Best Charcoal Grill Under 200
Choosing the best grill can be a tricky task! Sure, pellet, gas, infrared and electric grills are convenient to use, but absolutely nothing compares to the delicious food cooked over a charcoal grill.
The succulent results however are not the only reason that make charcoal grills a go-to choice for grilling enthusiasts, but there are myriad other good reasons to pick charcoal as your grilling fuel of choice, starting with the fact that it burns hotter than wood, and produces less smoke.
Charcoal grills also give you optimal control when grilling, allowing you cook an assortment of foods on a single grilling grate perfectly. So, if your steaks are fully cooked before your potatoes, you can simply move them over to the cool side away from the charcoal, and let them absorb the smokey flavors.
Charcoal grills are also a joy to haul around especially if you buy a tabletop charcoal grill, given that there are no bulky propane tanks or pesky extension cords to deal with. However, buying the best charcoal grill under 200 can be more complicated than you think, because there’s no shortage of them in the market.
But I’ve gone ahead and compared several hit models in this segment, and narrowed down on 5 best charcoal grills under 200 that offer great value for money. I’ve also crafted a short charcoal grill buying guide to help you bring home the grill that’s right for you.
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#1. Best Overall
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch
The Weber Original Kettle charcoal grill boasts and appealing design, and offers a generous 363 square inches of grilling space, and can cook up to 13 burgers in one go.
Available in three exciting colors – black, copper and green, the Original Kettle grill is equipped with a hinged cooking grate that can withstand high temperatures as well as can be used for both direct and indirect cooking.
Another noteworthy feature of this weber portable charcoal grill is its integrated one-touch cleaning system, which allows you to clean up charcoal ash, and debris simply by emptying the removable ash catcher.
Unlike cheap charcoal grills, you can control the temperature easily with the Weber grill by closing or opening the damper, and without even lifting the lid. It is fitted with a porcelain enamel lid and bowl, which collectively retain heat, and are resistant to rust and peeling.
The handle of the Weber Original Kettle grill is topped with a heat shield to prevent it from getting hot. Furthermore, the lid of the grill can be conveniently set on the side of the unit rather than on the ground with its onsite angled lid hook.
On the side of the grill, you get a couple hooks to use for hanging your grilling tools such as spatulas and tongs to better organize your workspace. The Weber Original Kettle grill weighs just 32 lbs, and comes with durable wheels to move it across the yard.
What I Like Best About The Weber 22":
Weber quality, at a great low price.
Pros
- 363 square inches grilling space
- 3 colors available
- One-touch cleaning system
- Hooks to hang grilling tools
- Heat shield
Cons
- Assembly may be a bit difficult
#2.
Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill, 22.5 Inch
The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman charcoal grill gives you the best of both worlds – an infrared and a charcoal cooking experience. With its onboard infrared cooking system, you are guaranteed of evenly cooked foods, faster cooking times, greater temperature control with little or no hot and cold spots on the grill’s cooking surface.
The infrared cooking grates included with this grill are engineered to give you top notch control over your cooking, and cook more with less use of charcoal.
It is equipped with a hinged lid, which props open to allow you to keep tabs on the charcoal and food with both hands. The lid can even be secured with the integrated latch when closed for easy transportation.
This grill by Char-Broil is fitted with a porcelain coated, rust resistant cooking grate that assists with distributing heat evenly, as well as prevents flare-ups, and food from slipping through the grate.
The lid of the Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman charcoal grill features a temperature gauge, and a large adjustable damper that you can open to let the heat out, and close to increase the cooking temperature.
The bottom perimeter of the grill features air inlets that are designed to provide increased air flow, and consequently promote even heating. Tucked away at the bottom, and below the air inlets is a slide-out ash pan, which captures the ash, and can then be removed for easy ash disposal.
With regards to space, the Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman grill doesn’t disappoint with 360 square inches of cooking real estate. It measures 25.8-inches long x 25.8-inches wide x 38.8-inches high, and is fitted with two wheels at the bottom to move it across spaces.
This charcoal grill by Char-Broil is backed by a comprehensive 10-year manufacturer warranty on the firebox and lid, 5 years on the ash pan, and 2 years on all other parts.
What I Like Best About The Kettleman:
Infrared technology in a charcoal grill, what’s not to like?
Pros
- 360 square inches cooking area
- Slid out ash pan
- Infrared technology
- Rust resistant cooking grates
- Manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Limited to 1 color option
#3.
Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr, Red Charcoal Kamado Grill
The Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr charcoal grill showcases a compact and lightweight and compact footprint at just 20.5 x 21.5 x 25.3 inches and under 40 lbs. This kamado style grill can be had in a choice of two colors – red and black, and offers a moderately spaced 153 square inches of grilling space.
Further, it offers great versatility in that it can be used as a grill and smoker, and features a robust 22-gauge stainless steel triple walled build. It can maintain temperatures between 200 and 700 degrees Fahrenheit, and features a porcelain coated steel interior and power coated exterior finish.
The E06614 AKORN Jr grill is fitted with top and bottom dampers that can be adjusted easily to control the air flowing in and out of the grill. It is easy to clean and maintain with its onboard ash pan, which can be removed to get rid of the accumulated ash. This grill offers great portability with its integrated two durable handles, making it easy to take with you when to the park, camping or tailgating.
Further, the E06614 AKORN Jr charcoal grill is fitted with sturdy legs that keeps it stable in position when grilling. It comes with a 14-inch diameter cast iron grate, and a temperature gauge to let to check on the status of your food without opening the lid. Speaking of the lid, it is equipped with a latch, which allows you to lock the lid during transport.
What I Like Best About The AKORN Jr:
You can grill, roast or smoke just about anything in this grill.
Pros
- 153 square inches cooking space
- 140inch diameter cast iron grate
- 2 color options
- Lockable lid
- Adjustable dampers
Cons
- Lacks ignition system
#4.
Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw 1063 Square Inch Charcoal Grill / Smoker
Another bestselling model from the Char-Griller product lineup, the 2137 Outlaw 1063 charcoal grill is available in a choice of two sizes, and is crafted from heavy duty stainless steel and features a double both for long service life. It offers a massive 1063 square inches of grilling space, making it a great choice for large families or tailgating parties.
The grill features a 338 square inch secondary cooking area, so you won’t be complaining about shortage of cooking space. It 50 inches tall, and tips the scales at 112 lbs, and is equipped with two high quality wheels, making it easy to take with you wherever you go.
Inside the grill you get an adjustable fire grate and a heat gauge, which can be adjusted easily by moving it up and down to keep food warm on the warming grate. The 2137 Outlaw 1063 charcoal grill by Char-Griller comes fitted with three shelves for handy storage of your grilling essentials including a front shelf and bottom shelf to store unused charcoal or similar items.
Cleaning the grill is easy with its onsite easy dump ash pan, so you don’t have to deal with scooping up the hash by hand or in worse cases tipping the grill over. To clean the ashes, simply remove the pan, and dump the ashes in an appropriate spot. The 2137 Outlaw 1063 charcoal grill can be ordered with an optional firebox, which attaches to the side, and is perfect for Texas style cooking.
What I Like Best About The 2137 Outlaw:
Big grilling surface on a low priced grill.
Pros
- Total 1063 square inches cooking space
- 2 wheels to move it around
- Adjustable fire grate and warming rack
- Three shelves to store essentials
- Easy dump ash pan
Cons
- Doesn’t come with tool hooks
#5.
Kingsford GR1031-014984 Barrel Charcoal Grill, 30-Inch
Coming in at the #5 position on this list of best charcoal grills under 200 is the Kingsford GR1031-014984 Barrel machine, most notably for its expanded steel construction, so you can rest assured it will serve you well for several years to come. The cooking area of this grill spans a fairly large 590-square inches of cooking area, making it easy to accommodate your food items.
The Kingsford GR1031-014984 Barrel charcoal grill is fitted with the warming rack in the interior right above the primary grilling area, which you can use to cook food on low heat or to keep food items such as buns warm. The thermometer located on the lid of the grill gives you complete control over the cooking temperature, so that you can make the necessary adjustments.
The Kingsford GR1031-014984 Barrel charcoal grill comes with two storage racks, one of the side and other at the bottom, which can be used to keep your grilling essentials handy. It is easy to move around with its two wheels, and can be set in place with the two attached steel legs. The Kingsford GR1031-014984 Barrel charcoal grill is backed by a 1-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.
What I Like Best About The GR1031-014984:
No frills grill that gets the job done.
Pros
- 590-square inches of cooking area
- Steel construction
- Warming rack and thermometer
- Storage racks, wheels and steel legs
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Lacks handles to carry the grill
Charcoal Grills Under 200 Buying Guide
Buying a charcoal grill isn’t easy, given the many features and products available. So, consider the following factors to ease your buying decision.
Type of grill
Charcoal grills are available in two common types – kettle charcoal grills, and barrel charcoal grills. Kettle grills are generally less expensive that their barrel counterparts, and are round in shape for better heat retention. Just as the name would suggest, barrel charcoal grills feature a barrel shaped design, so you get a larger cooking area than most kettle grills.
Size
This refers to the cooking space in square inches a respective grill offers, where the higher the number, the more food you’ll be able to cook at one time.
Fuel types
Charcoal grills are powered by charcoal, but you can use either charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal. Briquettes are typically easy to stack and arrange, whereas lump charcoal are a preferred choice for effective searing, and smoking.
Construction
Most of the best charcoal grills under 200 are made from high quality steel, which tends to last for years on end.
Maintenance
Regardless of which charcoal grill you buy, you’re going to have to deal with ash and buildup. The grills mentioned on this list come with a cleaning system, which gathers and stores the ashes, until you remove the sliding tray and empty it.
Grates
The cooking grates are basically the cooking surfaces of the grill, and can be made from several different types of materials, most commonly porcelain, steel and cast iron. Steel and stainless steel grates are usually cost efficient of the three types, but may chip after regular use.
Portability
A charcoal grill can be heavy, so if you think you’re going to moving it around often, buy a model that comes with wheels.
Warranty
Most grills come with some type of warranty against any defects.
