Top Steel Freestanding Grills

Our review process

Did you ever consider what would make your patio cookout better? There are plenty of choices of grills to choose. How do you know which one is the right one for your home? Fortunately, we spent numerous hours compiling, researching, and evaluating more than 1,300 grills, each one having 89 different data parameters. During our time reviewing every grill, we found 23 that are steel freestanding grills. Our end objective is to bring you effective details so that you can find the perfect grill for your home. We took into account first-hand user experiences and included key aspects, like body construction material and fuel type. Therefore, we are pleased to display the following guide that will highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages in order to assist you in finding the grill of your dreams!

There are some things you should know about steel freestanding grills. Freestanding grills are particularly great for grilling novices since you don't need to commit to building an entire outdoor kitchen. They are easy to move around, allowing you to save space in your outdoor area. Featuring a compact design, they are a fantastic option for small backyards. Freestanding grills have internal storage units, making them great for keeping all barbecuing supplies in one handy place. However, they don't have any prep space, unlike built-in grills, so if you're trying to install a whole outdoor kitchen, they're not the ideal option.

Stainless steel grills have superior resistance to corrosion, so they can be used for years to come. With a bacteria-resistant surface, they will protect your meat from contaminants while grilling. They are easy to clean, so you can save time when it comes to dealing with any residue or spills. However, they don't retain heat very well, so they are harder to keep hot as opposed to cast iron grills, which can reach and maintain incredibly high temperatures.

Our Top Ranking Grills:

	Product Name	Brand	Fuel Type	Cooking Area	Grill Type
Best Overall Score 1	Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Grill	Dyna-Glo	charcoal	1382 sq. in.
Runner Up 2	Pit Boss 71820 Wood Pellet Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill	Pit Boss	wood pellet	820 sq. in.	barrel grill
Best Affordable Option 3	RiverGrille GR1038-014612 Cowboy 31" Charcoal Steel Fire Pit Grill	RiverGrille	charcoal	884 sq. in.	fire pit grill
Best for Smoking 4	RiverGrille CG2053904-RG Stampede 37.5" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill	RiverGrille	charcoal	1032 sq. in.	barrel grill
5	Dyna-Glo DGSS962CBO-D-KIT Charcoal Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill	Dyna-Glo	charcoal	962 sq. in.	barrel grill

Our Top Ranking Grills

Best Overall Score

Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Grill

Customer Rating

Brand

Dyna-Glo

Fuel Type

charcoal

Cooking Area

1382 sq. in.

Grill Type

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Runner Up

Pit Boss 71820 Wood Pellet Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill

Customer Rating

Brand

Pit Boss

Fuel Type

wood pellet

Cooking Area

820 sq. in.

Grill Type

barrel grill

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Best Affordable Option

RiverGrille GR1038-014612 Cowboy 31" Charcoal Steel Fire Pit Grill

Customer Rating

Brand

RiverGrille

Fuel Type

charcoal

Cooking Area

884 sq. in.

Grill Type

fire pit grill

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Best for Smoking

RiverGrille CG2053904-RG Stampede 37.5" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill

Customer Rating

Brand

RiverGrille

Fuel Type

charcoal

Cooking Area

1032 sq. in.

Grill Type

barrel grill

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Dyna-Glo DGSS962CBO-D-KIT Charcoal Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill

Customer Rating

Brand

Dyna-Glo

Fuel Type

charcoal

Cooking Area

962 sq. in.

Grill Type

barrel grill

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Best Overall Score

Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Grill

4.6 by user reviews

The Dyna-Glo Charcoal Grill is ideal for hosting all of your friends and family. Made with a freestanding design, this steel grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor kitchen. It has a chrome plated cooking grate, which has an aesthetically-appealing style and is rust-resistant for continued use. This steel grill has heat-resistant handles to keep your barbecue tightly sealed.

Quickly and conveniently dispose of ashes accumulated while grilling with this steel grill's ash pan. This steel grill is highly durable and resilient to harsh environments. With a smoker add-on, it is great for adding extra flavor to whatever you're preparing. It uses charcoal, barbecuing the food slowly to develop deeper flavors. This steel grill has a temperature gauge, so you can achieve the perfect level of heat while you are grilling.

Pros

Smoker add-on gives your meat a smoky, slow-cooked taste
Charcoal cooks the food over a long period of time to ensure the meat remains moist for an authentic barbecue experience
Features a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push it out of your way while you use your deck or patio

Cons

Charcoal gets dirty and tougher to clean

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Runner Up

Pit Boss 71820 Wood Pellet Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill

4.6 by user reviews

The Pit Boss Wood Pellet Barrel Grill is perfect for hosting family and friends. This steel grill is equipped with digital temperature control for added convenience. It has a tubular handle to keep your grill securely closed. This electronically ignited steel grill is designed to make lighting your wood pellet grill as easy as possible with a simple push of a button.

With two large wheels, this wood pellet grill will be excellent for hosting, camping, or picnics. Made of steel, it is highly durable and resilient to harsh conditions. This wood pellet grill is ideal for allowing you to either smoke, roast, or braise meat to your preference. It has a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate, providing a strong exterior that protects surfaces from weathering and physical damage. Featuring a freestanding design, this steel grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor cooking area.

Pros

Electronic ignition makes lighting your wood pellet grill quick and easy
Uses wood pellets, offering multiple cooking options smoke, roast, or braise meat to your personal preferences
Features a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push it out of the way while you use your outdoor deck

Cons

Includes a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate, causing rust and tarnishing much easier than stainless steel or normal cast iron
Features an electronic ignition, losing its functionality quickly if it gets too dirty
Wood pellets need to be hooked up to electricity at all times

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Best Affordable Option

RiverGrille GR1038-014612 Cowboy 31" Charcoal Steel Fire Pit Grill

4.5 by user reviews

Count on the RiverGrille Cowboy Charcoal Fire Pit Grill for an authentic barbecue experience you can share with your friends and family. This fire pit grill is built from steel, offering unmatched industrial-strength and durability. It features a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to move it out of your way while you are using your patio. Using charcoal, it grills your food slowly to develop a rich barbecued flavor.

Pros

Charcoal cooks your food for a long period of time to ensure the meat remains soft for an authentic barbecue experience
Features a freestanding design, enabling you to push it out of the way to save space when it's not in use
Cheap

Cons

Features a manual ignition, taking more time to get to the ideal cooking temperature
Charcoal gets incredibly dirty and tougher to clean

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Best for Smoking

RiverGrille CG2053904-RG Stampede 37.5" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill

4.5 by user reviews

Do you enjoy cooking up delicious summer barbecues? The RiverGrille Stampede Charcoal Barrel Grill is an outstanding choice for you. Featuring a chrome plated warming rack, this RiverGrille grill allows you to keep your prepared food hot. It has cool touch handles to keep your grill tightly sealed. With a smoker add-on, it allows you to slow-cook your food, producing a smoky and rich taste.

This charcoal grill enables you to easily control the temperature, ensuring juicy results each and every time. Featuring a freestanding design, this RiverGrille grill provides greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor cooking area. By utilizing two wagon style wheels, it is ideal for parties, camping, or picnics. It has an ash pan, making grill cleanup quick and easy. Built from steel, it is highly durable and resilient to harsh environments. This charcoal grill is fitted with a steel slat side table to offer an expanded working area.

Pros

Designed with a smoker add-on for incredibly juicy and tender results with a rich, smoky flavor
Equipped with a chrome plated warming rack to keep food at the perfect temperature
Uses charcoal, cooking your meat to give it an authentic smoky flavor

Cons

Uses charcoal, getting dirty and harder to clean

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Additional Picks

Dyna-Glo DGSS962CBO-D-KIT Charcoal Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill

4.1 by user reviews

If you're looking for an excellent barbecue for hosting a family get together, the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Barrel Grill is an ideal choice for you. This grill features cool touch handles to keep your barbecue tightly sealed. It is equipped with a temperature gauge and it is fitted with adjustable air vents, giving you more control over the heat in your grill. Featuring a freestanding design, this charcoal grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor kitchen. Using charcoal, it grills your food over an extended period of time to develop stronger flavors. Quickly and conveniently get rid of ashes accumulated during grilling with its removable ash catcher. It is built with a porcelain-enameled steel cooking grate, providing a durable, corrosion-resistant, and won't fade or peel. This steel grill is highly durable and resilient to harsh elements. This charcoal grill has a collapsible front workstation, which allows you to keep more of the things you need nearby.

Pros

Charcoal cooks the food slowly to ensure that the meat remains juicy for an authentic barbecue experience
Features a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to roll it out of the way while you are using your outdoor deck
Collapsible front workstation allows you to have more of the things you need nearby

Cons

Charcoal makes it difficult to have better temperature control from low to high

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Char-Griller 2828 Deluxe 29" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill

5.0 by user reviews

If you are someone who enjoys grilling up a storm at your family events, the Char-Griller Deluxe Charcoal Barrel Grill is an outstanding option for you. With a warming rack, this steel grill allows you to prevent your prepared food from getting cold while you continue barbecuing. It features a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to move it out of your way while you are using your outdoor deck. Quickly and conveniently dispose of ashes accumulated while grilling with its easy-dump ash pan. Made of steel, it is able to withstand harsh elements. This steel grill includes a cast iron cooking grate, giving you a dependable surface that you can rely on for a long time. Using charcoal, it cooks the food slowly to develop stronger flavors.

Pros

Warming rack helps keep your food from cooling down
Features a side shelf, providing extra storage room for all your utensils and accessories in order to say goodbye to mess and clutter
Uses charcoal, cooking the food over a longer period of time to develop rich, smoky flavors for an authentic barbecue experience

Cons

Cast iron cooking grate takes a long time to get warm
Charcoal gets incredibly dirty and harder to clean

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Dyna-Glo DGSS730CBO-D-KIT Charcoal Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill

4.3 by user reviews

If you enjoy hosting large events, consider buying the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Barrel Grill. This grill features cool touch handles to keep your barbecue securely closed. It is designed with a temperature gauge and features adjustable air vents, giving you more control over your grill. Designed to offer extra working area, it is equipped with a collapsible steel front workstation, so you can keep your spices nearby. This grill has a removable charcoal grate and features a removable ash catcher, helping to make post-grill cleanup a simple process. It includes a porcelain-enameled steel cooking grate, providing a strong, corrosion-resistant, and won't fade or peel. Fueled by charcoal, it grills your meat and provides an authentic smoky taste. With a steel construction, it is able to withstand harsh environments. This charcoal grill has a freestanding design, allowing you to push it out of the way to save space when it's not in use. It features two oversized steel wheels, making it ideal for hosting, picnics, or camping.

Pros

Uses charcoal, barbecuing the meat to give it an authentic smoky flavor
Features a freestanding design, enabling you to push it out of the way to save space when it's not in use
Equipped with a collapsible steel front workstation to offer an expanded working area

Cons

Charcoal takes more time to get to its ideal temperature

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RiverGrille SC2210401-RG Cattleman 29" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill

3.5 by user reviews

Prepare delicious meals for your family and friends with the RiverGrille Cattleman Charcoal Barrel Grill. This RiverGrille grill is designed with a chrome plated warming rack to keep food hot. It is equipped with a temperature gauge, so you can always monitor the temperature of the grill in order to achieve the desired results every time. With a smoker add-on, it allows you to slow-cook your favorite foods, adding a distinct smoky flavor. This RiverGrille grill features cool touch handles to keep your barbecue securely closed.

This steel grill is able to withstand harsh elements. By utilizing two wagon style wheels, this steel grill is excellent for hosting, picnics, or camping. Quickly and easily discard ashes accumulated during grilling with its ash pan. It has a steel slat side table, which adds convenience to the grilling process. With a freestanding design, this RiverGrille grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor dining space. Using charcoal, it grills your food and infuses an authentic smoky taste.

Pros

Smoker add-on gives your meat a smoky, slow-cooked flavor
Chrome plated warming rack helps keep your food at the perfect temperature without it overcooking
Charcoal cooks your food slowly

Cons

Charcoal makes it harder to have better temperature control from low to high

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Dyna-Glo DGSS675CB-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill

4.6 by user reviews

Enjoy a perfect barbecuing experience by using the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Barrel Grill. This steel grill features cool touch handles to keep your barbecue tightly sealed. It has a temperature gauge and adjustable air vents, which provide increased control over the heat in your grill, offering a more customized grilling experience. With two oversized steel wheels, it will be excellent for hosting, picnics, or camping. This steel grill has a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to roll it out of the way while you are using your deck. Using charcoal, it grills your meat and offers an excellent smoky taste. This steel grill is able to withstand harsh environments. It is equipped with a folding front shelf to offer extra surface space. This grill is made with a porcelain-enameled steel cooking grate, which has an extremely durable finish that protects against rust formation.

Pros

Uses charcoal, cooking your food over a longer period of time to ensure the meat remains soft
Features a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push it out of your way while you are using your deck
Folding front shelf adds ease to the grilling process

Cons

Charcoal takes much more time to heat up

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Nexgrill 810-0025 Charcoal Steel Freestanding Covered Grill

4.4 by user reviews

The Nexgrill Charcoal Covered Grill is perfect for any neighborhood barbecue. This charcoal grill features a built-in thermometer and adjustable air vents, which provide more control over the heat in your grill, offering a more customized cooking experience. It has a warming rack, which helps keep food from cooling down once it is done cooking. Using charcoal, it grills the food and infuses an excellent smoky flavor. This steel grill is able to withstand harsh conditions. This steel grill is built with a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate, which is durable, scratch-resistant, and lightweight. It has a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push it out of your way while you are using your patio. Quickly and conveniently get rid of ashes accumulated while cooking with its removable ash catcher.

Pros

Warming rack helps keep food hot without it overcooking
Features a tool holder, giving you the flexibility to barbecue like a pro by having all your utensils easily accessible
Charcoal cooks your food slowly

Cons

Features a porcelain-enameled cast iron grill grate, causing rust and tarnishing much easier than stainless steel or normal cast iron
Uses charcoal, taking more time to get to its ideal temperature

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If You Need Help Making Your Choice, Here's Some More Information About the Steel Freestanding Grills Available:

What Size Cooking Area Do You Need for Your Steel Freestanding Grill

Over 700 Sq. Inch Grills

Debating whether to get a more than 700 sq. in. grill? We'll try to help you decide by giving you the information that you need. Large grills are perfect for neighborhood gatherings, so they will allow you to host countless neighborhood block parties or birthday celebrations without worrying about preparing enough food. They can grill up to 16 chicken pieces, 20 sausages, 8 steaks, and 16 burgers at one time. Usually equipped with a rotisserie feature, they can roast delicious meat to perfection and they cook meat in its natural juices for exceptionally tender and flavorful results. Large grills usually include multiple grates and are often designed with eight burners, so you'll have enough space to prepare different kinds of food simultaneously. They usually come with side burners to offer alternative grilling space for your pots, pans, or woks. Built to operate at varying temperatures at the same time, they allow you to simultaneously grill items at high temperatures while slow cooking others at lower heat settings. Now that you know a bit more about more than 700 sq. in. grills, and you want to get one, take a look here.

Under 500 Sq. Inch Grills

Interested in less than 500 sq. in. grills? Here are a few things you should know about them. Feel free to check out this highly rated steel freestanding grill in the meantime. Offering enough space to comfortably cook, these under 500 sq. inch grills let you prepare all of your favorite dishes. They often feature two burners, ensuring that food can simultaneously sear at high temperatures and slow cook at low temperatures. They are no hassle to move, so you can place them anywhere you want in your yard or patio.

500-700 Sq. Inch Grills

Interested in 500-700 sq. in. grills? We can tell you a few things you should keep in mind about them. Feel free to check out this great steel freestanding grill in the meantime. With these types of grills, you can cook up to 12 pieces of chicken, 15 sausages, 6 steaks, and 12 burgers at one time. Medium-sized grills provide plenty of room to cook for the whole family, offering you the space you need to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They typically feature eight burners, so you'll have enough room to prepare lots of different courses simultaneously. They are designed to operate at varying temperatures at the same time, which will allow you to grill food items at high temperatures while slow cooking others on lower heats.

Choose the Right Kind of Fuel for Your Steel Freestanding Grill

Charcoal Grills

Not sure if you should get a charcoal grill? We can help you make an informed decision by giving you some information that you need before purchasing a charcoal steel freestanding grill. Charcoal grills feature a slow and gradual cooking process, which ensures that meat stays incredibly tender for delicious results. They are able to reach significantly high temperatures, so you can prepare food quickly and add a crusty and caramelized texture to your steaks and sausages. They have searing capabilities, so you can quickly brown your fish fillets, steaks, or veggies to achieve the perfect caramelized outer crust. They can reach high temperatures that burn off fat, so you can appreciate a more nutritious dish. However, they can take up to 25-30 minutes to heat up, making them an impractical choice if you're looking for fast grill time. Another drawback is that they tend to rust and build-up carbon and ash, meaning if you're looking for the easiest grilling option, charcoal grills may not be for you. An advantage is that they can achieve a rich, smoky taste, making natural seasoning and flavors for every dish. Now that you know a bit more about charcoal grills, and you think they could be a good fit for you, here's one that we recommend.

Electric Grills

Interested in knowing the pros and cons of electric grills? The next little bit will explain everything that you need to know about them and how these electric steel freestanding grills could be an excellent choice for you. Electric grills have an easy-to-use design, which is great for creating excellent dishes in little time. They heat up in seconds, requiring little preparation time. They have a low maintenance design, ensuring that they stay in great shape with little upkeep required. They are capable of reaching temperatures between 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can perfectly season food with incredible zest and flavors. A potential downside is that they have wide venting, so if food with smoky flavor is what you want, these grills don't have it. Thinking about getting an electric grill? You might want to take a look at this one.

Wood Pellet Grills

Want to learn more about wood pellet steel freestanding grills? Keep reading the following paragraph to learn more about them. Pellet grills are capable of reaching significantly high temperatures, ensuring complete natural and seasoned flavors and aromas. They are equipped with temperature control knobs, so you can identify the ideal temperature for your food. They produce different flavors depending on the wood you use including woody, hickory, and mesquite, which establishes a taste you can't get anywhere else. If you think a wood pellet grill is a good choice, check out this one.

Find Out What Kind of Cooking Grates You Need for Your Steel Freestanding Grill

Grills with Chrome Plated Grates

There are four steel freestanding grills with a chrome plated grate design. Chrome-plated grates are easy to clean, so most standard grill brushes should be able to do the trick. The grates have a low maintenance build, so it won't be a hassle to ensure that they are kept in good condition over time. They are designed for occasional use, which suit beginner cooks. With all of the information that you need to know regarding chrome-plated grates, check out this highly-ranked steel freestanding grill.

Grills with Cast Iron Grates

There are four steel freestanding grills with a cast iron grate design. Cast iron grates have even heat distribution for ensuring that food is thoroughly cooked. The grates are designed with heat retentive materials, delivering a perfectly cooked meal quickly and efficiently. They have a non-stick finish, so you can keep food from sticking to your grill. However, they are quite heavy, so you may need a special tool to lift and replace them on the grill. In addition, they need to be maintained carefully: It's best if you oil them before use and clean them before they've cooled down. With all of the information that you need to know about cast iron grates, check out this highly-rated steel freestanding grill.

Grills with Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron Grates

There are six steel freestanding grills available with a porcelain-enameled cast iron grate design. Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates have heat retention technology, delivering a perfectly cooked meal quickly and efficiently. The grates feature a high-quality construction for a superior grilling experience. They feature a non-stick coating to help you remove any remains of food after you have finished cooking. Something to keep in mind is that the grates need to be maintained carefully: It's best if you oil them before use and clean them before they've cooled down. With all of the information that you need to know regarding porcelain-enameled cast iron grates, check out this great steel freestanding grill.