Charcoal Grills

In this report (the most detailed comparison we find for charcoal grills), 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, more 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 The review is a little outdated, though, and contains models that are discontinued or hard to find.

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Derrick Riches is the go-to guy for information on grills, and his ranking of charcoal grills provides one of the most current and comprehensive guides out there. His list includes many brands and types not… mentioned in other reviews, such as the Old Smokey Classic and the Barbecook Oyster Standard. His descriptions are a little short, though, and Riches doesn't explain his ranking criteria clearly. Nonetheless, this is a good place to get a feel for which grills are on the market. Furthermore, Riches has more than 10 years experience critiquing grills. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

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In addition to top-10 lists, Derrick Riches covers a fair number of other charcoal grills. These reviews go into more detail than his top 10 lists and include more 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 do a good job of recommending grills based on factors such as price range, features and build quality. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

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This video clip is outdated, though it contains some useful information as David Gregg of Best Magazine explains his top grill picks for CBS' "The Early Show." Like the "Today" piece, this site contains a… link to a video of Gregg detailing his grill choices and going over their highlights. His pick for charcoal grills is the Weber Performer, and he says it's the best way of getting around the hassle of lighting coals.

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The BBQ Guys sell and manufacture grills, and here they provide videos detailing their top charcoal picks. They do 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 the BBQ Guys love most of the grills they feature (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.

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A wide range of grills are reviewed at BobbysBest.com, although only three brands -- Weber, Lynx, and Viking -- are included. Reviews are broken down into helpful categories and subcategories (usually with… one representative model, implying it's the best). However, reviews are cursory and undated, and only Weber charcoal grills are covered, making comparative judgments about the charcoal grill market impossible.

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This informative guide addresses the advantages of gas and charcoal grills. Great Party Recipes.com recommends charcoal grills because of their cheaper costs and taste, though they note that charcoal grills… are the worst type of grill environmentally. Their buying guide gives great details about what to look for in terms of size and components. They discourage buying cheap grills, though they add that grills over $500 can be unnecessarily luxurious.

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