Best Charcoal Grills Under 100 Dollars

It’s the beginning of May.  Grill season is upon us.  The weather is warming up.  It’s time to look into the best charcoal grills under 100 dollars.

Why 100 dollars?

You may not want to break the bank for a grill, but still want something that’s fairly functional that will get you though the summer and into the summer of 2021.  Maybe you have a smaller apartment?  Maybe you’re just starting out and plan to purchase a larger, more top-of-the-line grill in a few years?  This article is for you.

I’ll go over charcoal grills that are well-rated by actual users.

If you’re getting a grill, get one that’s within your budget that’s actually good.

There’s five of them that actually stick out to me.  People like them.  If others like them and write highly of them, chances are you will like them too.

1.) Tacklife 22.5-inch Charcoal Grill

First up is this 22.5-inch charcoal grill from Tacklife.  This grill provides ample cooking space for up to eight people.

Where to buy: Amazon (click for price and availability)

Features:

•  A 2-year warranty.
• A removable lid that can be hung from the side of the grill, giving you both hands to grill without having to set the lid on the ground.
• A thermometer, which reads up to a very-high 800°.
• Large wheels for easier portability
• An ash catcher that fits the bottom of the grill, making the collection of ash easy.

What buyers like about it:

• Bang for the buck.
• Different grate heights, allowing for food to be cooked at a higher or lower temperature.
• Stability and durability.

What buyers don’t like about it:

• No handles for removing the ash pan.
• The instructions can be difficult to follow.  There’s a YouTube video that provides easier instruction.
• Sometimes, the right bolts, nuts, and screws don’t come with the package.

 

2.) Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill

I have a little bit of bias with this one.  I own a Char-Griller brand grill myself, which is a larger one than this.  Still, I like Char-Griller’s quality.

A slightly smaller cooking size allows Char-Griller to put out this product at a lower price point.

Where to buy: Amazon (click for price and availability)

Features:

• Unlike the Tacklife grill, this one has cast-iron, heavy-duty grill grates.
• The powder-coated paint job will help maintain its life against the elements.  (I’d still recommend buying a cover if keeping it outside)
• Side-removable ash pan, which makes ash removal a breeze.
• Does *not* come with a thermometer.

What buyers like about it:

• Dependable and consistent cooking at an affordable price.
• The hook tool that removes the hot grill grates.
• It’s well-built and sturdy.

What buyers don’t like about it:

• The written instructions for assembly are bad.  This video is for assembly of the 1616 model, which is the exact same grill except for the material of the side shelf.
• The lid doesn’t sit perfectly flush.  This allows more smoke to escape than what is ideal.  This isn’t a problem if you’re just doing a short cook.
• Parts are missing from the package on occasion.

3.) Beau Jardin Premium 18 Inch Charcoal Grill

This 18″ grill from Beau Jardin is on the smaller side.  That might be a deal-breaker, but that also may be perfect for you.  You’ll sacrifice a little size for some quality and additional stability.

Where to buy: Amazon (click for price and availability)

Features:

• There are two mechanisms to catch ash, which make for easy cleaning.  An ash leak, which is the first line of defense and attaches to the bottom of the grill.  Also, an ash catcher, which is solid and attaches to all four legs.  The catcher doubles as an additional measure of stability as cross-bracing for the legs.
• The lid comes off, and the handle is insulated and does not conduct heat.  There is also a hook for the lid, like the Tacklife model.
• The porcelain-enameled grill bowl and lid are superior for both durability and heat-retention.

What buyers like about it:

• Lightweight, and great for tailgating or going to a picnic pavilion.
• Assembly is very easy, considering the difficulty of assembly of other grills in this price range.
• The seller, Beau Jardin, is well-regarded for its customer service.

What buyers don’t like about it:

• The height is shorter than most kettle-type grills.  This could be a deterrent for taller grillers.
• Several buyers complained about missing pieces, from screws to handles.
• The lid may not make a tight seal, allowing heat to escape.

4.) Panther 18.5 Inch Charcoal BBQ Kettle Grill

This grill by Panther is a smaller one, but its design focuses on portability and maximizing on temperature control.  This one is also typically the least expensive of the five on this list.

Where to buy: Amazon (click for price and availability)

Features:

• Dual air vents.
• The grates are made of porcelain, which gives added durability.  The grates will last longer than some of the competitors’ grates.
• Lightweight.  Only 11.5 pounds.  A good tailgating grill.

What buyers like about it:

• Easy to assemble.
• Easy to clean.
• The porcelain grates make flipping your food easy.

What buyers don’t like about it:

• The handle may be the weakest link on this grill, as a few have complained about it breaking.
• The packaging has been careless on some occasions and some items have reached their customers dented.
• Some of the secondary materials are cheap plastic and will not hold up to the elements for a long time.

5.) Tacklife 22.5-inch Charcoal Grill

This is a higher-end Tacklife grill than the one featured at the beginning of this article.  While it looks similar, this is an upgrade with additional cooking space and storage space.

Where to buy: Amazon (click for price and availability)

Features:

• A second rack for warming.
• A permanently-attached flip-up lid.
• An ashcan for easy cleaning.
• A utensil rack.

What buyers like about it:

• The height of 38″ is very good for this price point of grills.
• Amazon pricing is way less expensive than brick-and-mortar stores that feature this.
• The utensil/spice rack is an unusual feature for this price, but customers love it.

What buyers don’t like about it:

• Assembly can be tough due to unclear instructions.  This video provides a good guide for installation.
• The wheels may be flimsy and fall off if you want to roll it.
• The handles can feel a little flimsy to some.

Conclusion

The common thread with these five grills is that people are actually quite satisfied with the quality across the board.

The one and only real downside as opposed to something in the hundreds of dollars is the smaller surface sizes.  This really isn’t that big of a deal if you’re only cooking for a few people, or just yourself.

If you’re cooking for several people, you may have to make two rounds of food.  That’s also not a big deal.  The coals are going to stay hot for a while anyway, so you may as well take advantage of them.

Which one would I choose?

I’d go with the Char-Griller.  Overall, it’s a tier above the rest in terms of its overall functionality and appearance.  It just looks like a permanent grill and not a tailgate grill.  The grates are also a step above the rest, in my opinion.

In the end, though, it’s up to you.  Do you want something more portable?  Something easier to clean?

I laid out the pros and cons, so I think you’ll be able to make an informed decision on one of these that will give you years of good grilling.

Do you have one of these grills?  One for under $100 that you’d like to recommend?  Please let us know in the comment box below!

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