For large feasts or cooking up a romantic BBQ dinner. A charcoal grill offers the opportunity to create many cosy moments and delicious meals all year round. And with the right grill setup, you can more or less transform your outdoor area into a full secondary kitchen.
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At vidaXL, you can explore a large selection of high-quality charcoal grills in various sizes, shapes and colours and with many helpful features to help you set up the perfect grill station, whether it is in your garden, on your patio or on your balcony.
Invite family and friends over for BBQ with your new charcoal grill
Summer season is grill season. It is the perfect opportunity to gather your friends and family outside in your backgarden and enjoy some great moments together and - perhaps more importantly for some - great food which has been graced by the characteristic flavour from the grill.
As for any great grill session goes, the right grill equipment is required. With a charcoal grill, you can cook up an authentic BBQ with all your favourite mains and sides: Steak, spareribs, sausages, barbecue skewers, corn, grilled vegetables and whatever you believe a proper BBQ requires.
The tasty benefits of BBQ charcoal grills
For any proper grill enthusiast, a charcoal grill is the one and only proper way to grill. And if you have ever tasted charcoal grilled feed, you’ll likely understand why that is. The charcoal grill is the most classic and nostalgic way of grilling, and many believe that charcoal grills deliver the best and most authentic taste of grill. So if you want to bring out the most smokey flavour in the meat or vegetables, a charcoal grill is likely your best bet.
But the flavour is not the only great thing about charcoal grills. Below we’ve highlighted some of the other key benefits of choosing a charcoal grill:
Easy to move around
One of the benefits of charcoal grills is that they tend to take up less space compared to other alternatives. Plus, they’re not dependent on having a gas gannister attached which also can be quite heavy. As such, they are generally also easier to move around if you want to grill in a different spot or need to set the grill aside when you’re not using it.
Easier to clean
Charcoal grills are typically rather simplistic in their design. For one, they don’t have a burner that requires cleaning every now and then. The lack of more complex components makes the charcoal grill more straightforward to clean.
Often a cheaper solution
If you’re working with a budget, going for a charcoal grill is also a great choice. Compared to other types of grills, you’ll likely have an easier time finding a cheap grill. Especially the smaller-sized grills can be more than an affordable option. It doesn’t have to cost you much to cook up amazing food on your grill.
What to consider when choosing your new charcoal grill
Finding the perfect outdoor grill isn’t always a straightforward choice. Are you not entirely sure which charcoal BBQ grill suits you the best, you can consider different factors such as:
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Cooking area size - Is a compact grill more than sufficient for you, where you only need a large enough grill to fit a couple of steaks, sausages or vegetables at a time? Are you instead looking for the mother of all charcoal grills to never leave you short on free grill space? The cooking area size affects how much you can grill at a time. At the same time, the size and shape of the cooking area also affect how much the heat is concentrated or spread.
Kettle and kamado grills are ideal for cooking smaller batches or when you want to concentrate as much heat as possible. Grills with a larger cooking area, such as barrel grills, can cook more at the same time, but the coal bed is often thinner and more spread out.
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Extra storage space - You can also consider whether or not you need a charcoal grill with side tables, shelfspace and/or cupboards included in the design. Having extra space to place plates, trays, sauces, grill utensils or whatever you might need to have within easy reach can help make the entire cooking experience a little easier for you. Of course, you need to make sure that you have enough room for it, as the grill tends to take up a little more space than charcoal grills with a similar cooking area.
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Freestanding or table grill - The small table grill is perfect when you already have a grill table or if you’re working with limited space, such as on the balcony. The freestanding grill is great if you don’t already have a place to put the grill and just want a simple and complete solution. But be aware that the freestanding grills also tend to be a little bigger in size.
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Open or closed charcoal BBQ grill - Not all charcoal grills include lids. Some variants a left completely open. The benefits of choosing a grill with a lid are that it is easier for you to smoke the meat as the lid help contain much of the smoke. Plus, it is easier to keep the grill warm and cook the food all the way through in a shorter time. The lid also helps protect the grill grate from wind, dirt, rain, snow or whatever the weather may bring.
Grilling without a lid on is mostly suited when your aim is to create a crustier surface without overcooking the centre. Cooking without a lid is especially great for grilling burgers, fish, shrimp, thin steaks or sliced vegetables directly over the flames.
If you want full flexibility when grilling, go for a charcoal grill with a lid, as you can just remove or keep the lid open when needed.
Regardless of which type of charcoal BBQ grill you end up choosing, it is important that you stick with a grill that can last you for many years to come and not completely rust after a single grill season or two. Luckily, our selection of charcoal grills offers high quality and longevity to get you cooking on your grill season after season.
Charcoal vs. gas grill: Which option is right for you?
Both charcoal and gas grill have their unique benefits and limitations. Which variant is the best option mostly comes down to your personal preference. But if you’re a bit uncertain about which type of grill suits you the best, this quick guide below might help you:
Why you should choose a charcoal grill
As mentioned previously, charcoal grills offer the most classic and authentic grilling experience and the richest flavour. But it all comes with a couple of costs. Charcoal is slower to warm the grill up, and you also need to keep an eye on the coal throughout to ensure that you’ve always got enough warmth going inside the grill. You might also need a grill starter to help you get the grill properly started.
Why you should choose a gas grill
If you aren’t that patient and prefer a more simple way of grilling, a gas grill is likely your best option. Simply attach the gas canister and turn on the grill with minimal effort required. It is also a lot easier for you to control the heat as you can simply adjust the flames by turning the knob.
The key takeaway
Gas grills are a great option for spontaneous grill sessions and busier everyday cooking, while charcoal grills are perfect for when you want to take your time to grill the best possible BBQ.
How to clean your charcoal grill
Your charcoal grill can give you an endless supply of great food. As such, it would be a shame not to give your grill the proper care it deserves. If you want to preserve the grill’s longevity and performance, cleaning and maintenance are necessary. To prepare your grill for the upcoming grilling season, make the grill last longer and keep the food tasting amazing, you can follow these essential steps:
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Grab your cleaning supplies: It can be quite a challenge to clean your charcoal grill if you don’t have any cleaning supplies to help you. Therefore, before you proceed to the cleaning process itself, you need to collect all the cleaning supplies you need for the routine. The supplies include the following: A stiff grill brush, a grill scraper, a bucket of soapy water and a type of grill cleaner.
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Preheat the grill: Before you begin cleaning the grill, it is a good idea to preheat it. It will help you make it easier to remove leftovers and other types of dirt stuck on the grill. Keep it going for about 15 minutes, and allow the grill to cool down before you proceed to the next step.
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Clean the grill grate: To clean the grill grate, use a stiff brush to remove the dirt and small bits of food. For more stubborn leftovers and dirt, use a grill scraper to remove every last bit. If you have unyielding stains, you can use grill cleaner sprays, foams or liquids to remove the grease.
For regular cleaning, use your grill brush after each time you grill to remove any leftovers without resorting to cleaning agents. The grill brush is most effective at removing stuck leftovers or other types of dirt when the grill is still a bit warm.
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Clean the external elements of the grill: Use a damp cloth or sponge to clean the outside of the grill. If you have trouble with getting the grill looking clean, you can use a mild detergent or grill cleaner to remove stubborn dirt or stains. Rinse the grill with clean water when you’re satisfied with the result, and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
After you’ve completed the four steps listed above, all you have left to do is reassemble the grill. Then you and your grill are more than ready to serve delicious meals outside that are full of flavour.