Charcoal BBQ Grill – How To Buy, Light, And Use

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When I decided to make a page about charcoal grills I had no idea where to start. I found so many types and brands of charcoal grills that I could make a whole website about them.

round charcoal grill

Cheap Charcoal Grills

I guess most of us, and I am one of them, started with a cheap charcoal grill that we bought in our local hardware store or one of the big box stores.

If you are looking for a charcoal grill to get started with outdoor cooking this is a great way to get some experience with it.

However, the results might not be as good as you hoped for. In most cases, you get what you pay for.

Where To Buy A Charcoal Grill?

Where to buy a charcoal grill? Just look at your local stores in the summer months and they probably have one that fits your budget.

You could have a look at some of these hardware stores. They do not sell only cheap charcoal grills but also some of the better-known brands.

  • Walmart
  • Home Depot
  • Lowes
  • Aces Hardware

Now you have a bit of an understanding of charcoal grills I advise you to spend a little more and look at some of the better brands.

Related Read: Why A Quality BBQ Costs More

Weber Charcoal Grills

I think it is a fact that Weber is one of the most known charcoal grill brands in the US and all over the world.

For that reason, I have a whole page with Weber Grill reviews and from there you can find links to many of the individual models I reviewed.

Fuego Charcoal Grills

If you are in for a designer grill that also performs very well I think you should have a look at my Fuego grill reviews and see what they have to offer.

Pk Grills

Pk grills have been around for many decades and are still one of the better charcoal grills in my opinion. With the used material they will last for many years and might even outlive you.

You can see my opinion about them on my PK grill review page.

Cast Iron Charcoal Grills

The biggest advantage of cast iron is its heat retention, which is why some people prefer it over any other material.

The two biggest names and highest-rated ones you can find on my page about cast iron hibachi grills

Walmart Charcoal Grills

Some people mock the Walmart charcoal grills. They might not be as good as some other brands but I have read some good things about them.

Reason for you to have a look at them on my page about Walmart charcoal grills and read some of the reviews.

About Charcoal

I will be adding more information about what I think are the best charcoal grills but let’s have a look at charcoal and what it is,

If you would like to know more about it I think the best article to start is my how charcoal briquettes are made.

This is the one most people use although there is also hardwood lump charcoal and here is the difference.

  • Briquettes burn longer and with a more consistent temperature
  • Lump charcoal burns hotter and shorter

What Are The Best Charcoal Grills?

This question is impossible to answer but this is how I answer this question.

The best charcoal grill is the one you have and have mastered to use.

You can go from store to store and read thousands of opinions but if you don’t know how to use the most expensive charcoal grill you still grill mediacore meals.

If you have a cheaper charcoal grill and learned all the ins and outs of it to use it optimal you will cook great meals on it.

Charcoal Grills – My Experience

I strongly believe that after doing tons of BBQs and grill reviews, starting with a charcoal grill from a good brand will help you grill some great food and still not break the bank.

I have used portable charcoal grills that cost $15 and they lasted only one season.

However, I still use the barrel cooker that I bought 10+ years ago for about $100.

I even learned how to smoke on a charcoal grill just by trying.

I just clean it every year and use some heat-resistant spray paint to give it a new coat of paint.

Eddie van Aken

Eddie van Aken has years of experience in running his full-service restaurant and with this came working with using and dealing with all types of kitchen equipment. With his experience, he can find all the pros and cons of grills and add them to the grill reviews and the outdoor cooking tips he is writing about. You can read more on the About page for Eddie van Aken

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