Recommendation needed.... Charcoal grill

rugger99 · Jul 5, 2019

Like the ***le says, need some suggestions for a quality charcoal grill. Not interested in any of the thin metal ones that are commonly found at Lowes,Home Depot, etc... I know Academy Sports use to carry a line of heavy duty barrel grills but according to the manager at our local store, these grills are no longer available. I have looked at the wood pellet grills but that is more than what I want. Thanks.

muddinmetal · Jul 5, 2019

What is you budget?

rugger99 · Jul 5, 2019

No more than $325 ... I want quality but do not need a BBQ competitor level grill.

30th6 · Jul 5, 2019

I have a old brinkman barrel smoker. It's over 20 years old and still does great, the Oklahoma joes seem to be well built for the money.

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j-mox · Jul 5, 2019

I bought a Char-Griller Acorn grill a couple years ago and love it! It is the Big Green Egg style but is made from metal instead of the ceramic. Heavy built and good quality. Bought it at a Menards store, like Lowes, and think they run about $288. I keep it inside out of the weather and there isn’t a spot of rust on it and still holding up well. Only issue I have seen was the high heat paint in the lid flakes off on the inside. Not a real big deal I just make sure its cleaned off before using it.

I bought a ceramic grill for a screaming deal on a clearance sale and so far like the Char Griller better

muddinmetal · Jul 5, 2019

Campchef se pellet grill

money_pit_yj · Jul 7, 2019

Costco has a ceramic grill for 450. Worth every penny.

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kmcminn · Jul 7, 2019

325 isnt much for a good grill. Go get a weber premium and keep it out the rain and it will last a long time. You can smoke on one also.

jp fan · Jul 8, 2019

I would get a 26” Weber and look at a slow&sear addition to add to it. These Weber’s can do about anything especially with all the aftermarket support they have

JEEPKEVIN · Jul 8, 2019

Another vote for the Char Griller Acorn. I think Lowes or Home Depot now sell it for $299 with a nice little table with wheels to mount it into.

We use lump charcoal for slow cooking or smoking and regular charcoal for high temp stuff.

We have about 3 years of heavy use and she is holding up very well. Sometimes it stays out side, sometimes covered.

Wife and I are no bad asses but have learned a lot and for sure would buy again.

muddinmetal · Jul 8, 2019

muddinmetal said:
Campchef se pellet grill

^^^^^^^^

Seriously, check it out for the money. Easy clean up, simple to use, cheapish to operate and maintain

bbtank45 · Jul 9, 2019

I have a Pit Boss and love it. 3 years strong and i use it multiple times a week year round. Paid $400 at Menards for it on an 11% rebate date. Highly recommend it.....or any wood pellet stove you can afford.

poolman · Jul 9, 2019

bbtank45 said:
I have a Pit Boss and love it. 3 years strong and i use it multiple times a week year round. Paid $400 at Menards for it on an 11% rebate date. Highly recommend it.....or any wood pellet stove you can afford.

X2 I love mine

mitchw123456 · Jul 9, 2019

if you want an actual grill don't get a pellet smoker. They just don't get hot enough to actually grill anything. If you want an actual grill, not a smoker look at the weber's for your budget. I currently have a Weber charcoal grill that lives outside uncovered and uncared for that is 10 years old and is used extremely regularly that is still in great shape and has zero rust (in SE Texas 1/2 mile of the bay!) The only thing I have ever done to it was constantly tighten the handle nuts on the lid, until they pissed me off and I just tacked them on

onepieceatatime · Jul 9, 2019

This unit has a gas unit for starting charcoal. Use that with a charcoal chimney and you'll be grilling in no time. I'll never go back to a gas grill after having this. I have been wanting a pellet grill for the whole "set it and forget it" aspect of smoking all day. I've smoked this one and had good results but a pellet one would be easier I believe.

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race_jeep · Jul 9, 2019

I’m on my second Akorn and love it, I wish I would’ve just bought a ceramic, but it just wasn’t in the budget either time.

j-mox · Jul 9, 2019

race_jeep said:
I’m on my second Akorn and love it, I wish I would’ve just bought a ceramic, but it just wasn’t in the budget either time.

Wasn’t for me when I bought my Akorn either, but I have been very pleased with it. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another.

Early this year Walmart was closing out their Vision brand ceramic grills. I debated on it till it got to $350 and pulled the trigger on it. Didn’t think I would ever find another that cheap. Original price was over $700 if I remember correctly.

zukimaster · Jul 9, 2019

I have been kicking around getting one of these this fall, tractor supply puts them on sale around Thanksgiving for 299, they are built like a tank, and have charcoal, gas, and a smoker box all in one.

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poolman · Jul 10, 2019

mitchw123456 said:
if you want an actual grill don't get a pellet smoker. They just don't get hot enough to actually grill anything. If you want an actual grill, not a smoker look at the weber's for your budget. I currently have a Weber charcoal grill that lives outside uncovered and uncared for that is 10 years old and is used extremely regularly that is still in great shape and has zero rust (in SE Texas 1/2 mile of the bay!) The only thing I have ever done to it was constantly tighten the handle nuts on the lid, until they pissed me off and I just tacked them on

I have a weber, acorn, big green egg and a pellet grill. The pellet grill will get to 450 thats plenty hot. They all have can be used for different things.

Edit, I see you said pellet smoker, thats different than a pellet grill.
For regular grilling I like the weber, for medium cooks/smoking I prefer the acorn or the egg, and honestly I can't tell a difference. For long smoking or a steak the pellet grill is my favorite.

POTTSY 79 · Oct 31, 2019

zukimaster said:
I have been kicking around getting one of these this fall, tractor supply puts them on sale around Thanksgiving for 299, they are built like a tank, and have charcoal, gas, and a smoker box all in one.

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My wife and I love this grill...I think she ordered it from Home Depot

Lil ugly · Nov 1, 2019

zukimaster said:
I have been kicking around getting one of these this fall, tractor supply puts them on sale around Thanksgiving for 299, they are built like a tank, and have charcoal, gas, and a smoker box all in one.

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I am on my second one of these. First one lasted 4 years without a cover in florida with heavy (almost daily) use. My second one is definitely not built as well. Metal is thinner. Still works well but I don't think it will last four years. I did buy a cover this time though.