Charcoal Camping Grills: Your Ultimate Buying Guide

Pros:

1. Portability: The standout feature of this grill is its exceptional portability. Its compact size and lightweight design make it effortless to carry and fit into your camping gear.
2. Durable Construction: Crafted by Weber, a renowned brand known for its quality products, the Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is built to last. The sturdy construction ensures longevity and reliability.
3. Authentic Charcoal Flavor: This grill excels in delivering that unmistakable smoky flavor. The charcoal grates and ventilation system allow for precise heat control, ensuring mouthwatering results every time.
4. Easy Setup: Setting up the Weber Go-Anywhere Grill is a breeze. It features sturdy legs that pivot and lock into place, providing a stable cooking surface even on uneven terrain.
5. Affordable: With its reasonable price point, this grill offers excellent value for money. It provides all the essential features and performance of a quality charcoal grill without breaking the bank.

Cons:

1. Limited Cooking Space: Due to its compact size, the cooking area is relatively small, which may be a constraint when grilling for larger groups or preparing multiple dishes simultaneously.
2. No Adjustable Grates: The grill grates are not adjustable in height, which may limit your control over the distance between the charcoal and the food. However, with some practice, it is still possible to achieve desired cooking results.
3. Charcoal Capacity: The grill’s compact design means it can accommodate a limited amount of charcoal, requiring more frequent refueling for longer cooking sessions.
4. No Lid Locking Mechanism: The lack of a lid locking mechanism can be a minor inconvenience during transportation, as the lid may accidentally open. However, securing it with bungee cords or straps can mitigate this issue.

Pros:

1. Portable Design: Despite its larger cooking area, the PKGO is remarkably portable. The grill is equipped with sturdy handles and a compact shape, making it easy to transport and store, whether you’re heading to a campground or a backyard barbecue.
2. Premium Build Quality: Crafted from high-quality cast aluminum, the PKGO is built to last. The robust construction ensures excellent heat retention and even distribution, resulting in consistent grilling performance.
3. Versatile Cooking Options: The PKGO offers exceptional versatility. Its unique capsule shape allows for both direct and indirect grilling, giving you the flexibility to sear steaks over high heat or slow-cook tender meats to perfection.
4. Excellent Heat Control: The grill’s four-point venting system provides precise temperature control, allowing you to adjust airflow and regulate the heat for different cooking techniques. This feature ensures consistent results and empowers you to explore various grilling styles.
5. Easy to Clean: Cleaning the PKGO is a breeze thanks to its innovative ash management system. The grill features a removable ash catcher that collects debris, making cleanup quick and hassle-free.

Cons:

1. Weight: While the PKGO is still portable, its weight may be a consideration for those looking for an ultra-lightweight camping grill. It’s important to factor in the weight when planning your outdoor adventures.
2. Price Point: Compared to some other portable grills on the market, the PKGO is priced at a slightly higher range. However, considering its exceptional build quality, versatility, and performance, the investment is worthwhile for serious outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
3. Assembly Required: Some users may find the initial assembly process a bit time-consuming, as it involves attaching handles, vents, and other components. However, the comprehensive instructions provided make the assembly relatively straightforward.
4. Limited Accessories: While the PKGO itself is a fantastic standalone grill, the range of compatible accessories and add-ons available for this specific model is somewhat limited compared to other brands. However, the grill’s versatile design still allows for a wide array of cooking techniques.

Pros:

1. Kamado Grill Performance: The AKORN Jr. incorporates the time-tested kamado grill design, which excels in heat retention, even heat distribution, and excellent fuel efficiency. This results in consistent cooking temperatures and exceptional flavor infusion into your grilled dishes.
2. Versatility: Despite its compact size, the AKORN Jr. offers impressive versatility. It can handle a wide range of cooking styles, from high-temperature searing to low-and-slow smoking. Whether you’re grilling steaks, smoking ribs, or baking pizzas, this grill delivers excellent results.
3. Portability and Durability: The AKORN Jr. is designed with portability in mind. Its lightweight construction, convenient side handles, and compact shape make it easy to transport and perfect for tailgating, camping trips, or picnics. The grill’s steel construction ensures durability and longevity.
4. Easy Temperature Control: The grill features adjustable dampers on the top and bottom, allowing precise control over airflow and temperature. This enables you to fine-tune the heat to achieve the desired cooking results, whether you’re searing a steak or slow-roasting a whole chicken.
5. Convenient Cleanup: The AKORN Jr. incorporates a removable ash pan, simplifying the cleaning process. After grilling, the ash pan can be easily removed and emptied, ensuring hassle-free maintenance and a clean grilling experience.

Cons:

1. Limited Cooking Space: Due to its compact size, the AKORN Jr. offers a smaller cooking area compared to larger grills. This might be a limitation when cooking for larger groups or when preparing multiple dishes simultaneously. However, its portability and versatility make up for this minor drawback.
2. Assembly Required: The initial assembly of the AKORN Jr. may require some time and effort, as it involves attaching various components. However, the provided instructions are detailed and user-friendly, facilitating the assembly process.
3. Temperature Regulation Learning Curve: Like any kamado-style grill, mastering temperature regulation may take some practice. Achieving and maintaining the desired cooking temperature requires a slight learning curve to get accustomed to the grill’s unique characteristics. However, once you become familiar with it, you’ll appreciate the control it offers.
4. Limited Accessories Included: The AKORN Jr. comes with the essential components to get you started, but it has a more limited range of included accessories compared to larger models or other brands. However, the grill’s versatility still allows for a variety of cooking techniques and possibilities.

Pros:

1. Timeless Design: The Old Smokey Charcoal Grill features a classic barrel-shaped design that has stood the test of time. This iconic appearance not only adds a touch of nostalgia but also contributes to its efficient heat circulation, resulting in evenly cooked and flavorful food.
2. Generous Cooking Space: Despite its compact size, the grill offers a surprisingly spacious cooking area, providing ample room for grilling a variety of food items. Whether you’re preparing burgers, steaks, or vegetables, the Old Smokey Charcoal Grill can accommodate your needs.
3. Excellent Heat Retention: Crafted from durable aluminized steel, the grill excels in heat retention. It effectively seals in heat, allowing for consistent cooking temperatures and optimal flavor infusion into your grilled delicacies.
4. Effortless Temperature Control: The Old Smokey Charcoal Grill features a top and bottom vent that allows for precise airflow control. This means you can easily adjust the grill’s temperature to achieve the desired level of heat for various cooking techniques.
5. Durability and Longevity: Built to last, this grill is constructed with high-quality materials that can withstand the test of time. Its sturdy build and resilient finish ensure years of reliable grilling performance and countless delicious meals.

Cons:

1. Limited Portability: While the Old Smokey Charcoal Grill is relatively lightweight, it lacks some of the portability features found in other compact grills. It may not be as convenient for on-the-go adventures or camping trips compared to more portable options.
2. Minimal Accessories: The grill itself provides a straightforward grilling experience, but it has fewer accessories and additional features compared to some other models on the market. However, its simplicity is also part of its charm and makes it easy to use for beginners.
3. Ash Management: The grill’s ash management system could benefit from some improvements. Clearing out the ashes can be a bit challenging, and the absence of an ash catcher may require additional cleanup efforts.
4. Limited Temperature Range: While the grill performs admirably in its intended temperature range, it may have limitations when it comes to extreme high-heat grilling or precise low-temperature smoking. However, for most common grilling needs, it delivers satisfying results.

Pros:

1. Compact and Portable: The Smokey Joe Premium is designed with portability in mind. Its compact size and lightweight construction make it incredibly easy to transport and store, making it an ideal choice for camping trips, picnics, and tailgating.
2. Superior Build Quality: Weber is renowned for its exceptional build quality, and the Smokey Joe Premium is no exception. Crafted with sturdy materials, including porcelain-enameled steel, this grill is built to withstand the rigors of outdoor cooking, ensuring durability and longevity.
3. Excellent Grilling Performance: Despite its small size, the Smokey Joe Premium delivers impressive grilling performance. Its innovative airflow design allows for precise temperature control, enabling you to achieve perfect searing or low-and-slow cooking.
4. Easy Cleanup: Cleaning up after grilling is a breeze with the Smokey Joe Premium. The grill features a high-capacity ash catcher that collects ash and debris, making maintenance and cleanup a hassle-free experience.
5. Iconic Weber Design: The Smokey Joe Premium boasts the iconic Weber design that has become synonymous with quality and reliability. Its sleek and stylish appearance adds a touch of sophistication to any outdoor cooking setup.

Cons:

1. Limited Cooking Space: Due to its compact size, the cooking area of the Smokey Joe Premium is relatively small. While it’s suitable for small gatherings and intimate grilling sessions, it may not be ideal for larger groups or when cooking multiple dishes simultaneously.
2. Lack of Additional Features: The Smokey Joe Premium is a straightforward charcoal grill without many additional features or accessories. While it excels at the basics, some users may prefer a grill with more built-in conveniences, such as folding side tables or built-in temperature gauges.
3. Heat Retention: While the Smokey Joe Premium performs admirably in terms of heat control, its smaller size may result in slightly reduced heat retention compared to larger grills. However, this does not significantly impact its overall performance and ability to deliver delicious grilled flavors.
4. Limited Mobility While Hot: As with any charcoal grill, the Smokey Joe Premium can become hot during use. It’s essential to exercise caution and avoid moving the grill while it’s still hot to prevent accidental burns.