Best Charcoal Grills for 2019: Reviews and Comparison Guide
Contents
Charcoal grills work their magic by heating food and various items from below, using coals and the distribution of oxygen to produce a solid, flavorful cook everyone can enjoy. The merits of charcoal grilling versus gas grill preparation have been debated for years and is a discussion that will continue into the future. Both can boast different levels of effectiveness, but there are distinctions that set them apart from one another for various reasons.
Charcoal grills start by stacking coals in a pyramid shape in the center of the device to make sure air flow is at a maximum. This is important because it is what allows the food to cook evenly, so placement of the coals is not to be done in haste. Starter fluid is then sprayed on the coals to ignite the source of cooking and enjoy its riches.
The popularity of charcoal grills cannot be understated, for they have many valuable uses for consumers. One aspect that people enjoy about these types of grills is that they incorporate old-fashioned techniques of cooking. Not everyone wants to just press a gas button and let the food preparation itself. For some, grilling is their outdoor sport; an outlet that enables them to flex their culinary muscle and produce wonderful meals. The price point is another reason charcoal grills have been around for so long. Though not the case 100 percent of the time, more often than not they are much cheaper than gas grills, as their framework and structure are succinct and less extensive. This can be very appealing, for some charcoal grills literally cut the cost in half of their gas counterparts. Portability has always been a big selling point for charcoal grills because they are very conducive to movement, particularly the smaller models. Gas grills are large and cumbersome, whereas a charcoal grill is perfect to take to the mountains, go camping, or even roll out onto your deck in the middle of a beautiful summer day. The biggest thing charcoal grills offer is freedom, both in transporting it or not being pinned down by the added maintenance of a fleshed out gas grill. Of course, no charcoal grill discussion can be had without mentioning its flavour, which is second to none. Most people are either a charcoal defender or gas defender, with little middle ground. The benefits charcoal grills can boast are that their flame and burn is more authentic, and the trapping of oxygen varies greatly from gas components.
A charcoal grill smoker combo is a model that can expound upon taste with a slightly different style. While searing a steak or hamburger with charcoal, the flame is direct and spread evenly. The smoker aspect, on the other hand, places the heat source away from the food, so as to prepare it more slowly and with a less raw effect of massive heat. The point of smokers is to soak, simmer and trap the flavours, giving a visceral, amazing taste experience for your palette. Charcoal grill smoker combos, as the name sounds, combines both of these methods of cooking to offer a diverse platform to distinguish different types of preparation so no one is left unsatisfied.
Best Charcoal Grill Brands
There are several charcoal grill brands available to the masses, each with their own history and special stamp on the outdoor food preparation niche. The brands Weber, Char-Broil, Cuisinart, Kingsford, Pit Boss and Dyna-Glo all throw their hat in the ring in this field. While all of them have their own styles, the purpose of them remains the same; to deliver quality food repeatedly. Weber is probably the most universally respected name out of all of them, with years of experience and generally good feedback.If you would like to read reviews on Weber charcoal grills and accessories, check out our in-depth article about it.
Weber, Char-Broil and Dyna-Glo models typically come with a higher price point, but you are paying for their expertise and experience. Cuisinart comes in at the lower end of the scale, with a cost that is manageable for more or less everyone. What each brand differs in are their points of emphasis. For example, Char-Broil and Dyna-Glo focus on the technology behind the burn, whereas Kingsford is more style, design and affordable pricing. Pit boss is famous for its Kamado BBQ Ceramic Grills. Some brands put a microscope over the grilling surface area to maximize preparation space, where others simply care about the longevity of the product itself. Because all of them have their own signature features, it is up to the consumer to decide which ones speak to them the most. Every outdoor griller will tell you that there is a relationship between them and their unit, so the choice is not one to make without research.
Charcoal Grill Accessories: Which tools you should have for a proper BBQ event?
Unfortunately, charcoal grill accessories are a necessary evil in this space to either increase the enjoyment out of the experience or apply necessary maintenance to the models themselves. There are seemingly an innumerable amount of add-ons to choose from, with just a few of them being: shelves, grill mats, utensils, brushes, and covers.
Shelves are an important accessory to make note of if the cooking or storage area of the grill you own is small. Between meats, buns, condiments and tools, adequate space is essential not just to prepare, but also for one's safety. It goes without saying that having too many components near the source of heat is a recipe for danger, so shelves, which usually clip on, are a solid addition to any charcoal grill.
Grill mats are becoming increasingly popular and were barely even on the radar 50 years ago. The purpose of grill mats is to not subject the food to the carcinogens and foreign elements that can be on the grill itself. Charcoal, while a great starter of fire, is dirty and not altogether healthy. Grill mats separate the food from flame, limiting exposure to dirt and other unwanted elements. These mats are also valuable because they extend the life of the grate, as the food is not resting on them for long periods of time.
Utensils are the most obvious charcoal grill accessory, for a cook session is incomplete without tongs, spatulas and forks. Luckily, most grills come with hooks or applied storage spaces to keep these tools for use the next time.
Brushes are for maintaining cleanliness of the grills themselves and providing a sanitary surface to prepare meals on. As mentioned before, charcoal can be dirty and messy, and all sorts of debris can find its way onto the grate, cover, or surrounding storage panels. Brushes not only ensure the grill is ready for use, it also extends its shelf life so users do not have to keep replacing key components essential to the cook.
Charcoal grill covers may be as equally important as utensils because these units are constantly hit with a barrage of weather conditions. Rust is an unwanted setback from exposure, and these covers employ a reliable way to keep out heat, cold and moisture than can adversely affect the effectiveness of the grill.
These accessories all serve a warranted purpose, but what good are they without the right grill to use them with? Check out our in-depth reviews and consumer guides about the best charcoal grills in the market today.
The use of charcoal grills in numerous environments can be the gift that keeps on giving, for it is a rewarding experience that one must try to enjoy. The good thing about using these devices is that they usually last for hundreds of cooks, more than enough time to get the most out of your dollar and make it something the whole family can enjoy. Charcoal grills are a fast, fun, inexpensive alternative in outdoor leisure, and the more someone grills, the more addicted they become to the art and nuance to preparing expertly-seared, exquisite delicacies. When choosing the right charcoal grill accessories, utilize the ones that enhance your abilities and cover up your weaknesses, so you can become the grillmaster you were meant to be.
Want a small Charcoal Grill?
Many campers and outdoor lovers always look for convenience when it comes to cooking their favorite meal. Spending a day or two at your most cherished campsite would not be complete if you won't enjoy a barbecue with the rest of the happy campers. When travelling or hiking, many users look for light-weight camping and grilling gear while the ideal machine would be a portable grill which is easy to carry around. We will review the best small sized charcoal grill options available today to see what is on top.
Best Charcoal bbq for under 200
Are you are looking for a budget charcoal grill, may that be for tailgating, camping, picnics or for backyard parties? The good news is that there are few good ones available from the giant grill manufacturers like Weber, Char-grill, Char-Broil etc. The bad news is that it takes a lot of research to find out which ones are worth to buy comparing the features they offer and the durability. Check our post about charcoal grills under $200, to read about the best ones you can buy now and their pros and cons.
You might also want to check out these articles
How do you know you have found the best charcoal grill with a smoker-
People looking for the best charcoal grill with smoker quickly find out that they have their work cut out for them. It turns out that given the huge array of choices of charcoal grills on the marketplace, there are a wide number of ways manufacturers include a smoker component into their design. This guide teaches you what you need to know about these seemingly small or trivial design decisions. These small design differences actually have a big impact on your comfort, convenience, and your food’s taste. Get on the inside track and use the right selection parameters so you can rest assured that your choice is truly the ‘best’ fit for your needs and preferences.
Everyone is talking about the new Kamado Joe Jr. grill and so excited about the features it has to offer. This grill is designed a lot of special features in mind. The smoking option is really a nice to have addition and you can easily grill a full-size chicken to your grilling tastes. You can read our article reviewing the new Kamado Joe Jr unit for all the in and outs about this grill.
http://bbqtrend.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.