What are the best charcoal grills for under 500 dollars?
If the price is really little object when it comes to a charcoal grill, you’ve made it to the right place.
$500 is really a top-tier price point for charcoal grills. You will get a great product.
This guide will give you an idea of what’s the best fit for your needs. The amenities of the grill are the difference here. Quality and construction are things you have to consider at a lower price, but not at this mark.
I’ve also written about the best grills at or under $250 and the best grills at or under $100.
But here we go…top of the line.
1.) Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr
Leading the list is a Char-Griller product, the one brand I really know the most. This is the AKORN Jr, which is both a terrific grill and smoker.
Dual-purpose is really the way to go if you’re going to drop up to $500 if you have any interest in low-and-slow smoking.
Where to buy: Amazon (Click for price and availability)
Features:
- This is a Kamado-style grill, which is really a great model for consistent heating.
- Compact size and solid build allow for this to either stay on your patio or deck, or can be taken tailgating.
- Triple-wall steel with insulation and a locking/sealing lid keeps heat retention to a maximum.
What buyers like about it:
- Gives the features of other Kamado-style cookers at a fraction of the cost.
- Easy to assemble, sometimes as quickly as 20-30 minutes.
- Gets to the desired temperature quickly and retains the right temperature for a long time.
What buyers don’t like about it:
- Some buyers have complained about the workmanship of the grill and a lack of customer service to rectify problems.
- Missing parts on a number of different orders.
- The grill grate has been known to rust prematurely.
2.) Dyna-Glo DGN486SNC-D
This model from Dyna-Glo is in stainless steel, which will not only stand up to heat well, but will resist rust for a much longer period of time than grills of other materials.
Where to buy: Amazon (Click for price and availability)
Features:
- The grilling surface is a large 686 square inches, enabling the grilling of up to 24 hamburgers at once.
- The three cooking grates are porcelain-enameled cast-iron.
- A bottom access door enables filling and re-filling of coals without removal of the top lid or the cooking grates.
What buyers like about it:
- Other comparable grills can cost up to $2,000. Buyers really like the value and the amenities.
- Dyna-Glo stands behind its products and quickly offers solutions to any problems that may arise.
- Three grill dampers, two on the sides and one on the top allow for better temperature control.
What buyers don’t like about it:
- Surface rust can develop on parts of the stainless steel surface.
- The black paint can come off areas such as the front door after a few uses.
- Some buyers were not satisfied with the overall build quality at that price point.
3.) PK Grills SSB-X Original PKTX Aluminum Charcoal Grill
This item from PK Grills is made of aluminum construction, which is rust-free. For those who own a grill, you know this is a big feature as rust seems to develop anywhere and everywhere on a grill.
This grill has won several awards, such as a Consumers Digest Best Buy and three Pitmaster Best Value titles.
Where to buy: Amazon (Click for price and availability)
Features:
- The legs fold down for easy transport, and it can roll like a suitcase but can operate well as a backyard cooker as well.
- With four air vents, this is an excellent combination grill and smoker.
- Its aluminum material conducts heat better than most materials and allows the grill to sustain temperatures up to 750 degrees.
What buyers like about it:
- The unique combination of great portability, craftsmanship, and durability for many years of use.
- Heats up and cools down very quickly due to the aluminum’s ability to regulate temperature
- The zone-cooking abilities are deemed effective by customers in allowing food to cook accordingly.
What buyers don’t like about it:
- Clean-up can be difficult and scooping out the ash is easier on other grill models.
- The packing has been inadequate in some cases, resulting in customers dealing with damaged or missing parts.
- Replacement and additional parts are pricey to some.
4.) Royal Gourmet CC1830F-C 90-00-0 Charcoal Grill
At currently the lowest price on this list, the Royal Gourmet grill is sure to give you tremendous bang-for-your-buck.
Where to buy: Amazon (Click for price and availability)
Features:
- 800-square inch cooking surface and porcelain cooking grates allow for ease of cleanup and the ability to cook plenty of food.
- The black process paint used for the exterior will not chip in the face of high temperatures (read the instructions regarding the paint).
- The offset smoker has a grooved lid as part of a design to hold in heat.
What buyers like about it:
- Easy to assemble.
- Customer service is good and they are available to speak to over the phone.
- People have consistently loved the flavor of the foods that have come off the grill.
What buyers don’t like about it:
- Ash disposal from the side smoker can be difficult.
- Sometimes the holes don’t align properly, making assembly difficult in some cases.
- There is a procedure you have to do in order for the paint to not chip, which is seen as a step that should be taken at the factory. The grill must be heated for two hours and kept at a temperature of 200 degrees in order for the paint to “bake” onto the surface.
5.) KUDU Grill Open Fire Outdoor BBQ Grilling System
In every grill review I do, I like to throw in one that’s a little “outside of the box” as far as grill design goes. The KUDU fits the bill as an unusual grill design. As it looks like in the picture, this is in fact an open-fire grilling system.
A YouTube video introduces the founder of KUDU and goes more in-depth with this cooking style.
Where to buy: Amazon (Click for price and availability)
Features:
- Comes with a 2″-deep cast-iron skillet
- The laser-cut KUDU logo on the side is not just for style but allows for airflow.
- Easily portable with removable legs and leveling feet for level grilling on slightly uneven ground surfaces.
What buyers like about it:
- The vast elevation opportunities allowing for a variety of cooking methods.
- The materials are strong and well-constructed.
- Easy to assemble, disassemble, and clean.
What buyers don’t like about it:
- Needs a lot of charcoal to maintain heat, as this is an open-air system.
- The removable legs are not adjustable, therefore the height is fixed.
- Customer service has been reported to be ineffective in communication.
Conclusion
There are five good ones here, all offering something a little different.
My pick would be the PK Grills Aluminum Charcoal Grill. It offers a lot; is durable, has four vents to better control heat. The thing that stuck out to me was that all the buyers agreed this is a quality product from a construction standpoint. It’s also extremely portable and even rolls like a suitcase!
You can’t go wrong with any of these as long as you do your research and decide what style you like and what cooking you want to do.
That said, If you were to give me $500 of discretionary funds on a grill, PK Grills would get my money.
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