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Charcoal grills can deliver both.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Aside from your skills and the quality of ingredients, the model youre cooking on can impact a lot.
So, how do you choose?
While grilling, we evaluated each grill’sease of use, overallperformance,design, andprice.
Credit: SNS Grills
To learn more about how we tested charcoal grills, check outour testing processbelow.
We found the ash bucket and charcoal grate difficult to remove for cleaning.
There are many reasons why theSlow ‘N Sear Grillis our favorite.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
This grill performed very well as a smoker during testing.
(Theres also a larger, porcelain coated grate when the insert isnt being used.)
Cleaning is simple and self-explanatory, and the manual walks through the process in a clear and effective way.
They also add to the experience for avid grillers and professionals, making thisWeber grillworth the splurge.
When it came to smoking, we found it to be incredibly versatile.
We noticed that the charcoal and wood burn very quickly, so monitoring is necessary.
The resulting ribs had a dark sheen and tacky caramelization of the BBQ sauce.
Theres a removable middle to the grill grate and its also hinged on each side.
This grill is too complex for beginners, and there are minimal operating and care instructions.
PK Grill’s Original PK300beats the competition in heat retention.
This makes it incredibly versatile whether you want to cook low and slow or hot and fast.
The proprietary shape is fantastic for two-zone cooking.
Credit: Amazon
Theres a temperature probe access door, or you could install aTel-Tru thermometerfor indirect monitoring.
Assembly requires hex keys, which are included, and a Phillips head screwdriver, which is not.
While it did take us 28 minutes and 19 seconds, it wasnt actually difficult to put together.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
There are rubberized legs on the table side that keep the grill from rolling when resting.
The grates are made of steel, with the charcoal grate four inches below the grill.
The grill grate is hinged, which makes adding coals very easy.
Its also completely removable so it’s possible for you to move and arrange the coals as needed.
The result was a dry, over-charred steak.
There were also minimal cleaning instructionsjust a note tomake sure the coals are completely coolbefore cleaning out the ash.
The large size may be too big for your space or needs.
It took 28 minutes and 17 seconds to put together the grill.
All you need is a Phillips head screwdriver, which isnt included.
It has a large handle and a hinged lid that creates a solid seal on the grill when closed.
The two sturdy grill grates are made of porcelain coated cast iron.
There was no acrid flavor and the middle was a perfect medium throughout the steak.
Cleaning involves just a few simple steps.
The legs and lid were unstable during testing.
The lid has a built-in thermometer and there are aluminum dampers to help fuel the fire with oxygen.
That said, the lid was not very sturdy and the legs button connections made the grill unstable.
We also noticed that the coal grate didnt sit flush on the prongs, which made it less sturdy.
When cooking, the steak was easy to flip.
Credit: Amazon
It came out with solid char and a caramelized color.
The grill marks were faint, but this didnt take away from the appearance of the steak.
Theres only enough space to cook for one or two people, and the heat is hard to control.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Campers, apartment dwellers, and beachgoers:Everdure’s Cube Portable Grillis for you.
The grill is also easy to clean thanks to the removable grate and charcoal tray.
Still, this is quick and easy to do with no tools required.
This lid is also what keeps the grate held in place.
To add charcoal to the grill, you have to remove the cooking grate.
When calculating each grills average rating, ease of use, design, and overall performance were all considered.
Put simply, McCoy explains, ceramic charcoal grills have great heat retention.
We noticed more differences in our testing.
While they do have less square inches, the amount of usable cooking space when smoking is impressive.
No matter what pop in you choose, agrill coverwill protect your investment.
Our primary concern was the lack of efficient airflow.
It was also a breeze to clean.
That said, a few key experiences during testing knocked it off our list.
The lack of hinged grates made adding more coals or wood difficult, especially when actively cooking.
Your Questions, Answered
What size grill do I need?
Can you smoke on a charcoal grill?
Yes, you might smoke on a charcoal grill, particularly large ones.
Is charcoal better than gas?
Credit: The Home Depot
Charcoal isnt necessarily better than gasthey provide different benefits.
Charcoal grills are generally less expensive and require briquettes to ignite.
They work best for those who dont mind a little extra effort to achieve a perfectly smokey taste.
Credit: Amazon
What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Credit: Amazon
