Are you willing to spend up to $500 to buy a charcoal grill? In that case, you should consider one of our recommended best charcoal grills under 500 in this review. If you buy any one of these grills we can assure you you’d get maximum value for the money. Buying the best charcoal grills should be an exciting experience and not something you dread. Most people dread buying a grill because they are trying to avoid buying the wrong grill. Well that being said, after hours of long research, our team of experts was able to come up with these top rated charcoal grills under $500.
Review Summary
Editor Choice: Z GRILLS ZPG-6002B 2020 New Model Wood Pellet Grill
The Z Grill L6002B is a pellet grill that gives you the versatility of 8 cooking options. Moreover, it is quite efficient as it does not use too many pellets. Z Grill designed this pellet grill such that it can produce up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit for direct searing or 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for indirect grilling.
Best Value: Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
Looking for a great grill that allows you easily cook at the low temperature slowly, then look no further than this Char-Griller E16620. Featuring on this kamado grill is a durable triple insulated wall that helps to grill low and slow. The top and bottom dampers are great as they allow you easily control the temperature of this grill.
Best Overall: Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill
This BLOSSOMZ grill is the perfect dual-fuel grill that lets you enjoy the best of both worlds. Apart from the spacious grilling area, BLOSSOMS designed this grill with the ability to precisely control the temperature, making it ideal for grilling delicate recipes.
Top 3 Best Charcoal Grills Under $500 Review
#1. Z GRILLS ZPG-6002B 2020 New Model Wood Pellet Grill
A perfect grill is what everyone desires, but it is not so easy to come by. But if any grill is near perfection, then it will be this Z Grills ZPG-6002B pellet grill. As a pellet grill, using it is quite easy and it gives you an unmatched pure hardwood flavor in your food.
Durable Construction
Forged with durable materials, Z Grills designed this grill intending to provide users with a grill that allows them to unlock their food’s true potential. Built with rugged solid steel construction this grill serves you for years. Also, the high-temperature powder coat finish helps maintain the grill’s surface. Z Grill also made use of a porcelain grate which is nonstick and easy to clean.
Ultimate 8-in-1 Versatility
Versatility is one of the main reasons we are recommending this grill. With less than $500 you can get a grill you can use to smoke, grill, roast, bake, barbecue, braise, char, and even sear your favorite food. And with the slide plate flame broiler, you get easy access to direct flame for searing food.
Cooking Space
Despite the compact design of this pellet grill, it comes with a large enough cooking space. In total, you get an overall cooking area of 573 square inches: 240 square inches top rack and 333 square inches main cooking area. As such, you can fit up to either 24 burgers, 5 rib racks, or 4 chicken.
Efficient Grilling
Comparable to gas grills, pellet grills are less expensive and quite as effective. The Z Grill L6002B comes with an auger-fed hardwood pellet delivery system and an 8-pound pellet hopper which can last up to 20 hours of cook time. You can get up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit of direct flame searing and 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for indirect cooking.
Final Verdict
If you are after versatility, then this grill is right for you as it allows you to perform up to eight cooking processes. And thanks to the automated electric feed system you can easily maintain the temperature of this grill better than a charcoal or wood grill.
#2. Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
Looking for a great grill that allows you to easily cook at low temperature slowly, then look no further than this Char-Griller E16620. The Char-Griller E16620 is a perfect kamado charcoal grill great for searing, smoking, and grilling. Additionally, the durable construction of this charcoal grill is another reason this grill stands out.
Solid Steel Body
Char-Griller built this kamado grill with a durable 22 gauge steel, and an exterior powder coating finishing to protect the grill from harsh environmental elements. The triple-walled insulation helps to retain heat for low and slow grilling.
Grilling Space
As for the cooking space, Char-Griller made use of cast iron cooking grates which retains heat better for creating the perfect sear marks. With a total cooking space of up to 447 square inches (314 square inches main cooking area, and 133 square inches warming rack) you can easily grill for a large crowd.
Easy Temperature Control
A temperature between 200 and 700 degrees Fahrenheit is achievable on this Char-Griller kamado grill. Also, the lid temperature gauge comes in handy as it lets you grill with precision. More so, the adjustable top dampers and bottom dampers help you control airflow for precise temperature control.
Portable Design
This Char-Griller grill sits on a tripod leg with two large 8-inches wheels for easy mobility. The lockable casters ensure this grill stays in place while grilling.
Final Verdict
The Char-Griller is a new smoker/BBQ suitable for general-purpose drilling. Features that make this grill quite desirable include the two foldable side table, easy to control dampers, and well-designed grilling space that allows you to maximize the heat produced.
#3. Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you get this BLOSSOMS grill as it is designed as a gas/charcoal grill combo. The BLOSSOMS BLZ-39980 is a dual fuel combination grill that lets you use either gas or charcoal as fuel to grill your food.
Dual Fuel Combination
One of the standout features of this grill is the dual-fuel combination. BLOSSOMS designed this grill such that you can use gas on one side and charcoal on the other side of the grill. As such, you never have to contemplate whether a gas or charcoal grill is what you need. Simply buy both in one grill thanks to this innovative grill from BLOSSOMS.
Precise Temperature Control
BLOSSOMS also designed this grill with the ability to easily control the temperature. On the gas-powered side, BLOSSOMS designed it with up to three stainless steel tubes, which can produce up to 24,000 BTUs of heat. On the charcoal grill side, dampers along with the height-adjustable charcoal grate let you get the most out of the grill. At the side of this grill is a 12,000 BTUs stainless steel side burner you can use to prepare side dishes.
Spacious Grilling Area
You get a total grilling space of 557 square inches on this grill – 295 square inches on the gas grill side, 262 square inches on the charcoal grill side. You also get a total warming rack of 188 square inches – 99 square inches on the gas grill side, and 89 square inches on the charcoal grill side. This spacious grilling space can hold up to 32 burgers, 16 on each side, at once.
Mobile Design
Moving this 90 pounds grill shouldn’t be such a hassle as it features two durable wheels that make it quite mobile. In other words, you can easily move this grill from your in and out of your patio with ease.
Final Verdict
While this grill gives you the flexibility to use a gas or charcoal grill, also note that it is also durably built. We love that it comes with an electronic ignition that provides you with an easy way to light up the grill. And as for the charcoal grill side, the easy remove ashtray feature stands out as it makes cleanup a breeze.
Charcoal Grill Buyer’s Guide
1. Size
When considering the size of the grill to buy, take note of the overall dimension of the grill – width, height, and length. Consider the amount of space you have before buying either a compact or large grill. Next, take note of the amount of cooking space you’d get in the grill. If you will be grilling for a large crowd, go for a grill with a large grilling space, if not, a medium to small grilling space should suffice for a small family.
2. Materials
Whatever material a manufacturer uses to forge a grill will determine whether or not the grill will last for a long time. Aim for durable materials on your grill like double or triple-layered steel body. Ensure the body of the grill comes with some sort of powder or weather-resistant paint coating. Also, consider the type of material used for the grate, perhaps cast iron or steel rods.
3. Portability
Take note, most grills that go for less than $500 mostly come with a compact design. For example, a grill that comes with foldable side tables, and legs, and wheels for mobility is quite portable.
4. Easy Clean
Cleaning up after grilling on a charcoal grill can be quite a hassle. As such, go for a charcoal grill that comes with a great waste management system. A large ash pan is preferable, and perhaps the grill should come with a feature that makes it easy to remove. Also, if the grates are nonstick, it makes cleanup easier.
5. Control
Lastly, a good quality charcoal grill should be easy to control its temperature. Air dampers should be well designed on the hood and near the charcoal grate for proper circulation of air in and out of the grill.
Conclusion
In conclusion, with this review, you have all you need to know about buying the best charcoal grills under 500. Buying any one of the 3 top charcoal grills we reviewed will give you a grill you can trust to deliver for years. If you have any questions about charcoal grills in general, feel free to leave a comment below, we’d be glad to attend to them in no time.