At $139, Weber’s original, kettle-style charcoal grill continues to stand the test of time. In our high-heat searing tests, Weber delivered the best balance of seared exterior and medium-rare interior steak. The Weber kettle grill gave us tasty chicken too, with crispy chicken skin.
Ribs cooked on the Napoleon grill came out tasty, though with bark that was a little dry. We independently evaluate all recommended products and weber portable grill services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. These are the worst mistakes to make when grilling at a tailgate.
We have a whole guide right here to help you get started with charcoal grilling, from arranging your coals to determining temperature and even controlling flare-ups. The best way to light your grill without the scent of chemicals is to forgo lighter fluid and use a chimney starter. This model from Weber is our favorite for size and usability. To use one, load up the space on the bottom with a piece of newspaper or two, pile coals in from the top, then light the newspaper.
With 250 square inches of cooking space and a side drawer, this Patio Pro charcoal grill from Char-Griller is perfect for everyday use on your deck or patio. The wheels make it easy to move around and it has a wood handle that stays cool even while cooking. “This grill is a good size for two to five people and it will easily handle eight burgers.
However, for about $200, we think a lot grillers will be happy with the Weber Original 22-Inch Kettle Grill. For five or more people, look for a grill with at least 550 square inches of cooking area. For one or two people, look for a grill with approximately 200 square inches of cooking area. It also has a rail system, letting users raise and lower its coal basket at nine different heights, and adjustable tripod legs to level it out on uneven surfaces.
There are two side tables where you can keep plates, tools, and condiments within reach. Brad has thoroughly tested many of the grills we recommend, using his personal experience and brand familiarity to carefully vet grills we haven’t had the chance to test yet. All of these grills work well in a backyard or garage, but those looking for travel options should skew toward our lighter picks.
This brings about more smoke flavor in barbecue meat like pork ribs, pork butt and beef brisket. Next, we tested each grill’s medium heat cooking capability by roasting whole chickens. The trick here is to keep the grills at a hot enough temperature to cook a chicken for upwards of two hours. We placed two steaks on each grilling grate near the center and seared them for five minutes before flipping them over and searing for another five minutes. With a good, reliable grill, this will give you a steak with a seared outside and a medium rare to medium center.
That’s because Weber offers so many models that choosing the right one for your yard can be a challenge. Its lid dampers allow you to easily control the temperature of the grill, and there’s enough room inside the bowl to manipulate your charcoal for precise cooking. When you’re done, empty the ash catcher before stowing the grill away (and keep in mind that cleaning it can get messy).
Cooking ribs low and slow on the Nexgrill required just 4 hours, 30 minutes. Its rack came out well too, though like the Napoleon, its bark was more pronounced than what the Weber produced. I also consider look, feel, functionality, durability, and price.