Reviewing Freestanding Barrel Grills


Our review process

Choosing a grill is no easy task. It can quickly escalate into an overwhelming decision. Luckily for you, we've already spent many hours gathering and analyzing information on more than 1,300 different grills and also looked at 89 data parameters for each one so that you won't have to. Out of these grills, we then took another look at 17 freestanding barrel grills using our leading AI engine. The following article will show you all the advantages and disadvantages of the 17 grills mentioned above and show you some more relevant information our research focused on, such as dimensions and body construction.

We've reviewed freestanding barrel grills and wanted to share some information with you. Barrel grills have a round or oval shape, so they distribute heat evenly and consistently, ensuring that each piece of meat is equally cooked. They are powered by charcoal, which adds a smoky flavor and crusty texture. They have ventilated heat regulation, so you can cook seafood at a precise temperature without it overcooking or burning. Barrel grills have an extensive surface area so that you can cook multiple food items simultaneously.

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, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push them out of the way when you are done grilling. With a compact design, they are a fantastic option for backyards with limited space. Freestanding grills have internal storage units, making them great for keeping all barbecuing supplies 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 best option.

Our Top Ranking Grills:
Product NameBrandFuel TypeCooking AreaBody Construction
Best Overall Score
1
An image of Char-Broil Gas Freestanding Barrel Grill
Char-Broil Gas Freestanding Barrel Grill
Char-Broil
gas
280 sq. in.
Runner Up
2
An image of Pit Boss 72820 Deluxe Wood Pellet Cast Iron Freestanding Barrel Grill
Pit Boss 72820 Deluxe Wood Pellet Cast Iron Freestanding Barrel Grill
Pit Boss
wood pellet
820 sq. in.
cast iron
Best Affordable Option
3
An image of RiverGrille CG2053904-RG Stampede 37.5" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill
RiverGrille CG2053904-RG Stampede 37.5" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill
RiverGrille
charcoal
1032 sq. in.
steel
Best for Smoking
4
An image of Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw Charcoal Cast Iron Freestanding Barrel Grill
Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw Charcoal Cast Iron Freestanding Barrel Grill
Char-Griller
charcoal
1060 sq. in.
cast iron
Best Durable Option
5
An image of RiverGrille CG2065303-RG Desperado 17.5" Charcoal Stainless Steel Barrel Grill
RiverGrille CG2065303-RG Desperado 17.5" Charcoal Stainless Steel Barrel Grill
RiverGrille
charcoal
250 sq. in.
stainless steel
Our Top Ranking Grills
Customer Rating
Brand
Char-Broil
Fuel Type
gas
Cooking Area
280 sq. in.
Body Construction
Customer Rating
Brand
Pit Boss
Fuel Type
wood pellet
Cooking Area
820 sq. in.
Body Construction
cast iron
Customer Rating
Brand
RiverGrille
Fuel Type
charcoal
Cooking Area
1032 sq. in.
Body Construction
steel
Customer Rating
Brand
Char-Griller
Fuel Type
charcoal
Cooking Area
1060 sq. in.
Body Construction
cast iron
Customer Rating
Brand
RiverGrille
Fuel Type
charcoal
Cooking Area
250 sq. in.
Body Construction
stainless steel
Best Overall Score
An image of Char-Broil Gas Freestanding Barrel Grill

Host excellent summer parties with the help of the Char-Broil Gas Barrel Grill. This barrel grill has built-in handles to keep your barbecue tightly sealed. It has a piezo starter, letting you quickly light your grill. Using gas, it heats food quickly and is simple to use for your convenience. This weather-resistant barrel grill is ideal for both summertime cookouts and winter parties. Equipped with a freestanding design, this gas grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor cooking area. It features two burners, letting you use the indirect and direct heat necessary for two-zone cooking.

    Pros
    • Piezo starter makes lighting your gas grill quick and simple
    • Features side shelves, offering a wider surface space for chopping all your food
    • Runs on gas, distributing heat evenly across the grill
    Cons
    • Features a piezo starter, losing its ability to work quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Requires gas, needing more regular maintenance than other fuel types, due to its complexity
Runner Up
An image of Pit Boss 72820 Deluxe Wood Pellet Cast Iron Freestanding Barrel Grill

The Pit Boss Deluxe Wood Pellet Barrel Grill is perfect for any weekend cookout. This wood pellet grill features a cast iron cooking grate, which gives you a dependable surface that will last a long time. Made with a freestanding design, it offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor cooking space. It is designed with an electronic ignition, so you can simply and easily light it. This wood pellet grill is perfect for offering you multiple barbecuing methods. Equipped with a smoker add-on, this cast iron grill is ideal for adding extra flavor to whatever you're preparing.

    Pros
    • Electronic ignition makes lighting your wood pellet grill quick and simple
    • Smoker add-on gives your meat a smoky, slow-cooked taste
    • Uses wood pellets, offering a variety of cooking styles smoke, roast, or braise meat to your personal preferences
    Cons
    • Cast iron design has a much heavier structure than stainless steel
    • Features a cast iron grill grate, requiring constant oiling to stop corrosion
    • Electronic ignition loses its ability to work very fast if it gets too dirty
Best Affordable Option
An image of RiverGrille CG2053904-RG Stampede 37.5" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill

Host outstanding summer parties with the RiverGrille Stampede Charcoal Barrel Grill. This RiverGrille grill features a freestanding design, which saves space, giving you more flexibility in your outdoor kitchen. Using charcoal, it cooks the meat and offers an authentic smoky flavor. It comes with an add-on smoker, giving your meat a smoky taste. Built from steel, it is highly durable and resilient to harsh elements. This grill is fitted with a steel slat side table to offer extra working area.

Featuring a chrome plated warming rack, this grill is perfect for preventing cooked food from getting cold until you are ready to eat. It is built with two wagon style wheels, making it excellent for hosting parties, camping, and picnics. This charcoal grill has cool touch handles to keep your barbecue securely closed. Quickly and conveniently get rid of ashes accumulated during cooking with its ash pan.

    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
Best for Smoking
An image of Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw Charcoal Cast Iron Freestanding Barrel Grill

Cook up the perfect home-grilled meals with the Char-Griller Outlaw Charcoal Barrel Grill. This cast iron grill has a temperature gauge, so you can maintain the perfect level of heat while you are grilling. Equipped with a warming rack, it is perfect for preventing prepared food from getting cold until the moment you sit down to eat. It has an easy-dump ash pan, helping to make cleanup a hassle-free process. Fueled by charcoal, it cooks your meat and infuses an excellent smoky flavor. This cast iron grill has three shelves to offer extra working area. It includes a cast iron cooking grate, providing a trustworthy non-stick surface that will last a long time. Made with a freestanding design, it offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor kitchen.

    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
Best Durable Option
An image of RiverGrille CG2065303-RG Desperado 17.5" Charcoal Stainless Steel Barrel Grill

Enjoy your favorite barbecue recipes with the RiverGrille Desperado Charcoal Barrel Grill. Control the amount of heat with this grill's adjustable air vents. It has cool touch handles to keep your grill securely closed. This stainless steel grill will retain its shine for many years. With the work surface, you'll be able to enjoy a speedier grilling process. It has a freestanding design, allowing you to push it out of the way to save space when it's not in use. Quickly and easily get rid of ashes accumulated while grilling with this barrel grill's slide-out ash pan. Fueled by charcoal, it cooks the meat and offers a delicious smoky taste.

    Pros
    • Features a side shelf, providing you with a large amount of space to rest your plate of ribs
    • Stainless steel design is highly resistant to corrosion and rust
    • Charcoal cooks your food slowly
    Cons
    • Stainless steel design tends to fade over time
    • Cast iron cooking grate doesn't give a smoky flavor to your food
    • Uses charcoal, getting messy and harder to clean
Additional Picks
An image of Pit Boss 71820 Wood Pellet Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill

Improve your grilling experience with the help of the Pit Boss Wood Pellet Barrel Grill. This wood pellet grill is ideal for a variety of cooking options, including smoking, roasting, or braising meat. Featuring a freestanding design, this barrel grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor cooking space. It features an electronic ignition, letting you easily fire up your barbecue. This steel grill is highly durable and resilient to harsh environments. It includes a porcelain-enameled cast iron grill grate, providing a strong, corrosion-resistant, and won't fade or peel. With two large wheels, it will be excellent for parties, camping, or picnics. This grill is equipped with digital temperature control for added convenience. It has a tubular handle to keep your grill tightly sealed.

    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
An image of Dyna-Glo DGSS962CBO-D-KIT Charcoal Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill

Host excellent dinner parties with the Dyna-Glo Charcoal Barrel Grill. This grill has cool touch handles to keep your barbecue tightly sealed. It features a porcelain-enameled steel grill grate, providing an extremely durable finish that protects against corrosion. With a freestanding design, it offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor cooking area. This steel grill features a collapsible front workstation, so you can keep your seasonings nearby.

This barrel grill has a temperature gauge and adjustable air vents, which provide more control over the heat in your grill, offering a more customized cooking experience. This steel grill is able to withstand harsh conditions. It has a removable ash catcher to make cleanup simple. Using charcoal, it grills the food slowly to develop a rich barbecued flavor.

    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
An image of Char-Griller 2828 Deluxe 29" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill

The Char-Griller Deluxe Charcoal Barrel Grill is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a delicious barbecue experience. This steel grill is highly durable and resilient to harsh environments. Made with a freestanding design, this steel grill provides greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor kitchen. This charcoal grill cooks the food for a long period of time to ensure the meat remains soft. It features a cast iron cooking grate, which supplies a trustworthy surface that will last a long time. Featuring a warming rack, it is ideal for keeping food from getting cold. This charcoal grill is equipped with an easy-dump ash pan so that cleanup is simple.

    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
An image of Dyna-Glo DGSS730CBO-D-KIT Charcoal Steel Freestanding Barrel Grill

The Dyna-Glo Charcoal Barrel Grill is a perfect choice for any neighborhood cookout. Made with a freestanding design, this barrel grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor kitchen. It features a porcelain-enameled steel cooking grate, providing a strong, corrosion-resistant, and won't fade or peel. This steel grill is able to withstand harsh conditions. Fueled by charcoal, it grills your meat and infuses an authentic smoky flavor. It has a collapsible steel front workstation, which adds convenience to the grilling process.

This grill is designed with a temperature gauge and features adjustable air vents, giving you more control over the heat in your grill. It has cool touch handles to keep your grill tightly sealed. With two oversized steel wheels, it will be ideal for hosting, picnics, or camping. It is equipped with a removable ash catcher and has a removable charcoal grate, making grill cleanup quick and easy.

    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
An image of RiverGrille SC2210401-RG Cattleman 29" Charcoal Steel Barrel Grill

The RiverGrille Cattleman Charcoal Barrel Grill is an excellent addition to any backyard. Featuring a freestanding design, this charcoal grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor kitchen. This steel grill is highly durable and resilient to harsh conditions. Fueled by charcoal, it cooks the meat and infuses an excellent smoky flavor. With a smoker add-on, it is excellent for adding extra flavor to whatever you're cooking. This RiverGrille grill has a steel slat side table to offer an expanded working area.

Equipped with a chrome plated warming rack, this RiverGrille grill is great for keeping food from getting cold. It features a temperature gauge, so you can maintain the perfect level of heat while you cook. With two wagon style wheels, it will be excellent for parties, camping, and picnics. This RiverGrille grill has cool touch handles to keep your barbecue tightly sealed. Quickly and conveniently discard ashes accumulated while cooking with its ash pan.

    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
How to Decide on Your New Freestanding Barrel Grill: Additional Points to Keep In Mind:
Choosing the Right Kind of Freestanding Barrel Grill
Stainless Steel Grills

With two freestanding barrel grills with a stainless steel design, there's lots to know about what makes them unique. Weather-resistant stainless steel grills can withstand rough conditions. They have superior corrosion resistant for long-term use. Stainless steel grills are easy to clean, ensuring that you won't need to spend so much time dealing with messy spills or residue. With a bacteria-resistant surface, they will protect your meat from contaminants while grilling. Something to consider is that they aren't great at retaining heat, so they can't maintain such a high cooking temperature once you've removed the heat source.

Cast Iron Grills

There are three freestanding barrel grills with a cast iron design. Flame-resistant cast iron grills are able to protect against the damaging effects that heat can cause. They have heavy-duty builds for everyday use. Featuring heat retaining technology, they will stay hot for longer. Something to consider is that they require more maintenance than other types of grills, so they take more time and work to clean up. Moreover, cast iron grates tend to rust easily, but this can be somewhat prevented if they aren't kept outside and are always dried right after they're cleaned. If you think a cast iron grill is the right choice, check out this one.

Steel Grills

There are nine freestanding barrel grills with a steel design, such as this one. These steel grills have exceptional corrosion resistant for extensive use since they stay in excellent condition over time. They are bacteria-resistant, making sure that your food will not be contaminated while you're cooking. They are easy to clean, ensuring that you won't need to spend so much time dealing with any spills or residue. However, these steel grills aren't great at retaining heat, so they are harder to keep hot as opposed to cast iron grills, which can reach and maintain incredibly high temperatures.

Considering Fuel Type for Freestanding Barrel Grills
Charcoal Grills

Not sure if you should get a charcoal grill? We can help you make an informed decision by giving you some important information that you need before purchasing a charcoal freestanding barrel grill. Charcoal grills can reach high temperatures, ensuring complete natural and seasoned flavors and aromas. They feature a slow and gradual cooking process, which ensures that meat stays incredibly tender for delicious results. They can reach higher temperatures capable of burning off additional fats for more nutritious dishes. They are suitable for searing, so you can quickly grill your fish fillets, steaks, or veggies to achieve the perfect caramelized outer crust. However, these charcoal grills tend to build-up carbon and ash, leaving behind a lot of ash that will cause food to stick during future grilling. In addition, they are usually slower to start up, resulting in a lengthier cooking process. An advantage is that they can achieve a smoky, rich flavor, maintaining a mouth-watering flavor for all meat. Now that you know a bit more about charcoal freestanding barrel grills, and you think you might be interested in getting one, take a look here.

Wood Pellet Grills

Not sure if you should get a wood pellet grill? We can help you decide by giving you some important facts before buying a wood pellet freestanding barrel grill. Wood pellet grills are designed with temperature control knobs, making it easier to select the appropriate strength of the flame while cooking. They can reach high temperatures, ensuring full seasoned and natural zest and flavors. Producing a variety of different flavors depending on the type of wood used including woody, hickory, and mesquite, they will meet every pallet. Now that you know a bit more about wood pellet freestanding barrel grills, and you think they could be a good fit for you, take a look here.

Gas Grills

Are you a novice griller and want a grill that is simple to use? Then gas grills just might be what you need. Check out this particular freestanding barrel grill that we chose for you. These gas grills are low maintenance, ensuring that they stay in perfect condition with little upkeep required. They maintain a steady temperature, making them perfect for either slow roasting or searing your meat. Heating up instantly, they require little preparation time. They have temperature control knobs, which are ideal for monitoring heat while searing outdoors. These gas grills can reach temperatures ranging between 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring that your food is consistently cooked over just the right amount of time. They have igniters, designed for better monitoring of the flame. One downside is that they have wide venting, so if food with smoky flavor is what you want, these grills don't have it. An advantage is that propane gas is more expensive than natural gas, making them a luxury, only to be considered if you're looking to make a big investment by adding an outdoor kitchen to your home.

Make Sure You Choose the Best Cooking Area for Your Freestanding Barrel Grill
Over 700 Sq. Inch Grills

Want to learn more about more than 700 sq. in. grills? Well, keep reading the following paragraph to learn more about freestanding barrel grills. Large grills are ideal for family gatherings so that you can grill large amounts of food. With these kinds of grills, you can cook up to 16 piece of chicken, 20 sausages, 8 steaks, and 16 burgers at one time. They have a rotisserie kit, slow-cooking your roast to create tender, juicy, and flavorful results. Often manufactured with side burners, they provide extra cooking space. They are usually built with several grates and are often designed with eight burners, so you'll have enough room to prepare different kinds of food simultaneously. They are able to burn at various temperatures at the same time, allowing you to simultaneously grill items at high temperatures while slow cooking others on lower heats. Now that you know a bit more about more than 700 sq. in. freestanding barrel grills, and you think they could be a good fit for you, here's one that we recommend.

Under 500 Sq. Inch Grills

Want to learn more about less than 500 sq. in. grills? Well, keep reading the following section to learn more about freestanding barrel grills. Providing enough space to comfortably cook, small grills let you prepare all of your favorite dishes. Created with simultaneously searing at high temperatures and slow cooking at low temperatures in mind, they are typically designed with two burners, so you can simultaneously sear at high temperatures and slow cook at low temperatures. They can be moved around easily, enabling you to put them anywhere you want in your patio or yard. Now that you know a bit more about less than 500 sq. in. freestanding barrel grills, and you think they could be a good fit for you, here's one that we recommend.

500-700 Sq. Inch Grills

Want to learn more about 500-700 sq. in. grills? Well, keep reading the following section to learn more about freestanding barrel grills. With these types of grills, you can cook up to 12 pieces of chicken, 15 sausages, 6 steaks, and 12 burgers at a time. Offering enough room to comfortably cook, medium-sized grills let you prepare all of your favorite dishes. They often include up to eight burners, so you'll have enough room to grill lots of different courses at once. They can burn at various temperatures at the same time, letting you simultaneously grill items at high temperatures while slow cooking others at lower heats. Now that you know more about 500-700 sq. in. freestanding barrel grills, and you think they could be a good fit for you, here's one that we recommend.