Best affordable charcoal grills
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Not throwing a BBQ party in your backyard in the summer will be the biggest regret of the whole season. It is not only a great bonding time with your family and friends but also where you can satisfy your ultimate love for grilled meat.
To some die-hard BBQ fan, charcoal grills are the best way to grill, because of their budget-friendly price tag, high temperature and the scrumptious smoky flavors that a gas counterpart cannot produce.
Here is the list of 8 best affordable charcoal grills you can find in the market, followed by the ultimate buying guide below!
Best Affordable Tabletop Charcoal Grills
Cuisinart CCG-190Best Overall
Pros
- Heat up quickly
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to clean
- The grill grate can be removed while cooking so that you can add in wood chips or briquettes
- Removable ash catcher
Cons
- Hinges for the lid could be more durable
- No handles on the side to carry around when it’s hot
Cuisinart CCG-190 offers a perfect solution for on-the-go grilling and tiny balcony grilling. With only 2 lbs of weight and a dimension of 14.5 x 14.5 x 15 inches, it is ideal for tailgating, camping, decks, patios and easy to transport.
While being compact, it still provides spacious cooking space with 150 square inches that are enough to accommodate small families or groups without a hitch. Dual venting system allows easy heat control and charcoal management.
Chrome plated cooking rack is easy to clean and with a mess-free ash catcher, you don’t have to worry about leaving a mess behind after a fun BBQ party.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Servings | 2-3 |
| Grill Grate Material | Chrome Plated |
| Cooking Space (sq. in) | 150 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 14.5 x 14.5 x 15 |
| Weight (lbs) | 2 |
| Highlight Features | Dual venting system, 3 secure lid locks, Durable enamel coated firebox, Mess-free ash catcher, Lightweight and compact |
Cuisinart CCG-190 is a great little grill which gets a 4/5 rating. It is a perfect solution for your small patio, deck and good for on-the-go grilling.
Fire Sense Notebook GrillBest Folding Grill
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to carry around
- Simple two-step set up
- Can fit 8-10 burgers
- Doesn’t use lots of charcoal
- Fairly easy to clean
Cons
- Get rusty easily if left outside
- Ash fall on the spot the legs meet, giving more cleaning job
The grill is what the name suggests, it exactly works like a notebook. You can just simply fold it flat to just a mere 1-inch when you finish grilling and put it in your bookshelf, how about that?
Thin as it is, it is super durable with painted steel construction that can resist high heat. Grill grate providing up to 228 sq.in. of cooking surface is made of chrome plated that, making it super easy to clean.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Servings | 2-4 |
| Grill Grate Material | Chrome Plated |
| Cooking Space (sq. in) | 228 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 17.5 x 11.8 x 14.2 |
| Weight (lbs) | 8 |
| Highlight Features | Simple two-step set up, Can be folded flat to 1-inch, High heat resistant painted steel construction |
Fire Sense Notebook Grill is a great little companion for travellers, campers and urban BBQ-ers thanks to its lightweight and unique structure.
Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman's GrillBest Hibachi-Style
Pros
- Easy to set up and clean up
- Pre-seasoned
- Durable cast iron grate can last a lifetime or more
- Great for searing steaks and burgers
- Excellent heat retention and heat control
- Open-grate design is ideal for larger items
- Handy built-in shelf
Cons
- Somewhat heavy
- Use a lot of charcoal for its size
- Rust quickly if not taken care of
- The front door tend to fall off when you lift the grill with the handles
If you like the open-grate design of a hibachi-style grill, you cannot skip this Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman's Grill which is made in the USA. A feather in the company’s hat.
Cast iron grates are famous for their exceptional heat retention and durability over stainless steel counterparts. That’s why you can trust this grill to give you the best steaks and seared meats ever.
Moreover, this grill is seasoned to give your food the taste. It comes with an attached handle for easy transport and a built-in shelf for utensils.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Servings | 2 |
| Grill Grate Material | Cast Iron |
| Cooking Space (sq. in) | 153 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 19 x 8.2 x 10.2 |
| Weight (lbs) | 27 |
| Highlight Features | Made in the USA, 2 adjustable heights, Seasoned and ready to use, Attached handle, Easy access to the coals |
This sturdy and heavy-duty Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman's Grill will last for generations of BBQ parties in your backyard.
Best Affordable Freestanding Charcoal Grills
Weber Original Kettle PremiumBest Overall
Pros
- Spacious cooking space
- Gives food delicious scrumptious taste
- Beautiful finish
- Easy to clean
- The big ash catcher is ideal for all-day grill marathon
- User-friendly features like hinged grate, heat shield and lid hook
- Built-in thermometer
Cons
- May take time to put together
- Can be short to taller people
- Legs are a bit wobbly
Weber Original Kettle Premium grill is all about making your grill experience more pleasant than it already is. Its 363 square inch cooking space can hold up to 13 burgers and with a built-in thermometer, controlling the temp is never this easy.
Cleaning up this grill is effortless with a high-capacity ash catcher and easy-to-clean grate. The heat shield prevents your lid handle from getting hot and the lid hook saves the lid from being put on the ground. Its cooking grate is hinged so that you can still add coal while cooking without a hitch.
It may be a bit more expensive than other models on the list but you can rest assured that Weber Original Kettle Premium is the cheapest in its class.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Servings | 4-6 |
| Grill Grate Material | Chrome Plated |
| Cooking Space (sq. in) | 363 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 39.5 x 22.5 x 27 |
| Weight (lbs) | 32.3 |
| Highlight Features | Built-in lid thermometer, One-Touch cleaning system, High-capacity ash catcher, Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl |
This handsome Weber Original Kettle Premium grill is packed with all user-friendly features you can find to enhance your grilling experience this summer.
Char-Griller E1515 Patio ProCompact For Small Spaces
Pros
- Compact design, ideal for small decks and patios
- Heavy-duty construction
- Quality cast iron grate for even cooking
- Temperature is easily controlled with the dual vent system
- Convenient storage
- Wheels for greater maneuverability
Cons
- The instructions are vague
- The paint is easy to chip
- The wheels feel cheap
Who says you can not throw a fun BBQ party on a small patio? Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro is your life-saver when you have small outdoor space.
Featuring 250 square inches of cooking space, this small grill can accommodate a small gathering of up to 5 people. The cast iron grate which can have excellent heat retention will give your steaks or meats beautiful searing marks and wonderful taste.
It also comes with a cool handle, a side drawer and a bottom storage rack for your charcoal or cookwares. Greater than than, it costs as much as a tabletop model.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Servings | 3-5 |
| Grill Grate Material | Cast Iron |
| Cooking Space (sq. in) | 250 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 31" x 21" x 44" |
| Weight (lbs) | 50 |
| Highlight Features | Stay Cool wood handle, Side shelf, Double steel bottom, Side air vent, Built-in storage rack |
Your summer joy will never be limited by your small patio anymore when you have Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill.
ISUMER Charcoal GrillBest Folding Grill
Pros
- Compact design with foldable legs for easy transport and storage
- Durable and sturdy construction
- Temperature is easily controlled with the dual vent system
- Versatile with grate and grill pan for different food
- Convenient storage
- The cheapest among freestanding charcoal grills
- Easy to clean up
Cons
- No lid to cover
- Sharp edges
Cheap, versatile, and durable, is this ISUMER charcoal grill your dream grill? Lightweight and with foldable legs, this grill cannot be more portable for camping, tailgating or anywhere you want to grill.
This folding is made of 430 stainless steel which is non-stick, high-temperature resistant and durable. Besides the grate, there is also a non-stick grill pan for you to prepare your favorite breakfast like eggs and pancakes. The 2 seasoning racks help organize your seasonings or utensils neatly and the storage rack at the bottom is where you can keep washed vegetables, briquettes, or anything else you need to grill.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Servings | 5-10 |
| Grill Grate Material | Stainless Steel |
| Cooking Space | 28.7”L x 12.8”W |
| Dimensions (inches) | 45 x 12.8 x 26.8 |
| Weight (lbs) | 13.5 |
| Highlight Features | Storage rack, 2 seasoning plates, Double air vents and ash catcher, Non-stick grill pan |
ISUMER Charcoal Grill is a cheap yet durable grill for those who love on-the-go grilling.
Royal Gourmet 30''Best Grill Smoker Combo
Pros
- Dual BBQ style with a grill and a smoker
- Spacious cooking space
- Premium design quality
- Easy-to-monitor heat with a lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Adjustable fire grate
- Easy to tend charcoal
Cons
- Heavy
- It may take time to put together
You are looking at the ultimate grill for a big party this summer. This Royal Gourmet is a combination of a charcoal grill and an offset smoker and the interesting thing is you can grill and smoke at the same time.
If you don’t need the smoker function, the side firebox can be used as a charcoal grill too. With a total cooking area of 800 square inches, your guests will never have to wait for food. The two dampers and the fact that you can change the distance between the firepan and the food help control the heat more easily.
It also comes with some user-friendly features like front,side and underneath rack, the hanging hooks, warming rack and wheels. On top of that, this grill is compact enough to fit on most decks, patios and balconies.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Servings | 5-15 |
| Grill Grate Material | Chrome Plated |
| Cooking Space (sq. in) | 800 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 55.1 x 27.2 x 48.4 |
| Weight (lbs) | 54.2 |
| Highlight Features | Dual BBQ style, Temperature gauge, 2 different levels, Porcelain wire cooking grate |
Nothing is more ideal for a huge BBQ gathering than this Royal Gourmet BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker thanks to its versatility and great capacity.
How To Choose The Best Affordable Charcoal Grill (Buying Guide)
Ask yourself these questions when shopping for a cheap charcoal grill.How many people will you cook for?
Okay this is important. When you throw a party for ten people, you can’t use a grill with a cooking area of a mere 100 or 150 square inches. People will be starving while waiting for the food to be cooked.
So in order to help your family and friends enjoy the most of your party, choosing a suitable size charcoal grill is really important. Check in the manual or customers’ review how many servings a grill can provide. A grill with a warming rack and side burner can be a lifesaver when it comes to accommodate a large group of people.
Will you bring your grill on a camping trip?
If you are planning a camping trip or a tailgating party, you should go for a portable grill that is lightweight and compact enough for you to carry it with you or pack in the trunk of the car. Tabletop grills seem to be more ideal in this situation, however, there are a lot of freestanding models that have foldable or removable legs.
Which kind of food will you grill?
This relates to which kind of material of the grill grate you should choose. Thin slices of meat need direct contact with the heat to give them more flavor and create a tasty crust. Since cast iron grates transfer heat directly, they are perfect for thinner and more delicate slices of meat.
Thick cuts of meat will be scrumptiously cooked on both cast iron and stainless steel. Chicken is anything but difficult to grill on any type of grate.
FAQs
Like all seasonal items, grills are offered at the cheapest price off-season. And in recent years, there have been the best deals on grills during early fall, exactly in August and September.
But we cannot wait until then to buy a grill since summer is all about barbeque. Luckily, Labor Day weekend is also an ideal time to shop for a new grill. Numerous retailers offer deals to celebrate the holiday, and this will be a great time to look for markdowns and rollbacks on famous grill brands.
Especially, with our list of these 8 best affordable charcoal grills, you can’t find any deal cheaper than them.
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Each type of grill grates has their own pros and cons.
Stainless steel grates are the cheapest among the kinds of grates and they are the easiest to clean. Good-quality stainless steel grates have a smoother surface that is non-stick. They are less prone to corrosion than cast iron grates.
Cast iron grates are famous for their excellent heat retention, leaving beautiful seared marks on meats. They transfer heat directly, ideal for food that only needs a short amount of time to cook. And if you maintain your cast iron grate well enough, you may never have to replace it.
There are a few ways to make your stainless steel grate shine like new.
- Put a piece of aluminum on them while the grill is still hot. This concentrates the heat on the grate surface and burns off residue. Remove the foil when the grill cools down and rub the grate with a nylon brush.
- In a bowl mix one cup of baking soda and two of vinegar. Put your grate into a large garbage bag where you pour the solution afterwards and tie it completely. Place the bag on the ground and let the grate soak overnight. The next day, take out the grate, rinse off or use a soft cloth to wipe off the debris.
- Put your grate in a dishwasher.
Conclusion
Personally, we prefer charcoal grills to gas or electric grills because of the irresistible smell and flavor they gave to the food. Moreover, they are the most budget-friendly. We hope you have chosen for yourself the best affordable charcoal grill for this summer and have fun grilling!
Thank you for reading and see you in the next post!