Best Charcoal Grills for 2021
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Top Ten Charcoal Grills 2021
- Blaze 32-Inch Built-In Stainless Steel Charcoal Grill
- Texas Original Pits Corsicana Charcoal Grill
- Coyote 36-Inch Built-In Stainless Steel Charcoal Grill
- Everdure HUB II 54-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Nuke Delta 40-Inch Argentinian-Style Gaucho Grill
- Nuke Pampa 30-Inch Argentinian-Style Gaucho Grill
- Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Charcoal Grill + Smoker
- Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Napoleon PRO 22-Inch Kettle Grill
- Weber Original Kettle Premium 26-Inch Charcoal Grill
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Which Charcoal Grill is Right for You?
Charcoal grills are the masters of everything from mouthwateringly tender low-and-slow brisket to juicy, smoky, fall-off-the-bone ribs. With the right grill in your outdoor kitchen, you, too, can be a master — a grill master, smoking your competition. From modern smokers to historic kamados, the world of charcoal grilling is a wide one indeed. Our private experts have put their heads together to provide this list of their best-in-class charcoal choices based on their quality, performance, and features.
Quality - When judging charcoal grills, our experts look for quality construction with great warranties and the best materials around. For charcoal grills, this usually means stainless steel — thanks to its superior high heat handling and weathering resistance. These models should feel solid as a stone; freestanding grills should enjoy sturdy wheels and easy mobility.
Performance - With charcoal grills, versatility is key. The best charcoal grills reach any reasonable temperature — from the smoking sweet spot of 225–250 degrees Fahrenheit to that perfect sear at 600 degrees (or higher). Airflow gives you the reins to this steed, so its control must be absolute while effortless.
Features - Charcoal grill manufacturers must work much harder to distinguish themselves from the market. For freestanding models, an ideal bonus could be a quality cart with convenient built-in perks like storage, towel racks, and bottle openers. We will always love a charcoal grill with a great thermometer near grate level.
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Top Ten Charcoal Grills
- Blaze 32-Inch Built-In Stainless Steel Charcoal Grill
- Texas Original Pits Corsicana Charcoal Grill
- Coyote 36-Inch Built-In Stainless Steel Charcoal Grill
- Everdure HUB II 54-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Nuke Delta 40-Inch Argentinian-Style Gaucho Grill
- Nuke Pampa 30-Inch Argentinian-Style Gaucho Grill
- Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Charcoal Grill + Smoker
- Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Napoleon PRO 22-Inch Kettle Grill
- Weber Original Kettle Premium 26-Inch Charcoal Grill
Best Freestanding Charcoal Grills
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- Hand-forged, 3/16-inch steel creates a leak-free cooking system
- Compact size allows for use in most backyards
- Can be fueled with charcoal or wood for varied cooking methods
- Side-mounted exhaust stack results in better airflow for fire upkeep
- 2-inch drain pipe and ash tool included for easy cleanout
- Proudly manufactured in the USA
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- Masterbuilt app can control variable fan speed and temperature
- Reversible smoke and sear cast iron grates for low and slow or high heat
- 225 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes or 700 degrees in 15 minutes
- Vertical hopper holds up to 10 lbs of lump or 16 lbs of briquettes
- Slides can be opened or closed to adjust airflow and temperature
- Porcelain FoldAway warming racks offer indirect cooking or more main space
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- Premium-grade US steel coated in black porcelain enamel
- Patented one-touch cleaning system with high capacity ash catcher
- Cooks up to 17 burgers on 363 sq. inches of cooking area
- Thermoset work table with 3 tool hooks and wire bottom shelf
- Crack-proof, weatherproof wheels and locking casters
Best Built-In Charcoal Grills
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- Cajun Grills offers a lifetime warranty on the entire grill
- Constructed of 16 gauge 304 commercial grade stainless steel for outdoor durability
- Two 12 gauge charcoal baskets can be raised or lowered independently
- Each arm provides 7 different height positions for its charcoal basket
- Independently adjustable charcoal baskets make dual-zone grilling easy
- Proudly manufactured in the United States
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- Constructed entirely of 304 commercial grade stainless steel to last outdoors
- Blaze warrants this grill from defect for the lifetime of the original purchaser
- Adjustable height charcoal tray allows for finer control over temperatures
- Double lined grill hood protects from heat loss and discoloration
- Hook and Hang system keeps grates out of the way when adding charcoal
- Adjustable rear vents give additional airflow and temperature control
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- 304 commercial grade stainless steel has no trouble enduring the elements
- Stainless steel components warranted for the lifetime of the original owner
- Adjustable height charcoal tray allows you more control over heat
- Charcoal tray slides out front of grill for quickly adding charcoal or wood
- Double walled grill hood retains heat and protects from discoloration
- Air dampers and integrated wind guard help to control airflow
Best Kettle Style Charcoal Grills
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- Premium-grade US steel coated in black porcelain enamel
- Patented one-touch cleaning system with high capacity ash catcher
- Cooks up to 17 burgers on 363 sq. inches of cooking area
- Thermoset work table with 3 tool hooks and wire bottom shelf
- Crack-proof, weatherproof wheels and locking casters
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- Extra-thick porcelain-enameled lid rests on durable powder coated cart
- 10 year limited warranty protects your grill from defects and burn-through
- Hinged cooking grates make adding charcoal during operation simple
- 3 height options for cast iron cooking grates for direct or indirect grilling
- Stainless steel heat diffuser makes low and slow smoking a breeze
- Cleanup is made easy with removable stainless steel ash catcher
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- Heavy gauge porcelain-enameled bowl and lid resist corrosion
- Weber offers 10 year warranty on the grill's bowl and lid
- Stainless steel hinged cooking grate allows adding charcoal on the fly
- Ash filtering mechanism preserves unused charcoal while letting ash fall through
- Aluminum ash catcher collects ash that falls from grill making cleanup easy
- 2 included Char-Basket charcoal fuel holders set you up for dual-zone grilling
Best Argentinian Style Charcoal Grills
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- Everdure offers a 10 year manufacturer warranty to give peace of mind
- Chrome hinged grill grate allows for easy reloading of charcoal
- Rotiscope rotisserie is built into the grill with touch control height adjustment
- Fast Flame ignition system lights charcoal with the push of a button
- Two double-lined doors allow access to large storage area inside the grill
- The included rotisserie can support up to a whopping 88 lbs
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- Cooking chamber is lined with refractory bricks to maintain and distribute heat
- Fueled by coals created from burning hardwood in seperate firebox
- Allows you to distribute heat where you need it for easy dual-zone grilling
- Adjustable height cooking grid with wooden handle helps to control heat
- Grill package includes a full-length cover, poker, shovel, & cast-iron griddle
- Handcrafted in Argentina in the traditional Gaucho grilling style
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- Split grill grate allows for easy access to manipulate coals
- Base is lined with refractory bricks for excellent heat retention
- Grill grate height can be adjusted from 2-6 inches to change heat intensity
- Sits on a stand with two swivel casters for easy portability
- Comes with a stand, fire stoker, and coal shovel to help you get started
- Handcrafted in Argentina in the traditional Gaucho grilling style
Best Portable Charcoal Grills
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- Everdure warrants the CUBE for 10 years from the date of purchase
- Chrome handles remain cool to the touch while grilling
- Includes bamboo prep and food-grade storage trays attached by safety latches
- Heat shield provides protection when grilling on any surface
- Removable charcoal tray allows for quick and effortless cleanup
- Firebox is made of porcelain enameled steel for added durability
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- Warranted to be free of defects for the life of the product
- Foldable grill fits inside of carrying case for added portability
- Electro-plated iron grill has a 203.5 sq. inch cooking surface
- Carrying case comes with an attached shoulder strap for transporting
- Chrome-plated cooking grate is permanently secured to grill
- Weighs only 11 pounds, making it easy to transport
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- Weber offers a 10 year manufacturer warranty on the grill's bowl and lid
- Aluminum dampers and ash catcher will never rust
- Tuck-N-Carry lock secures lid for carrying and doubles as a lid holder
- Lid handle stays cool to the touch with a built in heat shield
- Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid resist corrosion for years
- Aluminum pan collects ashes for quick and easy cleanup
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