Affordable Charcoal Grills


Our review process

Choosing a grill can be a long and detailed process. It can quickly escalate into an overwhelming decision. Luckily for you, we've gathered and analyzed information on more than 1,300 different grills and also looked at 89 data parameters for each one. Out of these grills, we then inspected 50 affordable charcoal grills using our leading AI technology. The following article will show you all the pros and cons of the 50 grills mentioned above and show you some more relevant information our research focused on, such as brand and body construction.

If you're looking to not spend too much, these are the top facts we think you'd want to know about affordable charcoal grills. Charcoal grills feature searing characteristics, which let you quickly brown your steaks, fish fillets, or veggies to achieve that delicious caramelized outer crust. They cook food gradually over a longer period of time, so meat remains incredibly tender for delicious results. They are capable of reaching 700 degrees Fahrenheit, adding grilled aromas and flavors to your food. However, they take more time to heat up, making your grilling a slower process. Additionally, charcoal grills tend to rust and build-up carbon and ash, leaving behind a lot of ash that will cause food to stick during future grilling. A benefit is that they can melt off unwanted fats and grease, ensuring that you will be eating the best parts of your meat. They can achieve a smoky, rich flavor, maintaining a juicy flavor for all food.

Our Top Ranking Grills:
Product NameBrandCooking AreaGrill Type
Best Overall Score
1
An image of Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Grill
Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Grill
Dyna-Glo
1382 sq. in.
Runner Up
2
An image of Dyna-Glo DGN576DNC-D Charcoal Freestanding Covered Grill
Dyna-Glo DGN576DNC-D Charcoal Freestanding Covered Grill
Dyna-Glo
816 sq. in.
covered grill
Best Durable Option
3
An image of Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D Charcoal Stainless Steel Freestanding Covered Grill
Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D Charcoal Stainless Steel Freestanding Covered Grill
Dyna-Glo
816 sq. in.
covered grill
For Outdoor Kitchens
4
An image of Royal Gourmet CD1824A 24" Charcoal Steel Built-In Covered Grill
Royal Gourmet CD1824A 24" Charcoal Steel Built-In Covered Grill
Royal Gourmet
590 sq. in.
covered grill
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.
fire pit grill
Our Top Ranking Grills
Customer Rating
Brand
Dyna-Glo
Cooking Area
1382 sq. in.
Grill Type
Customer Rating
Brand
Dyna-Glo
Cooking Area
816 sq. in.
Grill Type
covered grill
Customer Rating
Brand
Dyna-Glo
Cooking Area
816 sq. in.
Grill Type
covered grill
Customer Rating
Brand
Royal Gourmet
Cooking Area
590 sq. in.
Grill Type
covered grill
Customer Rating
Brand
RiverGrille
Cooking Area
884 sq. in.
Grill Type
fire pit grill
Best Overall Score
An image of Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Steel Freestanding Grill

Prepare delicious meals for your friends and family by using the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Grill. This steel grill features heat-resistant handles to keep your barbecue tightly sealed. Equipped with a smoker add-on, it is great for adding more flavor to whatever you're preparing. It features a temperature gauge, so you can always know the temperature of the grill in order to achieve perfect results each and every time.

Fueled by charcoal, this steel grill cooks the food slowly to ensure the meat remains juicy. This steel grill is highly durable and resilient to harsh environments. It has a chrome plated cooking grate, providing a corrosion-resistant, rust proof, and wear-resistant exterior that is also aesthetically-appealing. Quickly and easily dispose of ashes accumulated during grilling with its ash pan. This grill has a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push it out of your way when you are done preparing your food.

    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
Runner Up
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 perfect for hosting, camping, and picnics. 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 when something or someone bumps up against it. 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
Best Durable Option
An image of Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D Charcoal Stainless Steel Freestanding Covered Grill

Make the ideal home-grilled meals with the help of the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Covered Grill. Featuring a warming rack, this charcoal grill is great for keeping food hot until you are ready to eat. It features a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to move it out of the way while you are using your patio. By utilizing four heavy-duty wheels, it is ideal for hosting, picnics, or camping. Using charcoal, it cooks your food slowly to develop deeper flavors. This charcoal grill has a removable ash catcher, helping to make cleanup an easy process.

    Pros
    • Warming rack helps keep food from getting cold without it overcooking
    • Grease pan collects grease and other drippings released during cooking for easier cleanup
    • Features a storage rack, providing a sufficient amount of storage space for conveniently accessing all your tools and utensils
    Cons
    • Stainless steel construction limits heat movement, affecting your food
    • Porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate won't let you sear any food items
    • Charcoal gets messy and tougher to clean
For Outdoor Kitchens
An image of Royal Gourmet CD1824A 24" Charcoal Steel Built-In Covered Grill

The Royal Gourmet Charcoal Covered Grill is a great addition to any patio. This grill has cool touch handles to keep your barbecue securely closed. It features a built-in temperature gauge and uses adjustable air vents, giving you more control over your grill. Featuring a warming rack, this grill is ideal for keeping food from getting cold.

Quickly and easily discard ashes accumulated during cooking with this grill's removable ash tray. This steel grill is able to withstand harsh conditions. Made with a built-in design, it can be used to create a beautiful outdoor kitchen area in your yard. Using charcoal, it cooks the meat and offers a rich, smoky taste.

    Pros
    • Warming rack helps keep your food warm
    • Features fixed side shelves, offering extra space for food preparation
    • Charcoal cooks the food over a long period of time
    Cons
    • Uses charcoal, getting incredibly dirty and harder to clean
Additional Picks
An image of RiverGrille GR1038-014612 Cowboy 31" Charcoal Steel Fire Pit Grill

If functionality and easy assembly are your main priorities, you'll want to hear about the RiverGrille Cowboy Charcoal Fire Pit Grill. This steel grill is highly durable and resilient to harsh elements. Made with a freestanding design, this grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor dining area. Fueled by charcoal, it grills your food for an extended period of time to develop stronger flavors.

    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

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 grill provides greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor kitchen. By utilizing two wagon style wheels, it is ideal for parties, camping, or picnics. It has an ash pan to make cleanup easy. Built from steel, it is highly durable and resilient to harsh environments. This charcoal grill has a steel slat side table, so you can enjoy extra work space.

    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 Char-Griller 5650 Charcoal Freestanding Covered Grill

Count on the Char-Griller Charcoal Covered Grill for an authentic barbecue experience you can share with your family and friends. 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, enabling you to move 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 trustworthy 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. Quickly and conveniently get rid of ashes accumulated while grilling with this cast iron grill's easy-dump ash pan. This charcoal grill cooks your food slowly to develop a rich barbecued flavor. 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

If you enjoy grilling up a storm, the Char-Griller Charcoal Covered Grill is the go-to grill for you. This grill comes with a chrome plated warming rack, which helps you keep your food from cooling down once it is done cooking. With a side burner, it is great for preparing an entire meal all at once. It features a temperature gauge, so you can achieve the perfect level of heat while you are grilling.

Produce the indirect and direct heat needed to create a two-zone cooking area with this covered grill's three large stainless steel main burners. It includes a cast iron cooking grate, giving you a dependable surface that will last a long time. Quickly and conveniently get rid of ashes accumulated while cooking with its easy-dump ash pan. Using charcoal, it grills the food slowly to develop deeper flavors. This covered grill has a freestanding design, which lets you push it out of your way when you are done cooking. It features a continuous-spark ignition, helping you easily start up your barbecue.

    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
An image of KitchenAid 810-0021 Charcoal Freestanding Covered Grill

Enjoy every barbecuing experience with the KitchenAid Charcoal Covered Grill. This grill is equipped with folding side shelves to offer extra work space. With an upper-level warming rack, it is great for preventing grilled food from getting cold until you are ready to eat. It features a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to roll it out of your way while using your patio. This grill features a cast iron cooking grate, supplying a dependable surface that you can rely on for a long time. Using charcoal, it cooks the food for an extended period of time to develop stronger flavors. Quickly and easily get rid of ashes accumulated during cooking with its slide-out ash drawer and tool. It has a built-in heat thermometer and uses temperature control vents, giving you more control over the heat in your grill.

    Pros
    • Designed with an upper-level warming rack to keep food at the perfect temperature
    • Includes a cast iron cooking grate, giving you a high-quality surface that you can rely on for a long time
    • Features a tool holder, providing you with a convenient spot for your appliances
    Cons
    • Cast iron cooking grate takes a long time to heat up
    • Charcoal gets messy and tougher to clean
Here's Some More Information To Think About When Purchasing Your Next Affordable Charcoal Grill:
What Kind of Affordable Charcoal Grill Do You Want to Install?
Built-in Grills

Interested in built-in grills? Here are a few things you should consider about them. Feel free to check out this great affordable charcoal grill in the meantime. Featuring an aesthetically-pleasing design, built-in grills are ideal for upgrading any backyard or patio, giving it a beautiful and refined look. These built-in grills provide you with loads of prep space and are excellent for cooking large quantities of vegetables and meat all at once. However, they have a less convenient installation process, so if you're looking for something that can just come out of the box and is ready for use, they might not be the best choice. Installed permanently into your outdoor kitchen, they can't be moved around. In addition, built-in grills are considerably more expensive, so they should only be considered if you're looking to make a future-proof investment in an outdoor kitchen.

Freestanding Grills

Not sure if you should get a freestanding grill? We can help you make an informed choice by giving you some important facts. Freestanding grills are especially great for grilling novices 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, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push them out of the way when you are done preparing your food. Freestanding grills are easily stored, making them a space-saving choice. They typically include internal storage units to help keep all grilling accessories in one handy area. One downside is that they don't have any prep space, unlike built-in grills, so if you're trying to build a full outdoor kitchen, they're not the best option. Feel ready to pick out the right affordable charcoal grill for you? Get started here.

Portable Grills

Looking for a portable grill to bring with you to upcoming football games? Check out this portable affordable charcoal grill that we think you'll enjoy. These portable grills are easily stored, making them a space-saving choice. They have internal storage compartments, making them great for keeping all barbecuing supplies in one easily accessible area. Something to consider is that they often don't have safety mechanisms, so if you decide to get one, it's a good idea to read up on proper use.

Which Is the Optimal Grill Type for Your Affordable Charcoal Grill?
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. Check out at this affordable charcoal grill could be the perfect pick. Fire pit grills have an open flame, creating a calming ambiance. With a larger flame and surface for cooking multiple food items at once, they are ideal for making an entire meal for a large, hungry crowd. They are versatile, so you can use several types of fuel sources such as coal or wood.

Kamado Grills

The following will help you narrow down what to focus on when considering kamado grills. You can check out this affordable charcoal grill if these kinds of grills are what you're looking for. Kamado grills have ventilated heat regulation, ensuring a safe level of airflow. They preserve flavor and moisture thanks to the constant rotation of the grill's interior, resulting in properly grilled meat. They feature a ceramic construction, which absorbs heat for an extended time.

Covered Grills

The following will help you narrow down what to keep in mind when considering covered grills. You can check out this affordable charcoal grill if these types of grills are what you're looking for. These covered grills have ventilated heat regulation, ensuring that meat and other foods don't overcook or burn. They circulate heat at a consistent rate, so meat is cooked to the appropriate temperature. With a larger flame and surface for grilling several food items at the same time, they are perfect for making an entire meal for a large, hungry crowd.

Cooking Grate Material: Making the Right Choice for Your Affordable Charcoal Grill
Grills with Stainless Steel Grates

If you want an affordable charcoal grill with a stainless steel grate design, you can find a great one here. Stainless steel grates are designed with heat retentive materials, reducing fuel consumption while cooking. Featuring anti-corrosion materials, these grates provide long-lasting durability even after repeated use. With a non-stick surface, they make sure that food does not stick to the grate after grilling. These grates are easy to clean, so most standard grill brushes will do the job. They feature a low maintenance build for an easy cleanup.

Grills with Chrome Plated Grates

If you want an affordable charcoal grill with a chrome plated grate design, you can find a high-quality one here. With material appropriate for occasional use, chrome-plated grates fit beginner grill enthusiasts. The grates have a low maintenance construction, designed for an easy cleanup. They are simple to clean, so most standard grill brushes should be able to do the job.

Grills with Cast Iron Grates

With six affordable charcoal grills with a cast iron grate design, there's lots to know about what makes them unique. Cast iron grates can transmit temperature evenly, designed for ensuring that food is thoroughly cooked. The grates are heat retentive, decreasing fuel consumption while grilling. They feature a non-stick surface, which will prevent meat from sticking to the grate after grilling. One downside is that the grates are quite heavy, making it difficult to adjust or remove them for cleaning. Moreover, these grills need a good amount of maintenance since the grates can rust and corrode easily if they're not oiled before use and they can't be cleaned with all kinds of detergent. Now that you're feeling more confident about cast iron grates, check out this highly-ranked affordable charcoal grill.