No doubt, you can purchase a charcoal grill for just $200 or less, but these grills are often of worse quality and have fewer, if any, amenities. Purchasing the most excellent charcoal grill for under $300 can be even more difficult than buying a high-quality charcoal grill. You must consider more than just your money to get the greatest charcoal grill that can last a long time.
The best charcoal grill under 300 includes Weber Performer Charcoal Grill, Char-Grill AKORN Jr, Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill, Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill, Char-Grill Outlaw Grill, Dyna-Glo Heavy-Duty DGN486DNC Charcoal Grill, and Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill.
Since they smoke, you must first be aware that charcoal grills are only used for outdoor cooking. The cooking space will be the primary distinction between a $300 charcoal barbecue and more. A charcoal grill on a tighter budget can accommodate fewer steaks, burgers, or other foods with a smaller cooking surface.
Best Charcoal Grill Under 300
An outdoor stove that burns charcoal for fuel is called a charcoal grill. Compared to a gas grill, it takes much more work to light the fire, regulate the temperature, and clean up afterward. However, it pays off with food with an unrivaled smokiness you cannot obtain while cooking with gas.
A charcoal grill is ideal for anyone who enjoys grilling entirely rather than simply eating. If you are a person who enjoys a little bit of nerdiness or learning new skills for a great payoff in flavor, you might enjoy using a charcoal grill.
The three primary categories of charcoal barbecues are as follows.
Kettle: The one you probably imagine in your brain when thinking of a charcoal barbecue is typically the least noticeable and most recognizable. Due to the tapering design of kettle grills, you may create a substantial layer of briquets to trap heat.
The use of kettle grills is recommended for searing and longer cooking foods like poultry or roasts that you do not wish to burn before they have fully cooked. The greatest all-purpose option is a kettle grill.
Barrel: These grills resemble a barrel along their side because they are shallow but wide. They use several cans and briquets simultaneously to prepare a large amount of food. However, they tend to burn out more quickly, making them better suited for simple barbecues where lots of steaks, hamburgers, and hot dogs will be served than for fancier outdoor feasts. The majority of barrels do, however, make it simple to add extra charcoal if you wish to prolong the cooking process.
Kamado or Ceramic: You have heard of the Big Green Egg, but what about ceramic or kamado? That is the kamado grill that is most widely used. Although expensive, these babies actually keep the heat in, allowing you total control over the cooking process.
They let you broaden your grilling repertoire to include briskets, pig butts, and turkeys. However, they are bulky, necessitate many briquets, and often have a small cooking surface. This is not the grill you would like to use for a backyard birthday party to serve hamburgers and hot dogs.
Below are some of the best charcoal grills under 300.
Weber Performer Charcoal Grill
The most resilient, potent, and practical charcoal grill is the Weber Performer. The cooking surface is 363 square inches and is made of 22-inch plated steel. Scrape the ash and food particles into a disposable ash catcher to clear the ashes; a heat shield is on the lid handle.
No more getting burned while opening the lid; not even gloves are necessary. The grill features a lid attachment on the side, so you do not have to set the cover on the ground when cooking. The temperature is displayed adequately via the built-in thermometer.
Side tables are typically absent from kettle grills; the ones that do are not very large; there is an exception with this specific version. The accent table folds down for more straightforward storage and is large enough for plates, condiments, and seasonings. The bowl and lid have porcelain enamel on them. This coating offers additional weather protection while improving warmth and equal heat distribution.
Char-Grill AKORN Jr Kamado Grill
The great Char-Griller AKORN Jr Kamado-style grill is rendered immune to injury by its superb construction and outstanding performance. This barbecue is large enough to use both at home and when traveling. Campers and tailgaters will adore this one.
It only provides 153 square inches of grilling space, constructed of 14-inch cast-iron plates with a hole in the center for adding fuel because it is designed to be portable. Moving this one is made somewhat simple by the two strong side handles. You could even grill on the grass, thanks to their solid and resilient legs.
There is no need to search for the ideal location to put it because any place is suitable. The triple-walled 22-gauge metal that the kamado cooker is composed of, both the interior and outside, has porcelain coatings. In addition to longevity, the inside porcelain covering and triple wall structure have improved heat distribution and retention.
Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill
Including its TRU infrared cooking technology, the Kettleman is a culinary miracle. This charcoal grill uses TRU-infrared grilling innovation, which improves flavor, shortens cooking and reheating times, consumes less fuel, and prevents flare-ups.
The Webers grab the lid with hooks, but the Char-Broil takes it a step further and attaches a hinge, just like a gas barbecue. The latch is a terrific addition to the lid that improves the temperature and juices’ sealing and renders it much safer to transport. This infrared grill also makes use of a unique kind of grate, similar to other infrared grills.
Food cannot fall into the burning charcoal below because of the structure’s extreme density, which prevents flare-ups. It is porcelain-enameled for simpler cleaning, improved uniform heating, and improved rust resistance. A typical vent is a top damper; the bottom one is not, though. It features a 360-degree rotation.
Dyna-Glo Heavy-Duty DGN486DNC Charcoal Grill
This choice is a genuinely robust charcoal barbecue with porcelain-enameled cast-iron grilling grates and sturdy steel on the outside. You can easily regulate the temperature with the movable charcoal box and the steel chimney. Unlocking the steel front entry door or moving the cooking grates back are simple methods for maintaining charcoal.
Six hundred eighty-six square inches of total cooking space will enable you to prepare meals for everyone. The sturdy cart design has 8-inch wheels for optimum mobility, side racks, and a storage box. You can quickly clean away the ash with the easily removable catch pan.
Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill
As its name implies, the Royal Gourmet Grill with Offset Smoker may be used as both a charcoal grill and a smoker. Consequently, you can benefit from these two methods of cooking. Due to the grill’s barrel design, installing it should be simple. You can be sure that it will endure the test of time because it is built of premium ductile iron and stainless steel.
The entire cooking space of this enormous grill and smoker combo is 800 square inches. Both the mesh ledge that faces the grill and the shelf beneath it are present. With this one, you can serve up to 8 people simultaneously; the 5 pounds of charcoal fit comfortably in the pan.
Final Thoughts
We know that charcoal barbecue grills may be expensive despite their incredible performance. We know that most inexpensive charcoal grills are built of defective materials, which deters many consumers from purchasing them. But as this article has demonstrated, getting an excellent grill does not have to cost a fortune. You can still buy a unit that would serve you for several years for $300 or less.
Scot has loved smoking food in his free time for the last few years. Each major holiday or off-weekend, Scot spends days testing and prepping new recipes for perfection.