Top Small Charcoal Grills for Perfect BBQ – Compact & Portable Picks

If you’re looking for a compact and portable grilling solution, small charcoal grills are the way to go. Not only are they more affordable than gas grills, but they also offer a distinctive smoky flavor that adds depth to your food. Whether you’re going camping, tailgating, or simply have limited outdoor space, there is a small charcoal grill that will meet your needs. In this buying guide, we have tested and reviewed a range of options to help you find the best small charcoal grill for you.

Best Overall – Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill

The Weber Jumbo Joe Portable Charcoal Grill is our top pick for the best overall small charcoal grill. Despite its name, it is small and lightweight, making it easy to transport and perfect for outdoor grilling on the go.

This grill offers good temperature control, allowing you to achieve the perfect level of heat for your cooking needs. Its porcelain-enameled lid and bowl help to distribute heat evenly, ensuring consistent cooking results.

Built with durable materials, the Weber Jumbo Joe is designed to withstand frequent use and last for years to come. However, it’s important to note that the exterior of the grill can get hot during operation, so caution should be taken to prevent any accidental burns.

One potential downside of this grill is that the ash tray can make a mess when cleaning up after grilling. It’s recommended to use a disposable aluminum pan or lining the ash tray with foil to simplify the cleaning process.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Weber Jumbo Joe Portable Charcoal Grill is a reliable option that offers great performance and convenience for outdoor grilling enthusiasts.

Key Features:

• Small and lightweight design
• Good temperature control
• Well built with durable materials
• Ash tray can be messy to clean

Pros:

• Portable and easy to transport
• Even heat distribution for consistent cooking
• Durable construction for long-lasting use

Cons:

• Exterior gets hot during use
• Cleaning the ash tray can be messy

Runner Up – Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere Grill

The Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere Grill is our runner-up choice for the best small charcoal grill. This compact grill is easy to carry, making it perfect for camping trips, tailgating, or picnics in the park. It is made with durable materials, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of outdoor cooking.

The Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere Grill features an attached lid that secures tightly during transport, preventing any accidents or spills. The lid also helps to retain heat, allowing for more efficient cooking. Despite its small size, this grill provides a decent cooking space, allowing you to grill multiple burgers or brats at once.

The Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere Grill offers convenience, durability, and portability all in one package. Its stable base ensures safe and stable grilling, even on uneven surfaces, making it a reliable option for outdoor cooking.

The Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere Grill offers convenience, durability, and portability all in one package. Its stable base ensures safe and stable grilling, even on uneven surfaces, making it a reliable option for outdoor cooking.

Upgrade Pick – Nomad Charcoal Grill & Smoker

When it comes to portable charcoal grills, the Nomad Charcoal Grill & Smoker stands out as our top pick for those seeking an upgrade. This versatile grill offers a long-lasting quality that ensures years of grilling enjoyment.

One of the key features of the Nomad Charcoal Grill & Smoker is its compact and portable design. With its lightweight construction, it is easy to take on the go, whether you’re heading out for a camping trip or a picnic in the park. Its small size does not compromise on performance, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize both portability and functionality.

But what truly sets the Nomad Charcoal Grill & Smoker apart is its dual-functionality. It serves as both a grill and a smoker, giving you the freedom to experiment with different cooking styles. Whether you want to sear a steak on the grill or slow-cook a rack of ribs to perfection, this grill has you covered.

The Nomad Charcoal Grill & Smoker offers a long-lasting quality, compact and portable design, and dual-functionality as a grill and smoker. It’s the upgrade you’ve been looking for in a portable grill.

With its anodized finish, the Nomad Charcoal Grill & Smoker not only boasts a sleek and modern look but also provides durability and resistance to rust and corrosion. This ensures that your grill will continue to perform at its best, season after season.

So why settle for an ordinary portable grill when you can have the Nomad Charcoal Grill & Smoker? Its long-lasting quality, compact and portable design, and dual-functionality make it a standout choice for grill enthusiasts who value convenience and versatility.

With the Nomad Charcoal Grill & Smoker, you can elevate your grilling experience to new heights. It’s time to upgrade to a grill that offers both convenience and versatility – the Nomad Charcoal Grill & Smoker.

Best Portable Kamado Grill – Char-Griller AKORN Jr

The Char-Griller AKORN Jr is our top pick for a portable kamado grill. Unlike traditional ceramic kamado grills, it is made with portable steel, making it lighter and easier to transport. With its compact design, the AKORN Jr is perfect for tailgating, camping, or small outdoor spaces.

This portable kamado grill offers great heat retention, allowing you to achieve consistent cooking temperatures. Its dual air-flow dampers provide precise temperature control, making it easy to cook delicious meals with precision and finesse. The built-in heat gauge helps you monitor the internal temperature without lifting the lid, ensuring optimal cooking results.

One of the standout features of the Char-Griller AKORN Jr is its easy cleaning process. It features a removable ashtray, allowing for convenient ash management and maintenance. Keeping your grill clean and ready for the next cookout is a breeze.

In the words of a satisfied customer:

“The Char-Griller AKORN Jr is the perfect portable kamado grill for my outdoor adventures. It’s compact, lightweight, and delivers exceptional heat retention. Being able to control the temperature easily is a game-changer, and the easy-to-clean ashtray is an added bonus. I highly recommend it!” – Sarah D.

With its portable design, excellent heat retention, precise temperature controls, and easy cleaning features, the Char-Griller AKORN Jr is the ideal choice for grilling enthusiasts on the go. It offers a high-quality kamado grilling experience wherever your adventures take you.

Best Standing – Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart

The Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart is our top choice for a standing charcoal grill. It offers excellent heat control, allowing you to achieve the perfect temperature for your grilling needs. The grill features a side-mounted charcoal hopper and fan, ensuring consistent heat distribution and even cooking.

One of the standout features of this grill is its convenient cart design. With built-in wheels and a locking lid, it provides easy transportation from your backyard to the park or camping site. You can simply wheel it around without any hassle. Plus, the locking lid ensures safe and secure transportation, eliminating the risk of accidental spills or damage.

Although it may not give you those classic grill marks, the Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart compensates with its exceptional temperature control. This makes it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced grillers who value precision in their cooking.

“I love how easy it is to move this grill thanks to the wheels and locking lid. Plus, the heat control is amazing, allowing me to cook my food to perfection every time.”
– John, experienced griller

Best Tabletop – PK Grills PKGo Grill Grilling System

The PK Grills PKGo Grill Grilling System is our top pick for a tabletop charcoal grill. With its great heat retention and versatile cooking methods, this grill is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who love the convenience of grilling on a smaller scale.

One of the standout features of the PKGo Grill is its solid cast aluminum body, which helps maintain consistent heat throughout the cooking process. This ensures that your food is cooked evenly, delivering delicious results every time. Additionally, the cast iron cooking grates provide excellent heat distribution and retention, allowing you to achieve those perfect sear marks on your steaks or burgers.

What sets the PKGo Grill apart is its versatility in cooking methods. Whether you prefer direct heat grilling for quick and intense searing or indirect heat cooking for slow and low barbecue, this grill has you covered. Its unique design allows for easy heat control, giving you the freedom to experiment with different cooking techniques.

The PKGo Grill is relatively heavy compared to other tabletop grills, but this is a small trade-off considering its added benefits. The extra weight ensures stability during cooking, and it also provides extra cooking space. This means you can grill larger cuts of meat or accommodate more food on the grill surface.

“The PK Grills PKGo Grill Grilling System is a game-changer in the world of tabletop grilling. Its great heat retention and versatile cooking methods make it a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts who want excellent results in a more compact package.” – Luke Thompson, Grill Enthusiast Magazine

Overall, the PK Grills PKGo Grill Grilling System offers the perfect balance of performance, convenience, and versatility. Whether you’re grilling for a small gathering or enjoying a solo outdoor cooking session, this tabletop charcoal grill is sure to impress.

Best Value – Everdure Cube Portable Grill

The Everdure Cube Portable Grill is the perfect choice for those seeking a stylish, lightweight, and affordable option. This compact grill offers excellent heat retention, making it a reliable companion for outdoor cooking adventures.

The Everdure Cube features a sleek and modern design that will enhance any outdoor setting. Its lightweight construction allows for easy transportation, making it ideal for picnics, camping trips, or cookouts in small outdoor spaces.

The grill’s stainless steel grates not only provide exceptional heat retention but also ensure even heat distribution for perfectly cooked meals. Whether you’re grilling steaks, burgers, or vegetables, the Everdure Cube delivers delicious results every time.

Despite its compact size, the Everdure Cube offers enough cooking space to accommodate a couple or small group, making it suitable for intimate gatherings or family outings. Its open-top design is perfect for direct-heat cooking, allowing you to achieve those desired grill marks and intense flavors.

Overall, the Everdure Cube Portable Grill combines style, portability, and excellent heat retention, making it an exceptional value for grill enthusiasts looking for a reliable and versatile option.

Best Splurge – Nomad Grill & Smoker

In the realm of small charcoal grills, the Nomad Grill & Smoker stands out as the ideal choice for those seeking a high-end grilling experience. With its versatility and excellent heat management and retention, this grill is a worthy investment for grill enthusiasts at all skill levels.

The Nomad Grill & Smoker features a unique folding design that makes it incredibly easy to transport. Whether you’re heading to a backyard barbecue or embarking on a camping adventure, this grill can accompany you on your culinary journeys.

What sets the Nomad Grill & Smoker apart is its ability to function as both an open grill and a closed smoker. It offers double the cooking surface when used as an open grill, allowing you to cook a variety of dishes simultaneously. When used as a smoker, it imparts a delectable smoky flavor to your meats, infusing them with irresistible taste.

Splurge on Quality and Versatility

There’s no denying that the Nomad Grill & Smoker comes with a higher price tag, but its outstanding performance and flexibility justify the investment. This grill provides the ultimate grilling experience, allowing you to experiment with various cooking styles and techniques.

Whether you’re grilling up steaks, smoking a rack of ribs, or slow-cooking a whole chicken, the Nomad Grill & Smoker delivers exceptional results. Its versatile design caters to diverse culinary preferences, enabling you to create mouthwatering dishes that impress family and friends.

Unleash Your Inner Grill Master

To truly elevate your grilling game, the Nomad Grill & Smoker offers excellent heat management and retention. This feature ensures that your dishes are cooked to perfection, with even heat distribution and minimal fluctuations in temperature.

With the Nomad Grill & Smoker, you’ll have full control over the grilling process, allowing you to achieve the desired level of doneness and flavor. Whether you prefer a quick sear or slow, low-temperature cooking, this grill has the capability to deliver outstanding results every time.

Invest in Grilling Excellence

If you’re ready to take your grilling skills to new heights, the Nomad Grill & Smoker is the perfect splurge-worthy choice. Its versatility, excellent heat management, and retention make it a top contender in the realm of small charcoal grills.

Elevate your outdoor cooking experience and impress your guests with the Nomad Grill & Smoker. This grill is a testament to craftsmanship and innovation, ensuring unforgettable moments around the grill.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to choosing the best small charcoal grill, there are plenty of options available to suit various needs and preferences. After thorough testing and consideration, our top pick is the Weber Jumbo Joe Portable Charcoal Grill. This grill offers a winning combination of affordability and compact size, making it ideal for those who value convenience while grilling in small outdoor spaces or on-the-go.

For those willing to invest in a premium option, the Nomad Grill & Smoker is an excellent choice. This versatile grill not only offers great portability but also serves as a smoker, providing grillers with the opportunity to experiment with different cooking styles and flavors.

Whether you prefer a standing grill, tabletop grill, or portable kamado grill, there is a small charcoal grill out there that will meet your grilling needs. From mini charcoal grills perfect for camping to compact charcoal grills suitable for small outdoor spaces, the options are diverse. Consider factors such as size, heat control, portability, and price when making your decision, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying delicious grilled meals in no time.

BBQ Pit Master

Ryan Conlon is a BBQ enthusiast and inspired chef on a journey through the smoky, savory world of outdoor cooking. Hailing from the heart of the Midwest, Ryan’s passion for grilling ignited during his early years, where family gatherings often revolved around the sizzle of the grill and the aroma of seasoned meats.