4 Best Charcoal Grills Under $300 in 2023
The Best Charcoal Grill Under $300 is the one that suits your specific needs and preferences. Look for features like durability, cooking area size, temperature control, and ease of cleaning.
A good charcoal grill has precise temperature control, is easy to maintain, gives uniform cooking throughout use, and imparts food a smoky flavor. However, it’s hard to find a charcoal grill with these qualities while being inexpensive.
But not anymore, because here I am going to review the top 4 best charcoal grills under $300 that are spacious, cook meat and vegetables to perfection, are easy to clean, and above all, enhance your food taste with that smoky flavor.
List of Top Rated Charcoal Grills Under $300
Weber Master-Touch Charcoal Grill – Best Portable Grill
Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill – Best Budget
Weber Performer Charcoal Grill – Best with Smoker
Reviews of 4 Best Charcoal Grills Under $300
1. Weber Master-Touch Charcoal Grill – Best Portable
All grilling experts know that controlling grill temperature is a hard nut to crack. However, not with the Weber Master-Touch grill. With upper and lower dampers present in this circular grill, you can control temperature precisely.
With an alloy steel build, the interior of the bowl is covered with a thick layer of porcelain, enhancing its insulation and preventing corrosion. The dimension of 24 inches in length x 24 inches in width x 24 inches in height makes it compact enough to fit on the balcony and porch.
Surprisingly, this grill weighs only 37 pounds, which is 50 pounds lighter than the Royal Gourmet charcoal grill. It comes with side hinges to hang tongs and other cooking spatulas.
Its surface has a cooking area of 443 square inches, enough to fit six steaks or 13 burger patties. The cooking grate comes with a hinge to add or remove coals from one side.
I love that it is easy to clean and has a one-touch cleaning system. In this method, all you need to do is to move the lower levers back and forth, and it will transfer that small piece of coal into the tray to take out and dump it.
There is a side hinge to hold the lid when not used, so you need to worry about where to put the hot lid.
However, the temperature gauge doesn’t give an accurate reading, so you should buy a separate one to have more idea about the specific readings of the internal temperature. The temperature in their grill goes as high as 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
My Recommendation
I recommend this grill if you have a large balcony or porch with enough space to fit big grills and still want to enjoy the smoky flavors of barbecues and ribs.
What We Like
- Smart structure
- Precise temperature control
- Lightweight
- Easy cleaning
What We Don’t Like
- A temperature gauge is not accurate
2. Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill – Best Budget
Now, you don’t need to open the grill’s lid while cooking to adjust the coals and temperature with Royal Gourmet CD2030AN Charcoal Grill. It has a front door that gives you access to the charcoal plate to remove or add more fuel from this door without opening the lid.
Along with that, it comes with a height-adjustable charcoal pan and crank handle to elevate or lower the coal’s height to ensure the perfect cook on meats and vegetables according to your liking.
This charcoal pan burns 3.5 kilograms of charcoal at a time. The pan is perforated, so there is maximum airflow through the coals, and they heat up quickly to reach the required temperature.
Coming to its dimensions, it is 58.7 inches in length x 27.6 inches in width x 50.4 inches in height, making it wider and rectangular compared to the Weber Master-Touch charcoal grill. Because of its rectangular shape, it has a cooking surface area of 511 square inches and a warming area of 253 square inches.
The cooking grates are made of steel but are coated in porcelain enamel. So, meats and vegetables don’t stick on the grates. Control the airflow in the coals and the entire grill by the side dampers on the lid. Just lower or raise them to control the grill’s airflow and heat.
I appreciate the two collapsible side shelves and S-shaped hooks that enhance their storage capacity.
Talking about the temperature, the temperature in the grill goes as high as 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. But I won’t recommend you to do so because it results in cracking and damage to the build of this grill. It’s better to stay between 300 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Besides, there is an ash collector below the coal door, so you slide it out to dump all the ash. At the bottom, there is a shelf to store additional utensils, making it more spacious than the Weber master grill. To check its price and warranty, click on the button below.
My Recommendation
This grill is an excellent choice for prominent families who enjoy barbecues frequently and need a charcoal grill with multiple settings.
What We Like
- Separate door for charcoal
- Well insulated
- Spacious
- Easy-to-use ash collector
What We Don’t Like
- Gets damaged above 400 degrees Fahrenheit
3. Dyna-Glo DGN486DNC-D Charcoal Grill
Dyna-Glo DGN486DNC-D, a heavy-duty charcoal grill, not only uses coal but other woods on the charcoal pan as fuel. It helps to enhance your food’s flavor while giving the doneness of your liking.
This griller has an alloy steel body which is porcelain coated to enhance the heat retaining ability. That total 686 square inch cooking and warming space makes it easily convenient to cook six to seven steaks and more than 20 burger patties at a time.
Talking about the grates, it comes with porcelain-coated cast iron grates. Firstly, compared to steel grates in the Royal Gourmet grill, these cast iron grates retain more heat and give quick but uniform cooking to the meat. Secondly, the porcelain coating prevents the sticking of the food and corrosion of the grates.
The dimensions of this griller are 55.7 inches in length x 28.4 inches in width x 50.9 inches in height, making it bigger and broader than Royal Gourmet and Weber grills. It also weighs 79 pounds, which I like as it gives it a more sturdy and durable finish.
It has a built-in temperature gauge with a temperature range of 150 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is optimal enough to cook steaks and ribs. It also has a front door to add or remove charcoal and hardwoods, so you don’t have to open the lid while cooking.
There is an ash pan that slides out and removes all the collected ash and burnt coal pieces.
To control the temperature, it comes with this smokestack on the lid and an adjustable flue. You only need to slide the flue to control the temperature and airflow inside the grill.
What I didn’t like about this grill is its complicated grates. Even though they give uniform cooking and are durable, they are hard to handle, remove, and clean. The removal of grates is tricky and consumes a fraction of the time.
Check out its color and warranty by clicking on the button below.
My Recommendation
It is a fantastic grill for those who Like sturdy and heavy-duty grills that reach high temperatures and use woods other than charcoal as a fuel.
What We Like
- Sturdy built
- Smokestack temperature control
- Reaches good temperature
- Great cooking surface area
What We Don’t Like
- Hard to remove grates
4. Weber Performer Charcoal Grill – Best Smoker Combo
The most durable, robust, and practical charcoal grill on this list is the Weber Performer. The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill is best for home use.
This Weber grill has simple-to-adjust dampers on the lid and a reliable built-in thermometer on the top for accurate temperature control. It has a medium-sized grill that has a capacity of 13 burgers.
Its design is also really fantastic. It is a 22-inch cooking grate made of plated steel. This makes accommodating more giant food platters for larger crowds much simpler.
Amazingly, this grill weighs 66.2 pounds and measures 29 inches deep, 42 inches wide, and 43.5 inches high. It is the ideal option for your camping trips and home parties.
The most fantastic grill is this one, which has a good-sized rotisserie and a medium capacity that can hold more than a dozen hamburgers.
The 363 square feet of kitchen space will be more than enough for larger households. Utilizing the char basket provided beneath the cooking grate, you can effectively control the amount of charcoal.
More charcoal can be added without risk while grilling. While many different turning tools can be used to hang the food.
A heat shield is on the lid handle. They are no more getting burned while opening the lid. Not even gloves are necessary.
The 8-inch wheels are not composed of cheap plastic that breaks after a season or two. Instead, they are rubber-molded and will survive for long years to come.
The Performer is an excellent charcoal grill in terms of efficiency and dependability. It’s convenience and unique spacious side table are its main features. This grill is the best option if you want a long-lasting one at a reasonable price.
My Recommendation
This grill can cook and smoke, so it has everything you need. It should be your go-to option if you want a barbecue with all the features of a good Weber performer charcoal grill at a mid-range price.
What We Like
- Accurate thermometer
- Charcoal grill and smoker
- Convenient
- Folding side table
What We Don’t Like
- Slightly lesser kitchen space
Buyer Guide For Best Charcoal Grills Under $300
Size
Charcoal grills come in various sizes, including little portable devices, heavy tabletop models, and huge ones that can serve a crowd. Small grills are more straightforward, but larger grills are better for cooking more significant amounts of food at once.
Most smaller grills can accommodate one to four people and are ideal for the occasional griller. While the typical 22-inch kettles are perfect for families who enjoy grilling frequently.
Shape
Traditional charcoal barbecues are circular. Due to their shape, indirect cooking surfaces can be created around the edge by placing coals in the center of the floor beneath the grate.
Additionally, there are rectangular charcoal barbecues. They enable the creation of more defined cooking zones, which increases their resemblance to gas grills, which some people could find more familiar.
Versatility
There’s no need to spend a lot of money if you want to grill some supper on a charcoal barbecue occasionally. All you need is a simple model with suitable kitchen space for the number of guests you expect.
Consider purchasing a more insulated charcoal grill that can keep the temperature better and longer if you’re going to use it for smoking.
Temperature Gauge
A temperature gauge will inform you of the time and amount of temperature required. Check out a charcoal grill to know if one has it.
Special Features
There are specific features to watch out for when buying a charcoal barbecue, depending on your needs and tastes. These qualities consist of the following:
- Air control system
- Damper control
- Thermometer
- Warming racks
- Wheels
Ease of cleaning
It is also an important factor to consider when buying a charcoal grill. Look for models that have features that make cleaning the grill easier, such as:
Removable ash pan: A removable ash pan allows you to easily clean out the accumulated ash from the grill without much hassle. This feature makes maintenance and cleaning more convenient.
Easy-to-clean grates: Look for grates that are easy to clean, preferably ones that are coated with a non-stick material or porcelain enamel. These grates are easier to scrape clean and require less effort to remove stuck-on food.
Access to internal parts: Some grills have features that provide easy access to internal parts for cleaning purposes. This could include removable grates, ashtrays, or hinged lids that allow for easier access to the cooking surface.
Brand
Consider reputable brands like Weber, Char-Griller, and Dyna-Glo, which offer reliable performance and value for the price.
Conclusion
In today’s edit, I shared some of the best charcoal grills under $300 that are inexpensive, easy to clean, simple to control, and give a uniform temperature throughout the cooking.
However, out of these, I find Weber Master Charcoal grill the best because of its smart build that gives a large surface area in cooking, has a warming rack, is easy to clean, is lightweight, and gives precise temperature control.
So check out its price and availability now to get it for your barbeque sessions.