Reasons for Buying a Charcoal Grill (and Three to Consider)
Few outdoor accessories are more important than the grill you choose for your summer meals. It was already time to throw out the old grill when a rusty hole appeared and a family of mice moved in three years ago, so don’t put it off until later.
If you’ve already weighed the benefits of an electric grill but haven’t been able to shake the siren sound of a classic charcoal grill, you’ve come to the right place. With that in mind, I can explain why charcoal can still be a great choice and how to choose a good grill.
Charcoal grills in this post:
Charcoal gives food that classic summer flavor associated with grilling. Any bite cooked over the radiant fire of charcoal is imbued with a smoky flavor unmatched by any other outdoor cooking device (except the smoker, but that’s a whole different world). With the right mindset, it can also be a lot of fun, from the moment you lay down the chimney to closing the vents – and those glowing coals will always inspire delicious meals.
I feel like an avid grill master every time I cook with charcoal, probably because it takes a little work and know-how to get going successfully compared to a propane gas grill that lights up with a click, or an electric grill that activates with a twist. switch. But even a beginner can cope with this . (They say that every time you burn charcoal briquettes, your ego grows three sizes.)
Is a charcoal grill right for you?
When deciding what type of grill to buy, think about your priorities. Do you need it to be portable? Which size do you think is best? Do you just want something that lights up the first time, or are you okay with trial and error? Let’s consider the advantages of coal:
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Great taste. This is my number one concern when grilling (or cooking), and a charcoal grill does it justice. If you’re looking for that fiery taste, the question isn’t whether you should buy a charcoal grill, but what kind of charcoal grill.
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Heat. Charcoal cooks your food using powerful radiant heat from a pile of briquettes underneath your food. Although gas burns cleaner, it does not burn as hot as charcoal . If severe burns are important to you, use charcoal.
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Portable. You probably won’t take a propane tank or electric grill with you to the park or the beach. Charcoal grills can come in large sizes or as tiny, collapsible units. Throw a bag of charcoal in the back seat and you can grill burgers anywhere it’s legal.
Safety first
If you’re looking for charcoal grilling tips, read about how to keep it hot and these tricks to get started . As always, use your charcoal grill safely and never burn charcoal indoors (including in a tent). Burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO), and burning charcoal indoors can result in CO poisoning. Keep it outdoors – it’s still more fun to cook there.
Also: Clean the damn thing, including the grilles , every time you use it to remove any grease deposits that may cause a flare-up, and just because you should.
Give your grill some space. Even if you don’t live in New York, I refer to the city rules because there aren’t as many people and buildings as there are here. NYC.gov recommends maintaining a distance of at least 10 feet when using charcoal grills near buildings and structures. (Also, keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case.)
Now about my recommendations.
For a portable option, consider the Weber Smokey Joe Premium.
This tiny Weber tabletop grill gives you a 14-inch cooking surface that’s small enough to carry around but large enough to fit five medium-sized burgers at once. This is an option for the traveling chef who dreams of spending many grilling sessions on camping trips, camping trips, or parks in the future. While the art of charcoal grilling is the same whether it’s small or large, the small size of this miniature Weber makes it accessible if you’re a beginner just starting out.
If you’re in the market for a kamado charcoal grill, check out Kamado Joe’s.
Do I know why the name “Joe” inspires so many charcoal grills? Nope. But what I am sure of is that Japanese-style kamado grills are a great option for those looking for a new centerpiece for their yard. While this heavy-duty grill is the pricier of the charcoal-fired options, it’s made from thick ceramic with cast iron parts so it provides even heat, a consistent temperature, and surprisingly strong heat retention. However, it’s not lightweight—it won’t throw you in the backseat—it’s a good option for people who plan to grill at home.
The Weber Original kettle is a classic for a reason.
Weber has been one of the most recognizable names in charcoal grills since the 1960s , perhaps because, despite its simplicity, its standard design works so well. This original kettle follows the same silhouette as the first Webers, with some useful improvements such as hinged grates to move the coal underneath and an easily removable ash bucket. This grill is great as an all-around option: it’s lighter than a kamado grill and has wheels so it’s semi-portable. Also, the price range is more affordable but takes into account higher quality materials so it will last you for several years until you want to upgrade again.