11 Best Charcoal Grills of 2023

Weber is known for its grills, both gas and charcoal. This model is a slight upgrade from their Original Kettle, which we also recommend. The main difference lies in the ash collector: This premium version features an enclosed container, while the original has an exposed plate. Both, however, have a one-touch cleaning system that sweeps out the ash from inside the bottom of the kettle. (The coals sit atop a grate, and the ash falls beneath it.)

The cooking grate on the premium grill has two hinged edges that allow more coal to be added without lifting the entire piece. Its lid also includes added heat protection below the handle, and its side handles feature tool holders. In addition to its original and premium lines, which come in several sizes, Weber also offers cart-style charcoal grills with more shelving, premium versions with a propane ignition and small, portable charcoal grills you can take on the go.

Char-Griller's Super Pro is one of their best sellers. It's a solid grill with storage shelves that's light enough to move around. Its barrel design is equipped with a warming rack, which allows for more cooking space. The cooking grates are made of cast iron, and a side vent and smoke stack allow for optimal temperature control. The Super Pro can also be used as a Texas-style smoker when bought with the side fire box attachment.

During testing, we were impressed with how easy this grill was to put together: The instructions were very clear with useful illustrations, and all the parts were easy to identify, down to the washers.

It's hard to call a grill "a joy to put together," but this one came very close. Its basic construction contributed to its easy assembly, and, once it was together, it felt very sturdy. The cooking chamber is made of two solid pieces of aluminum, which heat quickly and evenly; plus, they're thick so they retain heat well. They also have four steam vents that allow for the ultimate airflow and temperature control. (Most charcoal grills only have two.)

The handle on the lid stays cool during cooking, and the lid hinges open while you check out your goodies on the grates. The rectangular shape offers a lot of cooking area and allows coals to be distributed quite evenly. The grate hinges to better allow for the addition or arranging of coals. In our test, both chicken and steak cooked deliciously with beautiful sear marks and barely any flare-ups. The side table was helpful, as was the unique cup holder. The best part about this grill is you can take it on the go and get the same quality results you would if it stayed put in your yard. The wheels are rubbery and can handle different terrains. For a stationary version, consider The All New Original PK Grill, a cast-aluminum upgrade to The Original.

This charcoal grill from Dyna-Glo is large and in charge, but also features a removable divider that can cut the cooking area in half if desired. Two adjustable charcoal trays allow the temperature of the high-gloss, porcelain enameled cast iron grates to be controlled separately. The trays can each be accessed through the two front doors so you can add more coals as needed or move them around during cooking. Its ash tray is located beneath the charcoal trays in a drawer that can be pulled out for cleaning. The smoke stack can also be adjusted for further temperature and smoke control.

This Dyna-Glo gets entertaining bonus points for having a built-in bottle opener on the front of the unit, as well as two side shelves and a bottom rack for storage.

This cart-style grill looks like a gas grill but uses charcoal. It has a solid design with a sturdy handle and side shelf. The grates are made of cast iron for durability and heat retention, and they're coated with a porcelain enamel so you don't have to season them. The grill also has an adjustable charcoal tray that allows you to easily move the coals closer to or further away from the food. The charcoal tray's rack is another unique detail, which provides the ash with someplace to fall.

Masterbuilt is known for its smokers in a wide array of electric and propane models. Now, with the introduction of the Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker, you can smoke and grill in one. Feed charcoal into the hopper for 12 hours worth of cooking time while a fan circulates the hot air into the grill. Wood chips can also be used for smoking. While the grill is on, it will maintain temperatures between 225°F for low-and-slow smoking and 700°F for searing, all controlled by a digital temperature panel.

The grill is equipped with dual-sided cast iron grates that can be used for grilling or smoking. It also comes with a temperature probe for meat and can be connected to an app, which you can use to keep an eye on the temperature from afar and adjust as necessary.

The KitchenAid Cart Style Charcoal Grill is ideal for cooking for large groups. It features more than 850 square inches of cooking space, including a warming rack. It also has two side shelves and a bottom rack for extra storage. The grill comes with an adjustable charcoal rack with three levels; it can be operated with one hand by using the lever located on the front of the grill. Ash collects into the drawer below it, which can be easily removed for cleaning.

Ceramic egg-shaped cookers, like this one from Kamado Joe, are worth ogling over. They maintain temperature extremely well, which make them great for smoking, and they can reach really high temperatures, which is ideal for foods like pizza. This 18-inch version comes mostly assembled with just a few finishing touches that need to be added, like inserting the additional ceramic walls and attaching the shelves. We like the models on wheeled bases for easy storing, but they can also be used as a built-in or fixed item. This one weighs in at approximately 250 pounds when fully assembled.

The Kamado grills from Kamado Joe come in an array of sizes from 13 inches in diameter to 24. They include a tiered cooking system and stainless steel grates. A pizza tray and rotisserie spit can also be purchased for most models, a feature that sets them apart from most competitors. We like the cushion-like seal that helps prevent it from slamming shut and the marked vent that allows you to better control the temperature of the grill.

If you already have a gas grill but miss the taste of charcoal every now and again, this grill's for you. It's also good for small spaces or the occasional griller. Oklahoma Joe's Rambler features two large handles, which make it easy to move around, as well as a small but sturdy footprint. It comes with a tool for lifting the hot grates during cooking, so you can add more coal as needed. It also has an adjustable charcoal tray that's accessible during cooking. In our tests, this grill achieved solid sear marks on chicken and maintained temperature well. It was also easy to clean after cooking.

Everdure by Heston Blumenthal's the Cube Grill is the perfect size for taking on the go. It has two large handles for easy carrying and a lid that latches onto the body in the front and back. The lid is made of bamboo and doubles as a cutting board. It sits atop a storage area, which can be used for cooking utensils, food — with or without an ice pack — or even fresh coals. The grill features a porcelain enamel firebox and metal grates, one of which sits just above the bottom to hold the coals. It's designed to be used on most surfaces.

This fire pit doubles as a charcoal grill. It can be used with wood to create a campfire or with charcoal for grilling. It includes two metal grates: one to hold the wood or charcoal and one that slides onto the top for cooking. The body is meshed, which allows you to see inside the grill and creates a cool, floating fire effect.

A rechargeable power pack attaches to the side and is used to power the fan, which controls the level of the flames: More air means more fire. The fan is also designed to help reduce the smoke that usually comes with fire pits. The power pack can be controlled directly from the unit or via an app. It also has a USB port that can be used to power other appliances, like outdoor string lights, or to charge your phone. One full charge powers the air flow system for up to five hours on Max or 24 hours on Low.