Best Charcoal BBQ & Charcoal Grills

Best Charcoal BBQ

Is it the latent hunter gatherer in our men that drives them want to cook out on a charcoal grill or something more?  Why else would the lure of literally flame grilled food (with a possibility of food poisoning) drive so many to opt to break out their best charcoal BBQ at the glimmer of a sunny day?

Personally I am a huge fan of the easy peasy, won’t burn your food but cook it to perfection in a decent time gas BBQ.  However my husband is one of those BBQ Kings who can be found sweating over a portable charcoal bbq with beer in hand and looking like he won the lottery!

So for all those Kings of the BBQ out there here is my review (thanks to my husband and his pals who was more than happy to road test these wood smoked bbqs) of the best charcoal bbqs for your delectation.

Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Copper
  • Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; Built-in lid thermometer. Rust-resistant aluminum dampers
  • One-Touch cleaning system with high-capacity ash catcher provides hassle-free ash cleanup
Kamado Joe KJ13RH Joe Jr Charcoal Grill, Blaze Red
  • Premium 13.5" Ceramic Grill with Cast Iron StandThick-walled, heat-resistant shell that locks in smoke and moisture at any temperatureCast-iron air vent for temperature control304 Stainless Steel Cooking GrateBuilt-In Temp GaugeCeramic Heat Deflector Grill Gripper Ash Tool
  • Thick-walled, heat-resistant shell that locks in smoke and moisture at any temperature
Weber Performer Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black
  • 22-inch diameter porcelain-enameled bowl and lid with a cooking area of 363 square inch
  • Gourmet BBQ System hinged cooking grate. Tool hooks: 3
Sale
CosmoGrill Outdoor XL Smoker Barbecue Charcoal Portable BBQ Grill, 2...
  • Grilling Space: Generous cooking area; accommodates over 10 burger patties and 10 sausages simultaneously; ideal for large gatherings or intimate family meals; offers the versatility to grill or smoke a variety of meats including whole chicken and steaks
  • Temperature Precision: The built-in thermometer; ensures accurate cooking for perfectly grilled dishes; The adjustable chimney and vents enhance heat flow; The height adjustable coal tray; allows you to control the heat for different recipes
Weber Smokey Joe Premium 14-Inch Portable Grill, Black
  • Grab the handle of your Smokey Joe Premium portable charcoal grill and throw a BBQ, tailgate, or grill lunch anywhere you go. Its lightweight design and carry handle make it easy to pack up your charcoal and grill wherever the day takes you.
  • Holds up to five burgers made with a Weber burger press
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Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill, 42 x 26cm Grill Area, Lightweight...
  • WEBER GO-ANYWHERE BBQ: Premium travel-size charcoal barbeque grill. Stylish original black/silver design with heat-resistant bowl and lid, triple plated cooking grate plus handle with heat shield
  • LIGHTWEIGHT, FOLDABLE, PORTABLE BBQ GRILL: Outdoor cooking stove, BBQ oven and smoker features folding legs which pivot around the compact barbecue, locking the lid in place for easy carrying
CosmoGrill Outdoor XXL Smoker Barbecue Charcoal Portable BBQ Grill | Lid...
  • Smoking Power: The generous grilling area accommodates over 15 burger patties and 15 sausages simultaneously; perfect for entertaining large groups without compromising on cooking space
  • Heat Retention: This American style smoker has two cast iron grills to ensure even heat distribution; once hot, they stay hot, delivering consistent and reliable cooking results every time
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Valiant Portable Folding Picnic and Camping BBQ - Black
  • Ultra-portable BBQ, folding to 39.5cm x 22.5cm x 8cm and weighing only 2.4kg. Ideal for camping, picnics, and beaches, it offers genuine charcoal flavour anywhere. Its robust design ensures durability, while the 33.5cm x 20cm cooking area is perfect for small groups, blending convenience with authentic grilling.
  • Quick and easy to set up, perfect for spontaneous meals. It delivers classic charcoal taste, suitable for all skill levels. Create memorable outdoor dining experiences, from beachside steaks to campsite breakfasts. The Valiant BBQ turns any outing into a culinary adventure, offering freedom and flavour.
Sale
George Foreman Portable Charcoal BBQ Round Kettle 47.5 cm, Adjustable Vent,...
  • CHARCOAL BBQ - This charcoal powered model provides the authentic BBQ experience at home, making it perfect for a family feast.
  • 5 PORTIONS - Whether you BBQ for family or friends, in a garden or on a terrace, this George Foreman Kettle BBQ has a 47.5cm diameter grill area and can cook up to 5 portions at a time; enough for any hungry bunch!
FENNEK Light | Mobile and Stick Together Charcoal Barbecue Grill | Made of...
  • MADE IN GERMANY ✓ NEW FROM 2020 This robust camping barbecue is made of high-quality stainless steel and therefore guarantees the best barbecue taste every time and everywhere, even after many years of use.
  • PORTABLE ✓ The compact dimensions of the barbecue make it ideal for mobile use. Whether it be while fishing, hiking, camping, at festivals or even in your own garden.

Looking for the best Charcoal BBQ then you need to consider a few key points.

  1. What type of Charcoal BBQ suits your needs?
  2. How many are you cooking for?
  3. Where are you going to be using your BBQ?
  4. Whats your budget for a charcoal BBQ

Types of Charocal BBQ

There are 3 types of Charcoal BBQ to choose from – kettle charcoal, ceramic grills, and barrel grills

Kettle BBQ – Kettle grills are the most simple and versatile bbqs and very affordable.  A good budget priced charcoal kettle bbq will cost £50 – £100.  For the best charcoal  kettle BBQ (think WEBER) you can pay anything upto £500.

Kettle BBQs normally have a bbq grill of about 22 Inches (thats cooking space of 360 inches) however there are xl kettle bbqs that go up to 26 or even 36 inches.

Kettle grills look like a globe with their lids.  The lid allows indirect cooking where the heat is reflected to cook food like an oven making it tender (so it doesn’t have to be charred or watched all the time!). A quality Kettle BBQ have removable ash bins making it easy to clean.

Barrel BBQ Grill – Barrel grills are designed particularly for barbecuing, grilling, and smoking. Size wise they are normally 36 inches or larger too. This type of BBQ Grill looks like a big steel drum.  You place the charcoal is placed in the bottom half and there’s a lid on the top half.  To get the charcoals hot they a quality Barrel BBQ will have a chimney and air vents.

Other things to look for in Barrel BBQs are wheeled stands (make moving them easy) and warming racks.  As the cooking area is bigger you might want to keep what’s cooked warm before eating!  Barrel grills are more expensive as compared to the kettle BBQ grills. You can get a good one for around £200 – £400.

Ceramic BBQ Grill – These are for the true BBQ enthusiasts as they are heavy and expensive but amazing. A mid-range Ceramic Grill will start off at £700 and the high-end ones are more expensive.

The solid ceramic construction  of these Ceramic BBQs allow amazing heat control. The amazing heat control feature means you can BBQ whatever the weather!.

Ceramic BBQs cook at 200F to about 500F and come in a variety of sizes. The larger ceramic grills can weight over 100KG!

Size of Charcoal BBQ

Consider the amount of space you have to put a BBQ in and how many people you are grilling for.

Grills can range from 18in to 36in (a few ceramic BBQs are even bigger)

A 22  inch grill can do 13 burgers no worries at all to give you an idea.

Review of the 10 Best Charcoal BBQs

Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Copper
BEST OVERALL CHARCOAL BBQ - Based on all the reviews and feedback this is the top charcoal BBQ we recommend. Being a WEBER charcoal bbq you know you are buying quality, 5 year warranty & will last for years of BBQ cooking. We picked the 22in grill over the 18 inch for larger cooking area as party people! Cooks up to 13 burgers a time

Pros

Cons

Kamado Joe KJ13RH Joe Jr Charcoal Grill, Blaze Red
BEST BARREL CHARCOAL BBQ - Based on all the reviews and feedback this is the top Barrel BBQ we recommend. The Joe Junior Barrel Grill with its 18 inch griddle is cool in looks & hot on cooking! In lid temp gauge, ceramic insulation and chimney/vent system make this easy to use and cook to perfection with

Pros

Cons

Weber Performer Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black
BEST KETTLE CHARCOAL BBQ WITH STAND - Based on all the reviews and feedback this 22 inch WEBBER GRILL is the best in stand Kettle Drum BBQ. In lid temp gauge, enamelled drum for longevity & chimney/vent system make this easy to use and cook to perfection with.

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

Weber Smokey Joe Premium 14-Inch Portable Grill, Black
BEST PORTABLE KETTLE CHARCOAL BBQ - Having a camping cook out or need a kettle BBQ for small patio this is perfect. Caters for family of 4/6 people. Lightweight & folds up for easy transport. Lack of base air holes makes it lower temp BBQ

Pros

Cons

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Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill, 42 x 26cm Grill Area, Lightweight Portable BBQ Grill, Table Camping Grill with...
BEST GAS/CHARCOAL BBQ - This WEBER go anywhere BBQ is awesome for camping trips. We prefere it to the drum ones as the shape makes it easy to pack in car! Also can be either a charcoal BBQ (i would buy chimney to use with it or with LPQ gas cannisters!

Pros

Cons

CosmoGrill Outdoor XXL Smoker Barbecue Charcoal Portable BBQ Grill | Lid Cover, Adjustable Charcoal Pan, Warming Rack &...
BEST XXL CHARCOAL BBQ - Are you a true grillin villain then you will want this behemoth Charcoal Grill/smoker. Comes with easy to move heat greate for temperature control, warming rack and heaps of cooking space for every size party!

Pros

Cons

Sale
Valiant Portable Folding Picnic and Camping BBQ - Black
BEST PICNIC CHARCOAL BBQ - Small but mighty in the Picnic BBQ department. Its old fashioned cooking at its best, light the coals, no messing with vents, chimneys etc just let the wind heat it & get cooking! Safety wise be careful dumping coals anywhere before you close it up!

Pros

Cons

Sale
George Foreman Portable Charcoal BBQ Round Kettle 47.5 cm, Adjustable Vent, Integrated Thermometer, Charcoal Barbecue, Stand...
BEST BUDGET CHARCOAL BBQ - This George Foreman looks like a WEBER but at this price cause it isn't! However for a budget priced BBQ this is great. Lid with temp gauge allows for indirect cooking, wheeled stand makes easy to move. Removable ash bucket makes easy to clean

Pros

Cons

FENNEK Light | Mobile and Stick Together Charcoal Barbecue Grill | Made of Stainless Steel | Suitable for Camping, Trekking,...
BEST CAMPING CHARCOAL BBQ - Bear Grylls would love this tiny portable grill for cooking up his kill whilst in the wilderness. I just love how i can pack it down in its case and take in my Backpack on a picnic. Can cater for a couple of people on any desert island...just don't pack it in the fabric case until COLD!

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying the Best Charcoal BBQ

Most frequent questions and answers

How to light a charcoal bbq?

How to cook on a charcoal grill bbq ?

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Whats the best portable Charcoal BBQs

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