Charcoal grills remain very popular for many reasons. While they do require that you handle charcoal and it takes some practice to properly start and operate, they maintain some advantages over gas grills. Many homeowners now use a charcoal grill in addition to their gas grill. This provides them and entire spectrum of grilling and BBQing capability.

Weber Kettles

Simply put, Weber started the modern day, back yard grilling trend with their famous kettle style “Weber Charcoal Grill”. Who hasn’t used, or eaten food from one of their charcoal grills. Whether it’s a “Smokey Joe®”, a 26” “One Touch®”, or an easy to use “Performer®” charcoal grill, Weber charcoal grills are still the benchmark that the off brands try to copy.

The Weber One Touch® Silver charcoal grills retail for as little as $80 and are a great way to enjoy charcoal grilling. Weber charcoal grills are also great to use as a second grill in addition to a gas grill, because they can easily add smoke flavor using wood chips plus they do a great job in slow cooking larger roasts and poultry. They’re also affordable and portable.

“Kamado” Style Grills

It’s “Back To the Future”. The “Kamado” style, clay cooker, charcoal grills are simply amazing. These grills can slow cook well enough that they can qualify to be called BBQs! Komodo style charcoal grills are made of very heavy, thick walled ceramic clay material and are based on a 2,000 year old design, but much more durable. This ceramic allows the grill to retain heat for hours while using very little fuel.

While they can also quickly grill steaks at very high temperature, they are the perfect way to slow cook most any food and they easily add smoked flavor. The two leading brands are the “Big Green Egg” and “Primo”.
“Kamado” Style Charcoal Grill Advantages:

1. Kamado style grills literally slow cook food better than any other kind of grill, including pellet grills!
2. They use pure lump charcoal, not the briquettes with all the additives.
3. They provide the highest retained moisture of any way to cook food!
4. They can easily add a mild to a heavy smoked flavor.
5. They can grill steaks at 600F.
6. They are very durable.

Some serious grill users have both a gas grill and a Kamado style grill. If you think that a Kamado style charcoal grill sounds interesting, here’s more information:

Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg, Kamado style, ceramic grills started it all about 35 years ago and are the largest manufacturer. They come in five sizes from Mini to XL. In our experience, the three larger sizes, are the best sizes to use. Yes, all Big Green Eggs are green in color. Be sure to check out their website: http://www.biggreenegg.com/index.html

We usually have a nice selection of Weber Kettles and Big Green Eggs to look at. Be sure to stop by Fireside and see what the ceramic charcoal grills are all about.