4 of the Best Small Charcoal Grills for Your Outdoor Kitchen

by Chris Commins
An outdoor kitchen with a Kamado Joe Jr.

 

Putting the finishing touches on your outdoor living space could involve investing in a grill or smoker. You’ll have many options when selecting a cooking device for your kitchen, with many homeowners opting for a small charcoal grill.

These grills are popular because they don’t take up much room and often blend in with the rest of your space. They also create delicious meals you’ll be proud to serve when you have company. 

You’ll come across a few models of grills depending on your budget and preferences. This guide will examine some of the best small charcoal grills available on the market today.


The Benefits of a Small Charcoal Grill


You’ll have many options when choosing a cooking device for your outdoor kitchen, but charcoal grills have some positives worth considering. The smaller charcoal units also have unique, desirable attributes to keep in mind. These benefits include the following:


-Portability

The main reason to go with a small charcoal grill is its portability. These units are relatively small, with some coming on a cart with wheels, so you can move your grill around your patio or to a shed when it isn’t in use to free up space.

It’s even possible to bring some of the smallest grills on the road with you if you’re having a picnic or doing some tailgating. 


-High Max Temperature

A benefit associated with all charcoal grills is that they reach higher temperatures than gas models. A gas grill has a maximum temperature it can get to because of its BTU limiter, but there’s no such mechanism on a charcoal grill.

This feature makes charcoal the best choice if you’ll be cooking items on high heat in your backyard kitchen because they can reach about 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.


-Wood Flavor

Charcoal grills give your food a natural smoky flavor that gas can’t emulate. You can also add flavored wood chips to your grill to change the flavor depending on the meal you’re cooking. This feature makes charcoal grills more versatile and is one of the main reasons they’re so popular. 


-Juicier Meats

The meat you cook with a charcoal grill tends to stay juicier than with a gas grill because charcoal warms the food using infrared heat, resulting in less moisture loss. Your guests will be impressed by the quality of the meals you create with your charcoal grill.


-Price

Charcoal grills typically cost less than gas grills, and charcoal is usually less expensive than gas. The result is a more economical cooking experience, which can really add up if you use your outdoor kitchen multiple times per week.

These benefits could give you enough reason to invest in a small charcoal grill. You’ll find plenty of grill options on the market, so you can choose based on how you’ll use your grill and the features you want for your outdoor kitchen.


4 Small Charcoal Grills to Consider


Selecting the right charcoal grill depends on how you plan to use it. Some grills are more portable than others, and there are some significant price differences, as well. Here are four of the best small grills on the market.


1. Primo Ceramic Charcoal Smoker Grill

Primo is a leading name in the outdoor kitchen industry, and that distinction is no surprise once you see the Primo Ceramic Charcoal Smoker Grill. This product has the largest cooking area of the four small charcoal grills and is versatile enough to let you grill, roast, bake, or smoke your meal.

The Primo grill is the largest, least portable, and most expensive of the bunch, but it also has the most features and is an all-in-one cooking device.


2. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

One of the most portable small grills available is the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill. This device is small and light but still has 363 square inches of cooking space, leaving enough room to cook most meals.

This Weber grill also has unique features like a one-touch cleaning system, a built-in thermometer, and a removable ash catcher, turning any meal prep into a breeze.


3. Kamado Joe Jr.

Kamado grills are typically heavy and difficult to transport, but the Kamado Joe Jr. is changing that. This grill only weighs 68 pounds, making it possible to transport it around your yard and other locations, completely changing the way you think about barbecuing.

The device is considerable enough to accommodate a whole chicken, despite its relatively small 148.5 square inch cooking surface, making it sizable enough for a family cookout. 


4. Weber Performer 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

The Weber Performer 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is much like the Kettle Premium model, as it has the same cooking surface, cleaning system, and ash catcher. The main difference is that this model comes with a heavy-duty cart frame with a metal fold-down table, making it easier to use when you don’t have nearby countertop space.

These features ensure this Weber grill is a top option for picnics and tailgates because it’s ready to use in nearly any environment.

You can’t go wrong with any of these charcoal grills because they’re all at least somewhat portable and take up very little space. Your choice will ultimately depend on your budget, how you wish to use your grill, and the level of portability you seek. 


Selecting the Perfect Grill for Your Outdoor Space


The grill you select depends on how you wish to use your cooking device. The truth is that it’s tough to beat the flavor a charcoal grill creates, especially with how easy it is to add flavored wood chips, which is why so many serious backyard grillmasters go this route.

These small charcoal grills give the added benefit of portability, ensuring you can take your favorite cooker with you anywhere you go.

BBQ Outfitters offers a wide selection of charcoal grills and other essentials for your outdoor kitchen in Austin or San Antonio.

We understand how special your backyard space is, so we offer everything you need to help it reach its full potential.

Contact
BBQ Outfitters to learn more about the small charcoal grills we have in stock.