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Making your own grilled food is a great way to sustain healthy eating habits. If you have never owned a charcoal grill before, and you are thinking of buying one, the first thing to consider is what you are planning to use it for.
Maybe your main goal is steaks, hot dogs, and burgers. Or you’re going a level up and you aspire for some juicy racks of ribs or possibly a turkey? Don’t hold back from those fancy dinner settings just because you don’t have a proper grill. If you are just entering the grilling world, you’re probably looking for something in your budget and, of course, something that will fit in the space that you have available.
This is where we come to help, as we have thoroughly tested some of the best charcoal grills you can find today in the stores.
Here is a top-down review of the best inexpensive charcoal grill under $200 that you can find on the market
TOP 10 Best Charcoal Grill Under 200: Comparison Chart
Char-Broil Charcoal Grill
Royal Gourmet BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker
Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Char-Griller Charcoal kamado Grill
Char-Broil Charcoal Grill
Royal Gourmet BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker
Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Char-Griller Charcoal kamado Grill
Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill
Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill
Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill
Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill
Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill
Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill
Best Overall: Char-Broil Charcoal Grill Review
The Char-Broil Charcoal Grill has this new cooking system that uses a protected plate for making simple to control cooking temperature, by making increasingly effective burning and it wastes less heat. This system helps you deliver the best cooking results without diminishing your grilling experience. It comes with the great feature of a charcoal pan that directs the airflow over the coals in a uniform fashion, for maximum cooking control and efficiency.
It also comes with an adjustable height control pan, which gives even more power in controlling the temperature.
Why We Like It
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge to help you monitor the heat and temperature
- Reinforced lid
- Advanced heat and smoke control
Dual Style BBQ: Royal Gourmet BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker Review
This is the perfect candidate for your backyard charcoal grill because it is a versatile appliance that comes with a compact design that helps you fit it on your balcony, deck, or patio with ease. Another great feature of this charcoal barbeque grill is that it has a great storage room, with racks that are available on the front, underneath, and on the side. It even has hanging hooks where you can rest your accessories.
It also comes with access to the firebox, door that's located on the side so you can easily attend your coals. Combine these with the best smoker box for a gas grill and you have yourself a complete barbecue machine
Why We Like It
- Dual Style BBQ
- Big cooking surface of 800 square inches
- Porcelain wire cooking grates that retain heat in an even fashion
- Portable
Built-in bottle opener: Expert Grill Heavy Duty Review
This heavy duty charcoal grill comes with a cast iron cooking surface big enough for you to cook up to 20 burgers at the same time! Just in time to save for that big family reunion grill, if you don’t want to spend all your day making burgers, 2 big batches and you’re done.
The built-in thermometer that can be found on the top of the lid will help you control the temperature inside, being conveniently placed at just a glance away. When it comes to storage space, this charcoal griller comes to your rescue with a nice foldable side shelf where you can easily put your platters, marinades, etc. It is recommended that, after use, better to protect it with a grill cover.
Why We Like It
- Cast iron cooking surface to ensure your meat doesn’t stick
- Durable powder-coated finish to keep that nasty rust away as many years as possible
- Built-in bottle opener so you can enjoy your beverages while cooking
Tuck-N-Carry Lid Lock: Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill Review
Moving on with our mission to help you find the best charcoal grill for the money in your budget, we stop at this nice and compact grill that comes in handy when you have an unexpected situation and you have to bring a grill to a friend’s place. It’s a perfect candidate if you’re looking for the best portable charcoal grill, and a good addition to anyone tool collection, if you like going camping. It fits in your trunk with ease, and it has very convenient handles for carrying anywhere.
Another good charcoal grill feature that this offers you are the built-in hangers on the side that can be used to block wind by resting your lid on them.
Pros
- Tuck-N-Carry lid lock
- Lightweight
- Triple-nickel-coated steel grate for cleaning it easily
Cons
- It doesn’t have so much cooking surface, usually can fit around 4 medium steaks. We can all agree it’s a small price to pay for an easy-to-carry grill that you can take anywhere
Sale
Kamado style: Char-Griller Charcoal kamado Grill Review
This is one the best charcoal grill under 200 you can find and the first thing that recommends it is Kamado style which promotes even heating to enhance flavor. Dual air-flow dampers, heat gauge and hinged locking lid will surely give you a superior experience in grilling. This model has convenient handles for better portability, so grilling on the go can become very easy. It also has fast cleanup system and there will be no problem in maintaining your grill.
Pros
- Kamado style
- Easy and precise temperature control
- Very durable
Cons
- Can be difficult to assemble
Most Budget Option: Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill Review
Number 5 in our charcoal grill under 200 reviews list comes from the well-known brand of Cuisinart, who has a great experience in the grill market.
Some might call it a cheap charcoal grill, but we like to say it’s really affordable and satisfying in its simplicity. It comes already seasoned, with a superior heat retention and dual venting system, so you can make the most out of less charcoal
To keep it in a good state, make sure you follow the necessary simple steps when cleaning and storing it
Pros
- Good heat retention
- Perfect for picnics, camping, or tailgating
- Chrome plated rack
Cons
Rust-Resistant Aluminum Dampers: Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill Review
This might be the perfect candidate for you if you’re looking for a round charcoal grill and at the same time looking for the best portable charcoal grill, because it checks both of them.
It’s small enough so that you can take it pretty much anywhere, and you can grill just about anything on it. The best feature on this little bad boy is the porcelain-enameled lid who is guaranteed to not rust or peel. Taking all of this into consideration we could safely say this is one the best cheap charcoal grill in the list.
Pros
- Rust-resistant aluminum dampers
- Plated steel cooking grate that retains heat and is easy to clean
- Lid Handle
Cons
- Doesn’t have a lid-hanging system on the side, so you’ll need a safe place to store the lid while you attend your steaks
Sale
No-Fall-Through Cooking Grate: Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill Review
Unlike most of the kettle charcoal grills on the market, it has the feature of a hinged lid that allows you to tend to your steaks and burgers with both hands. You don’t have to set aside the lid on the ground or hang it off the side.The best feature about this is the Infrared cooking system that helps you cook your food evenly using temperature control. Simply put, the infrared technology prevents cold spots or hot spots on the cooking surface, and at the same time, you will cook with less fuel consumption. It comes with the best rust-resistant, porcelain-coated cooking grate that helps you keep the food on top while also preventing flare-ups.
All these make it one of your best budget grill options there are.
Pros
- No-fall-through cooking grate
- 360-degree air inlet that facilitates increased air flow
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Some customers that have this grill complained about the stability of the legs, so make sure you set it up carefully on an even surface for a great cooking experience
Easy To Clean: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill Review
This grill is made by one of the best charcoal grill brands on the market, Weber, and is a nice and easy-to-use backyard grill that will help you bring your A-game for your friends and family members. It comes with a nice hinged cooking grate, so you can easily add more charcoal while grilling without much effort.
The handle is protected by a metal shield, to ensure that it doesn’t get too hot and can be handled with safety at all times. You also have the possibility to arrange the charcoal straight on the fuel grate in case you wish for indirect or direct grilling. All in all, a good charcoal barbecue grill option for you to consider.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Shields the handle from heat
- Precision heat control
Cons
- Only fits about 13 burgers on it
Sale
Compact and Lightweight: Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill Review
The last but not least in our quest of finding what are the best affordable charcoal grill options you have out there, here comes the Weber Jumbo Joe charcoal grill. It comes with a nice heavy-gauge steel charcoal grate that helps you enjoy the cooking of your food. Alongside is the lid handle that comes with a heat shield so you don't accidentally burn your hand when lifting the lid to check on your goods.
It’s really compact and lightweight so you can easily transport it in your car’s trunk for that beautiful outdoors grill that you planned with your friends and family.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for easy transportation
- Plated steel cooking grate
- Aluminum ash catcher to help you easily dispose of the ashes
Cons
- Easily bendable, so transport it with care
Buyer’s Guide: All You Need to Know About the best charcoal grill under 200
Is it Possible to Get a Decent Charcoal Grill under 200?
Given the fact the grilling if such a common hobby for a lot of food-heads out there, the industry acknowledged this trend and started producing more and more variables of affordable charcoal grilling, and as you read above in our review, there are quite some durable, enjoyable and efficient options for best grills under 200
Advantages of Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grilling probably won’t offer a similar degree of convenience as gas, yet it boasts one advantage that stands apart over all others: smoke flavor. The dry, white-hot warmth of charcoal sears meat rapidly, making a dried up, caramelized outside and smoky flavor.
Cheap charcoal bbq grills are more affordable than gas grills, however, the expense of charcoal will add up throughout the years. Charcoal is additionally more portable than natural gas grills. A pack of charcoal can without much of a stretch be hurled into your trunk for you to take it to the beach or the park
How to Choose the Best Charcoal Grill Under 200
As you saw, there are charcoal grills for every need, so you just need to define what are the vital requirements that you want to meet when looking for a new addition to your backyard.
Decide if you want a portable and easy-to-manipulate charcoal grill, or you want a more complex one that gives you the possibility of cooking multiple types of food.
What you want to look for is efficiency, storage place and a place to hang your accessories if you don’t have a nearby table to use. So let’s go through some of the best qualities to look for when making a decision:
Portability and mobility
Portability and mobility and the best features that charcoal grills bring to the table, as convenience is what you mostly look for in a relaxing activity like grilling. That’s the reason why a charcoal grill would be the best option for you. Did you receive a last-minute invitation to a beach grill and you need to bring the grill? No problem, just grab your portable charcoal grill, put it in your trunk and you’re all set.
Cooking Space
When making a full barbecue, you will need room to cook all the meat, vegetables and other ingredients that come with charcoal bbq grills. As opposed to a small gas grill, a good charcoal grill will offer you a big cooking surface, not to mention all the storage shelves that can be found on most of the grills, on the sides or underneath the grill.
Heat and temperature power
Crucial factors about making the best grill food are about regulating and controlling the temperature and the heat flow. You can achieve this by using the air inlet from the lid, or the temperature gauge on the top that lets you know what is the temperature inside with a simple glance. You could add the best grill mat that you can find for controlling the heat distribution
Solid Construction
A decent, well-built grill will feel strong and solid; a low-quality grill will wiggle. Pick a grill that is made of high-grade steel. Also, you should opt for a porcelain-enamel finish. The legs ought to be solid, wheels should roll effectively, and the barbecue should show a solid match and finish. Cooking grates are commonly produced using plated steel or chromed aluminum. A heavier-gauge cooking grate should last longer and ensure the distribution of the heat
Energy Efficiency
Choosing a charcoal grill for your summer barbecues is the best energy-efficient way of cooking and having fun at the same time. Because it uses charcoal as the main heat source, you can save a lot more money than cooking with gas. Help save the planet by making more barbecues using charcoal, in the end, you will have a happy heart and a full belly.
Best Charcoal Grill Under 200 Types
Portable grills
Portable grills give the best rewarding cooking and eating experience when outside. While outdoors stoves can make the cooking feel increasingly like a chore, travel BBQs can transform any social affair into a barbecue, regardless of whether at a campground, state park, on the seashore, or tailgating.
Cast iron grills
Improved heat conduction: The grates of the grill concentrate heat any place they contact, however the cast-iron surface helps temper those hotspots. The cast-iron is also allowing the heat to be evenly spread on the cooking surface and also helping you get that nice crust on the steaks’ surface while keeping the pink middle
Verdict and our Recommendation for 2023
Char-Broil Charcoal Grill is our editor’s top choice. Most of them agreed that it is the best charcoal grill under 200 on the market at the moment according to all the reviews and feedback from verified buyers. It has passed all our tests and we are satisfied with the product. So satisfied that we will not hesitate to recommend it to whoever needs assistance when it comes to purchasing their next best charcoal grill under 200 in 2023. If you want to find out what other appliances can improve comfort in your home, check out MyKitchenAdvisor and get inspired.
COMMENTS
17 January, 2020
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