Top 7 Most Recommended Charcoal Grills Under 300 Reviewed 2022

No one can ever underestimate the central purpose of a charcoal grill on a good weekend for any family. With the traditional weekend BBQ in the backyard with the friends and neighbors having a good bonding time, the charcoal grill becomes the centerpiece of that unity. 

A good charcoal grill doesn’t come cheap, no doubt, but you can still get some with a fair price, and if you’ve been having a hard time finding the less expensive ones, here is a run-down of the top 12 best charcoal grills under 300 in 2022.

Top 7 Most Recommended Charcoal Grills Under 300 Reviewed 2022

1. BEAU JARDIN Portable Charcoal Grill

In the category of the best charcoal grill under 500 with the lowest and friendliest price tag; within the same category as many gas grills under 200, and with a high-level functionality despite its pocket value, is the BEAU JARDIN portable charcoal grill. As the name implies, this charcoal grill combines functionality and portability in all areas, and it’s the perfect choice for outdoor garden grills and small family gatherings. 

In terms of its dimensions, the BEAU JARDIN has a total surface area of 255 sq inches for grilling (with enough space for cooking for about 3-4 people at once). In terms of height, its total height is 31.5 inches, convenient for a sit-down grill. SHaped like a kettle, this grill is made from a combination of strong stainless-steel, aluminum, and porcelain coating. 

The grill grates are housed by a porcelain-enameled lid bowl which makes for great heat retention and heat control, with easy to clean grates. Asides from that, the lid comes with an air vent that helps with the airflow. As a portable charcoal grill, it comes with a portable ash catcher and sturdily insulated handles, and very sturdy legs to hold the entire body. The BEAU JARDIN is super easy to clean with a one-touch cleaning system incorporated into it. Another great plus of this charcoal grill is the fact that it is easy to assemble and use without stress. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

The BEAU JARDIN Portable Charcoal Grill is a good grill for those who require something simple and functional. With its wide grill space, it offers simple grilling capacity and easy cleaning functions but all with great features. If you are looking for something simple and easy to use, this is a great choice for you. 

2. Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill

In the category of best cheap charcoal grills with family capacity, the Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset smoker takes a top spot without any arguments. Aside from being a great option for chefs looking for the best budget charcoal grill, it also has the dual functionality of both a charcoal grill and a smoker grill, giving you a choice to enjoy two cooking styles at any given time. 

When it comes to features and functionality, this grill has plenty to show for it. For starters, its grilling area is the definition of as vast as the sea with a total area of 438 sq inches with an overall height of 48 inches. It is shaped like the conventional grill with its easy to assemble barrel shape and made out of quality materials of stainless steel and cast iron. The inner grilling grate is porcelain-coated, and the offset smoker is also porcelain steel. 

Its functional capacity fully portrays its size as it is equipped with a wide area grilling grate that is big enough to feed about eight people at once conveniently. Its cooking grate is built to retain heat and allow for evenly cooking, and it comes with an anti-rust capacity and is quite easy to clean. 

This charcoal grill allows for easy control of temperature with its 2-level adjustable charcoal pan that comes with handles. Also, it comes with a built-in lid thermometer for easy temperature regulation, and adjustable vents are available for airflow control. It has a secondary cooking area and two storage racks for utensils and grill preparation. 

Not to forget its sturdy steel wheels that allow for easy transportation and support. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

If you are looking for a king-sized charcoal grill, then the Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill is the best option for you. With its vast grilling area and its adjoined offset smoker, you get to enjoy a dual-functioning grill. Considering its other exceptional features like its 2-level adjustable charcoal pan, its prepping surface space for utensils and ingredient storage, and a great sturdy base, you can only expect a huge and delicious royal banquet from this fine charcoal grill.   

3. Oklahoma Joe’s 19402088 Charcoal Grill

For chefs who would like to display their skills on a camping trip or would like to showcase some grilling talent in a tailgating event and require a compact, stronger, and of course, affordable charcoal grill to do the job, there is one out there that fits the charts quite well without exceptions. Oklahoma Joe’s 19402088 Rambler Portable Charcoal Grill is exactly what the name implies, portable and very unique. 

If you are wondering how efficient a charcoal grill named portable could be, then you should check out the mighty things this portable grill can do, and you’ll truly understand that it is the definition of small but mighty. 

For starters, when considering its dimensions, the Oklahoma Joe’s 19402088 Rambler Portable Charcoal Grill has a total surface area of 218 sq inches (enough wide space to fit ten whole burgers without stress) and has a height of 21.8 inches. All that is encompassed in a body built and made out of thick heavy-duty steel for the outer body while the grates are made of thick cast iron. 

As a heavy-duty champion of the grills, this portable charcoal grill comes with many awesome features. For one, its 2-piece adjustable/removable grate gives your foods the perfect sear, and it’s quite easy to clean. Right underneath the grates, you have the height-adjustable charcoal tray that can be adjusted to 3 different heights through the side handles, depending on the level of heat needed for the grilling. And finally, you have an easily accessible ash pan at the front end, which takes care of the ash, grease, and other things. 

At the top of the grill, you have the glow-in-the-dark accented temperature gauge for better temperature control alongside a lid-mounted smoke stack for airflow control. There are air dampers for even better airflow and temperature control on the sides, and it is all stabled on four sturdy heavy-duty steel legs that hold it all up, and by the sides, it has heavy-duty handles for easy carriage. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

For a more chic, tailgating kind of outing, the Oklahoma Joe’s 19402088 Rambler Portable Charcoal Grill is a great choice as it is both portable like the name implies and highly functional. Despite its minute size, its surface grill area is very wide, and it possesses other great features like its 2-piece removable grate, which gives that perfect iconic sear to foods like steaks. Again, considering its make, there is no doubt that it is a durable charcoal grill with a very pocket-friendly price tag. 

4. Weber Premium Charcoal Grill

Sleek, functional, iconic, beautiful, and design-perfect, these are some of the words that best suit this wonder of a charcoal grill. The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is not just any kind of grill, it’s the king of grills, and this is something many users can attest to. 

Designed as far back as 1952 by Weber, the iconic design has remained the same, but the functionality and features present have improved over time to give users the best experience while at the grill. 

This super functional charcoal griller comes packed up with special features which vary from its size to its functionality. To begin with, it features a wide space area of 363 sq inches built for grilling (can contain up to 13 burger patties at once) and has a full height of 39.5 inches. Built and shaped like a kettle, the body and lid are built with porcelain and coated with rust-resistant aluminum dampers for heat retention and rust prevention. The lid comes with a shield that protects the lid from heating while grilling.

In terms of functionality, the Weber original kettle premium charcoal grill has a built-in lid thermometer to regulate the grill’s temperature without lifting the lid, and it has a hinged cooking grate which makes adding coal easy to do. Plus, it’s super easy to clean, all thanks to the One-Touch cleaning system incorporated into it, which features a high-capacity ash catcher that provides you a hassle-free ash cleanup process once done. 

And just as it’s easy to use, it is also easy to set up with its 3D interactive assembly instructions, which are made available through the free BILT app.

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

For pro grillers after a budget-friendly charcoal grill for the weekend family and friends union, the Weber original kettle is a perfect choice. Asides from its neat features already listed, it also comes with other features such as its capacity to retain heat, its convenient lid placement position, which allows the chef to place the lid right beside the grill easily, its grilling tools hold where tools like spatula can be held securely, and its wheels that allow for easy movement of the grill.

This grill has everything you need and more, and there is no doubt about that. 

5. Char-Griller E06614 Charcoal Grill

In the category of cute, portable, well-designed, and super-functional charcoal grills, the Char-Griller E06614 charcoal grill is a top contender without any equal match in the market. This uniquely styled Kamado-style grill exists in a category of its own with features so cool that you would want more than one of them. First off, it’s amongst the light-weighted ones, weighing about 37 pounds, which makes it easy to carry around, and a perfect choice for campers who love to grill. 

In terms of dimensions, its total surface area comes with 153 sq inches of wide grilling area (enough to fit 3-4 steaks or 2 ribs), and it’s 25 inches tall. Built and shaped in a Kamado-style, its body comprises triple-walled 22 gauge steel with the interior coated with porcelain for heat retention and distribution and the exterior coated with powder. It can maintain heat from 200°- 700° F 

In terms of functionality, the Char-Griller E06614 charcoal grill has a built-in lid thermometer to regulate the temperature of the grill as well as its adjustable top and bottom dampers. It also comes with 2 tough handles for easy movement. 

Another cool feature of this grill is the fact that it’s fuel-efficient, and with its 14 inches cast-iron grates with a hole in the middle, you can add the fuel right from the middle. Plus, it comes with an easy dump ash pan for easy cleaning. 

This super-strong steel griller comes with 2 sturdy and very strong legs that hold up its weight and can stand anywhere for better balancing. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

Functional, portable, unique, and very efficient, the Char-Griller E06614 charcoal grill is a great option for outdoor cooking and grilling within the compound and also for camping adventures. Aside from being fuel-efficient with its heat retention and distribution capacity, it is also very easy to clean with its easy dump ash pan. It can stand anywhere thanks to its strong and durable legs. When compared to gas grills based on price and functionality, it is almost on the same pedestal. Not to mention the fact that you can both cook and grill and make pizzas with it. A real economical charcoal grill. 

6. Weber 14402001 Original Charcoal Grill

Amongst the Weber series, the Weber model 14402001 is amongst the most recommended charcoal grills for any pro griller after something pocket-friendly and super functional. As a good contender in the Weber kettle charcoal grill line, it comes with much more beautiful aesthetics, improved functionality, and better capacity. 

Designed as far back as 1952 by Weber, the iconic design has remained the same, but the functionality and features present have improved over time to give users the best experience while at the grill. 

It comes packed with features and functionality in terms of features and functionality, just like any Weber product is. For starters, it comes with a wide space area measuring 363 sq inches built solely for grilling (big enough to fit up to 13 burger patties at once) and has a full height of 39.5 inches. It is built and shaped like a kettle, with the body and lid being made with steel and porcelain and coated with rust-resistant aluminum dampers for heat retention and rust prevention. Aside from that, the lid comes with a special shield feature that protects it from heating up while grilling and protects the chef in charge from getting hurt.

In terms of functionality, it has a built-in lid thermometer to regulate the grill’s temperature without lifting the lid, and it has a hinged cooking grate located at the side, which makes adding coal easy, fast, and efficient. To clean it up, it features the One-Touch cleaning system incorporated into it, which also features a high-capacity ash catcher that provides users with a hassle-free ash cleanup process once done. 

For setting up, it has 3D interactive assembly instructions made available through the free BILT app. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

Asides from being budget economical and very beautiful (thanks to the sparkly copper-colored coating), it is also very functional with nifty features that go from the over spacious grilling space to its super easy to clean feature thanks to the One-Touch cleaning system. It has great heat retention capacity which thanks to its make and build, and it comes with special features that hold the chef’s cooking utensils in place. Plus, the wheels allow for easy movement of the grill. 

7. Char-Broil Charcoal Grill

Functional and sophisticated, the Char-Broil Tru-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill is the ultimate charcoal grill for any griller out there looking for the best charcoal grills under 300 in 2022. It’s unlike any in its categories as it comes with a peculiar technology not found in any of its kind. This charcoal grill comes with a one-of-a-kind Tru-Infrared grilling technology. To begin, it comes lighter than the Char-Griller E06614 Charcoal Grill, weighing about 36 pounds, which makes it easy to carry around and use anywhere, including campouts. 

In terms of size, its total surface area comes with 360 sq inches of wide grilling area (a space big enough to contain up to 16 burger patties), and it’s 14.8 inches tall. It is built and shaped like a kettle, built with metal coated with porcelain for heat retention. For better support, this charcoal griller is balanced on a tripod-like leg with wheels in the two legs at the side for ease of transportation which also comes with a chrome-plated wire bottom shelf for stability and to keep utensils if necessary. 

In terms of functionality, the Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill has a built-in lid temperature gauge to regulate the grill’s temperature, an Infrared porcelain-coated cooking grate built in for low flare-ups and to ensure that the food cooks evenly. Also, the grate is rust-resistant, easy to clean, and also prevents food from falling off. Along with that, it comes with a large adjustable top damper for heat regulation as it opens and closes, and the bottom damper rotates 360 degrees for better airflow.

Another cool feature of this grill is its hinged lid which allows for full-on maneuvering with the grill without difficulties, and it comes with a removable ashtray for easy cleaning.

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill is a top contender without equal in terms of functionality and unique technology. Aside from its super-sized surface grilling area, which allows for more regulated and tasty grilling, it also comes with other cool features like its heat-retention and easy to clean capacity, making it quite enticing to use. 

Let’s also not forget the ultimate special feature of a whooping 10-year limited warranty for the different parts of the grill from the manufacturer. 

Buying Guide 

Cooking Area Size

One of the first things you need to consider is the size of the cooking area. For chefs who prefer to cook large and at once, it is important to have a large surface area charcoal grill to make the cooking easier. And for those who prefer a smaller cooking area, there are those available too. Asides from the price, make sure you get the right size that suits your needs. 

Heat retention and distribution

It is very important to find a charcoal grill that can easily regulate the heat supply and heat distribution. Because you would use the grill to prepare different meals, having a charcoal grill that would cook everything you place on the grill without stressing you is very important. The higher the heat retention and distribution capacity of a charcoal grill is, the better. 

Cleaning

A charcoal grill can get very messy with the grease mixing with the ash and other things. Finding a charcoal grill with an easy-to-clean grate and an in-built easy cleaning system would make the entire grilling process much easier. 

Material

That you are after an affordable charcoal grill does not mean you should get a low-quality to make a grill. Like the examples mentioned above, there are many charcoal grills out there below $300 made from very durable and sturdy materials that would get you to enjoy countless grill-outs without worrying about life-span. 

FAQs 

How do you choose the best charcoal grill?

To choose the best charcoal grill, you have to consider your requirements regarding size, capacity, heat retention and distribution, cleaning process, price, and other things you find important. Once you find a charcoal grill that ticks all those or most of those boxes, then you can choose it. 

Which is better to get, a charcoal grill or a gas grill?

The choice depends on individual needs. There is a peculiar and unique taste and smell that charcoal grills give and that chefs recognize. This makes many go for charcoal grills. On the other hand, some chefs prefer the faster but sometimes expensive gas grill that is easy to use and clean up. The choice is based on individual needs. 

How do you quickly kill the flames in a charcoal grill?

You can use water to kill the flames quickly, although it would make the ashes soggy and a bit difficult to clean, but it’s quite effective. Otherwise, you can just leave the fire to die down slowly by cutting off the air circulation. 

Parting Thoughts

Weekend family gatherings without charcoal grills are almost a no-gathering at all. For chefs looking for the best charcoal grills under 300 in 2022the above list is out to help you make the best choice while being conscious of your pocket size. Whichever one you decide to get, I’m sure you will enjoy the goodness of charcoal grills.