I have cooked on just about everything you can drag onto a patio, and every now and then a brand pops up that makes me stop and look twice.
Spider Grills is one of those companies. They took old-school charcoal cooking and added brains to it with digital airflow control and app monitoring.
Robert’s Take: I love live-fire flavor, but I do not always want to babysit vents or hover over a smoker.
In this Spider Grills review, I share what the Huntsman grill and the Venom controller units set apart, who they are really made for, and whether I think they are worth your hard-earned grilling dollars.
What Makes Spider Grills Different
Most charcoal grills ask you to babysit the fire. You open and close vents, fight flare-ups, tap ash loose, and hope your temperature guess is close.
Spider Grills looked at that whole process and decided there had to be an easier way. Their idea was simple. Give charcoal the same precision control people love in pellet grills, without losing the flavor.
What makes them stand out is how they use forced air and smart control to run your fire for you. Instead of adjusting vents as I described here, a small fan feeds the fire based on the temperature you set. The app watches the heat, the fan reacts, and you get steady cooking without hovering over the grill.
That is a big deal if you smoke on a charcoal grill using ribs or brisket, where small swings in heat can make a big difference.
They also focus on adding tech without removing the soul of charcoal cooking. It still burns lump or briquettes. You still taste the smoke. You just do not have to guess your way through it.
Robert’s Take: As someone who has cooked over live fire for years, I find that blend of tradition and control pretty interesting.
Quick Overview of the Models
Spider Grills keeps things simple with only two products right now, and they take two different paths to the same goal: steady charcoal heat without constant vent fiddling.
The Huntsman
The Huntsman is their full grill system. Think of it as a kettle-style cooker built from the ground up with smart airflow control already inside. It is made for folks who want a standalone grill that handles low and slow smoking, high-heat grilling, and everything in between
The Venom
The Venom is an add-on controller for kettle grills you may already own. It bolts onto your existing Weber-style grill and takes over airflow duties. That means you can turn a basic kettle into a smart cooker without buying a whole new grill.
Robert’s Take: Both Spider Grills products chase the same idea, but they serve different cooks.
Spider Grills Technology Explained
One of the things that really sets Spider Grills apart is how they control the fire. Most charcoal grills leave you guessing: open the vents a bit, add more charcoal, hope the temperature stays steady.
Spider Grills takes that guesswork out with a combination of a small fan, smart controller, and optional app monitoring.
Here’s how it works: the fan pushes air into the fire based on the temperature you set. If the grill starts to cool, the fan ramps up.
If it’s getting too hot, the fan eases off. The system responds in real time, keeping your cook steady without you standing over the grill and fiddling with vents.
The app adds another layer of convenience. You can check the grill from your phone, set target temperatures, and even get alerts if something changes.
It is not magic, but it feels close. You still get that classic charcoal smoke flavor, but with a level of control that would usually take years of experience to master.
Robert’s Take: For me, this combination of tradition and technology is what makes Spider Grills worth a closer look. It’s charcoal cooking, but smarter.
Who Spider Grills Is For
I see Spider Grills fitting a very specific group of cooks. These products are for people who love charcoal flavor but do not love managing airflow, checking temps, or fighting a stubborn fire. If you want more control without giving up the smoke and sizzle you get from real fuel, this brand makes sense.
They also appeal to the tinkerer crowd. If you like the idea of pairing old-school fire with new-school tech, the app-driven control system scratches that itch. I think they are especially good for folks who smoke ribs, pork shoulders, or briskets and want long, stable cooks without hovering over the grill.
On the flip side, if you are someone who enjoys tending vents by hand and dialing things in the hard way, these products may feel like cheating. But for most backyard cooks who just want reliable results and less stress, Spider Grills fits right in.
Robert’s Take: If you already love your kettle and just want better control, the Venom is the budget-friendly path.
Key Similarities
- Smart temperature control
- Charcoal flavor
- App monitoring
- Designed for low and slow and grilling
Key Differences
Even though both products chase the same goal, a steady charcoal cooking, there are some important differences in how they get there.
The first big difference is design. The Huntsman is a full grill built from the ground up around its airflow system. You buy it as a complete cooker, and everything is matched to work together.
The Venom, on the other hand, is an add-on that attaches to a kettle grill you already own. It does not replace your existing grill. It upgrades it.
Another difference is flexibility. The Huntsman gives you a cooker with a deeper fire bowl, designed airflow, and heavier construction.
The Venom gives you smart control but depends on the quality and condition of the kettle you attach it to.
Price is also a dividing line. The Huntsman sits in the higher-end charcoal category, competing with kamados and premium kettles. The Venom is more budget friendly because you keep your existing grill.
Finally, there is ease of adoption. If you are already comfortable with your kettle and want to step into smart control without changing grills, the Venom feels natural.
Robert’s Take: If you want a new cooker that is ready to go without modifications or compatibility questions, the Huntsman is the simpler path.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Huntsman vs Venom
| Feature | Huntsman | Venom |
|---|
| Type | Full grill system | Kettle grill controller add-on |
| Design | Purpose-built, heavier steel, built for low-and-slow & high-heat | Attaches to existing Weber-style kettle |
| Temperature Control | Digital airflow built-in | Digital airflow via fan. works on existing kettle |
| Setup | Ready to go out of the box | Requires mounting to your kettle |
| Price | Higher-end | More budget-friendly if you already own a kettle |
| Best For | Cookers who want a complete, smart charcoal grill | Kettle owners who want smarter temperature control without buying a new grill |
Which One I Would Choose
If I had to pick between the two, it really comes down to what kind of cook you are and what you already own.
For someone who wants a fully built, no-compromise charcoal grill, I would go with the Huntsman. It’s a complete cooker, designed to handle everything from low-and-slow ribs to high-heat steaks, and the airflow system is perfectly matched to the grill. You get a ready-to-go setup that gives consistent results every time.
If you already have a good kettle grill and just want smarter temperature control, I would lean toward the Venom. It’s easier on the budget, and you get the benefits of app-driven, hands-off cooking without buying a whole new grill. The tradeoff is that the rest of your kettle’s performance still depends on the quality of the kettle itself.
For me personally, if I were starting fresh and wanted the most reliable all-in-one solution, the Huntsman wins. But if I were upgrading a trusted Weber kettle I’ve used for years, the Venom would be the smart, convenient choice.
Spider Grills Pros and Cons
Spider Grills has some things I really like, and a few areas where they could improve. Here’s my take based on experience and research:
Pros
- Smart temperature control – The fan and app system keep your fire steady without constant adjustments.
- Charcoal flavor preserved – You still get that deep, smoky taste that only real charcoal delivers.
- Build quality – Both models feel solid and thoughtfully designed.
- Versatility – Good for both low-and-slow smoking and high-heat grilling.
- User-friendly for tech-minded cooks – The app makes monitoring your cook easy.
Cons
- Price – Huntsman is on the higher end. The Venom adds extra cost to your kettle setup.
- App quirks – Some users report connectivity issues or learning curves with the app.
- Ash management – With charcoal, you still need to clean up, and the fan can move ash around.
- Learning curve – Even with smart control, you need to understand charcoal behavior to get the best results.
Overall, Spider Grills delivers on the promise of combining traditional charcoal flavor with modern control. However, it is not entirely hands-off, and it is not cheap.
Spider Grills Reviews – My Opinion
After spending time with Spider Grills and digging into both the Huntsman and Venom, here’s where I land. These products are not for everyone, but they fill a clear need: reliable, hands-off charcoal cooking without sacrificing flavor.
If you want a fully built, ready-to-go grill with smart airflow, consistent heat, and the ability to handle everything from low-and-slow to searing steaks, the Huntsman is the way to go. You can read my full Huntsman review here [link].
If you already have a kettle grill and just want a smart controller to take your old favorite to the next level, the Venom is a solid, budget-friendly option. Check out my full Venom review here [link].
Personally, I appreciate that Spider Grills keeps the soul of charcoal cooking alive while making it easier to manage. For anyone who loves flavor but wants less stress at the grill, these products are worth a look.
Have a look at both Spider Grills here!
Robert Chill
Robert Chill loves to cook on BBQs and grills and uses all types of recipes and techniques to cook some awesome food. With his experience, he can share many reviews, tips, and ideas on how to use any grill. You can read more about him here