So I've got this guy now. Basic stuff nothing too crazy, but does the job. I'm wondering what's my next step up from this? A few people have recommended a Jumbo Old Smokey Grill and that seems pretty awesome so far as a recommendation. I use regular charcoal, a Chimney starter with those lighter cubes right now with my basic grill.
Are you just looking to grill burgers, steaks, etc? Or do you want the option to slow cook as well? If you’re just going to grill quick with charcoal then get a Webber like this: https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/...-kettle-series/14401001.html?cgid=217#start=1
If you want to cook something for a long time like a brisket, and I would add my recommendation as well for an old Smokey would be a good investment. I use an old smokey for both, but we generally have at most 8 people over at a time. Also, any cheap grill with a fire box has nice utility as it upgrades your ability to grill a lot for having people over as well as adding ability to smoke. An alternative would be to add a sous vide to your kitchen if you like steaks. Have sous vide get them cooked through at your leisure and use your grill (or cast iron pan on stove) to add the finishing crust.
My son has a pellet grill and it is great. He grills and smokes and it works well. He was able to smoke a turkey. I have a natural gas fueled grill and it has one infra red burner that does great with steaks, chicken and (surprisingly, to me) fish.
This is the obvious next step. https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k1000-freestanding-hybrid-fire-grill-with-side-bur/
I don't know what your budget is, but any of these (except the vertical one, that is primarily smoking only) are great offset grills/smokers for the price. These allow you to smoke meats as well as use the fire box to grill or you can put charcoal in the smoker side if you need more room to grill for a party, etc. https://www.oklahomajoes.com/smokers-and-grills/offset-smokers There are better offsets out there, believe me, but these would be good to keep around for years to play around with it. They can last along time if you take care of it by cleaning it and preventative rust maintenance. They all rust to some degree just scrape it and put oil or high heat spray paint on it a few times a year, depending on how much you use it.
I have a Traeger and my brother has an Oklahoma Joe. He does a better job than me but he's also more detail oriented. I'm lazy and the Traeger works great for me.
Those look pretty sweet. Our budget is actually right around the 500 mark. Wouldn't mind getting one of those even after taxes.
So you have a charcoal grill that you like, but are just looking for advice on another grill to grill steaks, burgers, chicken, etc? Not sure if this will help but I will just post a link to a post I made before. https://bbs.clutchfans.net/index.ph...llet-vs-gas-vs-charcoal.305207/#post-12960288
I have the 18 inch Old Smokey and it is so versatile. People assume it can't handle big hunks of meat because it's not the jumbo but I routinely smoke 12 - 15 lb briskets on it with no issues. I also feel like because it is smaller it holds the temp steadier and easier without too much fiddling with the vents. For grilling burgers and such, I just raise the charcoal plate using soda cans so the heat is closer to the grill grate. I absolutely love this thing and it's super cheap.
Your next step up should by one of the $99 barrel pits, no fire box, sold at any hardware/grocery store. Then learn how to slow cook the basic cheaper stuff: chicken, porkbutt. Then you can graduate to the next level.
