Nothing beats the smell of a charcoal fire. Charcoal burns hot for a great sear, costs little to run and gives food that classic backyard flavor that gas never quite matches.
We picked six of the best-reviewed charcoal grills on Amazon: the legendary Weber Original Kettle and its upgraded Master-Touch, two compact Weber options for travel and two big barrel grills from Royal Gourmet and Kendane for cooking for a crowd.
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#1 — Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
- This Weber kettle grill has space to hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; The durable-plated steel cook…
- Easy Ash Cleanup: The One-Touch cleaning system included in the black charcoal grill has an aluminized steel ash catcher…
- Durability and Flavor Retention: Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are engineered to withstand high temperatures and retai…
The Weber Original Kettle is an icon for good reason. The 22-inch grate fits around thirteen burgers, the porcelain-enameled lid and bowl hold heat and resist rust, and the One-Touch cleaning system sweeps ash into a removable catcher. It is simple, efficient and brilliant at two-zone cooking.
Best for: Almost every backyard griller
Verdict: ★★★★★
#2 — Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid with a cooking area of 240 square inch
- 18.5-inch diameter plated steel cooking grate
- Rust-resistant aluminum dampers and ash catcher
The Jumbo Joe gives you real kettle performance in a size you can carry. Its 18.5-inch grate offers 240 square inches of cooking space, and the porcelain-enameled bowl and lid handle heat well. Rust-resistant aluminum dampers let you fine-tune the fire, and it fits easily in a car trunk.
Best for: Camping, tailgates and small patios
Verdict: ★★★★★
#3 — Weber Master-Touch 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Simple Lid Storage: Slide the lid of your Weber Master-Touch charcoal grill into the Tuck-Away lid holder on the side of…
- This stylish black grill has space to hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; Cooking grate is compatible …
- Easy Ash Cleanup: One-Touch cleaning system included in the black charcoal grill provides efficient and easy cleanup of …
The Master-Touch builds on the classic kettle with handy extras like a lid holder that lets you slide the lid onto the side of the bowl. It keeps the same 22-inch grate, durable porcelain enamel and One-Touch ash cleanup. It is a great choice if you grill several times a week.
Best for: Kettle fans who want a few smart upgrades
Verdict: ★★★★☆
#4 — Royal Gourmet CC1830 28-Inch Barrel Charcoal Grill
- Generous Cooking Area: This charcoal grill offers a roomy 626 sq. in. cooking zone. It has 475 sq. in. porcelain-enamele…
- Easy Heat Control: Take charge of your barbeque grill! Close the side air vent fully to cut off oxygen and extinguish co…
- Adjustable Lifting Rack: The 2-level height-adjustable grill charcoal pan provides enhanced control over cooking tempera…
Royal Gourmet's CC1830 offers a roomy 626 square inches of cooking space in a classic barrel shape. A two-level adjustable charcoal pan lets you raise the coals for searing or lower them for gentler heat, and the lid-mounted thermometer helps you keep an eye on things. A side table gives you space to work.
Best for: Large families and backyard parties
Verdict: ★★★★☆
#5 — Kendane Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Shelf
- Expansive Cooking Surface: Kendane barrel charcoal grill features nearly 500 sq. in. cooking grid area with porcelain-en…
- Durable and Easy to Clean: Our outdoor BBQ grill comes with enamel-coated grilling grates and a chrome-plated warming ra…
- Precision Heat Control: Equipped with a lid-mounted thermometer gauge for accurate temperature monitoring. The 4-level h…
Kendane's barrel grill gives you nearly 500 square inches of cooking surface with enamel-coated grates that are easy to clean. A lid thermometer helps with heat control, and two sturdy wheels plus a side handle make it easy to move around the patio. The side shelf adds room for plates and tools.
Best for: Big cookouts on a sensible budget
Verdict: ★★★★☆
#6 — Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill
- Tuck-N-Carry Lid Lock doubles as lid holder
- Compact and lightweight for grilling on the go
- Porcelain-enamel finish is scratch and rust-resistant
The Smokey Joe is Weber's smallest kettle, compact and light enough to take anywhere. The Tuck-N-Carry lid lock doubles as a lid holder, the porcelain finish resists scratches and rust, and the ash catcher protects surfaces underneath. It is the perfect grill for two.
Best for: Picnics, beach trips and balconies
Verdict: ★★★★☆
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose
Kettle or barrel?
Kettles are versatile and efficient, and great for two-zone cooking. Barrel grills offer more space and adjustable charcoal pans.
Vents are your throttle
Open vents mean more air and more heat. Learn to use them and you can grill, roast or even smoke on charcoal.
Plan for ash
A one-touch cleaning system or ash catcher makes cleanup quick and keeps your patio tidy.
Use a chimney starter
A chimney lights charcoal evenly in about fifteen minutes without lighter fluid flavors.
Final Thoughts
The Weber Original Kettle 22 inch is the charcoal grill almost everyone should start with. Choose the Master-Touch for handy upgrades, the Smokey Joe or Jumbo Joe for trips and balconies, and the Royal Gourmet CC1830 if you need a big barrel grill for parties.
Keep the fire going: read our guides to the best smokers and portable gas grills.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.