Who said you can’t have a perfect BBQ on a budget? All you need for a perfect BBQ is a fuel-efficient grill that doesn’t take up too much space and which can come with you wherever you go. You don’t even need a backyard when you are going to grill with a kettle grill since you can grill comfortably on your patio or deck. Kettle grills simplify the entire BBQ culture by offering so much value from such a small space while giving you all the flavour of traditional charcoal-grilled food. They are a great alternative to the bulky and expensive grills if all you need is a simple grill that can sear up your steaks and sausages for your small backyard parties. Here is a look at the ten quality kettle grills that will meet your daily grilling needs without breaking the bank.
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill – Buy Now on Amazon
Weber charcoal-grilled dot thousands if not millions of backyards around the US and the world and this is no exception. At 22 inches, this grill can hold a whole 13 burgers which is enough to feed a small army. The most attractive feature of this little dome is the high-quality construction with a rust-resistant body and dampers. Both the bowl and the lid are porcelain-enamelled allowing them to retain heat for longer than bare metal kettle grills which keeps the food in the grill warm for longer.
It is also fitted with rust-resistant dampers made of aluminium both at the top and at the bottom giving you easy control of the grill temperature without getting burned. You can also add more charcoal without having to remove the grilling grates because they are hinged. It is a perfect combination of features that make grilling easy
CUSIMAX Charcoal BBQ Kettle Portable Grill – Buy Now on Amazon
With this one, you won’t get the big name but you will get the same value of smoke-flavoured grilled steak. Is also suitable for small BBQ parties and can hold up to 10 burgers at a time. It is body is also enamelled with porcelain to prevent rusting and retain heat to keep your food warm. It also retains a smoker to flavour up your grilled foods. It also features a large ash collector that is easily removable for cleaning. The grates on this one are not hinged so you will have to remove them to add coals. You can still control the temperature using the dual-vent system. It is also light and fitted with casters so you can move it from place to place with ease.
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill – Buy Now on Amazon
This is a portable table-top kettle grill that can cook enough food for two to five people and can also come with you wherever you are going. It is another quality upgrade from Weber meant for tailgate BBQs and patio grilling. It features Weber’s signature feature of chrome-plated grates that fit perfectly in the bowl and heat protection for the handles to keep them cool enough to carry. The body is also heavy enough to retain heat while the coating doesn’t peel off when the grill gets hot. The entire thing can fit in your trunk so you can grill your steak, burgers and sausages on the go.
Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill – Buy Now on Amazon
This grill is not exactly kettle-shaped but is just as compact and effective at giving your chicken and steaks the sear you need with all the smoke flavour. It is 250 square inches large which is bigger than some kettle-grills and it can fit a whole chicken or half a turkey. The lid handle is wooden, so it won’t burn you when you lift it. Its ashtray is also removable, so you only need to pull it out and empty it when cleaning without causing a mess. It has casters for pulling it around when moving as well. The lid is hinged onto the grill as well so you don’t have to worry about lifting hot things while grilling. It also packs onboard storage where you can place your spices and cutlery while cooking.
BEAU JARDIN Portable Charcoal Grill – Buy Now on Amazon
This is another quality top grill that won’t get too hot and the paint starts peeling off halfway through grilling. It is bigger than other options on the list with a 255 square inch cooking area which is enough to hold up to 15 burgers. It is also porcelain enamelled so the bowl and the lid are both rust-resistant and easy to clean in case of stains and grease. This version also comes with bigger wheels that can withstand more abuse and stay in place for longer. It doesn’t have a removable ash catcher, but you can collect all the ash in the tray by simply rotating the lower air vent and then wiping it off from the tray at the bottom.
Cuisinart CCG190 Portable Charcoal Grill – Buy Now on Amazon
This is a grill on the go, so you don’t expect it to be as classy as the other kettle grills on the list. However, it is our top pick for tabletop grills on the go because it solved the main flaw of most table-top grills which is having an enamel coating. It prevents the bowl from discolouring because of the heat which causes the paint to peel off on other brands. It has a 150 square inch grate capacity which can hold enough food for 2 to 5 people. It also locks securely with three locks for the lid to the bowl, so you can store it with the food packed inside while travelling without fearing a mess. Its legs are also sturdy enough to keep it in place when you are cooking lots of food. Its grates also fit perfectly in the bowl, so your food won’t topple into the coals as it does in some table-top models.
Expert grill portable charcoal grill – Buy Now on Amazon
If you are looking for a grill small enough to wash in the sink with the dishes but large enough to grill for a family of five on a trip, then this one will do. We liked it mostly because of its lid handle which is insulated and raised enough to grip safely when the grill is hot. It is also enamel coated so it won’t peel and discolour after a few rounds of grilling. This grill is also moulded with a shelf on the inside to hold the grates in place so that your foods won’t topple into the coals.
LeFroom Charcoal Grill – Buy Now on Amazon
The quality of a grill can be seen in the way its body is moulded and this one that attracts you from far. Its grates are chromium-plated cast-iron grates that are long-lasting and easy to clean. The grilling grates have handles on both sides so you can lift easily when adding coals. It is also dual vented to give you a hot oven environment while grilling which makes searing and cooking easy. All handles are also insulated so you can hold and move comfortably while cooking.
Outdoor BBQ Smoker – Buy Now on Amazon
This grill doesn’t bring a big name to your backyard but it brings comfort and precision grilling. It packs all the features of a premium kettle grill, although the build is not as premium. You still get value for the money, though, because it has a lower price tag, but it is built to last the abuse of frequent grilling. It has sturdy stands and casters and also packs a lid thermometer for tracking the heat levels as well as dual vents for easy temperature control. You don’t have to remove the lid either because it has a stand that holds up while still hinged to the bowl while you are grilling. Its ash catcher is also removable, so cleaning won’t be a problem.
Cuisinart CCG-290 Kettle Grill – Buy Now on Amazon
This brand is a huge improvement from previous Cuisinart models which have been blamed for many faults including flimsy construction and low-quality grates. This is a compact kettle like a tabletop but which serves the purpose of any large kettle grill. This grill is constructed with stronger cast iron with a proper coating that prevents rusting and retains heat. Its grilling grates are also hinged so you can add coals while grilling. The removable ash-catcher is easy to remove and wash as well. The lid thermometer and the aluminium-cast vents are also huge improvements that allow you to grill like a pro.