By John E. Moore

The Weber Jumbo Joe charcoal grill is a fantastic option for charcoal grilling on the go. This little Weber provides a spacious 240 square inches of cooking surface. All of the aluminum on the grill is rust resistant so you’ll have a good looking grill for years to come. The porcelain enamel ensures that constant heat isn’t going to wear it out either. If you are going to go with this grill, portability is one of the most important features. The Tuck-n-carry lid lock allows for carrying, also lowers to double as a lid holder. There are lighter grills out there, but this one won’t bog you down at only 18 pounds. It’s a travel grill that is really made to travel. This in turn helps to provide nice and even cooking for everything placed inside. The price is just right at around $60, so it’s perfect for a second grill if you need one for travel or for the person who only needs a compact grill to suite their needs.

Quick Specs

• 240-square-inches of cooking area
• porcelain enameled
• 19.75-inch by 20.5-inch by 19.75-inch
• 18 pounds

Prices

John E. Moore has been reviewing kitchen goods and refrigerators for 8 years as the leader of cookswarehouse.com. Cooks Warehouse sells more than 400 kitchen items and accessories. John is also a self-described computer tech geek…. See more about John

By Brittany Rowland

There are a wide range of charcoal grills from portable to stand alone models. The most important factor in choosing the best charcoal grill is the cooking performance. Some prefer charcoal over propane or any other type of gas because of the flavor imbued by the charcoal. A charcoal grill is also going to be much cheaper up front. That is one big advantage. Other factors that we considered as we compiled this top 10 list:

1. Sturdy and quality construction
2. An air-tight lid and air vents for temperature control
3. Easy-to-clean grates of durable material like cast iron
4. Side tables for convenient food preparation
6. Ample cooking area space
7. Easily removeable ash tray
8. Even cooking

Grills Buying Guide

The Benefits of Charcoal Grilling

Regular gas and electric grills are perfectly adequate at searing meats, vegetables, fish, and fruit. However, for the mouth-watering, tender, smoky barbecue taste that you typically get from a smoker at a barbecue restaurant, you can also use a charcoal grill.

The trick to charcoal grilling is cooking foods for a long period at low temperatures. By building a fire at one end of the grill and maintaining control of the airflow, you can effectively slow cook ribs, chicken, or pork for an authentic, smoky barbecue taste.

Charcoal grills have a couple advantages over regular gas grills:

• With fewer moving parts, charcoal grills have a longer lifespan.
• They usually cost less than gas grills. Of course, the fuel you buy to heat them can even out the costs in the long run.

A gas grill can be a more convenient choice because it starts up and cooks faster, but for a rich taste and tender consistency, a charcoal grill is a valuable cooking tool.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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Top 10 Gas and Propane Grills

There are a wide range of gas grills from portable to stand alone models. The most important aspect of a grill, however, is its cooking performance: A grill should produce a juicy, flavorful steak or burger with a nicely seared exterior… [more]

Top Electric Grills

Electric grills are a great alternative to grills that are in constant need of a fuel source. They are also perfect for those living in apartments or condos that don’t allow open flames… [more]

By John E. Moore

Portable grills are very handy for grilling at tailgating parties, picnics, and while camping. This little Weber provides enough cooking space and a quality package that will make this your go-to for all grilling events. The solid construction doesn’t feature any nuts or bolts to go bad over time. The porcelain enamel ensures that constant heat isn’t going to wear it out either. The next most important point is the portability. The legs fold up to lock the lid and make it much easier to transport. It’s light at 15 pounds too. It’s a travel grill that is really made to travel. There are 4 air vents on the grill, so controlling the temperature and air flow is very easy. This in turn helps to provide nice and even cooking for everything placed inside. The price is just right as well at around $50, so it’s perfect for a second grill if you need one for travel.

Quick Specs

• 160-square-inches of cooking area
• porcelain enameled
• 14-1/4” H x 12-1/4” W x 21” L
• 15 pounds

Prices

John E. Moore has been reviewing kitchen goods and refrigerators for 8 years as the leader of cookswarehouse.com. Cooks Warehouse sells more than 400 kitchen items and accessories. John is also a self-described computer tech geek…. See more about John

By John E. Moore

This charcoal grill for the experimenters out there. It also functions as a smoker. This expands a grill master’s arsenal of techniques in a big way. As a grill, the build quality and cooking performance are both great. The exterior is made of metal while the interior is ceramic. This creates great insulation and heat retention. The side tables aren’t big by any means, but they provide extra workspace that comes in handy very often. A cover is included, but the side tables have to be folded for it to fit. It’s not a big problem, but the tables cannot act as a place to store things while it is not in use. This grill provides great cooking performance, but the price is a little steep at around $350.00. If you are looking for something that offers a little wiggle room when it comes to grilling styles, this may be a good choice.

Quick Specs

• 306 inches of cooking space
• 165 inches of warming space
• 43.3 x 28.7 x 47.2 inches
• 90 pounds

Prices

John E. Moore has been reviewing kitchen goods and refrigerators for 8 years as the leader of cookswarehouse.com. Cooks Warehouse sells more than 400 kitchen items and accessories. John is also a self-described computer tech geek…. See more about John

By John E. Moore

Char-Griller offers an all-in-one package with the 5050 Duo combination grill. You can use propane or charcoal, whatever you like. It also has a side burner for side items or sauces. It’s perfect for the grill master who likes to experiment with different methods but doesn’t want 3 or 4 different pieces of equipment. It’s a great idea to have all these in one, but it ends up doing everything just okay, not great. The performance of the charcoal side is not as good as a dedicated charcoal grill. It should be more air tight. The gas side works pretty well too. There is plenty of cooking area and the temperature can be controlled nicely with the three burners. Once again, this grill does a lot of things, but not all of them so great. It would be perfect for someone getting into all the different types of grilling. If can be found for anywhere from $250 and up.

Quick Specs

• 40,800-BTU
• 1260 square inches of cooking space
• 3 burners
• 48 x 21.5 x 13 inches
• 168 pounds

Prices

John E. Moore has been reviewing kitchen goods and refrigerators for 8 years as the leader of cookswarehouse.com. Cooks Warehouse sells more than 400 kitchen items and accessories. John is also a self-described computer tech geek…. See more about John

By Brittany Rowland

The Char-Griller 2121 is a crowd-pleaser for its durable steel construction and superior charcoal grilling performance. We were impressed with how easy it was to assemble and set up—not to mention using the firebox reduces the need for charcoal to warm up the main grill. This grill has convenient shelves on the side and the front for holding grilling tools and plates of food. Additionally, it has a total cooking area of 850 square inches between its primary cooking area and its warming rack. At only $129, it’s an amazing bargain for a sturdy, great-performing charcoal grill.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

Ideal for small families and intimate gatherings, this Lodge Logic model is a no-fuss charcoal grill that comes with pre-seasoned grates. A durable hibachi-style grill made of cast iron, it heats slowly but stays warm for a long time so you can get a lot of grilling done. A draft door regulates the heat, and you can access the coals through a flip-down door. Best of all, this Lodge Logic grill is easily portable with a convenient handle, so you can take it tailgating or camping. For only $99.39, it’s a great value.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

The perfect size for the average family, the Char-Griller 640-Inch Charcoal Grill/Smoker is also up to the task of serving large parties and barbecues. An air-tight lid seals in the heat for grilling and smoking and effectively snuffs out the charcoal to be used again later. The main grill has 435 square inches and the additional warming rack adds another 200 square inches. We liked being able to adjust the distance between the grates and the charcoal and having a heat gauge that makes maintaining the temperature easy. With the option of adding rotisserie and side firebox attachments, this Char-Griller model is a great bargain at $106.97.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

The classic kettle design of the Weber 741001 is a crowd pleaser. The 22.5-inch-in-diameter grill radiates heat evenly, and it’s spacious enough to hold several large burgers or steaks. The one-touch cleaning system works by sifting ash from the kettle into a removable pan, allowing you to clean out the grill without getting a mess on your hands. The nylon handles stand up to the outdoor elements, but they do heat up when the grill is on. A great grill for beginners and only $89.70, this Weber kettle grill cooks succulent meats, fish, and veggies with ease.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices