This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
Nothing is more satisfying than the great aroma of charring meat and the biting of juicy meat fresh from your charcoal grill.
Grilling using a charcoal grill is one of the healthiest ways to enjoy your food.
In addition, it makes your food taste better.
Charcoal grills offer an inordinate deal of flexibility in cooking options and have the best food quality.
With so many options of charcoal grills available in the market today, finding a charcoal grill with great quality under $100 may be challenging.
This is because most grills under this category tend to have fewer quality features which will give you the best results while grilling your meat.
Despite the challenges, there are several best charcoal grills under 100 which will give you more value than anticipated.
Best Charcoal Grills Under 100 Dollars
[amazon box=”B00004RALW” template=”table”]
[amazon box=”B000AY5R5O” template=”table”]
[amazon box=”B00B58A0QU” template=”table”]
[amazon box=”B00004RALJ” template=”table”]
[amazon box=”B07D6FSMX3″ template=”table”]
[amazon box=”B07PGFCPQC” template=”table”]
Best Charcoal Grills for the Classic Experience and Authentic Flavor
Many grill enthusiasts swear by charcoal grills, and it’s not hard to understand why.
Charcoal grills are simple to use, they provide plenty of heat for your favorite food, and they can be taken almost anywhere, without needing to worry about a gas tank.
Another reason why charcoal grills are popular is because of the unique flavor that they can provide.
Using charcoal, or even combining charcoal with wood chips, can allow for a unique smoky flavor in meats and vegetables.
Many describe this as the most authentic grill flavor, but it often comes down to personal preference.
While a charcoal grill will be incredibly straightforward in operation, it can take some more effort to keep the grill going.
For longer cooking sessions, it can become necessary to top up the coals, and sometimes a blower, basic hand fan, or bellows will be required to keep the coals burning at the ideal intensity.
Many people love the experience of cooking with charcoal, but others find that using gas is much more convenient.
If you’re one of the people who prefer charcoal grilling, or even if you just want to get started with your first charcoal grill, then the following options are some of the best on the market.
Finding the Best Charcoal Grills Under $100
Experienced grillers know that charcoal makes richly flavorful food, especially when combined with smoker chips in the firebox.
Finding the best charcoal grills under $100 is easy when you know what to look for.
Follow these simple tips as you compare your options.
Three Things You Need in a Charcoal Grill
Look for the following features when you want to get the most out of your next investment:
- An Ample Cooking Surface: The cooking surface is key to a great grilling experience. There’s no right size for everyone, so make sure that you choose something that works for your needs. A smaller grill might suit you and your immediate family, but you’ll find it to be limiting when you need to entertain guests. 160 – 200 square inches is suited for one or two people, while a grill with over 350 square inches is ideal for family meals or small gatherings.
- Quality Construction Materials: The best charcoal grills under $100 used stainless steel and coated steel for primary body panels. It’s ok to see some lower-quality tube steel for legs and supports, but this should be used sparingly.
- The only other body material you should expect to see is cast iron, which is used on some smaller portable or tabletop grills. Cooking grates should be made from porcelain-enamel cast iron. This offers excellent heat retention for charcoal cooking.
- Adequate Venting (For Hooded Grills): Charcoal can produce a lot of smoke and steam, especially as juices are released from food. If you’re adding smoker chips to your coals, then you’ll want to ensure that the smoke has time to work its flavor into your ingredients. An adequate venting system will be needed.
In addition to controlling smoke, venting can help to control the grill temperature.
Larger grills should feature a firebox vent as well as a venting smokestack.
Kettle-style grills and portable grills usually feature a single venting system without a smoke stack.
Start Searching for Your Best Charcoal Grill Under $100
Start with the above as you compare the best charcoal grills under $100.
Once the basic requirements are met, you can start to look for the features you want in your price range.
From offset smokers to adjustable height mechanisms, there’s a lot of innovation in the market to make charcoal grilling better than ever before.
Weber Original Kettle18-INCHh Charcoal Grill
Weber is a brand known for its quality and reliability.
Many home grilling enthusiasts insist on charcoal as the primary cooking fuel.
It is inexpensive, easy to store, and widely available. It also offers extremely high temperatures for searing and is suitable for any season.
The Weber Original Kettle 18 Inch is one of the best charcoal grills under $100 today.
For an affordable price, buyers can get a real American classic that offers excellent versatility and reliability throughout the year.
The kettle design allows for an extremely strong coal fire, and it naturally creates a convection current to cook food thoroughly while the hood is down.
This grill also incorporates quality-of-life features like a one-touch system to remove ash and debris into an attached catchment tray.
There’s a precision heat control valve on the hood, which makes top-down cooking of large cuts and poultry simple and easy.
The rounded design is highly efficient, and it also makes this grill a great outdoor pizza or bread oven.
Excellent construction quality and heat retention thanks to a porcelain-enameled body mean that this grill will last for many years with regular grilling.
It’s also highly portable, making it ideal for home, picnics, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Pros
- Fast assembly. Can be set up out of the box in around 15 minutes.
- 240 square inches cooking surface is perfect for small family meals.
- Plated steel cooking grate and excellent construction.
- The 5-inch lid offers good clearance for top-down cooking.
Cons
- Assembly is not as sturdy when rolling around on wheels.
- Simultaneous cooking is limited to 4-5 people.
Portable, relatively compact, and affordable, Weber has made what is undoubtedly one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars.
Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
Home grilling enthusiasts will be familiar with the Char-Griller brand.
Known for reliability and efficient designs, this company makes some of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars.
The Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill is one option worth considering, with a relatively compact size that is ideal for small families.
With 250 square inches of cooking space, this grill is suitable for cooking up to 10 small to medium-sized burgers at a time.
It can also cook smaller cuts of BBQ meat, smaller whole chickens, and medium cuts of poultry and game.
With a cylindrical barrel design, it’s easy to cook with the hood down.
Heat retention is excellent in this model, and it can even be used for low and slow cooking when the charcoal is carefully managed.
It’s simple and affordable, although the construction quality does reflect this.
The materials are sturdy but not quite up to par with brands like Weber.
However, the price is competitive, which means many buyers will be willing to make a slight compromise.
One area where this grill goes above and beyond the competition is with the addition of a convenient side tray and undertray for storage.
This can make a big difference when cooking out in the backyard or on a patio or pool deck.
Pros
- A unique barrel design is perfect for top-down cooking.
- Integrated side tray and under-tray for prep and storage.
- Adjustable valve to control heat and smoke.
- Ideal for infrequent smoking, thanks to its fully enclosed design.
- Good quality construction with coated metal parts.
Cons
- Not quite on par with some other top-name brands in terms of quality, but the price does reflect this.
- Small cooking area won’t be suited to every family.
Very few compromises are made with this grill, making the Char-Griller one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars available now.
Cuisinart CCG-190RB Portable Charcoal Grill
Designed for portability and convenience, the Cuisinart CCG-190RB Portable Charcoal Grill is currently one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars.
Its affordability creates several potential use-case scenarios, helping it to appeal to a broad range of buyers.
The Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill is not a traditional standing grill. It has more in common with a tabletop grill, and this is exactly what the designers intended.
It can just as easily be used in a backyard as it could on a park picnic table or a campsite. It’s easy to assemble, disassemble, and transport.
The cooking area is relatively small, but this won’t be a major problem for people who are interested in a portable solution.
There are 150 square inches of total cooking area, which comes in below even some of the more compact standing grills.
Despite this, it still provides good heat retention thanks to an efficient kettle design, and it is hooded, which allows for top-down cooking of popular ingredients like burgers, steaks, poultry, and fish.
Pros
- Enamel-coated metal construction helps with heat retention and durability.
- Vented hood to control temperature and smoke.
- Portable enough to take on the go. This is an ideal camping and picnic grill.
- Great for a secondary grill at home for family cooking.
- Secure hood locks for pack down and portability.
Cons
- Very small size means it’s not ideal as a primary grill unless cooking for just two or three people.
- Short legs are intended for tabletop or sit-down cooking. A separate stand would be needed for traditional use.
If portability is the key concern, this is one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars.
It’s extremely affordable, making it perfect for infrequent backyard cooking, camping, or picnics at a local park or beach.
Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Anyone who has ever wanted a grill as portable as their toolbox will find the Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill to be an extremely appealing design.
Designed for effortless portability, this is a grill that can go anywhere.
Its small box design is ideal for camping, fishing, picnics, or even backyard tabletop use.
Despite being so small and portable, Go-Anywhere offers many of the elements that Weber is famous for.
It has a sturdy metal body with porcelain-enamel coating, side, and top handles, and it even has a hood for top-down cooking.
Ventilation can be controlled right on top of the grill, allowing for perfect conditions whether cooking burgers, fish, steak, BBQ cuts, or even poultry.
The biggest challenge that owners will run into is the size.
This is a grill designed for cooking smaller ingredients like chicken wings and burgers.
While it will cook steaks and larger cuts, there won’t be room for other ingredients.
For a family of two, it could be the ideal outdoor cooker.
For picnics and camping, working around the size limitations shouldn’t be a major problem.
Pros
- Great construction quality despite its small size.
- 160 square inch cooking area is suited to 2 – 3 people.
- Great for camping, thanks to its portable design.
- Excellent heat with the cooking grate just an inch above the coals.
Cons
- Not suited to low and slow cooking.
- Can’t cook larger poultry or meat cuts.
- Not ideal for larger groups.
Despite some shortcomings, this is easily one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars.
Anyone looking for an efficient portable design will find a lot to love in the Go-Anywhere from Weber.
ISUMER Charcoal Grill Portable BBQ
ISUMER is far from a household name, but families will find a lot to like about the Charcoal Grill Portable BBQ from this smaller manufacturer.
Its affordability and simple construction make it one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars.
This grill is designed for open-top grilling in any environment. It’s suited to sitting down or cooking on a tabletop or stand.
The size is compact, which makes it a great camping grill, and the fact that it uses charcoal as a fuel source means that it can go anywhere.
One of the biggest advantages of this grill is its stainless steel construction.
This steel will resist corrosion and damage for years to come.
If the grill is used infrequently and is kept clean and dry when stored, it’s not unreasonable to expect that it will last for many seasons.
The grilling surface is small, but it can fit up to six medium-sized burgers, or three small steaks. It’s also a great grill for kebab meats and vegetables.
When cooking for 2 – 3 people, this is one of the best options to choose from in its price range.
Pros
- Perfect for open-top cooking on a tabletop or campsite.
- The compact size makes it effortlessly portable.
- Durable construction with high-quality stainless steel.
- Easy to assemble and pack down.
Cons
- With no hood, it can’t be used for top-down cooking.
- Flimsy wire handles could be improved in a future update.
- No easy-clean features are found on some larger portable grills.
Without any special features, it’s easy to assume that this grill is an inferior choice. However, that would be a huge mistake.
Its simple design and straightforward layout make it ideal for people who simply want a quality cooker and one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars.
Outsunny 37.5″ Steel Square Portable Outdoor Backyard Charcoal Barbecue Grill
Is it possible to purchase an affordable gas grill that incorporates features of some much larger and more expensive models?
With the Outsunny 37.5” Steel Square Portable Outdoor Grill, the answer is a simple yes.
Made from quality steel and finished in a porcelain-enamel coating, this is one of the best charcoal grills under $100 for several reasons.
It features a 22” square firebox, which is the ideal design and layout for groups of up to ten people.
It is hooded, allowing for top-down cooking of steaks, burgers, poultry, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Using charcoal as a fuel source, it is affordable to operate and will work in all weather conditions.
Despite its affordable price, this grill features high-quality construction.
Heat can be precisely controlled thanks to the addition of an adjustable vent.
The cooking grate is made from chromed steel, allowing for better transfer of heat and a non-stick cooking surface.
The handle on the hood is designed to prevent it from retaining heat, allowing it to be easily opened and closed while cooking.
On top of all this, the grill features a fully standing design with wheels for portability.
There’s also an undertray for storage, and a side-mounted shelf for preparation and storing cooked ingredients.
There’s even a warming grate incorporated into the hooded design, which is something rarely found in this price range.
Pros
- Durable construction with a sturdy base.
- Integrated storage and prep shelf.
- Locking and vented lid for excellent heat control.
- Warming grate included.
- Rust-resistant thanks to a porcelain-enamel coating.
Cons
- Thin metal parts won’t last as long as more expensive grills but are adequate for the price.
- A relatively shallow hood makes it difficult to cook larger meat cuts and poultry.
Outsunny proves that it’s possible to make one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars while incorporating features that are usually reserved for more expensive alternatives.
Marsh Allen 30052AMZ Kay Home Product’s Cast Iron Hibachi Charcoal Grill
This Kay Home Product’s Cast Iron Hibachi Charcoal Grill incorporates the best of tradition with modern design and excellent pricing.
While not the most versatile grill on the market, this is easily one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars when looking at open-top models.
Designed to be used on an outdoor counter, tabletop, or directly on stable ground, this grill is ideal for outdoor cooking at home or use on a campsite or picnic area.
There’s a relatively small 157-square-inch cooking surface, which is suitable for up to four people, depending on the ingredients.
Made from quality cast iron and with very few moving parts, this grill will last for many seasons without deterioration.
Regularly cleaning and oiling the cooking surfaces will prevent corrosion.
When it comes to cooking, few grills are as simple as this. Coals can be dispersed as needed, and cooking can start as soon as the desired temperature is reached.
While it won’t do top-down cooking, it does have a unique advantage over similarly priced models.
There are two individual square cooking grates with height adjustors, making it possible to cook two sets of ingredients at different temperatures.
This makes it stand out in a crowded market, and it could be the perfect grill for many home cooks.
Pros
- Quality cast iron construction.
- The simple design is easy to use.
- Two separate cooking surfaces with height adjustment.
- Suitable for portable use or outdoor tabletop cooking.
Cons
- The lack of a hood limits its cooking versatility.
- Handle attachments are made from wood and may not last as long as the cast iron body.
Despite a couple of shortcomings, this is still one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars when looking for an open-top design.
Adjustable cooking height is extremely rare in this price range, making this unique on the market.
Stainless Steel Portable Folding Charcoal BBQ Grill
Anyone looking for a basic grill that offers fuss-free cooking on the go will be interested in the Stainless Steel Portable Folding Charcoal BBQ Grill from Mayvillage.
What it lacks in special features it makes up for in ease of use and simple design.
It brings everything together in an affordable package that makes it ideal for patio cooking or use as a camping, fishing, or picnic grill.
Weighing just 13 lbs., this is a great portable grill that can fold up and go anywhere. It would be just as at home in the storage compartment of an RV as it would be in a garden shed or garage.
Take it out any time that a grill is needed for solo cooking, a small family meal, or a low-key cookout with friends.
Its small size means that cooking sessions will take longer for larger groups, but for basic ingredients like sausages, kebabs, small steaks, and burgers, it can get the job done.
Despite being budget-priced and basic in design, this grill is made from stainless steel, one of the best materials used for outdoor grills today.
It will resist corrosion and provide many seasons of trouble-free cooking.
It’s one of the best charcoal grills under $100, and can easily compete with similar grills from top brands.
Although it lacks a hood, this is not much of a downside considering that it’s designed for smaller quick-cooking ingredients.
Pros
- Quality stainless steel construction.
- Folding legs.
- Supplied with two mesh grill trays and a BBQ tong.
- Long legs are more convenient than tabletop legs.
- Side trays add convenience.
Cons
- Lack of a hood limits cooking options.
- Lack of an ash collection system makes cleaning more difficult than some competing models.
Despite a couple of downsides, this is still amongst the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars, and for anyone looking for a secondary grill, a grill for a small home, or a portable grill, this one is a compelling option.
TACKLIFE Charcoal Grill
Some of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars can lack in features and design elements, but the TACKLIFE Charcoal Grill doesn’t come with this problem.
It combines a classic kettle design, storage trays, a portable base, and a few features that are usually only found on more expensive models.
The first thing that stands out with this grill is the large cooking area.
There are 363 square inches of total surface space, which is more than enough for a combination of sausages, steaks, burgers, wings, or anything else that is on the menu.
This is a hooded grill so it’s perfect for top-down cooking, and the three-layer enamel coating will withstand temperatures up to 800 degrees.
There’s airflow control on the top and bottom, as well as an integrated thermometer to make top-down cooking easier.
This can cook a small chicken or poultry and game cuts without problems. It can also be used for infrequent smoking or even low and slow cooking, thanks to the kettle design.
The grill stands at 38 inches tall, so it’s the perfect height for comfortable use.
The base includes two wheels for storage and relocation, and there’s a bottom tray as well as a basket-style tray for accessories and utensils.
Pros
- Familiar kettle design.
- Quality construction and materials.
- Includes a warming tray.
- Large grilling surface.
- Integrated thermometer.
- One-touch cleaning system
Cons
- Right at the top of the $100 range.
- Assembly instructions are basic and may be confusing for first-time grill owners.
Anyone willing to pay a little more for a large grill that has premium features will find the TACKLIFE to be one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars today.
Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill
Is it possible to get a full-featured outdoor grill and smoker for under $100? The Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill will surprise many people with its features and quality.
If it’s not a problem moving right up to the high end of the price range, many will find this to be the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars today.
Royal gourmet has packed everything that a grilling enthusiast would want into an affordable package.
The main grilling surface is 438 square inches and is supplemented by 179 square inches of warming rack space. The offset smoker provides 183 square inches of the cooking area over porcelain steel grates.
The main grill features a barrel design and does an excellent job of all ingredients.
Its large size makes it ideal for poultry and bigger BBQ cuts, as well as game meat.
There’s plenty of clearance in the hood and an integrated thermometer.
By adding an offset smoker, this grill becomes the perfect all-in-one outdoor cooking station. Very few brands offer a grill with a separate smoker box in this price range.
Construction quality is good, although basic. There are tubular steel legs and metal body parts coated in a heat-resistant finish.
The porcelain-coated cooking grates will last for many seasons, and the grill is durable enough to last for years if it is kept clean and covered when not in use.
Pros
- Full-featured outdoor grill with plenty of cooking space.
- Integrated offset smoker makes this the most versatile grill in its price range.
- Good construction quality.
- Integrated thermometer.
- Large hood with plenty of clearance for cooking large cuts and poultry.
- Integrated prep shelf.
Cons
- Top-end of the price range.
- Size limits portability.
- Needs to be conditioned according to manufacturer instructions before use.
Anyone willing to pay more for extra features will love the smoker on the Royal Gourmet.
Its size and versatility make it one of the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars.
Final Thoughts
Best charcoal grills under 100 dollars may be considered inexpensive but they give you value that is more than their price.
Most of them are specifically designed for small spaces but will still produce a perfectly tasty meal.
They’re often portable which enables you to easily move with the unit from one place to another.
The above units are among the best charcoal grills under 100.
You’ll love the experience and fall in love with the grill while cooking with the fact they’re compact, elegant, and rugged.
Having a convenient and efficient charcoal grill is a worthwhile investment for your household.
You can consider one of the above options in order to get the best value for your money.