If you want to enjoy your meals, then the best way is to prepare them using a grill.
Grilling brings out the natural flavors of food and makes them enjoyable to those who have been invited to the party.
It is also one of the healthiest ways to prepare food since you don’t have to add extra cooking oil to prepare delicious meals and this goes a long way to reduce your fat intake.
There are different types of grills that are powered differently but charcoal ones stand out as the best.
They stand out because the burning coal in the grill produces smoke that adds flavor to the meal which makes them a lot tastier.
Are you looking for an outdoor cooking device that won’t burden your wallet too much? Here are the top 3 budget ones that run on charcoal.
The best charcoal grills under 200 dollars
If you decided to have a grill that runs on charcoal you decided to have tasty and flavor meals on the table. It takes some time to cook food on this type of cooking device since you have to burn coals to produce the heat.
I present to you 3 of them that are popular among grillers and perform well. If you want to have a good grill but don’t want to spend a lot of money on it, here are the ones that you will be pleased with.
 | Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill, Black | Check Price |
 | Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill | Check Price |
 | Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Charcoal Grill | Check Price |
Char-Griller 1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
- Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; Built-in lid thermometer
- One-Touch cleaning system with high-capacity ash catcher provides hassle-free ash cleanup
- Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
- Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
- Cooking grate is hinged for easily adding charcoal while grilling
The first cooking device is from Char-Griller. It is a 1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill that is appropriate for smaller families and backyards since it doesn’t take much space.
The perfect grill for small space
This model weighs only 50 pounds and is only 31 inches wide and 21 inches deep. It has 44 inches of height and comes with wheels for easy movement. The grill has the shape of a capsule for efficient cooking.
The sturdy side shelf will help you to put accessories and food on it while you cook. A utensil hook is also handy for putting down the kitchen utensils while you don’t need them.
It also has a bottom shelf to put the charcoal on so you can easily add the briquettes in the grill when you need to increase the heat. With a dual dumper, you will be able to control the temperature without a hassle.
The grill’s material
The Patio Pro is made of heavy-duty steel and a stylish powder-coated black finish to increase durability. It has cast iron grill grates.
Easy cleaning
Char-Griller Patio Pro BBQ Grill features an easy dump ash pan so you will be able to clean the ashes efficiently and quickly.
This means that you won’t have to lift the greasy grates as you will just pull out the pan and dispose of the ash.
Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch charcoal grill
- Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; Built-in lid thermometer
- One-Touch cleaning system with high-capacity ash catcher provides hassle-free ash cleanup
- Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
- Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
- Cooking grate is hinged for easily adding charcoal while grilling
Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch charcoal grill is one of the best grills that you can get for less than $200.
This powerful cooking device comes with over 300 square inches of cooking space that you can use to prepare all the meals that you love.
Heavy-duty steel cooking grate
The cooking grate is made of heavy-duty steel material that gives it stability to withstand a lot of heat and the rigors of outdoor use.
The grates also hold heat appropriately and will be able to produce those lovely sear marks that you like on the steaks.
A cooking lid
The grates are hinged on either side and this makes it easy for you to lift it up to adjust the fuel in the grill even when you are cooking.
This device also comes with a lid that allows you to cover your dishes to allow them to take in smoke from the burning coal for that amazing smoky taste.
Enamel coating
The exterior of the device is coated with enamel that makes cleaning it later on very easy. It also has its handles reinforced with glass so as to shield the heat away.
Perfect grill for travelers
If you travel a lot then this is the perfect grill for you. Its lightweight design and wheels make it quite portable. You can take it with you in a vehicle.
It has an ash catcher made of aluminum that allows you to collect all the used up ash after cooking.
Char-Griller AKORN Jr. Kamado Charcoal Grill and Smoker
- Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; Built-in lid thermometer
- One-Touch cleaning system with high-capacity ash catcher provides hassle-free ash cleanup
- Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
- Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
- Cooking grate is hinged for easily adding charcoal while grilling
This is a Char-Griller AKORN model that has a kamado design which means that you will cook the food evenly to enhance flavor.
You will be able to sook slowly on low heat or high heat. Choose this one for tailgating, camping, Park grilling, or backyard barbecuing.
Design and material
It is a small cooking device with an egg design that will be perfect in your small backyard or to take it on your outdoor adventure. The AKORN grill is 25″ tall, 21″ wide, and weighs 37 pounds.
It is built to last as it has triple-walled 22 gauge steel construction. The grill features a powder-coated exterior finish and a porcelain-coated steel interior finish.
It has a cast iron cooking surface and built-in handles and a locking lid. A dump ash pan is easy to clean after usage.
Cooking area
This well-designed kamado unit has 153 square inches of cooking space. This is enough to cook 6 meat kebabs, a large piece of meat, or 7-8 burgers at the same time.
Easy temperature control
This Jr. Kamado Kooker has top and bottom adjustable dampers to help you maintain even airflow while you grill or smoke.
Due to kamado shape, you will be able to cook efficiently without spending too much of briquettes. The unit can produce from 200F-700F. You can control it through a built-in temperature gauge.
Charcoal grilling 101
Do you want to know all about charcoal grilling? Great, as I will present to you all about it.
What fuel do i need to light a charcoal grill?
This type of grills run primarily on coal and if you want to get one for your outdoor cooking needs, you should make sure that you have a steady supply of this fuel. You can also use hardwood lumps.
Where should I use a charcoal grill?
Briquettes can get smoky so you should only use these cooking devices outdoors to avoid filling up your house with soot and the smell of smoke.
How to light a charcoal grill?
Lift the lid of the grill and remove the top cooking grate. You can light it up in 3 different ways. You can use a chimney, lighter fluid, or light it without any accelerant or tool.
Do you want to know how each of these works?
Chimney method
Take the chimney and fill it with charcoal. Use a lighter cube or another accelerant that will help you to light the chimney. Put it in the center of the grill, on the bottom cooking grate, and light it.
Place the chimney on the accelerant and wait for the briquettes to get gray.
Put the hot briquettes on the charcoal grate at the bottom of your grill. Now you have the fuel ready to get started with the cooking.
Lighting the charcoals with the lighter fluid
How do you start charcoal lighter with lighter fluid? It is simple, here is what you will have to do. Before spraying the coals with the lighter fluid, read the instructions.
Place the amount of briquettes that you need on the charcoal grate in the shape of a pyramid or a pile. Spray it at the top of the briquettes and light it. You are ready to cook when the briquettes turn gray and when you see ash.
The easiest way to light a charcoal grill
You can use the easiest way to light it. Place the briquettes inside the grill and light them. Your device is ready when the briquettes turn gray as this means that they are hot enough to produce heat for cooking.
How do you know when a charcoal grill is ready?
When your briquettes turn gray and when you set the temperature the way you want, you are ready to cook. If your cooking device doesn’t have a built-in thermometer, get one that you can place inside the grill, on the upper grill grate. This way you will know when it is the right time to put foods inside.
How much charcoal do I need to grill?
If you want your foods to be tasty and juicy consider my tips to know how much briquettes do you need to cook specific foods. If you will prepare fish you need 1/4 of a charcoal chimney to be filled.
For cooking burgers or sausages you need to fill 1/2 to 3/4 of the chimney. However, if you will prepare chicken or larger pieces of meat, fill it to the top.
Controlling the heat on a charcoal grill
Charcoal grills don’t have a control knob to regulate the cooking temperature and the only way you can do this is by reducing or increasing the fuel and by opening or closing the air vent. You should, therefore, be attentive when using it to not to overcook or undercook the food.
Do you leave grill open when starting charcoal?
It is crucial that you leave the grill open since the briquettes need oxygen to burn. When they become gray and when you don’t see any smoke you can put food inside and close the lid for cooking.
Conclusion
Charcoal grills are the best in the business when it comes to preparing grilled meals. If you want one for a low budget it is best to look on the list of the models that I represented to you.
These ones are made from reputative companies that won’t disappoint you. Pick one that suits your need and prepare flavorful foods that everyone will love.
