This #FoodieFriday, we selected 10 of best and most unique charcoal and charcoal-combo grills on the market. Revving up your spring and summer meals to the next level, these outdoor cooking designs give off hot, even heat from pure or combined materials such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic. Backed by impressive warranties, each unit promises to infuse your favorite grilled and BBQ recipes with mouth-watering smoke for years to come. You can find the grills here, sorted by price at the time of publication. Paying more will not necessarily buy you a better grill, so we encourage you to look at all the options to find the ideal match for your grilling personality.
Weber 741001 Silver One-Touch 22-Inch Kettle Grill
Deservedly one of the most popular grills around, Weber’s time-honored kettle comes with a 10-year limited warranty and may very well last longer than that. The no-nonsense design features a porcelain-enameled steel bowl, steel-plated grates, an aluminum ash catcher and vent, a one-touch cleaning mechanism, and glass-reinforced nylon handles. Though relatively compact, the grill boasts 363 square inches of cooking space, meaning it is big enough for a whole turkey. The convenient design can be moved around on crack-proof, all-weather wheels. Find it on Amazon for $99.
Napoleon Apollo 300 Charcoal Grill and Water Smoker
The Apollo 300 Charcoal Grill and Water Smoker is a three-in-one design by the Canadian company Napoleon. Composed of a trio of stacking chambers, the design readily transforms from a vertical smoker to a standard grill to a kettle. The sectioned design features handles and clips on each piece, plus meat hooks under the lid, multiple sliding vents, and easy-access doors on two of the parts. Altogether, the grill claims 36-burger capacity and 570 square inches of cooking space that can roast a chicken, a shoulder of pork, and three racks of ribs simultaneously. That is pretty good for a hunk of steel and porcelain that looks somewhat like a Dalek. The tiered design allows you to keep different temperatures going at each level, making this a choice option for multi-tasking grill masters. Available on Amazon for $349, the multi-purpose outdoor cooker comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Portable Kitchen PK 99740 Cast Aluminum Grill and Smoker
A revival of the 1950s design, the Portable Kitchen PK 99740 Cast Aluminum Grill and Smoker is a classic for a reason. The thick cast-aluminum design retains heat without flaming up, smoking anything from zucchini to whole chicken. The versatile item comes with four adjustable vents and dampers, a hinged cooking grid, and integrated side and bottom trays. Relatively lightweight at just 51 pounds, the design can be wheeled around the patio with no problem and, because of its detachable carriage, can even be taken camping. The metal construction stands on hard rubber wheels, both long-lasting components. Buy this one on Amazon for $352.
Grill Dome Infinity Series Large Kamado Grill
More than a pretty face, or egg, as it were, this functional design delivers on heat, safety, and convenience. The rugged grill is made of premium Terapex ceramic and 304 stainless steel, materials which reach internal temperatures of more than 750 degrees°F but are thick enough to keep over-excited kids and pets from badly burning themselves on the shell. Though the construction is weighty, the lid can be lifted with ease thanks to the Featherlite hinge system. This is the smallest grill on the list with just 265 square inches of grilling space. Yet, its deep shape makes it worthwhile. The design allows for fast light-up and charcoal reuse, saving time, money, and resources. A bright little powerhouse, the Grill Dome is available on Amazon in several different colors, and each comes with a lifetime warranty ($825).
Abilene 20” by Yoder Smokers
This BBQ-ready grill exudes Southern style. Offering utmost durability and heat retention, the competition-grade design has a quarter-inch steel construction and stands on wagon-style wheels. Big enough for a crowd, the all-metal grill weighs 375 pounds and offers an impressive total of 750 square inches of cooking surface. The hulking double-barrel design includes a charcoal tray, two grates, a grease drain, slide-out shelves, and a dual-damper air flow system, so everything you need is there and at your control. The Abilene 20” can be special-ordered from Yoder Smokers; the base price is $999.
Bison 30” Charcoal Cart by Bull Outdoor Products
The bull-horn silhouette ain’t lying; the Bison 30” Charcoal Cart is a tough metal grill. Fastened to four wheels, including heavy-duty casters, the design glides where you want it to go. An all-in-one grilling island, the unit is crafted from 18-gauge 304 Stainless Steel and includes stainless steel grates and side shelves as well. The design is complete with adjustable charcoal bins and elevation control, airflow mechanisms, and a dual-lined, single-piece hood to keep the heat inside. Make it yours for $1,989 (Amazon).
Custom Coates Grill
A Coates Grill looks like something from another century. The vintage-inspired design rocks a black finish and an unusual, wood stove-esque shape. Handmade entirely from thick cast aluminum, the grill is durable and retains high heat evenly. A fine addition to one’s grill collection, a Coates serves as a BBQ oven, a habachi, and an open pit. The unique piece can even be customized as a hybrid for charcoal, wood, or propane. Handcrafted in Michigan, each piece comes with a 1-year warranty. Inquire with Coates Grills; prices begin at $2,500.
Fire Magic Legacy Charcoal BBQ Grill
Part of Fire Magic’s Legacy series, this grill smokes meats to perfection with your choice of charcoal or wood chips. The traditional rectangular cart is made of 304 stainless steel and conveniently lays out plenty of room for prep, plus 540 square inches of cooking space. Features include front-loading doors, an adjustable charcoal pan, cooking grids, and a warming rack, all crafted from stainless steel as well. Each part is made in the USA and is as durable as that fact suggests. The grill comes with a five-year warranty, and the pans with a one-year. Purchase this shining knight on Amazon for $3,426.
Kamado Joe ProJoe Stainless Steel Kamado Grill
An egg-shaped Kamado similar to the Grill Dome, the ProJoe amps up the style with its brushed steel shell and mirror finish. The triple-layered design is composed of a ceramic core, ceramic fiber insulation, and a 304 stainless steel exterior. The thick design keeps the heat inside so that a 400°F interior temperature, for instance, corresponds with an outside reading of 140°F. While still hot, the outer shell is safer for use around some of the most enthusiastic guests at your BBQ party, young children and pets. When we say party, we mean it. This space-efficient, 175-pound unit offers 905 square inches of grilling space, the most of any product on this list. The professional-grade design is also divided into a two-tiered cooking grid with a split fire box, so that you can cook separate dishes simultaneously. Handy as well as attractive, the comprehensive design includes cast iron grates, precise top and bottom vents, a draft door, drawers, charcoal storage, a counterbalanced hinge system, an ash cleaning tool, and a grate gripper. Warranty-wise, the item offers a lifetime on ceramic parts, five years on metal components, and one year on the thermometer and gaskets. Shop the JoePro on BBQ Guys for $7,500.
Kalamazoo Hybrid Freestanding Grill
This last one is not strictly a charcoal grill, but the professional-grade product burns charcoal with the best of them. The hybrid unit does charcoal, wood, and gas, depending on the flavor and experience you want, and can even combine the three. Crafted from heavy-gauge stainless steel, the large cart offers 726 square inches of cooking space and heats up to 1,000ºF and beyond. The fiery-hot design is outfitted with three individually-controlled brass burners, a natural gas side burner, and a rotisserie system with two infrared burners. Even the grates are something special. Not only are the grates fashioned from stainless steel; they can also be customized with patterns optimized for fish, vegetables, or meat, or laser-engraved with initials and artistic shapes. Handcrafted in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the beauty is available from Kalamazoo Gourmet for $20,695.
