Your Guide To Small Charcoal Grill: Cost, Features, and Maintenance

Every barbecue master has his own theory of which grill is the best. When deciding which type to buy, you must first think and answer one question honestly. Do you want to cook fast food in very little time and effort? Or is getting the ultimate taste more important?

If you check, you will find that sales of the small charcoal grill have skyrocketed in recent years. Many owners of electric grills give them up at the expense of live fire or leave them as a backup option for kitchen use. 

In this article, we will highlight some of the reasons why. Continue reading below to learn why this traditional method of outdoor cooking remains the best.  Let’s dive in!

Why is a small charcoal grill better than a gas one?

Gas grills provide a quick and easy way to cook.  Yes, but fast cooking is not always the best or desired effect. Here is why:

1. When cooked on charcoal barbecues, the meat retains its natural juices and becomes extremely juicy and tender.

2. The aroma of cooked meats and vegetables on charcoal is also radically different. During smoldering, charcoal emits smoke, which mixes with the aroma of food. Smoked meat and fish taste incomparable to those cooked in the oven, pan, and electric grill. Ultimately, the goal is to prepare delicious and nutritious food.

3. The classic barbecue does not need electricity or gas to work. There is no alternative to grilling outdoors. Even used in backyards, charcoal grills are the better option.

4. Classic barbecues are ideal for campers and camping in nature. There will always be a place for the barbecue among the fishing tackles and tents. Their sizes are very diverse. From very compact and foldable, to massive with a large work surface.

5. The capabilities of authentic barbecue are not limited to culinary and social factors. Its very presence in the yard of a house gives a more pleasing appearance to the exterior.

Cons: coal grills need more consumables

Some die-hard barbecue fans say it is the only way to grill meat. Yet, there are some factors to keep in mind.

1. Coal grills need consumables. This means you need to buy briquettes or coal in advance of cooking. 

2. Charcoal takes time to light a fire and you should always plan 20-30 minutes to prepare. Also, unlike a gas grill, charcoal cannot be turned off. You can, of course, flood the coal with water, but this can be detrimental to charcoal grilling.

3. If you use the charcoal grill often, you will need a much larger amount of consumables than for the gas grill. But, the consumables for a small charcoal grill cannot compare with the cost of gas. In the end, even with these cons, charcoal grills keep the lead.

How much do they cost?

Charcoal barbecues are incomparable in cost. No alternative can offer such low prices. This refers to low-end grills, of course. You can find examples that cost no more than $20-30. Yet, these are not a good long-term option.

Generally speaking, it ranges between $20 and $2000. Choosing the right one should mostly depend on how often you plan to use it. Other than that, you should consider free space and your max budget.

In comparison, good gas grills range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Next up, we have fuel/consumables costs. Single cooking with a charcoal barbecue would cost you about 2-3 dollars. Generally speaking, both electric and gas grills cost less per cookout. But the general price and maintenance costs are high.

You can read everything about charcoal grill maintenance in-depth below. In terms of costs, however, maintaining a gas grill is expensive. It includes maintaining gas connections and all parts in the construction. Small charcoal grills, in turn, are almost cost-free to maintain.

How do I clean a small grill?

We always clean our stove after use. However, do we do the same with our grill?

It is good to clean it after use, and from time to time, depending on how often it is used, to give it more serious cleaning. This includes disassembling as many parts as possible and wiping around and under the burners. You need to treat your grill like a stove - clean it every time you use it.

Cleaning small charcoal grills

One of the best things about a charcoal grill is that it is usually cleaned after each use. Many people throw away the ashes, believing that this will clean the grill. Everything you cook requires cleaning. This will reduce excess smoke and bad tastes.

1. Periodically scrape off any items that are at the bottom of your grill. At least once a year, take a bucket of soapy water and do a thorough cleaning. If the paint has worn out, renovate it using a safe material.

2. Cooking racks are no exception to this general rule. They must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. This prevents food from sticking to your grill, making it much easier to use. There is a wide variety of products on the market for cleaning the grille, but you can achieve it even with just a good hard wire brush.

3. It is better to do it after using the grill, not before. Once your grill has cooled slightly but is still warm, take the brush and clean up any other food particles. It is much easier to clean food particles while there is still heat, not after they have cooled and allowed to harden on the grill.

4. Regardless of the type of grill, it must be cleaned regularly. You need to remove baked fat and food particles. Once a year, you should do a thorough cleaning of the grill. This includes disassembling the entire grill to clean all smaller parts.

Final Words

Electric or gas grills undoubtedly are the preferable option for indoor cooking. When it comes to outdoor grilling, nothing beats a small charcoal grill. If you want the ultimate taste from every meal you cook, you can buy a charcoal grill.

The best thing about charcoal grills is that they are available in absolutely all sizes and shapes. There is no excuse not to have one if cooking is your passion. And with proper care, you will never have to think about a second purchase. A high-end charcoal grill is something that can be used for generations.