Live fire, classic flavor
Charcoal delivers the flavor and high-heat searing that purists chase, and the category spans everything from the bulletproof $100 kettle to thick ceramic kamados that hold heat for hours. More hands-on than gas or pellet, but the payoff is taste and versatility. These are the ones worth your money.
The grill that defined backyard charcoal. 22 inches handles a family cook, the One-Touch system sweeps ash into the catcher in seconds, and the lid thermometer takes out the guesswork. Bulletproof, endlessly supported, and the best first charcoal grill most people can buy.
The kettle for people who cook seriously. The hinged grate lets you add charcoal mid-cook without lifting hot food, the Tuck-Away holder ends the where-do-I-put-the-lid dance, and the deeper ash system suits longer sessions. Worth the step up from the Original.
Thick ceramic walls hold temperature and moisture for true set-and-forget low-and-slow, and the Divide & Conquer system cooks two foods at two heights at once. The SloRoller turns it into a serious smoker. Pricey, but it grills, smokes, and bakes at a level kettles can't touch.
The kamado experience that fits on a tabletop or in the trunk. Same ceramic heat retention as the big Joes in a 13.5-inch package, with the heat deflector for indirect cooking included. The pick for small patios, camping, or tailgates.
Buying notes
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Our buying guide breaks down pellet vs charcoal vs gas vs smoker so you can match the grill to how you actually cook.
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