Welcome to our comprehensive list of the Best American Charcoal Grills including detailed reviews for each of them.
There are so many reasons why one would consider buying an American made charcoal grill for the upcoming summer barbecue season. It not only means to support the national economy but also gives a sense of pride using these high-quality cookers.
Readers of our blog know that we love grills, smokers and pizza ovens that are fuelled with either wood (pellets) or charcoal to bring out the best flavor in our favorite dishes.
Backyard grilling is a passion and hobby for thousands of Americans, and it feels even better when you can grill juicy Hamburger patties on a griller which is proudly ‘Made in the USA.’
Since we are focussing on the best American made grills that are fuelled with charcoal, it was quite a mission to find products that fit into this category.
Related post: The Best Barbecue Chicken Recipes For Your Grill
It is worth mentioning that our top choices of the best USA made grills may be a bit more expensive than cookers that are produced in countries like China or Taiwan.
One of the main reasons is that the wages in these countries are much lower than in the states. Companies sometimes are also trying to take shortcuts by using lower-quality materials to keep costs down.
Rest assured, our choices of the best American made charcoal grills are top notch and will last for many years to come.
By the way, even though we have our favorites, our top choices of USA made grills are listed in no particular order.
* Please note: all product links in this product review are affiliate links. That means, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Page Contents
Best American Made Charcoal Grills – Reviews
Weber 14401001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22″
Weber is probably the world’s most well-known brand when it comes to barbecues with its extensive range of high-quality grills, cookbooks, rubs and spices and a community of die-hard Weber grill users.
The Weber company is based in Illinois with its headquarter in Palatine.
There has been a bit of controversion regarding whether or not Weber’s grills are still “Made In The USA” because the company is using globally-sourced components for their grillers.
In our research, we found out that Weber’s charcoal grills are manufactured in Huntley/Illinois. So, yes, the charcoal grills are American made.
The Weber Original Kettle grill is one of our favorite grills due to its quality materials, one-touch cleaning system, and an extensive warranty.
The Weber Premium Charcoal grill is available in three colors, black, green and copper. That is a nice change to the usual black if you want some color in your backyard.
The cooking space is a generous 363 square inches that can fit lots of burgers, steaks, hot dogs and chicken wings for your next barbecue party.
The high-quality materials like the porcelain-enameled bowl and lid make sure that this grill withstands rust for years to come.
Read our detailed review The Weber BBQ Charcoal Grill for more information.
The Weber Premium Charcoal grill is available in three colors, black, green and copper. That is a nice change to the usual black if you want some color in your backyard.
The grill features a porcelain enameled 22″ bowl, the One-Touch cleaning system as mentioned before, a hinged grill grate and rust-resistant aluminum dampers.
The built-in temperature gauge is useful and lets you know when the grill has reached the desired temperature.
The bowl handle has an integrated tool hook for all the necessary barbeque utensils.
The hinges on both sides of the grill grate are perfect to add more charcoal over time.
Drawbacks
There are not many things customers complain about. We have done a lot of research and found only a few minor issues.
Some customers have found the cooking grate not robust enough. Sometimes the legs of the stand can feel a bit wobbly.
Most problems occurred with the delivery, e.g., missing pieces or damaged parts. That is when Weber’s excellent customer service comes into play.
Our advice is to get in touch with them as soon as possible so you can enjoy a grill evening with your family without delay.
Our Verdict
As mentioned before, the warranty is extensive with a 10-year warranty on the bowl and lid (no rust through/no burn through); 5-years on the One-Touch cleaning system and plastic components (excluding fading or discoloration).
All other parts have a 2-year warranty.
The Weber Original Kettle Premium Grill is another excellent product in the Weber Charcoal grill collection. There is lots of cooking space, and the One-Touch cleaning system makes cleaning out the ashes a breeze.
PK Grills The Original PK Grill & Smoker
ThePortable Kitchen (PK) grill and smoker are proudly made in the USA since the 1950’s with a short break in between.
Many customers still own the original grill that has been handed down from generation to generation.
Thanks to the thick cast aluminum it virtually never rusts or bracks so the longevity and durability of the grill are remarkable.
Lovers of retro designs will love the original look that replicates the first build PK Grill back in 1950.
The cast aluminum capsule holds a standard charcoal grid plus a hinged nickel plated steel cooking grill which features 300 square inches of cooking space.
There are two vents in the hinged lid plus two vents in the bottom part to ensure proper airflow and easy temperature control.
Related post: The Best Electric Smokers [Must-Read] Reviews
The grill sits on a sturdy, lightweight moveable aluminum cart that features two shelves. It is easy to take the capsule out and take it anywhere you want; camping, tailgating, to the beach, the park – you name it. The grill weighs around 34 pounds without the stand.
The PK grill can hold consistent temperatures for a long time which makes it also ideal to use as a smoker.
Drawbacks
There is no ash catcher so ashes can fall out of the bottom vents and onto the stand or your patio. We also miss a temperature gauge, but you could use a digital temperature gun.
Also, the cooking grate sits flushed with the grill capsule, so you have to be careful not to push the burger patties off the grate accidentally.
Verdict
We do like the simple retro design and thick cast aluminum material. The PK grill comes with a 10-year warranty and is virtually undestroyable.
PK Grills PK360 Grill and Smoker Combination
The PK 360 Grill and Smoker is an improvement to the original grill that comes with all the modern cons a high-quality charcoal grill is equipped nowadays.
The thick aluminum capsule with aluminum hinges and vents is indestructible just like the PK Original. We do love that the newer model has an inbuilt Tel-Tru thermometer and an ash management system for easy cleaning plus no ashes are falling through the bottom cylinder vents.
The hinged cooking grate, as well as the charcoal grate, are made from marine grade stainless steel.
Find more charcoal grills in our comprehensive review post here.
The two shelves for working space are removable and also have space to hang your bbq utensils.
The grill is easily detachable from the single aluminum pedestal. Without the stand, the unit weighs 57 pounds and is therefore portable.
Drawbacks
It is double the price of the PK Original.
Verdict
Overall, the PK 360 Grill and Smoker is versatile, portable and will last for generations to come plus it comes with a 10-year warranty.
The four vent system is ideal for slow and fast cooking. Highly recommended!
Old Smokey Charcoal Grill #22 (Large)
The Old Smokey Charcoal hasn’t changed since it was first manufactured back in the 50’s in Houston, Texas.
The company is still there and going strong with their unique looking barrel-shaped charcoal grills “Made in the USA.”
The exterior, as well as the bottom charcoal grate and top cooking grate, are made from aluminized steel.
The Old Smokey stands solidly on three legs and features two top vents and one bottom damper for airflow and temperature control.
Only the large Old Smokey has two wooden side handles. With a weight of only 19.9 pounds, it is lightweight and comfortable to move. At the same time, it is also quite a large grill with a height of 27″ so it might be a bit bulky for some people.
The Old Smokey grill is also ideal as a smoker, but it would be best to install a temperature gauge.
Verdict
The Old Smokey Charcoal grill is fantastic value for money with a simple no-fuss design. It comes with a 2-year warranty.
It’s available in three sizes, 14, 18 and 22 inches.
Primo 774 Ceramic Charcoal Smoker Grill, Oval Junior
The Primo Ceramic Charcoal Smoker is a prime example of an American made Kamado style grill.
Related posts: What Is A Kamado Grill and The Best Kamado Grills – My Top Picks.
It has an oval shape and provides a cooking space of 210 square inches; with the rack extension, you’ll get a cooking surface of up to 360 square inches.
The ceramic has a lead-free and scratch resistant glaze which looks attractive also.
As for efficient temperature control and airflow, the Primo features a cast iron chimney cap/vent and at the bottom front a stainless steel lower vent lid.
The lower vent also provides access to the ash trap where you can clean out the ashes with an ash rake. According to the company, you’ll only need to do it once every 15 uses. That’s how efficient this Kamado style cooker burns the charcoal.
Other features include an inbuilt thermometer, a felt gasket, a porcelain-coated hinged cooking grate, and a cool touch handle.
Drawbacks
It doesn’t come with a stand, but you can buy it separately. Some customers had issues with not sufficient packaging, and therefore the item arrived broken.
Verdict
The Primo Kamado style charcoal grill is a rock solid cooker for smoking and grilling. Maintaining the temperature is easy. The oval shape makes grilling of larger items a breeze and the high sitting lid is fantastic for cooking a turkey or chickens with no problems.
The Primo is the only USA made ceramic grill and comes with a 20-year warranty on the ceramic parts and a 5-year warranty on the metal parts.
Hasty-Bake 256 Gourmet Dual Finish Charcoal Grill
Last but not least, let’s talk about another high-quality “Made in the USA” charcoal grill.
The Hasty-Bake grills have been manufactured in Tulsa/Oklahoma since 1948 and have been part of thousands of backyard kitchens ever since.
The Hasty-Bake 256 Charcoal Grill offers the most significant cooking surface in our selection of best American made charcoal grills.
You can cook, sear, and bake plenty of food on 834 square inches of nickel-plated cooking grates. They have a unique v-shape, so grease can drain onto a bar and gets collected on the outside of the grill for healthier cooking.
The Hasty-Bake offers a stainless steel front and side table to create a workspace. It comes with a firebox and fire grate, a heat deflector, a hood with a tempered glass window, a built-in thermometer, and a crank handle to lift the firebox.
The ability to lift or lower the firebox by 14 inches makes this grill so versatile for different cooking styles. For smoking and baking put the fire box on the lowest setting. For searing, lift it up to the highest point.
The fire door on the side gives is fantastic to add more charcoal or wood to the fire without opening the hood.
They are two side air vents in the lower part of the grill.
Drawbacks
The Hasty-Bake 256 is quite expensive compared to other charcoal grills. Some customers also found that it doesn’t hold the heat for long which is essential for long smokes of around 10 hours. It performs alright for short smokes though.
Verdict
The Hasty-Bake 256 is a solid grill with some unique features that will help you feed a crowd. It comes with an extensive warranty; a 5-year warranty on parts and workmanship, and a 10-year warranty on the stainless steel.
Wrapping It Up
We do hope our list of the best American made charcoal grill makes it is for you to find a grill that is right for your budget and a great addition to your outdoor kitchen.
What stands out for us, are the high-quality of these grills along with excellent customer service that reflects in the extensive warranties USA-made products offer.
With these charcoal grills, you’ll be impressing your friends and family this summer, for sure.
Happy Grilling And Smoking Everyone!
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