Best Charcoal Grills Under 500: [Top Models Reviewed]

The quality of your grill will always have a direct influence on your grilling experience. Therefore, whenever you are out to get a grill for your cooking ventures, ensure that you purchase the best quality. So, what are the best charcoal grills under 500?

The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill + 6201 Smokin’ Stone, Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill, Weber Performer Charcoal Grill, and the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill are some of the best charcoal grills under 500. They come in ideal sizes and shapes and are coupled with special features and versatility to offer an excellent grilling experience.

When purchasing a charcoal grill, you need to consider several factors, including the number of people you will be using the grill for cooking, the place of storage, and the extra features that will make the grill use efficient. Read on to enhance the chances of getting the best grill under 500 for your next grilling adventure.

Best Charcoal Grill Under 500

A spacious, quality, multifunctional grill that can last for decades and does not break the bank sounds like an excellent charcoal grill. Here are 5 top best charcoal grills under 500.

1. The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill

The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill is one of the best charcoal grills as it is made of durable thick ceramic or insulated materials, excellent for retaining heat. Thus, when using the grill, you are likely to save a lot of energy and reduce the cooking cost.

The grill has ample cooking capacity, a warming rack, and a primary cooking surface. The primary cooking surface of the grill is 314 square inches, while the warming rack has 133 square inches.

Generally, the grill has a total cooking surface of 447 square inches of cooking space, making it quite convenient for a wide range of grilling tasks.

Benefits and Features

• The grill has an adjustable damper at the bottom and top to give you complete control of the heat. Being in a position where you can conveniently control heat means that you will have an easy time cooking a wide range of meals.
• It has a triple-wall insulation, air circulation system, porcelain-coated steel interior finish, and egg-shaped design to enhance heat retention. All these attributes are essential in that they help reduce energy wastage and save you a lot of money.
• Comes with neat accessories, such as a diffuser plate, to make the grill even more versatile
• The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill comprises 22 gauge steel and a powder-coated exterior to guarantee durability.

Disadvantages

• The temperature gauge can be inaccurate
• It isn’t easy to operate

2. Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

CNN, Wirecutter, and several other reputable online sources recommend the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill as one of the best charcoal grills. Moreover, most Amazon buyers have rated this grill with five stars, all of these point toward the enormous efficiency of the grill.

The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill also features a porcelain-enameled lid for maximum heat retention. The cooking grates are large enough to accommodate up to 13 burgers.

The dampers and the inbuilt thermometer make it easy to monitor temperatures as you cook. Therefore, you can use the grill for cooking a wide range of meals.

Features and Benefits

• Several exciting features, such as rust-resistant aluminum dampers and a built-in lid thermometer, make the grill efficient.
• An efficient one-touch cleaning system coupled with an ash catcher makes the cleaning even simpler.
• A hinged cooking grate to make it easy to add charcoal while grilling
• Crystal-clear assembly instructions make it one of the easiest charcoal grills to assemble.

3. Weber Performer Charcoal Grill

Although the Weber Performer Charcoal Grill may not be as fancy as some of the top web models, it is one of the best charcoal grills you can get under $ 500. The grill is coated with porcelain to foster heat retention and heat distribution. Further, the grill is also resistant to elements making it great to use even in harsh weather conditions.

The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill features a cooking surface of more than 360 square inches, making it ideal for family cooking. Further, the grill features a dumper on the lid, enhancing air circulation while promoting heat retention.

While the Weber Performer Charcoal Grill is a bit heavier than most grills in its category, it is equipped with four wheels to make transportation easier.

Features and Benefits

• Adjustable damper for easy control of heat
• Equipped with wheels to enhance easy transport
• Hooks and shelving for better storage
• A removable ash catcher, making it easy to clean the grill

Cons

• It is heavier than most grills making it a challenge when it comes to transportation
• Sometimes it does not come with a warming rack

4. Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

The Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is a product of Weber. Weber is best known for producing quality grills, and the Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is no exception. It is one of the best and most versatile charcoal grills you can use for many functionalities.

The grill features two hinged edges to make it easy to add charcoal while grilling without necessarily having to lift the entire piece. Further, its lead has heat protection to facilitate heat retention. More shelving makes storage convenient.

Advantages and Features

• A classic design that enhances the functionality of the grill
• The grill is equipped with a one-touch cleaning system coupled with an enclosed ash container to make cleaning the grill easy.
• Allows the addition of charcoal without having to remove the grates

Cons

• Small bottom storage shelf

5. The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill

The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill is another incredible charcoal grill from excellent cooking services. It features cast-iron grates, a hinged lid, adjustable dual dampers, and a removable warming rack, all designed to facilitate the grill’s efficiency.

The grill has an easy dump ash pan, folding side shelves, a 20-inch cooking area, and a triple-walled steel construction to foster heat retention.

Features and Benefits

• It is easy to clean
• Easy to assemble
• Efficient temperature control makes it ideal for cooking a wide range of meals

Essential Features to Consider When Choosing a Charcoal Grill Under $500

Although there are several models of charcoal grills, understanding some of the crucial features to look out for one shopping for one makes it easy for you to make the right choice.

The Cooking Area

The cooking area is a vital feature to consider as it determines the amount of food you can cook on the grill. Always ensure that both the cooking area and the warming rack space are large enough to meet your needs.

The Weight

The weight is a critical aspect to consider as it directly influences the grill’s portability. Heavy charcoal grills may be challenging to transport. However, transportation is likely to be easy if they have wheels. Additionally, it is crucial to understand that the weight of the grill can tell you more about the quality of the material used to make the grill.

Versatility

If you want to invest in a charcoal grill that can help you prepare a diverse range of meals, versatility is one of the critical factors that you should consider. For instance, a well-insulated charcoal grill model can perform various cooking tasks, including smoking.

Special Features

Special features are made to foster the functionality of the charcoal grill. For instance, features such as storage shelves, insulated handles, adjustable charcoal trays, and many similar features make using the grill enjoyable and convenient.

Conclusion

Paying attention to factors such as weight, versatility, size, and the quality of the material, you will end up with an excellent charcoal grill for your use. With extensive research and comparison, the Weber Performer Charcoal Grill is the best charcoal grill under 500, as it ticks almost every box for the best charcoal grill.