Freestanding Charcoal Grills Review


Our review process

Purchasing a grill is no simple task. It can be overwhelming if you don't know exactly what you need. Luckily for you, we've already gathered and analyzed information on over 1,300 different grills and also looked at 89 data entries for each one so that you won't have to look any further. Out of these grills, we then took another look at 48 freestanding charcoal grills using our advanced AI algorithm. The following article will lay out the pros and cons of the 48 grills mentioned above and show you some of the more relevant information you should focus on, such as dimensions and body construction.

For greater assembly and mobility, consider choosing a freestanding charcoal grill. Charcoal grills are capable of reaching significantly high temperatures, adding seared zest and flavors to your food. Offering searing capabilities, they give food exceptional flavor and create the perfect texture. They cook food slowly over a longer period of time, ensuring that meat stays tender and preserving all of its nutrients. However, they tend to build-up carbon and ash, requiring more time, regular maintenance, and a deep clean at least once during the grilling season. Additionally, charcoal grills can take up to 25-30 minutes to heat up, resulting in a lengthier cooking process. On the other hand, they are able to achieve a rich, smoky taste, maintaining a juicy flavor for all food. They can blaze off unnecessary fats and grease, resulting in a nutritious dish.

Freestanding grills are particularly great for first-time grillers since they don't demand the same long-term commitment that built-in grills do and don't come with the same price tag. They are easy to move around, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push them out of the way when you are done preparing your food. Featuring a compact design, they are a fantastic option for backyards with limited room. Freestanding grills typically feature internal storage compartments to help keep all barbecuing utensils in one convenient place. However, they don't have any prep space, unlike built-in grills, so if you're trying to set-up a whole outdoor kitchen, they're not the ideal option.

Our Top Ranking Grills:
Product NameBrandCooking Grate MaterialCooking Area
Best Overall Score
1
An image of Bull 67531 Bison Charcoal Freestanding Grill
Bull 67531 Bison Charcoal Freestanding Grill
Bull
stainless steel
Runner Up
2
An image of Bull 67531 Bison Charcoal Stainless Steel Freestanding Grill
Bull 67531 Bison Charcoal Stainless Steel Freestanding Grill
Bull
stainless steel
Best Affordable Option
3
An image of Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Grill
Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Grill
Dyna-Glo
chrome plated
1382 sq. in.
Best Durable Option
4
An image of Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D-KIT Charcoal Stainless Steel Freestanding Covered Grill
Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D-KIT Charcoal Stainless Steel Freestanding Covered Grill
Dyna-Glo
porcelain-enameled cast iron
952 sq. in.
5
An image of RiverGrille GR1038-014612 Cowboy 31" Charcoal Steel Fire Pit Grill
RiverGrille GR1038-014612 Cowboy 31" Charcoal Steel Fire Pit Grill
RiverGrille
884 sq. in.
Our Top Ranking Grills
Customer Rating
Brand
Bull
Cooking Grate Material
stainless steel
Cooking Area
Customer Rating
Brand
Bull
Cooking Grate Material
stainless steel
Cooking Area
Customer Rating
Brand
Dyna-Glo
Cooking Grate Material
chrome plated
Cooking Area
1382 sq. in.
Customer Rating
Brand
Dyna-Glo
Cooking Grate Material
porcelain-enameled cast iron
Cooking Area
952 sq. in.
Customer Rating
Brand
RiverGrille
Cooking Grate Material
Cooking Area
884 sq. in.
Best Overall Score
An image of Bull 67531 Bison Charcoal Freestanding Grill

Do you enjoy cooking up tasty summer barbecues? The Bull Bison Charcoal Grill is a perfect choice for you. This grill has a freestanding design, which lets you push it out of the way while using your deck or patio. It features a stainless steel cooking grate, supplying a dependable non-stick surface that you can rely on for a long time. It features a built-in lid thermometer and adjustable airflow dampers, so you can manage the temperature inside your grill by choosing how much air enters the chamber. With a cart bottom, it allows you to keep all your spices and rubs for easy use while grilling. This charcoal grill has three adjustable charcoal bins, allowing you to effortlessly control the heat and choose what area of the grill you want to use. It uses charcoal, cooking your food to give it a delicious smoky flavor. This charcoal grill is featured with a rotisserie burner, so you can enjoy a slow-roasted meal and cook a whole chicken at once.

    Pros
    • Features a cart bottom, allowing you to conveniently grill anywhere you want
    • Includes a stainless steel cooking grate, supplying a dependable non-stick surface that you can rely on for a long time
    • Uses charcoal, cooking your food to give it with an excellent smoky taste
    Cons
    • Stainless steel cooking grate is much more costly than other grate materials
    • Charcoal gets incredibly messy and tougher to clean
Runner Up
An image of Bull 67531 Bison Charcoal Stainless Steel Freestanding Grill

The Bull Bison Charcoal Grill is perfect for any weekend cookout. Control the amount of heat with this grill's adjustable airflow dampers. It has a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push it out of your way while you are using your patio. This charcoal grill cooks the food slowly to develop a rich barbecued flavor. With a stainless steel body, it offers superior strength and durability.

    Pros
    • Features side shelves, giving you extra space to hold plates and utensils
    • Stainless steel design is highly durable and has an elegant appearance
    • Charcoal cooks the food for an extended period of time to ensure the meat remains soft for an authentic barbecue experience
    Cons
    • Stainless steel design tends to lose its color with extended use
    • Includes a stainless steel cooking grate, getting messy easily and requires intense cleaning
    • Charcoal takes more time to heat up
Best Affordable Option
An image of Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Grill

Enjoy every barbecuing experience by using the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Grill. This charcoal grill has heat-resistant handles to keep your barbecue tightly sealed. It is designed with a temperature gauge, so you can always be aware of the temperature of the grill in order to achieve the desired results every time. Using charcoal, it grills your food over an extended period of time to ensure the meat remains juicy. Quickly and easily dispose of ashes accumulated while cooking with its ash pan. This steel grill features a chrome plated cooking grate, which has an aesthetically-appealing look and is durable for continued use. It features a freestanding design, which allows you to save space when it's not in use since you can move it out of the way. Built from steel, it is highly durable and resilient to harsh environments. Equipped with a smoker add-on, it is excellent for adding extra flavor to whatever you're preparing.

    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
Best Durable Option
An image of Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D-KIT Charcoal Stainless Steel Freestanding Covered Grill

If you're a person who loves backyard barbecues, the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Covered Grill is the grill for you. This grill has an electronic ignition, so you can effortlessly light it. It features a built-in thermometer, which allows you to easily monitor the temperature to produce delicious results. Equipped with a warming rack, it is great for preventing grilled food from getting cold until the moment you sit down to eat. Use the indirect and direct heat needed for two-zone cooking with this charcoal grill's two large stainless steel main burners. Using charcoal, it grills the food and offers an authentic smoky flavor. Made with a freestanding design, it offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor kitchen.

    Pros
    • Electronic ignition makes lighting your charcoal grill quick and simple
    • Designed with a warming rack to keep food from cooling down
    • Grease pan catches grease and other drippings released during cooking for easier cleanup
    Cons
    • Stainless steel construction tends to fade over time
    • Porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate causes rust and tarnishing much easier than stainless steel or normal cast iron
    • Electronic ignition loses its ability to work quickly if it gets too dirty
Additional Picks
An image of RiverGrille GR1038-014612 Cowboy 31" Charcoal Steel Fire Pit Grill

The RiverGrille Cowboy Charcoal Fire Pit Grill is an outstanding choice for any weekend barbecue. This steel grill is able to withstand harsh environments. This charcoal grill has a freestanding design, which saves space, giving you more flexibility in your outdoor kitchen. It uses charcoal, grilling the food to give it a delicious smoky 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
An image of RiverGrille CG2053904-RG Stampede 37.5" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill

Improve your barbecuing experience with the RiverGrille Stampede Charcoal Barrel Grill. This charcoal grill has cool touch handles to keep your barbecue securely closed. With a chrome plated warming rack, it is ideal for preventing cooked food from getting cold until you are ready to eat. It has two wagon style wheels, which will be excellent for hosting, picnics, or camping.

This freestanding grill comes with an add-on smoker, providing a smoky, slow-cooked flavor. With a freestanding design, it provides greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor cooking space. This steel grill is able to withstand harsh conditions. Using charcoal, it grills the food and offers a deep, smoky flavor. Quickly and easily discard ashes accumulated during grilling with this charcoal grill's ash pan. It has a steel slat side table, which adds convenience to the grilling experience.

    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
An image of Dyna-Glo DGN576DNC-D Charcoal Freestanding Covered Grill

Improve your grilling experience with the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Covered Grill. Featuring a warming rack, this grill allows you to keep your prepared food at the ideal temperature. It features four heavy-duty wheels, making it excellent for hosting, picnics, and camping. With a freestanding design, it provides greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor dining area. This grill includes a cast iron cooking grate, supplying a dependable non-stick surface that you can rely on for a long time.

Fueled by charcoal, this grill cooks the food over a long period of time to develop a rich barbecued flavor. It has lockable casters, making sure your grill stays in one place if there's a strong storm. Quickly and easily dispose of ashes accumulated while grilling with its removable ash catcher. This charcoal grill is equipped with a temperature gauge, so you can achieve the perfect level of heat while you cook.

    Pros
    • Warming rack helps keep food from getting cold without it overcooking
    • Includes a cast iron grill grate, offering you a dependable cooking surface that will last a long time
    • Features a storage rack, providing enough storage space for easily tucking away all your tools and utensils
    Cons
    • Cast iron cooking grate requires constant oiling to prevent corrosion
    • Charcoal gets messy and tougher to clean
An image of Char-Griller 5650 Charcoal Freestanding Covered Grill

Do you enjoy inviting your guests over for dinner? Consider choosing the Char-Griller Charcoal Covered Grill for a delicious barbecuing experience. This charcoal grill features a side burner, which allows you to cook other dishes right next to your main course. Featuring a chrome plated warming rack, it is great for keeping food from getting cold. It has an electronic ignition to make lighting your charcoal grill as easy as possible with a simple push of a button.

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. Fueled by charcoal, it cooks the food over an extended period of time to enrich the flavor. It includes a cast iron cooking grate, supplying a dependable non-stick surface that you can rely on for a long time. Produce the indirect and direct heat needed to create a two-zone cooking area with this charcoal grill's three large stainless steel main burners. It is equipped with an easy-dump ash pan to make cleanup simple.

    Pros
    • Electronic ignition makes lighting your charcoal grill quick and easy
    • Features a chrome plated warming rack to keep food hot
    • Includes a cast iron cooking grate, supplying a high-quality non-stick surface that will last a long time
    Cons
    • Cast iron cooking grate takes a considerable amount of time to get warm
    • Features an electronic ignition, losing its ability to work quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Charcoal is difficult to use during the winter because it requires more time to get to its ideal cooking temperature
An image of Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw Charcoal Cast Iron Freestanding Barrel Grill

Transform your grilling experience with the Char-Griller Outlaw Charcoal Barrel Grill. This grill includes a cast iron cooking grate, providing a high-quality non-stick surface that you can rely on for a long time. Designed to offer an expanded working space, it features three shelves, so you can prepare your meat next to the grill. Equipped with a warming rack, it is ideal for preventing grilled food from getting cold until you are ready to eat. It has a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push it out of the way while you are using your deck or patio. This barrel grill features an easy-dump ash pan, helping to make cleanup a simple process. Using charcoal, it cooks the meat and infuses an authentic smoky taste. It has a temperature gauge, so you can achieve the perfect level of heat while you are cooking.

    Pros
    • Warming rack helps keep your food warm
    • Features a storage rack, providing ample storage space for conveniently tucking away all your tools and utensils
    • Uses charcoal, barbecuing the meat to give it an excellent smoky flavor
    Cons
    • Cast iron construction has a much heavier structure than stainless steel
    • Includes a cast iron grill grate, taking a considerable amount of time to heat up
    • Charcoal gets dirty and tougher to clean
An image of Char-Griller 93560 Charcoal Freestanding Covered Grill

Rely on the Char-Griller Charcoal Covered Grill for a delicious barbecue experience you can share with your friends and family. This grill has a chrome plated warming rack to keep your food at the perfect temperature. With a side burner, it is ideal for preparing an entire meal right on your grill. It has a continuous-spark ignition, enabling you to easily start up your barbecue. This grill is equipped with a temperature gauge, so you can achieve the perfect level of heat while you are cooking.

Use the indirect and direct heat needed for two-zone cooking with this freestanding grill's three large stainless steel main burners. Made with a freestanding design, it offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor dining space. It includes a cast iron grill grate, which offers you a dependable surface that will last a long time. Using charcoal, it grills the food over an extended period of time to develop deeper flavors. Quickly and easily get rid of ashes accumulated during grilling with this grill's easy-dump ash pan.

    Pros
    • Continuous-spark ignition makes lighting your charcoal grill quick and simple
    • Designed with a chrome plated warming rack to keep food hot
    • Includes a cast iron cooking grate, supplying a high-quality non-stick surface that you can rely on for a long time
    Cons
    • Cast iron cooking grate takes a long time to get hot
    • Continuous-spark ignition loses its functionality very fast if it gets too dirty
    • Charcoal gets messy and tougher to clean
Searching for the Optimal Freestanding Charcoal Grill for You:
Choosing the Right Kind of Freestanding Charcoal Grill
Stainless Steel Grills

There is one freestanding charcoal grill with a stainless steel design. Weather-resistant stainless steel grills can withstand rough climates. They are resistant to corrosion, so they can be used for many years to come. With a bacteria-resistant surface, they will protect your meat from contaminants while grilling. Stainless steel grills are easy to clean, saving you time dealing with any residue or spills. One downside is that 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. Feel ready to pick out the right freestanding charcoal grill for you? Get started here.

Cast Iron Grills

There are three freestanding charcoal grills with a cast iron design, such as this one. Flame-resistant cast iron grills are able to protect against the damaging effects that heat can cause. They have heavy-duty designs for everyday use. Built with heat retaining materials, they will remain hot for extended periods of time. One downside is that they require more maintenance than other types of grills, so they take more time and work to clean up. Another downside is that cast iron grates tend to rust easily, but this can be somewhat prevented if you don't keep them outdoors and always dry them right after you wash them.

Ceramic Grills

With 10 freestanding charcoal grills with a ceramic design, there's lots to know about what makes them unique. Designed to tolerate rough climates, ceramic grills feature superior corrosion resistant, so they can withstand long-term use. They feature flame-resistant technology, protecting against the damaging effects heat can cause. Featuring excellent heat retention, they will stay hot for extended periods of time. Check out this freestanding charcoal grill that we found.

Discover What Kind of Cooking Grates You Need for Your Freestanding Charcoal Grill
Grills with Stainless Steel Grates

With 14 freestanding charcoal grills with a stainless steel grate design, there's lots to know about what makes them unique. Stainless steel grates are heat retentive, reducing fuel consumption while grilling. The grates are manufactured with anti-corrosion properties, so they offer long-lasting durability even after repeated use. They have a non-stick coating, which will stop meat from sticking to the grate after grilling. These grates are simple to clean, so most standard grill brushes should be able to do the trick. They have a low maintenance design for a quick cleanup. Now that you're feeling more confident about stainless steel grates, check out this highly-ranked freestanding charcoal grill.

Grills with Chrome Plated Grates

With nine freestanding charcoal grills available with a chrome plated grate design, there's lots to know about what makes them unique. Chrome-plated grates include technology appropriate for occasional use, comfortably fitting starter grill enthusiasts. These grates are simple to clean, so most standard grill brushes should be able to do the trick. They have a low maintenance design for a quick cleanup. Now that you're feeling more confident about chrome-plated grates, check out this highly-rated freestanding charcoal grill.

Grills with Cast Iron Grates

With seven freestanding charcoal grills with a cast iron grate design, there's lots to know about what makes them unique. Cast iron grates are heat retentive, minimizing fuel consumption while grilling. These grates can transmit temperature evenly, making them excellent for ensuring that meat is thoroughly cooked. They have non-stick coating, so you can grill without the need for additional greasing. One downside is that these grates are quite heavy, making them more cumbersome and harder to handle and install. On top of that, these grills need careful maintenance since the grates can rust and corrode easily if they're not oiled before use and cleaned immediately after. Now that you're feeling more confident about cast iron grates, check out this highly-rated freestanding charcoal grill.

Differentiating Between Grill Types for Freestanding Charcoal Grills
Fire Pit Grills

If you're looking for a grill that gives tons of smoky flavor, then fire pit grills might be what you need. Have a look at this freestanding charcoal grill might be the right choice. Fire pit grills feature an open flame for establishing a calming energy. With a larger surface and flame for grilling multiple food items simultaneously, they are ideal for cooking a whole meal for all your friends and family. They are extremely versatile, so you can utilize the warmth and entertainment of an open flame and whip up traditional campfire dishes such as s'mores and hot dogs.

Kamado Grills

Think that kamado grills are right for you? Then check out this freestanding charcoal grill after you finish reading about them. Kamado grills feature ventilated heat regulation to ensure that combustion remains at a safe and secure level. Designed to retain heat for a lengthy period, they feature a ceramic construction, so you can easily control and maintain the desired temperature for cooking. They help meat retain flavor and moisture, adding juiciness and flavor.

Covered Grills

Think that covered grills are right for you? Then check out this freestanding charcoal grill after you finish reading about them. Covered grills feature ventilated heat regulation to ensure that combustion remains at a safe and secure level. They have even heat circulation, so food can be cooked to the ideal temperature while the lid is closed. They are ideal for preparing food for many people, so you can always host memorable barbecues.