The 8 Best Charcoal Grills of 2022 And to learn more about how we tested and what we looked for, scroll to the bottom. At $129, Weber's original, kettle-style charcoal grill continues to stand the test of time. In our high-heat searing tests, Weber delivered the best balance of seared exterior and medium-rare interior steak. The Weber kettle grill gave us tasty chicken too, with crispy chicken skin. The Weber can also smoke low and slow at a rock-steady cooking temperature. These include everything from cordless and robot vacuum cleaners to fire pits, grills and coffee makers. An NYC native, Brian now resides in bucolic Louisville, Kentucky where he rides longboards downhill in his free time. We fired up models from Weber, Nexgrill, Napoleon, KitchenAid, Char-Griller and others to find out which charcoal grill is king of the cookout. For one, the screws are not much bigger than those that hold eyeglass frames together. When you think about the ash catcher’s job—to capture hot ashes and embers—the tiny screws don’t inspire much confidence. And never, ever use your charcoal grill in an enclosed space. The Pulse reaches up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, with the ability to control it through an app. The grill features a dual grilling zone, which can hold up to 12 burgers. The pill-shaped Smokey Mountain drops the coalbed down a foot or two, adds a door to throw new coals on and comes with a porcelain-enameled water rack to keep things nice and humid. If you want food closer to the fire, there’s a grate beneath the top grate for charring. Weber grills aren't the cheapest grills, but they're also not super expensive. So what can we say about the iconic Weber Kettle that hasn’t already been said since it first appeared 70 years ago in 1952? Weber Kettles have been at the forefront of all-American BBQ fun since the first hot dog sizzled on that now familiar round cooking grate. Weber Kettles enjoy evergreen popularity throughout the world. They’re affordable, relatively easy to use and maintain, and capable of cooking everything from steak to cake with great results. I’ll continue to use my gas grill for weeknight dinners, but turn to the Weber when hosting things that I want to feel more like an event. The innovative design and unlimited potential of the Summit® Charcoal Grill lands it in a class of its own. Sear the perfect steak, grill a whole chicken, or transform your grill into a smoker, creating mouthwatering ribs. The gas ignition makes lighting coal as easy as pushing a button. With a push of a button, the coals are lit, and the essence of BBQ fills the air. The Performer® Deluxe charcoal grill performs from beginning to end. “Grilling is all about high heat and using direct heat to cook each side of the meat, so you don’t need to use the lid. If I were grilling steaks, I might use the lid to get some oven-like cooking while I’m grilling the meat. In that case, I’d put the lid on and open up its vents,” Karl told me. The vents in the grill’s bowl and lid allow you to control the airflow into your grill. For grilling, you want a hot fire, so you want plenty of air to come in. We tested the 22-inch Weber charcoal grill in black, but Weber also offers an 18-inch version of its original kettle design. There are certainly fancier and more expensive grills to use for cooking, but for a balance of affordability and quality, you can't go wrong with this classic. In cooking performance, the Weber was the best and most hassle-free grill in our tests. But that’s not all—grill grates can be made from cast iron, stainless steel, or other material. No choice is wrong; it just depends on how you prefer to cook. When deciding what size grill you want, think about how many people you expect to be serving on a regular basis and how much cooking space you’ll need. Also, keep in mind that smaller grills are more portable—whether you’re moving your grill across the yard or to the park—while larger grills are heavier and harder to transport. If you're looking for an affordable, all-around great charcoal grill, the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill should be your go-to choice. Our reviewer liked that it worked well for all skill levels.