Best Charcoal Grills Under $100 In 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide
Charcoal grill provides the satisfying aroma of the charring meat and the bite of juicy meat. Grilling using a charcoal grill is a tasty way to make your food. Charcoal grills are also simple to use, and they generate plenty of heat to cook your food. You can take them anywhere and not worry about a gas tank. And the best reason to choose a charcoal grill is the unique flavor that they can provide.
You can enjoy all of these even if you are on a budget. We have listed some of the best charcoal grill under $100 to help you find a charcoal grill that will provide the best values under this price range.
At A Glance Charcoal Grill Under $100
Top 5 Best Charcoal Grill Under $100 In 2023
1. Best Overall: Weber 741001 Original Kettle Charcoal Grill
Key Features
- 363 square inches of cooking space
- 5-inch lid height
- Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl
- Plated steel cooking grate
- One-touch cleaning system
Weber offers some amazing cooking products, and the Weber 741001 Original Kettle is one of their amazing creations. This grill weighs 33.1 pounds and has a dimension of 25 x 22.5 x 39.5 inches. It has 363 square inches of the cooking surface where you can make 13 burgers at the same time.
The cooking grate has a 22-inch diameter and is made of heavy-duty plated steel. Porcelain-enameled steel is used for the bowl, so it is heat and rust-resistant, and it is also easy to clean up. The lid is also made of porcelain-enameled steel and has a 7.5-inch height. The curved bowl provides enough space, and the lid is also useful when you want that rich smoky flavor.
The grill is equipped with a damper that helps you control the heat within without having to lift the lid. The grill features glass-reinforced nylon handles that make it easy to handle the grill while it is hot. At the bottom of the grill, there is a one-touch cleanup door that sends ash down into the aluminum ash catcher. This makes the cleaning process easy. The grill also features durable wheels that allow you to move the grill around the yard.
[pros_cons pros_text=”
- Made of durable material
- The grates are made of plated steel
- Good heat control
- Excellent heat retention
- Easy to clean with a single touch
- Easy to move
” cons_text=”
- Cooking space is not suitable for very large gatherings
” /]
Verdict: This charcoal grill comes from a reputable manufacturer and offers good cooking space and various excellent features to help you cook tasty food. Plus, it offers ease of use, portability, and heat adjustability.
2. Runner-Up: Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
Key Features
- 250 square inches of cooking space
- Cast Iron Grates
- Powder Coating
- Heavy Steel Construction
- Adjustable Dampers
- Easy Dump Ash Pan
- Convenient Wooden Side Shelf
- Bottom Storage Rack
Char-Griller E1515 is one of the best cheap charcoal grill on the market. It is relatively compact in size and ideal for small families. The grill comes with 250 square inches of cooking space and can accommodate up to 10 small to medium-sized burgers at a time. It has a cylindrical barrel design, and it is easy to cook with the hood down. It also has an adjustable valve to that allows you to control heat and smoke.
Plus, there is a convenient side shelf where you can place your essentials. Underneath the unit, there is also a storage rack where you can put your big bag of charcoal. This model provides excellent heat retention and can also be used for slow and low cooking when the charcoal is carefully managed. The grill weighs 50 pounds but moving it is still easy with the wheels.
It is a simple and affordable grill, and the construction also reflects that. Although the materials are sturdy, it is not up to the level with brands like Weber. The grill has tough steel construction, and the grates are made of cast iron. It is also powder-coated to provide increased resistance against corrosion. Ash disposal is also quick and efficient with this model as it features an easy dump ash pan.
[pros_cons pros_text=”
- The unique barrel design is good for top-down cooking
- Side tray and rack underneath for prep and storage
- Adjustable valve
- Fully enclosed design
- Good quality construction
” cons_text=”
- Small cooking area
- Heavy grill
” /]
Verdict: If you have a small space and would love to have some home-grilled food, you can go with this compact patio charcoal grill that provides excellent convenience.
3. Best Portable: Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Key Features
- 160 square inches of cooking area
- Plated steel cooking grate
- Porcelain-coated cast iron construction
- Tuck-N-Carry Lid Lock
- Plated Steel Legs
The Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere is designed with effortless portability in mind. You can go anywhere with this grill. Its small box design is ideal for picnics, camping, fishing, or even backyard tabletop use. It has an attractive rectangular design that easily fits in the back of your car. It is lightweight and compact, and the lid also locks perfectly for easy transportation.
Despite being small and portable, this grill has so much to offer. It has a sturdy metal body that has a porcelain-enamel coating, top and side handles. Plus, it comes with a hood for top-down cooking. The durable cooking grates are made of plated steel and do a good job at retaining heat, and it is also easy to clean.
This grill is built small, but it still offers 160 square inches of cooking space. Plated steel legs help to keep it steady while you cook.
[pros_cons pros_text=”
- Great construction quality
- Enough cooking space for 2 to 3 people
- The portable design is great for camping
- Excellent heat with the cooking grate
” cons_text=”
- Very small cooking space
- Not suited to slow and low cooking
” /]
Verdict: It is the ultimate portable grill that balances quality build and top-notch functionality without compromising on aesthetics. The dampers allow you to control the inside temperature of the grill, and cleaning the grill is also easy. And the most important factor is that it can go anywhere.
4. Char-Broil Offset Smoker
Key Features
- 477 square inches of primary cooking surface
- 3-piece smoking chamber
- Porcelain-coated cooking grates
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Firebox with cleanout door
- Convenient side shelf
- A built-in smokestack
The next one is the Char-Broil Offset Smoker that is a combination of a charcoal grill, BBQ grill, and smoker. It comes with a large 605 square inches of cooking area made of black porcelain-coated metal and has an additional 128 square inches of cooking space as in the firebox area. There is also a storage rack underneath the primary grill where you can keep your stack of charcoal.
It has robust steel construction, and the large 8″ wheels enable you to move it easily. The offset heat, flavor, and smoke allow you to cook at once: as many as 16 burgers on the primary grill panel and 4 burgers on the firebox. The grill also features multiple adjustable air grates that control the rate as well as the temperature of the smoke that goes through the smoker grill.
This gives control over the amount of smoke flavor conveyed by the grill, as well as low heat transmission and the ability to control the cooking speed through the grill. This model also features a clean-out door that helps you to clean out the ash easily. The main chamber of the grill has a built-in smokestack and a built-in temperature gauge to help you cook more carefully.
[pros_cons pros_text=”
- Huge cooking space
- Additional smoker
- Robust steel construction
- Multiple adjustable air grates
- A temperature gauge on the lid
- Easy to clean
” cons_text=”
- Not suitable for small space
” /]
Verdict: This grill is a beautiful, flexible and powerful charcoal grill option with plenty of cooking space. It is one of the best charcoal BBQ under 100.
5. Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Portable Grill
Key Features
- Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl
- Plated steel cooking grate
- Lid handle
- Rust-resistant aluminum dampers
- Ash catcher
The last product on the list is also a grill from Weber. It is a small but powerful model. Its small size and lightweight make it ideal for portable grilling: picnic, camping, tailgating, etc. The unit weighs only 9.5 pounds, so you should be able to pick it up and take it anywhere. This model has a 14.5″ diameter grate where you can cook food for 1-2 people at a time.
The grill comes with a porcelain-enameled aluminum lid and bowl. They retain heat pretty well, and the elegant finish gives the grill a classic look. Plus, it also prevents rust and heat-related damage. You can control the temperature in the grill with the two aluminum dampers, so you can cook the food to your liking.
There is a glass-reinforced nylon handle, and the lid is also unhinged but sits steadily on the base. It also features an aluminum ash catcher, which you can just pull out to dispose of the ash. A small amount of assembly is needed, and it is simple to assemble.
[pros_cons pros_text=”
- Compact and lightweight
- Dampers for heat control
- Good quality bowl and lid
- Easy cleaning with ash catcher
” cons_text=”
- No temperature gauge
- Not much cooking space
” /]
Verdict: The grill is compact and lightweight. It has 147 square inches of cooking space and can cook a decent amount of food. It also provides added convenience with the reinforced glass nylon handle.
How To Clean A Charcoal Grill
First, remove the ash from the grill. Now, you can wipe the surface of the grill with a piece of cloth. Then, hand wash it with soapy water and a dishcloth or brush. Scrub off the food stains from it and rinse the grill with clean water. Now, leave it to dry.
Charcoal Grill Under $100 Buying Guide
Even when you are spending $100, you don’t want something that would seem like a waste of money. Read this buying guide to have a better understanding of what to look for when trying to get the best charcoal grill under $100.
An Ample Cooking Surface
Great grilling requires a great cooking surface. Every size isn’t right for everyone. Make sure you choose a grill with a size that will serve your interests better.
A smaller grill might be suitable for your family, but if you are going to serve guests, you might find it limiting. While 160-200 square inches of cooking surface is adequate for one or two people, a grill with over 350 square inches of cooking area is ideal for family and small gatherings.
Quality Construction Materials
For primary body panels, the best charcoal grill under $100 uses coated steel and stainless steel. You may see some lower-quality tube steel for supports and legs, which is understandable considering the price range.
The other body material you can expect to see is cast iron. Porcelain-enamel cast iron should be used for the cooking grate as this offers excellent heat retention in the charcoal grill.
Adequate Venting
A lot of steam and smoke can be produced by charcoal, especially when the juices are released from food. If you are adding smoker chips to the coal, you should make sure the smoke is given enough time to work its flavor into the ingredient. That is where you need an adequate venting system.
Besides controlling smoke, venting also allows you to control the temperature of the grill. A larger grill should come with a firebox vent and a venting smokestack. Portable grills and kettle-style grills typically have a single venting system without a smokestack.
Portability
If you want to cook food on your adventures, then you need to choose a highly portable charcoal grill. Make sure the unit you choose is lightweight and compact so that it can fit in your car. It should also be easy to disassemble and assemble. The lid of the grill should close tightly if you want to avoid any mess during transportation.
Durability
Durability is an important factor while choosing a charcoal grill. You don’t want to get a grill that will become unusable after a while. Be sure to choose a grill with material that will be able to prevent elements from hurting it.
Weight
The weight of the grill has a big role to play if you are looking for something portable. If you are going to take the grill places, you want to be able to lift it. However, if you will use the grill only at home, a heavy grill will not be a problem.
Price
The budget differs from person to person. As our list only has units that are under $100, even people with a low budget should also be able to afford them. They offer great value for the price they cost.
FAQs
Question: What is the best small charcoal grill?
Answer: Our list has some of the best small charcoal grill on the market. You can choose one between the Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill and the Weber 10020 Smokey Portable Grill.
Question: How much is a small charcoal grill?
Answer: You can get a small charcoal grill for far less than $100. However, the money will dictate the quality of the grill material, usability, and construction.
Conclusion
Best charcoal grill under $100 is inexpensive, but they can still give you value that is more than their price. Most of them are designed for small areas, but they are still able to produce great food. Most of them are portable as well. This enables you to move the unit from one place to another. Having an efficient and convenient charcoal grill is a worthwhile investment. If you want to get the best value for your money, you can consider any of the above options.
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