Whether you want to throw a tailgate party during the football season or enjoy a family cookout in the summer sunshine, there’s never a bad time of year to break out the charcoal grill. It is not just about creating delicious, smoky meats and vegetables, either. Charcoal grills give you an excuse to gather friends, family, and even complete strangers to have fun and eat amazing food together!
That said, no two charcoal grills are exactly alike. Some offer specific advantages that others do not. Moreover, prices can vary widely, so you should always do ample research before buying one.
But even if you have not found the right charcoal grill yet, do not stress. In today’s guide, we are going to provide some important information about the different types of charcoal grills and, ultimately, help you pick out one of the best charcoal grills for the money!
How To Choose A Good Charcoal Grill
When shopping for a charcoal grill, you need to think about the value it could bring to you and your family. Charcoal grills are not the kind of products that you use once or twice and then throw out; they can stay with your family for years, even decades. Consequently, you should not rush into buying a cheap disposable or low-quality grill just to enjoy one barbecue. Instead, you should find a high-quality charcoal grill that will last for years to come.
Thus, choosing a good charcoal grill requires careful consideration of a few different factors. Most importantly, you will need to think about all of the following:
- Cost
- Size
- Material
- Design
Cost
If you are like most consumers, the price tag will be one of the most important factors to consider when buying a charcoal grill. You can find quality charcoal grills for a wide range of prices, from less than $50 to over $1,000. Though the exact cost will differ by brand, it is often directly linked with the size, material, and design. Generally speaking, more expensive models will bring greater value — but this is not always true. Oftentimes, you can find amazing charcoal grills at bargain prices.
Size & Material
As you might expect, larger grills tend to cost more than their smaller counterparts. This is simply due to the fact that larger grills require more materials to manufacture and allow users to cook more food at once. While there are various types of materials that can be used to make the body and extensions of a charcoal grill, heavy plated steel is the industry standard for the vast majority of charcoal grill frames. It is one of the best materials for withstanding and containing the heat produced by lit charcoal, ensuring that you can stay safe and adequately cook your food at the same time.
Design
The design of a charcoal grill will also affect the price, but it is more important to examine specific models and designs in relation to your needs. For example, do you need a grill that can cook for large groups and get-togethers? Or are you looking for something small that you can easily store in your kitchen? Certain grills are designed with specific consumers in mind, so thinking about the way in which you plan to use your grill is especially important.
That said, when it comes right down to it, choosing the right charcoal grill for you and your family could simply be a matter of personal taste. Nonetheless, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to each and every model. For example, some charcoal grills are ideal for BBQ, while others offer a more versatile outdoor cooking experience. In any case, let us take a closer look at some of the best and most popular charcoal grills on the market!
Cart Style Charcoal Grills
Cart style charcoal grills are large enough to cook a lot of food at once while still having a semi-portable design. The cart style charcoal grill is ideal for patio get-togethers or backyard barbecues, as you can quickly pick up your grill and move it under cover if the weather takes a sudden turn for the worse. Additionally, most cart style charcoal grills come with extra storage space for charcoal bags, utensils, and cooking ingredients.
This type of grill comes in various sizes, styles, and materials. That said, the standard cart style charcoal grill has a horizontal cylinder to house the primary cooking grate. Many also include a wood offset cylinder to provide a more versatile cooking experience. Most importantly, almost all cart style charcoal grills include at least one set of wheels and a pair of handles for enhanced mobility.
Rotating Charcoal Grills
Rotating charcoal grills allow you to keep your food at the optimal temperature while it cooks. Whether you experience a sudden flair-up or you want to cook a particular piece of meat more quickly, a rotating charcoal grill allows you to perfectly position your food on the grate. In fact, this is the best charcoal grill for people who want to have total control over the grilling experience!
Typically, rotating charcoal grills are small and round, but they can also come in various other shapes and models. With the round style grill, the cooking grate easily rotates to position food over high or low heat. Alternatively, if you are looking for a charcoal grill for skewers, there are also styles with individual grill sticks that ensure meat and vegetables are properly cooked from every angle.
Tabletop Charcoal Grills
The tabletop charcoal grill is one of the best styles for beginners. With tabletop charcoal grills, you can easily place your grill on a flat (outdoor) surface. Whether you need a grill for park barbecues or balcony cooking, tabletop charcoal grills offer a space-saving alternative to larger models!
Tabletop charcoal grills are typically small and circular or rectangular in shape. In addition to offering the space to store and heat charcoals, most models include a removable grate and drip tray. This makes tabletop charcoal grills one of the best options for consumers who want an easy cleanup!
Small Portable Charcoal Grills
Much like tabletop grills, small portable charcoal grills allow for easy storage and transport. Do you want to take your charcoal grill with you on a beach vacation? Or perhaps you are looking for the perfect charcoal grill for camping? Either way, small portable charcoal grills offer a great, budget-friendly solution!
The primary benefit of a portable charcoal grill (in addition to its small size) is the ability to fold and pack it away for travel. This often means that the legs can either be removed or folded in for optimal storage. Due to their size and relatively simple designs, small portable charcoal grills are also some of the most affordable options on the market!
The Bottom Line
Finding the best charcoal grills for the money does not need to be a hassle. Once you choose the design that best fits your needs, it is all about picking a brand and model that falls within your price range. Then, you can use your grill to enhance large barbecues, beach vacations, or just regular family dinners. Fortunately, by following the tips and information provided in this guide, you will be enjoying the benefits of a high-quality charcoal grill in no time!
Are you looking for some of the best deals on charcoal grills? If so, be sure to check out the assortment of charcoal and outdoor grills on Tanga today!
