Charcoal Grills use charcoal to cook food and give it a smoky flavor. Grills with charcoal are less expensive than grills with gas. They are also lightweight and portable. Their portability makes them perfect for parties and gatherings outdoors. You can turn your ordinary food into restaurant-quality delicacies when you use a charcoal grill to cook your meat and veggies. Grills add sizzle and taste to food that is unmatched. You can read our blog on the best gas grills to learn all about them.
Types of Charcoal Grills
Barrel Charcoal Grills
A barrel grill offers a broad area for cooking. This allows you to cook more food at once. A barrel grill is heavy and not easily portable. That is why it is inconvenient to cook in them. Its heavy weight makes it difficult to maintain and clean as well.
Ceramic Charcoal Grills
Ceramic charcoal grills like the Primo 778 are shaped like an egg. This provides even heat for the food to cook uniformly. They offer a rapid heating process. You can also use them to cook various dishes. Ceramic charcoal grills, although expensive are durable and offer quality use.
Kettle Charcoal Grills
Kettle Charcoal Grills like the Weber 741001 are compact and in the shape of a bowl. The heat retention property of this grill type is better than compared to its counterparts. Their capacity limits to serving only a few people, like a group of 3 to 4 persons.
How do Charcoal Grills work?
The process of cooking with charcoal grills like the Weber 15501001 Performer Deluxe can require extra effort but the end result is usually mouth-watering. These grills work on charcoal briquettes or lump charcoals to produce char-grilled meat and veggies. The process of cooking in such grills is very simple. The lit coals provide enough heat to cook the food uniformly.
The charcoal also imparts a smoky flavor to the dishes. Vents ensure that the air is constantly regulated. Instructions often come with the models. Reading the manual before using the grill is recommended.
How to Light Charcoal Grills?
The best way to light the grill is by using a chimney starter. These are inexpensive and are quite easy to use.
Another alternate way is to use fuel and newspapers. You can repeat the following steps.
- Pour oil on some sheets of newspaper
- Add about 1.5-2 quarts of charcoal on top of the paper
- Ignite the paper through a matchstick or lighter
- Add more charcoal till the fire gets strong enough.
- If you feel the heat is too much to handle, remove some charcoal using tongs
Factors to Consider while Buying Charcoal Grills
Size and Shape
Barrel Grills like Marsh Allen 20530 are big and efficient in cooking large batches of food at once. Ceramic and Kettle take more time to cook. This is due to the presence of deep and narrow coal beds. If you prefer capacity, go for barrel grills. If you prefer taste above capacity, go for smaller ceramic and kettle grills.
Air Vents
A model with efficient air vents or tighter lids is advisable. It can control the overall temperature while cooking. The more the air gets circulated, the more consistent the fire will be.
Easy to Add Coal
A grill with an accessible coal bed is handy while cooking meat. Easy accessibility can help you reload coal for better cooking. Many models come with a designated door that allows you to add more coal. For safety reasons, it is best to go for such models.
Safety
The safety factor is an essential factor to consider. This is because you use these grills usually in the outdoors. Unlike gas or pellet grills, the fire of charcoal grills can not be controlled. You can use tools and tongs to tame the fire, but exercising caution is necessary. You should wear cotton clothes and keep a fire extinguisher handy to avoid any damages. Read our blog on propane gas grills also for a better purchase decision. BestViewsReviews rates and ranks top-rated pellet grills. Browse to see the ratings of your favorite grills.
Cost
Barrels grills generally range from USD 90 to USD 250. Kettle grills fall in the same range as barrel grills. Ceramic or Kamado Grills are expensive as they cost around USD 2000. Ceramic grills can last for 8-9 hours without the addition of a new batch of coal. They are popular for their robust body and excellent resistance against harsher conditions.
Grill Accessories
There are two more products that should be bought while investing in a Charcoal Grill. One of them is a Grill Cover, which will protect your grill from external elements like insects and humidity that may damage your grill. The other being the grill press, which when used on grills, produces succulent meat and flavor-packed burgers. These two along with a charcoal grill can produce exceptionally mouthwatering dishes that you will savor till the last bite.
Benefits of Buying Charcoal Grills
Adjustable Cooking Grates
The height of the cooking grates can be adjusted as per the food requirement. If you want the food to get roasted to perfection, you can move the grate closer to the coals. If you like your food medium rare you can keep the grate away from the coals.
Removable Ash Pans
It can get a little tricky to clean the grills because of grease, ash, coal, and food debris which tend to gather at the bottom. Many models include a removable ash pan that collects the debris. This makes the cleaning task easy.
Wheels
Some charcoal grills are equipped with wheels. These wheels help us move them around easily. This facilitates portability and convenience.
Lifespan
Most charcoal grills last for decades with proper maintenance. The cleaning process is not complicated and these grills do not wear out easily. Maintaining a cleaning regime is important for your grill to last. Cleaning will also prevent rusting.
Combination Grills: Gas and Charcoal
Many grills come with a combination of gas and coals. The combination allows your food to cook evenly and produces a grilled and smoky flavor. This gives the food a very traditional fire-cooked and delicious taste.
Grill Covers
Many brands offer grill covers along with the grill. Grill covers can protect your grills from harsh weather conditions. They also cook the food properly by retaining the flavors within the grill. If the grill doesn't come with a grill cover, buy one separately. Keep in mind the height, depth, and width of your grill, while buying grill accessories. Check out the exclusive collection of durable grill covers we have on our website.
The Bottom Line
Charcoal grills can be a valuable addition to your homes. Outdoor grilling is a fun activity and charcoal grills are perfect for such occasions. These grills are easy to use and you will be tempted to cook your food in them frequently. Another alternative for grilled foods is using a propane grill. Their cooking mechanism allows you to grill foods easily. BestViewsReviews rates and reviews leading charcoal grills. The products are based on convenience, ease of cleaning and build.