Best Tailgate Charcoal Grill
At the heart of every memorable tailgating experience is a grill for cooking meat and vegetables. Portable grills come in different kinds and in our post today, we will discuss the best tailgate charcoal grill.
It is without a doubt that charcoal grills are the best grills available out there. They deliver better flavors than the electric and gas models making them a favorite amongst most chefs. Additionally, these grills cook food more quickly due to the high heat they reach and are ideal for a wide range of cooking methods from direct grilling to smoking.
In our roundup of the best tailgate charcoal grills, we look at the grills that are portable, easy to set up, and simple to use. These grills are also very easy to clean up and an excellent companion for a wide range of outdoor activities not just tailgating.
Further on in this guide, we have included a comprehensive guide with all of the key factors to consider when buying a charcoal grill for tailgating. So, without further ado, here is a list of the best-performing tailgate charcoal grills worth your consideration. Let’s jump right in.
Best Tailgate Charcoal Grill-Our Top Picks
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Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill
Our first pick of the best tailgate for charcoal grill is the Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill. It harbors an array of cutting-edge features that make it a perfect companion for tailgating and other outdoor activities like camping.
The selling point of this grill is an all-in-one design. In addition to the grill, it has an integrated storage tray for accessories and food storage. Additionally, it comes with a bamboo cutting board that you can use to prepare meat, veggies, fish, and more.
Compact design is another facet that makes it ideal for tailgating. Though compact, it has an ample cooking area of 115 square inches to ensure that you can prepare more food at once.
Above all, the grill is designed with high-quality construction quality and it is removable for easy cleaning.
Features
- Food storage tray
- Lightweight steel construction
- Heat protection shield
- Cool-to-touch carry handles
- Bamboo food preparation board
Pros
- Ample grilling space
- Lightweight, compact, and portable design
- Easy to clean
- High-quality construction
- Easy to use
Cons
- Poor quality control
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Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill
The Cuisinart CCG190RB Inch BBQ Charcoal grill is the perfect option for buyers on a budget. It comes at a price that is incredibly easy on the wallet but it doesn’t compromise on quality or functionality.
It is built with a 196-square-inch cooking rack that is chrome-plated. The rack is spacious enough to accommodate more food at one time with even and efficient heat distribution. Additionally, the grill comes with a dual venting system which provides the ultimate charcoal management and temperature control.
Even with the spacious cooking space, this charcoal grill has a compact size of 14’ x 14’ x 15’ only. It also weighs a mere 2lbs so it is easy to transport from one place to the other.
Features
- Enamel-coated firebox
- Mess-free ash catcher
- Dual venting system
- Three secure lid locks
- Chrome-plated grate
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight and portable
- Simple to clean
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Stability issues
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Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill with Cart
Masterbuilt MB20040722 Portable Charcoal Grill is by far the best tailgate charcoal grill in terms of portability. It has a foldable and removable crat that allows you to grill on the go. Additionally, it comes with wheels for easy transportation.
The grill holds 1.5 lbs of briquettes or 1lb of small lump for about 4 hours. It burns efficiently to ensure even heat distribution and has an adjustable temperature dial that gives you the flexibility to adjust the temperatures from 200-500F depending on the food that you are cooking.
Moreover, this grill is easy to clean for added convenience. It also comes with a lockable lid so you can move it after cooking without having to dispose of the ashes.
Features
- SteadyTemp dial
- Quick collapse cart
- Lockable lid
- Versatile temperature range
- Charcoal and electrically powered
Pros
- Portable
- Easy to clean
- Even heat distribution
- Quick, straightforward assembly
Cons
- Made with low-quality metal
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Royal Gourmet Portable Charcoal Grill
When it comes to portability and value, it is hard to go wrong with the Royal Gourmet CD1519 Portable Charcoal Grill. It is a compact outdoor charcoal grill ideal for those who are always on the and need to carry a grill with them.
The grill has an ample cooking area of 303 square inches. It has a high-quality construction made up of porcelain-enamel steel wire cooking grates and a chrome-plated steel wire warming rack. Besides, two air dampers are included for smooth airflow.
Another impressive thing about this grill is temperature control. You can easily customize your preferred cooking temperature by simply adjusting the 3-level adjustable fire grate and the air dampers.
Features
- 303 square inches of total cooking area
- 3-level adjustable fire grates
- Chrome-plated steel wire warming rack
- Height-adjustable charcoal pan
- Removable ash tray
- Two air dampers
- Built-in thermometer
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Durable quality
- Portable design
- Easy to use
Cons
- Comparatively costly
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Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill marks our next pick of the best tailgate charcoal grill. This compact, lightweight, and easy-to-transport grill is specially designed to help you travel with taste and make your tailgating memorable and fun-filled.
The grill is built to last. It is made with a porcelain-enameled lid and bow that is rust-proof and peel-resistant. Both retain heat effectively to keep the food warm for a considerable amount of time.
What’s more, the grill comes with dampers to let you control the temperature inside. It also brings to the table a Tuck-N-Carry lid lock that doubles as a lid holder to avoid putting the lid on the ground.
Features
- Aluminum ash catcher
- Plated steel cooking grate
- Heavy-gauge steel charcoal grate
- Lid handle with heat shield
- Plated steel cooking grate
- Built-in dampers
Pros
- Easy to use
- High-quality construction
- Simple to assemble
- Portable and versatile
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Poor plastic handle design
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Alpine Cuisine Premium Charcoal BBQ Grill
Alpine Cuisine Premium 14” Charcoal BBQ Grill is another compact and portable grill ideal for outdoor cooking. You can use it just about anywhere with its strong legs and prepare your favorite meals while on the go.
With dimensions of 14.17 inches without the lid, this grill offers enough cooking area. It has a robust and long-lasting plated air construction to withstand heat from any charcoal and retain the heat efficiently.
To complement the solid construction, the grill has adjustable metal air vent dampers essential for heat control. It also comes with an ash catcher that makes cleaning a walk in the park.
Features
- Rust-resistant adjustable metal air vent
- Built-in lid handle
- Ash catcher
- Durable and heat-resistant bowl
- Durable cooking grade
- Charcoal catch
Pros
- Portable
- Inexpensive
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy and durable grill
Cons
- Takes time to assemble
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Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Tabletop Charcoal Grill
Next on our list of the best tailgate charcoal grill is the Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Tabletop Charcoal Grill. This grill is fueled by lump charcoal or briquettes that can be arranged in various configurations to provide either direct or indirect heat options.
It has a large cooking area of 218 square inches which is spacious enough to grill up to 6 burgers, 12 brats, or 4 steaks at one time. The cast-iron grates retain heat well and cook the food evenly without leaving any grill marks.
Furthermore, the grill has an adjustable tray for regulating the temperatures when grilling. It also brings to the table a lid-mounted temperature gauge and a removable ash pan that makes clean-up quick and simple.
Features
- Adjustable charcoal tray
- 218 square inches of cooking area
- Front-access removable ash pan
- Cast-iron grates
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
Pros
- Sturdy side handles
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Quick and easy clean-up
- Lightweight design
- Ease of assembly
Cons
- The lid is prone to warping
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Feasto Portable Charcoal Grill
Grilling on the go is made easy and convenient by the Feasto Portable Charcoal Grill. It has convenient handles for easy transportation and a compact size perfect for outdoor cooking.
With a large cooking area of 354 square inches, this grill can cook up to 16 burgers at once. The main-tier cast iron grill cooks and heats food quickly and evenly for a long time. Also included is a higher secondary tier for defrosting or keeping baked food warm.
Furthermore, this grill comes with a temperature gauge for controlling the temperature in the furnace. It is also built with an adjustable charcoal tray and a removable ash pan that makes cleaning fast and easy.
Features
- Adjustable damper and chimney
- Heavy-gauge powder-coated steel construction
- Removable ash pan
- Three anti-scalding and anti-slip handles
- 2 pieces of cast iron cooking rack
- Built-in mechanical temperature gauge
Pros
- Solid construction
- Compact, easy to transport, and store
- Works great
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
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Benefits of Charcoal Grills for Tailgating
Getting a charcoal grill for tailgating and outdoor cooking comes with the following benefits:
- High Heat
This is the primary benefit of using a charcoal grill over other grills. They produce high heat to help you prepare your food quickly.
- Affordable
It is cheaper to buy a charcoal grill compared to other grills like gas grills. Besides, charcoal is cheaper than gas so the charcoal grill is more economical to run and maintain.
- Ease of Transportation
The best charcoal grills for tailgating are built compact and lightweight. This makes them convenient to carry for outdoor cooking.
- Even Heat Distribution
Most of the charcoal grills available on the market are designed to produce heat evenly. This contributes to faster cooking of food that is more flavorful.
How to Choose the Best Tailgate Charcoal Grill
When buying a tailgate charcoal grill, take into consideration the following factors.
Build Quality
The best tailgate charcoal grill is only as good as its build quality. Look at the nature of construction and type of materials used to make the grill and settle for a product with heavy-duty construction. On top of that, the grill should be scratchproof and rust-resistant for added protection and greater durability.
Cooking Area
The cooking area in tailgating charcoal grills varies from one grill to the other. It is wise to get a grill with ample cooking area. That way, you can prepare more food at once and save on both time and charcoal. In most cases, a grill with 200-300 square inches is sufficient for tailgating.
Air Ventilation
Proper air ventilation is vital in charcoal grills. With ample ventilation, the charcoal will burn efficiently and produce the required heat. So, ensure that you get a grill with adequate air vents for ventilation.
Ease of Assembly
The best tailgate charcoal grill is built with ease of assembly in mind. The last thing you would want is a grill that takes nearly all the time to put together. The grill should also be quick to takedown after use for easy storage.
Size and Weight
It is also important to pay attention to the size and weight of the grill. Compact grills are easy to pack during transportation and space efficient during storage. We also recommend that you get a lightweight grill for convenient carrying from one point to the other.
Best Tailgate Charcoal Grill FAQs
- Can you tailgate with a charcoal grill?
Yes, of course. A small, portable charcoal grill is a perfect option for tailgating. It will help you cook your food quickly as you enjoy your time outdoors tailgating.
- How long does charcoal last in a grill?
It depends on the heating, type of grill, and charcoal quality used. Most charcoal products last about 3 hours with continuous heating. On the other hand, briquettes last longer than 4 hours depending on the type and quality of materials they are made of.
Conclusion
Charcoal grills are a great option for tailgating as they allow for quicker and more efficient heating. With the right grill at hand, you will be able to cook your food as quickly as possible and enjoy delicious and flavorful meals as you spend and enjoy your time outdoors. Hopefully, this post has been insightful and of great help to you.