Best Rated Charcoal Grill Under $100

Group of diverse friends grilling barbecue outdoors

Gas grills are great, but sometimes you want that sweet, smoky taste that only charcoal grills can provide. A charcoal grill has no problem getting you that taste and more. Through our research we found the best charcoal grill that was well rated and under $100 to be the Weber 741001. This grill has survived thousands of reviews and has gotten high ratings on numerous websites. If you want to find out why, keep reading more and you’ll also find some information about other great rated charcoal grills.

Our Number One Pick:

Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

Amazon’s choice for a charcoal grill is also our choice for the best charcoal grill. The Weber 741001 stands high above other charcoal grills because it’s affordable, easy to use, sturdy, has a quality, and much more. It’s around $100, which is a very affordable price for a charcoal grill. Also, there’s not a lot of steps to worry about using it because all you have to do is heat the charcoal underneath the grill and plop your food on the metal grate, which can fit almost thirteen burgers on it. 

In addition, it’s composition is sturdy and quality. The 22-inch-diameter plated-steel cooking grate and the rust resistant vents make sure that your grill is here to stay. The cleaning system also does a great job of making sure that any mess from cooking is easy to clean and can be removed, making it so your grill isn’t prone to rust or any other damage.

For all of these reasons, it’s clear to see why this grill stands above the rest and earns a spot at the best on our list.

Runner Up:

Old Smokey Charcoal Grill #22

Although the Weber Grill is on top of the Old Smokey Charcoal Grill #22, this grill is still great for your charcoal cooking needs. What really distinguishes this charcoal grill from Weber’s grill is that Old Smokey is a bit more transportable. It’s about 19 pounds heavy and is a 22.5 x 22.5 x 13 grill, meaning it can easily fit in the back of a truck or SUV and be used at a tailgate, although we recommend making sure you have enough space. Reviews have also been great about this item, claiming it does a great job of cooking and smoking food with charcoal. The aluminized steel does a great job of preventing rust and decay, giving you a longer life with this grill.

This charcoal grill stands tall as one of the best charcoal grills available. If you’re looking for a charcoal grill that’s easily transportable, easy to use, and will last you a long time, then pick up this grill today.

Worth Considering:

Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill

Another greatly acclaimed grill, the Weber 10020 is closer to Old Smokey than it is to our best choice on the best charcoal grill list: the Weber 741001. This grill is all about the tail gate, coming in with dimensions of 15.6 x 15.6 x 9 inches and being a very reliable transportable grill. Weber brings quality with a small aluminum grill that’s perfect for any party. While it may not cook as much as its relative 741001, this grill still cooks up mean burgers and steaks for your dining pleasure.

Many reviewers have also said this grill cooks hotter without the lid, which is usually the opposite way around. So you’re able to cook food much faster and better using this transportable grill than other grills of its size. After you’re done cooking delicious food, it’s very easy to clean as the grill grate is easily removed and there’s not too much surface area to clean.

For these reasons and for its great rating on numerous websites, the Weber 10020 earns a solid third spot on our list.

Additional Information:

Things To Keep In Mind

Can you use wood chips in a charcoal grill?

Soak the wood chips for about two hours. Then put the moist wood chips in a smoker box attachment on gas grills or directly on the coals for charcoal barbecues. It’s that simple!

When is charcoal ready to cook?

The fire from the lighter cubes will begin burning the charcoal and the flames will grow upwards from there. It usually takes 10 or 15 minutes for the coals to come up to temperature, depending on the weather. The coals will be ready when the ones on top have started to turn a ash grey.

Do you open or close the vents on a charcoal grill?

The vents on the top, bottom or sides of the grill are there to circulate the air. The vents should be opened when you light the charcoal briquettes and you’ll need to keep the vents open while grilling. The vents provide proper airflow to the charcoal so they can burn well. You can close the vents after you’ve finished grilling to put the fire out.

Can you use lighter fluid to start charcoal?

Absolutely. Many people douse their briquettes with lighter fluid as a method of starting up their grill. You’ll want to be careful with this approach though and take all necessary precautions. You only need about 1.6 ounces of lighter fluid per pound of charcoal. Another method you can try is to drizzle some cooking oil on some newspaper and place it under the charcoal briquettes. This makes newspaper burn longer allowing the charcoal more time to catch. This is similar to the way the wick of a candle burns for a long time.

Other Resources:

Helpful Links

Wrapping Up:

Best Rated Charcoal Grill Under $100

Charcoal grills can add a zest that other grills just can’t hack. That smoky taste may be what you’re craving, which is why only the top rated charcoal grills can deliver that to you. The Weber 741001 is the best charcoal grill out there for under $100. This is because it’s affordable, reliable, made of quality materials, and so much more. If you’re in the market for a charcoal grill, we absolutely recommend picking up at least the Weber 741001 or our other grills to suit your grilling needs.

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