What's inside
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
Our Top Picks
Char-Griller CG30040725 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill and Smoker22"23 x 26 x 38 inches22.27 poundsCheck on Amazon
Char-Griller®Smokin Pro Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker withExtra Large30 x 60 x 52 Inches115 poundsCheck on Amazon
Best Char-Griller Grills for Backyard BBQ
The best Char-Griller grill for most backyards is the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado, thanks to its compact footprint, versatile charcoal cooking and insulated construction; choose the larger Grand Champ XD if you want a heavy-duty offset smoker and have the patio space and time to manage a fire.
Those two grills suit very different cooks. Char-Griller’s range also includes gas and combination grills, so the right pick depends on how much cooking area you need, what fuel you want to handle, and whether you’re prepared to assemble and maintain a heavier steel cooker.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Compare the leading options
Specifications can vary by model year and configuration. Verify the exact model’s manual before buying, particularly for weight, dimensions and cooking-area totals.
| Grill | Cooking area | Fuel and construction | Best fit | Assembly and upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Char-Griller Akorn Kamado (E16620) | About 447 sq. in. | Charcoal; insulated, double-wall steel body | Small patios, grilling and smoking in one cooker | Moderate assembly; clean ash and protect the exterior finish |
| Char-Griller Grand Champ XD Offset Smoker (8255) | About 1,200 sq. in. total | Charcoal and wood; heavy-gauge steel construction | Long cooks, larger gatherings and experienced fire tenders | Substantial assembly; plan for a helper and regular firebox care |
| Char-Griller Flat Iron 3-Burner Gas Griddle (E9377) | About 600 sq. in. | Propane; steel griddle top | Fast weeknight cooking and foods that benefit from a flat surface | Assemble the cart and season the cooking surface before use |
| Char-Griller Texas Trio (E3001) | About 1,300 sq. in. total | Propane grill plus charcoal grill and side firebox | Large patios and cooks who want several fuel options | More involved assembly; multiple cooking areas mean more cleaning |
Cooking-area totals may combine primary and warming racks, or multiple grill sections. They are not all usable as one continuous surface. Steel-gauge descriptions also differ across models and product materials; where a gauge is not clearly specified for the exact model, check the manufacturer’s current listing rather than treating “heavy duty” as a precise thickness.
Which Char-Griller suits your situation?
Choose the Akorn for a compact charcoal setup
The Akorn’s roughly 447 square inches of cooking space is a practical scale for everyday meals without dedicating a large patio area to a barrel smoker. Its insulated double-wall steel body helps retain heat compared with a basic single-wall charcoal grill, making it useful for both direct grilling and lower-temperature cooking. It is still a charcoal cooker: expect to light fuel, manage airflow and remove ash. Pick it when versatility and a smaller footprint matter more than maximum capacity.
Choose the Grand Champ XD for serious smoking
The Grand Champ XD offers far more room, but an offset smoker rewards patience rather than convenience. The fire burns in a separate firebox, and heat and smoke travel through the cooking chamber. That means fuel placement, airflow and temperature can vary across the grate. Its heavy-gauge steel is an advantage for a stable, substantial cooker, but the weight makes delivery, placement and assembly more demanding. It is a better match for someone who will smoke often and has a permanent, level spot for it.
Choose the Flat Iron for quick, broad-surface cooking
A gas griddle is the convenient choice for foods such as breakfast, chopped vegetables, burgers and other items that can be awkward on grill grates. The roughly 600-square-inch surface gives room to cook separate ingredients at once. Propane avoids charcoal cleanup and is quick to start, but the steel top needs seasoning and should be dried and lightly oiled after cleaning to reduce rust risk.
Choose the Texas Trio only if you’ll use its flexibility
The Texas Trio combines a gas grill with a charcoal grill and side firebox. Its roughly 1,300-square-inch total is spread across sections, so it is not equivalent to one 1,300-square-inch grate. This is a compelling setup for a large patio and a household that regularly switches between quick gas grilling and charcoal or smoking. If most cooks use only one section, the extra footprint, assembly and cleaning are hard to justify.
Check patio fit before comparing grate size
Measure the grill’s listed assembled dimensions, then leave enough clearance around it for safe use, access to the lid and room to work. Follow the manual and local fire-safety rules for distances from buildings, railings and overhead surfaces. Remember that a side shelf or open lid can make a grill wider or taller in use than it appears in storage.
A simple sizing check is to compare the grill’s full operating footprint—not just its grate—to the clear patio area. If a grill is 60 inches wide with both shelves extended, a 60-inch gap between walls does not provide workable clearance. For heavy models, also confirm that the path from delivery point to patio has no steps or narrow turns that would complicate moving it.
Assembly and durability: the ownership trade-offs
- Allow time for assembly. Cart grills and combination units involve more parts and connections than a compact cooker. Sort hardware first, follow the manual’s order and avoid fully tightening every fastener until the frame is aligned. A helper is useful when lifting a heavy chamber or large body.
- Protect steel from moisture. Steel construction can be sturdy, but exposed surfaces, seams and damaged paint can corrode. Use a properly fitted cover after the grill is cool and dry, and avoid trapping rainwater under it.
- Expect the cooking surface to need care. On a griddle, seasoning and drying are part of ownership. On a charcoal grill or smoker, ash and grease should be removed regularly; accumulated grease can obstruct airflow and raises the risk of flare-ups.
- Watch the parts that wear first. Cooking grates, griddle seasoning, charcoal grates, seals and exterior coatings face heat, food residue and weather. Clean them with tools appropriate to the surface, and replace damaged parts rather than letting rust or grease buildup spread.
- Keep fuel and airflow in mind. Don’t overfill a charcoal firebox or block vents with ash. On an offset smoker, make small airflow adjustments and give the temperature time to respond; frequent large changes can make it harder to hold a steady cooking temperature.
Bottom line
For a compact, flexible charcoal grill, start with the Akorn. For frequent smoking and generous capacity, the Grand Champ XD is the more capable but more demanding choice. The Flat Iron suits fast propane-powered griddle meals, while the Texas Trio makes sense when a large outdoor setup and multiple cooking methods will see regular use. Compare the full assembled footprint and construction details for the exact model, not just the headline cooking-area total, before you buy.