You want to grill and would like your foods to have a smokey flavor, don’t you? Don’t be worried because we are introducing to you the best charcoal grills under $500!
Top Listing
Reviews of the best charcoal grills under $500
1. Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill
Cuisinart CCG190RB Inch BBQ, 14.5" x 14.5" x 15", Portable Charcoal Grill, 14" (Red)
10 used from $17.79
Features
Pros
- Pretty easy to assemble
- Lightweight and portable
- Cheap
- The openings seal up very well, and the unused coals will go out for reuse next time
Cons
- Flimsy metal
2. Kingsford Deluxe Charcoal Chimney Starter
KINGSFORD Heavy Duty Deluxe Charcoal Chimney Starter | BBQ Chimney Starter for Charcoal Grill and Barbecues, Compact Easy to Use Chimney Starters and BBQ Grill
Features
Pros
- Heats up fast
- No lighter fluid
- Works flawlessly
- Makes barbecuing much safer
- Great for the price
Cons
- Rust out after a year or two
3. Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker with Cover, 811 Square Inches, Black, Outdoor Camping
Features
Pros
- Great deal for the price
- Sturdy
- Lightweight
- Excellent temperature control
- Easy to clean
Cons
- The holes in the smoker door are not finished
4. Mueller Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker
Mueller Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker, Go-Anywhere Compact Foldable Grill for Travel, Outdoor Cooking and BBQ, Camping Grill Picnic Patio Backyard, 23-Inch, Black
8 used from $38.39
Features
Pros
- Fits easily in a car for an on-the-go trip
- Nice and compact
- Nicely built
- Solid
- Amazing for wood-fired grilling and smoking
Cons
- The instructions seem a little off
5. Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black
Features
Pros
- Clean-up is easy
- Green cooking machine
- An ash catcher is included
- Easy to put together
- The charcoal is quick to be ready
Cons
- The legs are very tough to install
6. Weber Charcoal Kettle Grill Cover
Weber 22 Inch Charcoal Kettle Grill Cover
Features
Pros
- it is cheap; almost disposable value
- Simple to use
- Lightweight but because of the Velcro strap at the bottom it stays in place very well
- Not rusted even in a long time
Cons
- Not very secured
7. Barbecue Charcoal Grill
Barbecue Charcoal Grill Stainless Steel Folding Portable BBQ Tool Kits for Outdoor Cooking Camping Hiking Picnics Tailgating Backpacking or Any Outdoor Event (Large)
Features
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Perfect for camping and cooking kabob
- Super light and easy to transport
- Well-ventilated and efficient
- Legs are sturdy enough
Cons
- The grates are not good
8. Weber Jumbo Charcoal Grill
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18 Inch Black
1 used from $74.57
Features
Pros
- So well-made
- Perfect for our tailgating and camping trips
- 90% as good as the full-sized
- The latching mechanism keeps the lid tightly locked when not in use
Cons
- The top vent is so stiff
9. Weber Smokey Joe Portable Grill
Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill, Black
Features
Pros
- Have no rust even in the harsh weather
- High-quality materials and finishes
- Easy to put together
- Small enough to be portable
- Economical use of charcoal
Cons
- Hard to open/close the lower vent disc
Buying Guides
If you have never bought a charcoal grill before and have a tight budget on it, have a look at the instructions below to go for the best charcoal grills under $500.
Materials
When you go shopping for a charcoal grill, seek out its specifications to check what it is made of. Is its material stainless steel, cast aluminum, or iron? If the instruction is not clear, there will likely be rust after a certain time.
Warranties
Keep in mind that you should never choose a grill with a too short parts warranty. Some even come with a lifetime parts warranty.
Delivery and Assembly
Some charcoal grills are fully assembled and directly delivered to your door. Some just don’t and you will need to spend the whole day setting it up.
Build quality
Other than materials, you should see carefully at the design and how the device is built. If it is good, it may stand up to intensive use over time.
Size and Cooking area
Think about the cooking and storage area you have before picking a charcoal grill.
If you regularly cook for a large number of people and you only have a small–sized grill, you may have to struggle sometimes. By contrast, if you have a too big grill, you will use more fuel.
FAQs
Do I need to preheat a charcoal grill?
Absolutely yes! Just like any other type of grill, charcoal grills should be preheated, so food doesn’t stick to the grates or overcook.
How do you control the temperature on a charcoal grill?
You can control the heat in two ways: adjusting the amount of coal or adjusting airflow using the grills’ vents.
How far from my home should I place my charcoal grill?
As charcoal grills release embers, you should keep a safe distance between them and any other structure. The ideal distance is at least 10 feet.
Final Thoughts
If you want to cook things on a charcoal grill so that your foods bring a taste of nostalgia, we hope our article will help you find out the best charcoal grill for under $500.
