Charcoal Barbecue Grills Buying Guide
Nothing quite compares to the authentic barbeque taste. That intense, smoky flavour is almost unrivalled, and the fact that most BBQ are fired up during the summer months just makes them that much better.
When it comes to barbecues, there are two main options – charcoal and gas. While gas grills certainly have their advantages, charcoal BBQs are unrivalled when it comes to that amazing barbecue taste.
Landmann 11430 Adjustable Tennessee BBQ
- Powder Coated Steel Body
- ​​​​​Separate furnace
- Ash collecting tray
- 56 x 42 cm cooking surface
The Landmann 11430 Adjustable Tennessee Charcoal BBQ is a high-quality charcoal grill that has plenty to offer. Made from durable powder coated steel, the body of the barbecue is built to last, being able to withstand many years of use without rusting.
A total cooking surface area of 56 x 42cm is enough to cook foods for around ten people at a time, while the warming rack can be used to maintain warmth when cooking a large spread of food. The lid thermometer allows you to get the right temperature range without having to guess, while side trays are included to make prep and serving very easy.
A great feature for this model is the separate fuel furnace. By keeping this area separate, you can easily load in the charcoal in as needed without having to remove the grill, and once the charcoal has burnt out you simply empty it using the handy ash collector!
The grills themselves are cast iron so are durable yet easy to clean – great all-round charcoal BBQ!
tepro Toronto Trolley Grill Barbecue
- Thermometer and crank allow for optimal temperatures
- Air vents offer even air circulation
- Adjustable coal tray
The tepro Toronto Trolley Grill Barbecue an affordable charcoal grill with many great features.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this BBQ is the ability to get that perfect temperature. One of the few problems with many charcoal grills is controlling the temperature range as you cook, so the inclusion of a thermometer certainly helps with this.
Not only that, the adjustable coal tray can be moved using the crank, allowing you to effectively adjust cooking temperatures as needed. Two-tiers of grills are included for more space, while the lid can be close to maintain the temperature, with adjustable air vents helping to maintain even airflow.
It’s easy to move around your garden too, thanks to the double wheels, although it’s still sturdy enough that you don’t need to worry about it being easily blown over!
There are also a few nice extras that make barbecuing that bit more enjoyable. From the built-in bottle opener to the side table for prepping, there is a lot of convenience built into this charcoal BBQ!
Azuma Steel Barrel Barbecue Smoker
- Barbeque and smoker combo
- Separate cooking chambers
- Temperature gauge and chimney
The Azuma Steel Barrel BBQ Barbecue Smoker brings the best of both – smoking and grilling! These two cooking methods are some of the best ways to get an authentic, smoky barbecue flavour that will leave your mouth watering.
Both the smoker and barbeque are included in the one unit, although separate cooking chambers ensures you can do one without the other or both at the same time. The grill section allows you to cook your food using charcoals, while the smoker is used to flavour it indirectly, giving it that amazing BBQ flavour.
To ensure you have complete control over each cooking method, there is a built-in chimney and temperature gauge, letting you know exactly how your food is cooking or smoking. Should there be too much smoke, simply vent it out the chimney!
The barrel for grilling is also nice and spacious. You can expect to get plenty of grilling done on this surface area, which can then be transported into the smoker for even more flavour. There is also a front shelf and lower rack for prepping or holding drinks/condiments, while the wooden handles allow you to safely move it around the garden.
Char-Griller 5050 Duo
The ultimate hardware for your barbecuing needs, the Char-Griller 5050 Duo has everything you could possibly need for the perfect BBQ.
Not only is this a charcoal BBQ, but also a gas grill! That means you can cook and flavour your food to the highest possible standard, while also impressing all your guests with your incredible set up!
There are two main cooking surfaces, one for charcoal and one for gas, along with warming racks on each. This means you can cook foods quickly and to the perfect temperature on your gas grill, transporting to the charcoal section for a smokier flavour.
The charcoal grate can even be adjusted to get the right amount of heat control, be for a slow cook or hot sear. Once finished cooking in this section, simply life the grate out to dump the ash for hassle free cleaning!
Better still, there is a gas side burner for that extra cooking you might need to do when rustling up a feast. Whether cooking up a nice sauce or preparing your sides, this small edition makes the Char-Griller 5050 closer to a kitchen than just a barbeque!
Deluxe Trolley
The Deluxe Trolley Charcoal Barbecue offers the perfect blend of functionality and affordability.
An impressively large cooking area is spread across two cooking areas. These grills are made from high quality chrome steel, making them perfect for long-term grilling. There is also a third cooking level that doubles as a warming rack, which is great for keeping cooked food warm as the rest of the food is prepared.
There are also two side shelves that can be used to store condiments, drinks, or for prepping foods before you fire them on the grill, while a massive storage area below the main cooking area is perfect for additional supplies.
Constructed using durable steel with a black powder coating, the BBQ doesn’t just look good it is also built to last. It can be easily transported too using the wheels, which is great for easy storage during the colder months.
Best of all, this a very affordable charcoal barbecue. If you’re new to the grilling experience, this is the perfect place to start, offering a great product that can let you BBQ away without having to spend too much.
​Why you should buy a Charcoal BBQ
There are countless reasons to buy a charcoal BBQ, including:
Flavour: Slowly cooking food over charcoals produces a wonderful flavour that cannot be replicated in conventional cookers. A distinct, smoky flavour is produced on meats grilled on a charcoal BBQ and it couldn’t be more delicious. There are also BBQ smokers which you can buy which are designed to create that extra smoky flavour.
Affordability: Charcoal BBQs are available in many price ranges, but there are many fantastic models with affordable prices. This means you don’t need to spend much to enjoy barbecuing, which is always great fun.
Versatility: There is an incredible range of charcoal BBQs out there, making it easy to find one that suits your preferences. Whether it’s a no-thrills model for grilling meats or a top of the line product with a range of cool extras, there’s a charcoal BBQ for everyone.
What to look for
One of the drawbacks of having such an amazing range of charcoal BBQs to choose from is knowing which one is best for you! There’s a lot to think about before buying a charcoal BBQ, so be sure to look out for the following:
Suitable Size
The surface area of a BBQ is always important, as it impacts how much food you can cook at the one time. Think about how many people you would expect to cook for when using the BBQ, and make sure you choose something with a suitable size.
Are you cooking for you and your partner? The entire family? Do you plan on hosting gatherings during the summer with many guests? Think about this when checking the sizes of any charcoal BBQ.
Additional Features
Buying a standard charcoal grill with just a few racks is certainly a fine choice, as it still produces that wonderful BBQ taste, but there are many additional features you may find appealing. For example, some come with side tables that are great for prepping, while features like a thermometer, rotisserie, and a smoker might be worth investing in.
Maintenance
Charcoal BBQs have very few flaws, but one of them is maintenance. Dealing with old charcoal is rather messy, especially when you want to keep your BBQ in top condition, as they can take some time to clean.
Always look for an ash catcher if you don’t want to make a big mess when cleaning up!
Durability
You can expect a quality charcoal BBQ to last many years with the right care, but it helps to get one made from suitably durable materials. Splashing a little extra cash for better quality materials in a BBQ pays for itself over the long term, allowing you to get many summers out your unit!
Read our guide on the best gas bbq here.
