Best Charcoal Grill under $100 Review & Buyer’s Guide for 2022

We all know charcoal grills stand out anywhere at any time. And the best part is that amongst the classes of Grills on the market, charcoal grills are inexpensive. So, if your budget is less than $100, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the goodness of grilling with charcoal. This article is a list of our top 6 best charcoal grill under $100 for 2022. Before you place an order on any charcoal grill, especially when on a budget, you need to see this first.

The 6 Best Charcoal Grill Under $100 Review in 2022

#1. Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill – Editor Choice

First on our list of inexpensive charcoal grills is this portable Grill from Weber, the 10020 Smokey Joe. Weber, as we know, has been the industry’s leading manufacturer of charcoal grills since 1952. With such a rich heritage, it’s only fair to expect nothing less from top-notch quality. An overview of this Grill reveals that this Grill is pretty simple and suitable for tailgating and camping. This 14 inches portable Smokey Joe charcoal grill comes with just enough grilling space to hold up to 5 burgers. With the Lid closed, this Grill has a dimension of 17 H x 14.2 W x 14.5 D inches. Its compact design makes it easy to transport, hence why it is suitable for camping and tailgating.

Some benefits of this Weber grill is its full-bodied inside and out porcelain-enameled coating, which makes the grill rust-resistant. Additionally, the high-quality steel used in the construction of this Grill is heat resistant and quite durable. Similarly, the heavy-duty nickel-plated steel cooking grate on this Weber grill is quite durable. You can control the airflow, hence this Weber grill’s temperature with its no-rust aluminum damper on its Lid. This Grill also features a glass-reinforced nylon lid handle that protects your hand from the heat. The Weber Smokey Joe Grill sits on three aluminum legs and below that is an aluminum ash catcher. However, this Grill lacks a tool hook, lid hook, temperature gauge. But if that is not a deal-breaker for you, this simple-designed Grill makes a perfect portable charcoal grill for a grilling session.

#2. Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill – Best Value

Cuisinart is also another excellent charcoal grill manufacturer introduced to America far back as in 1973. This CCG190RB barbeque charcoal grill from Cuisinart is compact, measuring up to 14 inches with up to 150 square inches of cooking surface. For an inexpensive charcoal grill you can easily take away with you for camping, or any get-together, you can bank on this Grill to always come through for you. Measuring 14.5 L x 14.5 W x 15 H inches and weighing only 2 pounds, this Grill will easily fit into any vehicle’s trunk. Apart from being compact, this Cuisinart grill has three secure lid locks that make it safe and comfortable for transport and ideal for balconies, patios, and decks.

Most parts of this Grill are coated with porcelain-enamel inside out, making this Grill resistant to corrosion. However, its cooking grates are chrome plated, which perfectly distributes heat over the cooking surface. Furthermore, this Grill sits on four stainless steel legs, which makes it quite sturdy. Below the firebox is its stainless steel ash pan, offering you a convenient way to dispose of ash while still grilling without disturbing what you are cooking. The dual venting system, one on the Lid and one at the base, offers you ultimate temperature control. The only deal-breaker for this charcoal grill is the lack of a temperature gauge, apart from that, this simple, compact Grill comes with all the right features to make your grilling experience swift and enjoyable.

#3. Char-Griller E22424 Table Top Charcoal Grill – Best Tabletop Grill Under $100

Char-Griller is another exception best charcoal grills manufacturer that has been on the market for decades. They are known for their high-quality and affordable barrel-style grills, Kamados, Dual fuel, Kettles, and more. The Char-Griller E22424 is a simple, compact, tabletop grill and a side firebox for Char-Griller offset grills. The compact design of the Char-Griller E22424 makes it a perfect Grill to carry with you anywhere you want to add grilling fun. Even though this Char-Griller E22424 grill is a side firebox, it still comes with up to 250 square inches of grilling space. The heavy-duty cast iron construction with powder coating makes it quite durable.

You can easily attach this E22424 Grill for Texas Style horizontal smoking on the 2137 Outlaw, 5050 Duo Grill, 2123 Wrangler, and 2828 Pro Deluxe grills. To use this Char-Griller as a tabletop grill, after removing it from the offset charcoal smoker, set it on its legs, and you’re good to go. This E22424 Grill also comes with two adjustable dampers, which helps you control the heat. And the sliding drawer offers you easy access to the ashes and Coal in this Grill. For added convenience, the cool to touch handle protects you from the heat. And like most charcoal grills, this Char-Griller E22424 does not come with a temperature gauge; however, it is a handy portable grill.

#4. Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18 Inch – Best for Portable Grill

Savor the moment with this Weber Jumbo Joe grill.  Weber, as we already know, are famous for their exceptional charcoal grills. This Weber 1211001 is an 18 inches portable charcoal grill with dimensions when the Lid is closed of 19.7 H x 19.7 W x 20.5 D inches. You also get a total cooking area of up to 240 square inches, which can hold up to eight burgers. So, despite the compact design of this Grill, you can get the most out of it. Moreover, the compact design makes this Grill perfect any spontaneous day at the beach or weekend get-away.

Featuring on this barbeque charcoal grill is a Tuck-N-Carry lid lock that holds the Lid in place to avoid placing it on the ground. Its ample cooking grate is made with plated heavy-duty steel. The bowl and Lid of this Grill as well are porcelain coated. Shield your hands from the fire’s excessive heat, as this Grill comes with a glass-reinforced nylon lid handle, which you can use to open the Grill safely. Below the Grill is the aluminum ash catcher. On this Grill are two rust-resistant aluminum dampers for regulating the airflow into the Grill. For a lightweight, durable, ample cooking grate grill under $100, this Weber would suffice.

#5. Char-Griller E82424 Side Fire Box Charcoal Grill – Best Overall Grill

Another best compact charcoal grill is this Char-Griller E82424, a side firebox. The E82424 can be mounted as a smoker for offset grills in Texas-style grilling. It serves as a side smoke box for Char-Grillers for horizontal grillers. When you detach it from Char-Griller offset smokers, you can set it on its legs for tabletop grilling. This Char-Griller E82424 is a perfect go-to ultra-portable grill you can take along with you to enjoy the goodness of charcoal grilling while camping at your favorite tailgating location or in the park. Though it is very portable, it still comes with up to 250 square inches cooking surface which can hold up to 10 burgers. 

Additionally, the heavy-duty steel used in constructing the Char-Griller E82424 grill makes it durable to stand the test of time. Moreover, the Grill is coated with porcelain-enamel inside-out, making it resistant to corrosion. Its cast-iron cooking grates are also Coated with porcelain-enamel making it non-stick and also resistant to corrosion. Open this Grill’s Lid for access to the grilling surface with the stay-cool hood handle that protects your hand from the heat. The two adjustable air dampers that come with this Grill make it quite easy for you to regulate the Grill’s airflow for optimum temperature control. Also, the removable ash-pan drawer provides a quick and easy way to clean up and add more charcoal.

#6. Dyna-Glo DGSS287CB-D Portable Tabletop Charcoal Grill – Best for Side Firebox

Last on our list of best charcoal grills for 2022 is this Dyna-Glo DGSS287CB-D grill. This Dyna-Glo grill can also serve as an excellent side firebox and a portable tabletop charcoal grill. Expand your culinary horizon with this exquisite Portable Grill from Dyna-Glo, which you can take along with you to that get-away location. This Portable Grill is perfect for backyard, camping, and tailgating grilling. Weighing 40.7 pounds, with a dimension of 21 H x 18.35 W x 24.17 D inches, so transporting it wouldn’t be an issue. Additionally, this Grill comes with two side handles that make it even more convenient to carry the Grill.

The heavy-gauge steel body construction of this Dyna-Glo smoker ensures that this Grill’s durability can last you for years. Apart from that, this Grill is coated with porcelain enamel, which makes it resistant to corrosion. The cast-iron cooking grate is also Coated with porcelain-enamel giving you a non-stick grilling surface. You also get a handsome cooking surface of up to 287 square inches on this Dyna-Glo DGSS287CB. The removable charcoal grate and ash pan offers an access door to add charcoal and dispose of the ash. The cool-touch handles provide safer access to food. You can mount this Dyna-Glo DGSS287CB-D as an offset smoker box for Dyna-Glo Signature Series models like DGSS443CB-D, and the DGSS675CB-D.

Best Charcoal Grill Under $100 Buyer’s Guide

1. Size

As much as the size of the Grill you are getting might be vital to you, it is essential to note that grills under $100 are mainly small. So, as you browse through available Grill under $100, do not expect anything too elaborate. Any grill manufacturer offering a massive grill less than $100 is likely substandard, made of cheap materials. There is no use buying a Grill that wouldn’t last you for less than a month. However, expecting the Grill to have a cooking surface area of less than 300 square inches or diameter less than 20 inches, is only fair.

2. High-heat Searing with Steak

If you are a steak fan, then you would understand that intensely high heat is needed for the best result. To sear steaks, you need an optimum temperature ranging between 300 and 500 Fahrenheit. When getting a charcoal grill, take note of how hot the charcoal grill is most likely to get. To know how hot a charcoal grill can get, take a close look at the position and number of air dampers on the Grill. Also, the size of the charcoal grate matters because more ignited charcoal equals higher a temperature. An average of two dampers would do just fine for even the best small charcoal grill.

3. Durability

The durability of the charcoal grill is another thing many grillers consider when buying one. It’s understandable to want a durable Grill, as everyone loves a quality product. Several factors affect the durability of the charcoal grill. The type of finishing on the Grill, the kind of material used in constructing it, amongst other factors, all affect the durability of the Grill. The popular finishing for charcoal grills is porcelain-enamel, which is non-stick.

4. Grill Material

The type of material used in constructing the Grill affects the durability of the Grill. Many charcoal grills are built with heavy-gauge steel. Steel is an excellent material for a Grill as it is lightweight and, at the same time, quite durable. Some manufacturers produce their grills with double layers of steel to help reduce heat loss. As for the cooking grates, manufacturers make use of cast iron. Cast iron is also an excellent material for making cooking grates as they conduct and maintain heat.

5. Build Quality

The quality of the build of the charcoal grill is another essential aspect you need to inspect when buying one. You can start by taking a close look at every moving part of the Grill. Open and close its Lid, check if the cooking grates are removable, the ashtray includes all this is to inspect the build quality of the Grill. If you feel every moving part of the Grill is well secured, you can then inspect other parts of the Grill. Also, check if the Grill is sturdy when you set it on a flat platform.

6. Ease of Use

Lastly, we all want convenience when grilling, so anything that would make the Grill easy to use is a welcome development. As such, the Grill needs to be quite easy to clean. Charcoal grills that are easy to clean need to have an excellent ashtray, and preferably a non-stick cooking grate. Non-stick cooking grate makes grilling meat, fish, and vegetables easy as you can turn it over without ruining it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to Put Out a Charcoal Grill

You can extinguish your charcoal grill with water, but the downside is that you may not be able to use the charcoal next time because it would be wet. You can try to dry out the charcoal, but it wouldn’t burn as well next time. The best way to put out your charcoal grill is to cut the supply of oxygen. To cut off the oxygen, close the Lid, and air dampers.

2. How to Cool Down a Charcoal Grill

Charcoal grills can burn at a very high temperature, so cooling it might take a while. Nevertheless, to cool down a charcoal grill, place the Grill outside. Put out the charcoal by cutting off the oxygen. It might take up to 48 hours for the charcoal to cool down completely.

3. What Burns Hotter: Coal or Wood

Coal and wood are both used in charcoal grills, but Coal burns hotter than wood because of the high density of Coal. Nevertheless, coal releases chemicals that are not so healthy both to the environment and our health. But wood smoke, on the other hand, is healthy and flavorful, making it a preferred choice for many pitmasters.

4. How to Light a Charcoal Grill

Lighting a charcoal grill is the major challenge many people face when using one. It is not advisable to light a charcoal grill with lighter fluid as the chemicals from the lighter fluid affect the flavor and taste of your food at the end of the day. The best and easiest way to light a charcoal grill is to use an igniter. Fill the igniter with small pieces of wood, paper, and charcoal. Once ignited, transfer it into the charcoal you arranged in your Grill, cover the Lid for 10-20 minutes, and you are good to start grilling.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best charcoal grill under $100 are portable but efficient enough to let you grill your favorite meat and vegetables. Add that delicious smoky flavor to your food with any of the affordable charcoal grills in this review. Besides, unlike gas grills under $100, these charcoal grills are more portable and easier to use. If you have any questions about any of the charcoal grills in this review, kindly leave a comment section below.