grills. Riches doesn't explain his rating criteria clearly, but he has more than 10 years' experience critiquing grills, so his reviews are worth consulting. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
4. About.com
As of May 2011
Top 10 Small Grills
by Derrick Riches
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDerrick Riches, About.com's guide to barbeques and grilling, focuses on small grills in this list. His descriptions are sometimes brief and his testing criteria aren't available, but he provides recent comprehensive reviews of many different models. Of the 10 grills covered here, only three use charcoal: one portable kettle grill (the Weber Smokey Joe), one portable ceramic grill (the Big Green Egg, small size) and the Lodge Logic Sportsman hibachi-style grill. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
5. About.com
As of May 2011
Charcoal Grill Reviews
by Derrick Riches
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn addition to top-10 lists, Derrick Riches reviews a fair number of other charcoal grills. These reviews go into more detail than his top-10 lists and include a larger number of popular companies, such as Char-Broil. Along with a short but informative review, he gives a detailed list of each grill's features, as well as a breakdown of pros and cons. Reviews are undated, but Riches does a good job of staying on top of changes like discontinued models and new or updated ones. His is the only full-length review we found of the new Weber One-Touch Platinum. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
6. Amazon.com
As of May 2011
Charcoal Grills
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com offers the largest number of user reviews for charcoal grills we found, including at least a few comments for almost every model sold. The comments here provide useful information on the longer-term performance and durability of the grills. Weber grills get the most reviews and the highest ratings. The Char-Griller Patio Pro also gets high ratings from a significant number of users, as does the Lodge Logic Sportsman hibachi grill.
7. Walmart.com
As of May 2011
Charcoal Grills
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMany of the grills sold at Walmart.com have only a handful of reviews, but a few lower-priced models garner a significant amount of user feedback and high average ratings. They include the Weber One-Touch Silver in 18.5- and 22.5-inch sizes, the Kingsford 30-inch Barrel Grill and the Char-Griller Wrangler, Outlaw and Smokin' Pro models. Owners of these grills are clearly satisfied.
8. AmazingRibs.com
Not Dated
Reviews of Charcoal Grills
by Craig "Meathead" Goldwyn
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMeathead, as he calls himself, is a barbeque enthusiast who offers many, many articles, reviews and recipes on his site. Here he reviews charcoal grills, including most major brands. Though he has not personally tested all of the grills he reviews, he writes that he has tested those that win one of Meathead's medals to signal outstanding quality in a grill. Two charcoal grills (actually, groups of grills) earn gold Meathead's medals: Weber's kettle grills and Hasty-Bake grills, which also function as smokers and outdoor ovens. The Hasty-Bake model tested is the Gourmet.
9. The Early Show
July 4, 2008
Grills Buying Guide, for Any Budget
by Christine Quinlan
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentChristine Quinlan, senior editor at Food and Wine magazine, visits The Early Show to discuss grills, both gas and charcoal. She gives positive reviews of two charcoal grills: the Weber 22.5-inch kettle grill (she doesn't specify a model) for those who want a classic grill, and the Lodge Logic Sportsman hibachi grill for, well, sportsmen. Her reviews list the pros and cons of each grill.
10. Buzzillions.com
As of May 2011
Charcoal Grill Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentLike Amazon.com, Buzzillions.com offers owner commentary on a wide array of charcoal grills; Buzzillions.com even ranks them according to user reviews. Reviews are gathered from other, mostly smaller online sites. Their top four charcoal grills are the Weber Performer, Weber One-Touch Gold (22.5 inches), Weber One-Touch Silver (18.5 inches) and Portable Kitchen Cast Aluminum Grill and Smoker. Of the top 10 grills, seven are Weber models. All of these grills have a significant number of user ratings, though others on the site have accumulated only a handful.
11. Cook's Illustrated Magazine
June 2006
Charcoal Grills
by Editors of Cook's Illustrated
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn this report, Cook's Illustrated editors update a 2002 test of charcoal grills. Six grills are rated according to cooking space, adjustability, charcoal access and the "turkey test," where testers cook a 12-pound turkey. The highest-rated model is the discontinued Bar-B-Chef Texas Charcoal Grill, though the Weber One-Touch Gold is also recommended for grillers who need a smaller, portable grill. The article also provides a useful buyer's guide. The review is a little outdated, though, and contains models that are discontinued or hard to find.
12. Slate.com
June 5, 2007
Fired Up: Which Portable Grill Cranks Up the Heat?
by Jude Stewart
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn this comprehensive and entertaining review, Jude Stewart gets a group of grillers together to test seven portable grills, rating them based on taste, convenience and performance. What sets this portable grill review apart is that Stewart makes it a point to include portable charcoal grills, and most other articles focus on gas and electric grills. The testers ultimately pick the charcoal-fueled Weber Smokey Joe as their top-rated portable grill.
13. Today
June 8, 2007
Need to Buy a Grill? Check Out These Top Styles
by Lou Manfredini
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis brief article is a general guide to buying grills. It's light on details and only mentions a few models. For charcoal grills, Lou Manfredini recommends the Weber Performer and the Big Green Egg, though his description of the Performer consists of mentioning only its gas-lighting system and does not mention testing criteria. The site contains a segment from NBC's "Today" show where Manfredini discusses his recommended grills and their features.
14. BBQGuys.com
As of May 2011
BBQ Grill Videos & Reviews
by Editors of BBQGuys.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentRetail site BBQGuys.com posts videos detailing top charcoal grill picks. Site editors issue ratings, but they don't explain what they mean or the criteria on which each brand is ranked. Their in-depth videos give information on each grill's components, heat distribution, adjustability and convenience. Although most reviews are generally positive (they are selling them, after all), the information can be very helpful. Grills featured include charcoal models by Cajun, Hasty-Bake, Portable Kitchen and Weber.
15. BarbecueGrillsAndSmokers.com
As of May 2011
Charcoal Grill Reviews
by "Doug"
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBlogger "Doug" describes himself as an avid outdoor cooker; he offers opinions on a few charcoal grills, including the Outlaw, the Weber One-Touch Gold and the Cajun Grill. For each grill, he provides an overview of its features and offers his general impressions, even if he hasn't tested the grill himself. His favorite appears to be the Cajun Smoker, because at the end of the review he tells his readers to persuade his wife to let him buy one. All the content and reviews here are from 2007; the review doesn't appear to have been updated since.
16. BobbysBest.com
As of May 2011
2011 Best Gas & Charcoal Grill Reviews
by Editors of BobbysBest.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe only charcoal grills reviewed in detail here are Weber's. This year, video reviews from ExpoTV.com accompany the written ones. Reviews are uniformly positive, since those reviewed are presented as the best charcoal grills available. However, a short devil's advocate section at the end of each review describes shortcomings; for example, the author notes that the Weber One-Touch Gold grill would be nicer with a built-in thermometer. The Weber One-Touch Platinum is not included.
17. ExpoTV.com
As of May 2011
Top Grill Reviews
by Contributors to ExpoTV.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThese video reviews show grills in action, narrated by a contributor who talks about what he likes and doesn't like about each model tested. Some reviews are more useful than others. The grills with the best ratings are the Weber One-Touch Silver and One-Touch Gold, the Char-Griller Smokin' Pro, the Weber Performer and the Weber Smokey Joe.
18. PopularMechanics.com
June 2010
Tools of Summer 2010
by Seth Porges and Harry Sawyer
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe only grill featured in this gift guide is the Weber One-Touch Platinum. The article notes that the Platinum model has two side tables for added work space, which, according to the article, "brings the total work space… to over 300 square inches."
     
 

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