Char-Griller

Char-Griller Classic Kettle

Ranked #12 in Charcoal Grills

0 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

The thinnest steel of any full-size kettle here, with a 400°F ceiling that rules out proper searing. The Weber Original Kettle 22-inch is the grill this one imitates, and it does everything better for similar money.

Consolidated from 7 independent outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

3 positive sources

See the sources

Flagged as a product to avoid

10 of 19 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.

At 23 pounds it is far too light for a 22-inch kettle, the thinner steel holds heat worse, and it is rated to only 400 degrees versus the 500-plus a Weber handles; the bowl is rated for only about two pounds of charcoal, so long cooks become tending. It is outclassed even at its own low price.
Flagged 17 October 2026

At 23 pounds it is far too light for a 22-inch kettle, the thinner steel holds heat worse, and it is rated to only 400 degrees versus the 500-plus a Weber handles; the bowl is rated for only about two pounds of charcoal, so long cooks become tending. It is outclassed even at its own low price.
Flagged 17 October 2026
Thin steel construction, lower temperature rating and poorer heat retention compared to the Weber Original Kettle make it a step down.
Flagged 17 October 2026
At 23 lbs it is light for a 22-inch kettle, with steel thinner than Weber's that holds heat correspondingly worse, and a 400°F heat rating that rules out proper searing. The Weber Original Kettle 22-inch is the grill this one imitates, and it does everything better for similar money.
Flagged 17 October 2026
Cross-shopped against the Weber kettle on price alone, but at 23 lbs the steel is thinner than Weber's, holds heat correspondingly worse, and it is rated to only 400°F versus the 500°F+ of a Weber. Buy the Weber Original Kettle 22-inch instead.
Flagged 17 October 2026
23 lb is light for a 22-inch kettle - the steel is thinner than Weber's and holds heat correspondingly worse, and it is rated to only 400 °F versus the 500 °F+ a Weber achieves.
Flagged 17 October 2026
The cheapest full-size 22-inch kettle and it shows: thinner steel holds heat worse than Weber's, and it is rated to only 400F versus the 500F+ a Weber reaches, so it cannot do the searing that justifies charcoal in the first place.
Flagged 17 October 2026
Its 23-pound steel is too thin for a 22-inch kettle, holding heat correspondingly worse and rated to only 400 degrees versus a Weber's 500-plus. Testing also flagged challenging assembly and frequent flare-ups, and the bowl is rated for just two pounds of charcoal.
Flagged 17 October 2026
Cross-shops directly against the Weber kettles at similar money and loses on the exact axes that matter for long-term ownership: thinner steel, worse heat retention, a lower temperature ceiling and a weaker parts pipeline.
Flagged 17 October 2026
Its dated construction and inconsistent heat control make it less reliable than newer models, so buyers are advised to opt for newer versions.
Flagged 27 July 2026
Pre-2018 models have a thinner lid and less durable construction.
Flagged 25 July 2026

Why the boards include products to avoid

Check price

Pros & cons

✓ Looks like a Weber Original Kettle at a budget position in the market
✓ The basics work - the bowl holds heat and the vents meter air
✓ Charcoal efficient
✓ Capable of 8-9 hour smokes
✓ Good for the money per tested roundups

✗ 23 lbs is light for a 22-inch kettle, indicating thinner steel
✗ Holds heat correspondingly worse than the Weber
✗ Rated to only 400°F, so it will not sear the way its rivals do
✗ Questions remain over what the smoker half of the name actually buys you
✗ Thinner steel will not hold heat or resist rust over years

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found. 2 outlets wouldn't let us check their links. We quote no words from these sources, so each row shows only where we placed it.

Evidence 6 articles and 1 community source

3 positive sources

Good Housekeeping Article Read T

The Independent Article Read B r/BBQ Reddit thread Read thread

4 stance not read sources

A AvidGriller Article Read G GrillPicker Article Read G

GoodHousekeeping Article Read S

SeriousEats Article Read

Frequently asked questions

It ranks #12 of 14 on our charcoal grills tier list, in F tier. That placement draws on 7 independent outlets.

None of the 3 sources with a clear view is critical of it. 23 lbs is light for a 22-inch kettle, indicating thinner steel. Holds heat correspondingly worse than the Weber. Rated to only 400°F, so it will not sear the way its rivals do. Questions remain over what the smoker half of the name actually buys you. Thinner steel will not hold heat or resist rust over years.