Top 4 Charcoal Grills for Summer Barbecues

On hot summer days I prefer firing up a charcoal grill to cooking indoors on a stovetop or grill pan. While gas grills are convenient, charcoal delivers a smoky flavor and crisp char marks that I love. In summer I use my charcoal grill for everything from hamburgers and grilled chicken breasts to zucchini and other seasonal produce.

Grilling with charcoal takes a bit of practice—lighting the coals and managing airflow to control temperature are skills you develop over time. The extra effort, though, pays off with delicious results. Over the years I’ve used many charcoal grills; below are my top picks and what to consider when choosing one.

My Top Picks

1. What’s in My Kitchen: Kamado Joe Classic Joe II — $1,299 (retail)
2. Best Budget Charcoal Grill: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill — around $219
3. Best Cart-Style Charcoal Grill: Char-Griller Classic Charcoal Grill — around $299
4. Best Portable Charcoal Grill: Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill — around $159

Reviews of the Best Charcoal Grills

1. What’s in My Kitchen: Kamado Joe Classic Joe II

If you’re comfortable with charcoal and want a versatile, long-lasting grill, the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II is an excellent choice. This kamado-style ceramic grill keeps heat well and is highly fuel-efficient. It works for both high-heat searing and low-and-slow smoking, making it a flexible addition to any outdoor kitchen.

Key features include a two-tier grate system for cooking at different temperatures, an assisted-lift hinge for the heavy lid, caster wheels for mobility, and side tables for prep and tools. With proper care, it’s built to last for many seasons.

The Specs:

• Style: Kamado
• Dimensions: 46.5 by 28 by 48 inches
• Weight: 233 pounds
• Cooking Surface: 250 square inches

Pros:

• Excellent for grilling and smoking
• Two-tier cooking grates
• Assisted-lift hinge
• Handy ash drawer for easy cleanup

Cons:

• High price point
• Heavy and bulky

This model receives strong reviews from professional food publications and users alike. It earned high marks in independent reviews and holds consistently high customer ratings.

Typical price: around $1,299 depending on retailer and configuration.

2. Best Budget Charcoal Grill: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

For beginners, the Weber Original Kettle is a classic and reliable choice. It’s simple to use, reasonably priced, and durable. The 22-inch round grate fits most family needs, and design touches like a hinged grate, lid hook, and one-touch cleaning system make it convenient to operate and maintain.

The Specs:

• Style: Kettle
• Dimensions: 22.5 by 22.5 by 27 inches
• Weight: 37 pounds
• Cooking Surface: 363 square inches

Pros:

• Affordable and widely available
• Classic, easy-to-use design
• Effective one-touch ash removal
• Built-in lid hook is handy while tending food

Cons:

• Assembly can be tricky for some users

The Weber Kettle is a long-time favorite among home grillers and consistently ranks highly in roundup tests and customer reviews.

Typical price: around $219.

3. Best Cart-Style Charcoal Grill: Char-Griller Classic Charcoal Grill

Cart-style grills provide a full prep station with side tables and storage shelves, making meal prep and cleanup easier. The Char-Griller Classic offers a large primary cooking area and a warming rack, plus a crank-adjustable charcoal tray to fine-tune heat. Its locking caster wheels make it mobile, and a large pull-out ashtray simplifies cleaning.

The Specs:

• Style: Cart
• Dimensions: 57.4 x 27 x 51.7 inches
• Weight: 88 pounds
• Cooking Surface: 810 square inches

Pros:

• Very large cooking surface
• Height-adjustable charcoal tray for heat control
• Side tables and storage shelf
• Wheels for mobility

Cons:

• Small damper limits fine ventilation control

Typical price: around $299.

4. Best Portable Charcoal Grill: Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill

If you need a grill to take to the beach, a picnic, or a tailgate, the Everdure CUBE is compact, sturdy, and easy to carry. It includes large handles, a built-in food storage tray and cutting board that lock into place for travel, and it can sit safely on many surfaces. It’s designed for convenience and portability rather than large-scale cooking.

The Specs:

• Style: Portable
• Dimensions: 13.7 x 16.7 x 9.1 inches
• Weight: 15.4 pounds
• Cooking Surface: 115 square inches

Pros:

• Compact, easy to transport
• Built-in storage tray and cutting board
• Works on tables, truck beds, or the ground
• Offered in multiple colors

Cons:

• Small cooking area
• No enclosed lid when cooking if you use accessories

Typical price: around $159–$169.

Other Charcoal Grills to Consider

PK Grills PK300-BCX Charcoal Grill and Smoker

This PK Grills model offers a four-point ventilation system for precise temperature control, around 300 square inches of cooking space, and a lightweight cast aluminum body. Its oval design supports two-zone cooking and it often comes with a convenient cart for prep space. Typical retail price varies by configuration.

Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill

A step up from the classic kettle, the Weber Performer Deluxe adds a cart and storage features like a charcoal basket and ash catcher, while keeping the same trusted cooking surface and performance. It’s a good choice if you want more workspace and convenience.

Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Tabletop Charcoal Grill

When space is limited, the Rambler tabletop grill fits on a picnic table or countertop and offers heavy-duty cast-iron grates and a small footprint. It’s a solid option for tailgates and small gatherings, though its size limits how much you can cook at once.

Char-Griller Double Play Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill

For people who want the convenience of gas with the flavor of charcoal, combo grills like the Char-Griller Double Play provide both fuel options. One side runs on propane for quick meals, while the other uses charcoal when you want that smoky taste. They’re versatile for households that want both capabilities.

Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill

This portable grill includes a folding cart for transport and a relatively generous cooking area for its class. Some models include a battery-powered temperature control dial to help stabilize heat, which can simplify charcoal grilling for newcomers.

Why You Can Trust Me

Hi — I’m Gina, the author and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste. I develop lightened-up recipes using whole, fresh ingredients and I grill throughout the warmer months, from simple turkey burgers to more adventurous grilled chicken tacos. Over the years I’ve used many grills and tested a number of the models listed here. For grills I haven’t personally used, I relied on reputable food publications and trusted reviewers to identify consistently high-performing options.

Everything to Know Before Buying a Charcoal Grill

What to Consider

Charcoal grills come in kettle, cart, kamado, and portable styles. Consider how much cooking area you need, whether you want integrated prep space and storage, and how important heat retention is. Kamado grills are ceramic and excellent at holding steady temperatures for both searing and smoking. Cart grills give you a workspace and storage, while kettles are simple and affordable. Portable grills prioritize size and ease of transport.

Cooking area: Ranges widely—from roughly 100 square inches for compact models up to 1,000 square inches on large cart grills. Choose a size that fits the number of people you typically cook for.

Charcoal access and adjustment: Some grills have hinged grates or adjustable charcoal trays so you can add fuel or change heat levels without removing your cooking surface. These features make temperature control much easier.

How to Light a Charcoal Grill

A chimney starter is a reliable, chemical-free way to light charcoal: fill the tube with briquettes, place crumpled newspaper or a fire starter underneath, and light. In 20–30 minutes the coals will be hot and glowing. Electric charcoal starters are another smoke-free option. Lighter fluid is commonly used but can sometimes impart an off flavor, so use it sparingly if at all.

How to Use a Charcoal Grill

After coals are fully lit, carefully transfer them to the charcoal tray and close the grill briefly to let it come up to temperature. Control heat by adjusting the vents: open vents increase airflow and heat, while closing them lowers the temperature. For two-zone cooking, bank coals to one side so you have both direct and indirect heat.

How to Put Out a Charcoal Grill

To extinguish coals safely, close the lid and all air vents. Deprived of oxygen, the embers will die down. The grill may remain hot for an hour or more, so handle it with care and wait until it cools completely before cleaning or storage.

Gas vs. Charcoal: Which Is Better?

Both fuel types have advantages. Gas grills heat quickly, are easy to start, and offer precise temperature control via knobs—great for beginners and fast meals. Charcoal grills take longer to light and require more hands-on temperature management, but they deliver that classic smoky flavor many prefer. The best choice depends on whether convenience or flavor is your priority.

Grilling Recipes to Try

Once you get comfortable with a charcoal grill, it becomes a versatile tool for everything from classic cookout fare to creative seasonal dishes. Favorites to start with include grilled chicken panini, grilled pineapple, pesto chicken kebabs, blackened salmon skewers, grilled corn on the cob, and BBQ chicken. These recipes showcase the range of flavors a charcoal grill can produce.

Prices were accurate at time of publication.