Best Charcoal Grills for Steaks
There’s a reason steakhouses still cook over live fire, and it isn’t nostalgia. Charcoal burns hotter than gas, it renders fat into smoke that clings to the meat, and it gives you a level of control that a row of gas burners simply can’t match once you learn to read the coals. If you’ve ever bitten into a steak with a deep, cracked, mahogany crust and wondered how a restaurant kitchen pulled it off, the answer is almost always the same: extreme, dry, radiant heat from charcoal or wood.
That said, not every charcoal grill is built to sear a steak properly. Plenty of kettle grills top out in the 450–500°F range at grate level, which is fine for chicken thighs but won’t give you the aggressive Maillard crust a thick ribeye deserves. The grills that excel at steak have a few things in common: they hold heat efficiently, they let you stack coals close to the grate for a true high-heat zone, and they give you enough airflow control to go from a raging sear to a gentle finish without fighting the fire the whole time.
In this guide, we tested and researched the charcoal grills that consistently deliver steakhouse-quality searing, broke down exactly what to look for before you buy, and built a complete playbook for cooking the perfect steak once you’ve got the right equipment. We’ll also cover the accessories, charcoal types, and common mistakes that separate a good steak from a great one.
- Quick Verdict: Our Top Picks
- Comparison Table
- How We Chose the Best
- Weber Original Kettle Premium
- Kamado Joe Classic III
- Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
- PKGO Portable Charcoal Grill
- Weber Jumbo Joe
- Slow ‘N Sear Kettle Grill
- Napoleon PRO Charcoal Kettle
- Two More Standout Picks
- How to Grill the Perfect Steak
- Best Charcoal Grill Temp for Steaks
- Best Grill for Steaks and Burgers
- Best Small Charcoal Grill
- Best Lump Charcoal for Steaks
- Common Mistakes
- Charcoal vs Gas for Steaks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict
Quick Verdict: Our Top Picks
Weber Original Kettle Premium
The benchmark for backyard searing. Reaches 700°F with great airflow control.
Kamado Joe Classic III
Ceramic heat retention holds 750°F+ for restaurant-level searing.
Weber Jumbo Joe
Budget-friendly, compact, and hits 600°F for a perfect crust.
Comparison Table: Best Charcoal Grills for Steaks
| Grill | Cooking Area | Max Grate Heat | Fuel Type | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Original Kettle Premium | 363 sq in | ~700°F | Charcoal | Best all-around steak grill | 4.8/5 |
| Kamado Joe Classic III | 256 sq in | 750°F+ | Charcoal/Lump | Multi-zone searing | 4.8/5 |
| Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 | 800 sq in | 700°F+ | Charcoal/Lump | Fast, digitally controlled high heat | 4.6/5 |
| PKGO Portable | 300 sq in | 650°F+ | Charcoal | Compact, heat-retaining sear | 4.6/5 |
| Weber Jumbo Joe | 240 sq in | 600°F | Charcoal | Budget-conscious grillers | 4.4/5 |
| Slow ‘N Sear Kettle Grill | 360 sq in | 700°F+ | Charcoal | Reverse searing | 4.7/5 |
| Napoleon PRO Charcoal Kettle | 365 sq in | 700°F | Charcoal | Heavy-duty, frequent grilling | 4.5/5 |
(Ratings reflect a combination of published owner reviews, manufacturer specifications, and independent grilling-community feedback.)
How We Chose the Best Charcoal Grills for Steaks
A grill that’s great for low-and-slow ribs isn’t automatically great for steak. Searing asks something different of the equipment, so we evaluated every grill on this list against the criteria below.
Maximum Searing Temperature
For a proper crust, you want grate-level temperatures in the 600°F–900°F range. Below that, you’re steaming and browning slowly rather than searing, and you’ll end up with a thicker gray band of overcooked meat under the surface. We prioritized grills that can comfortably sustain 600°F+ with standard charcoal and push even higher with lump.
Heat Control and Two-Zone Cooking
The best steak grills let you build a true two-zone fire: a screaming-hot direct zone for the sear and a cooler indirect zone to bring the interior up to temperature without burning the outside. Grills with adjustable charcoal baskets, sliding grates, or multi-level cooking systems scored higher here.
Airflow Management
Charcoal heat is a function of oxygen. Wide, easily adjustable top and bottom vents let you dial in precise temperatures and recover heat quickly after opening the lid, which matters a lot when you’re flipping a steak every 30–60 seconds.
Grate Quality: Cast Iron vs. Stainless Steel
Cast iron grates hold and radiate more heat than thin stainless wire, which translates directly into better sear marks and a more even crust. Stainless is easier to maintain and won’t rust if neglected, but for pure searing performance, cast iron (or enameled cast iron) wins. We weighted grate material heavily in our scoring.
Fuel Efficiency
High-heat cooking burns through charcoal fast. We looked at how efficiently each grill uses fuel during a hot, direct-heat cook, since a grill that needs a full chimney of lump for one meal gets expensive over a grilling season.
Durability
Materials, hinge quality, vent construction, and rust resistance all factor into how long a grill will actually perform at a high level. A grill that warps or rusts out after two summers of 700°F cooks isn’t a good investment, no matter how well it sears on day one.
- Chimney starter: Skip the lighter fluid. A chimney starter lights charcoal cleanly using nothing but newspaper and airflow, and it avoids the chemical aftertaste that lighter fluid can leave on food, especially on something as simple and exposed as a steak.
- Instant-read meat thermometer: A probe thermometer (a Thermapen-style instant-read is the gold standard) tells you internal doneness in seconds. This is a completely different tool from an infrared thermometer, which measures grate surface temperature rather than the meat itself. Serious steak cooks use both. Check out our guide to the best grilling thermometers to find the right one.
- Infrared thermometer: Point-and-shoot grate readings take the guesswork out of knowing when your fire has actually hit searing temperature, rather than eyeballing it based on how hot the coals look.
1. Weber Original Kettle Premium — Best Overall
Weber Original Kettle Premium
The Weber Original Kettle Premium is the grill most steak-obsessed home cooks eventually land on, and for good reason. It has a 363-square-inch porcelain-enameled cooking grate, a tuck-away lid holder, and Weber’s signature one-touch venting system on both the bowl and lid, which gives you fast, precise heat control.
- Reaches 600–700°F at the grate with a full chimney of lit charcoal
- Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid resist rust and hold heat well
- One-touch cleaning system makes ash removal fast
- Wide availability of parts and accessories
- No built-in two-level charcoal system for adjustable coal height
- Cooking area is on the smaller side for entertaining large groups
Why It’s Great for Steaks
Pile the coals to one side using the classic two-zone setup, and you get a direct zone hot enough for an aggressive sear alongside an indirect zone for finishing thicker cuts. The kettle shape also promotes efficient convective heat circulation, so the lid-on method browns the top of the steak almost as fast as the grate sears the bottom.
Anyone who wants one grill that does everything well — steaks, burgers, whole chickens, low-and-slow ribs — without needing to learn a complicated system. It’s the benchmark for a reason, and our full Weber charcoal grill lineup review breaks down how it stacks up against Weber’s other kettles like the Master-Touch.
2. Kamado Joe Classic III — Best Premium Choice
Kamado Joe Classic III
The Kamado Joe Classic III uses a heavy ceramic shell with a patented air-lift hinge, a cast-aluminum top vent, and the Divide & Conquer flexible cooking system that lets you stack half-moon grates at different heights simultaneously.
- Ceramic body holds heat with exceptional efficiency and consistency
- Divide & Conquer cooking system allows true multi-level, multi-zone cooking
- Can sustain temperatures well above 700°F for extended periods
- Thick ceramic walls mean lower charcoal consumption per cook
- Significant upfront investment compared to steel kettles
- Heavy and not easily portable
- Ceramic components can crack if mishandled or exposed to extreme temperature shock
Steak Performance Analysis
Because ceramic retains and radiates heat so efficiently, a Kamado Joe can hold a stable 700°F+ sear zone while a second level cooks vegetables or rests a resting steak nearby, all off one load of lump charcoal. The airtight seal also means once you dial in your vents, the temperature barely drifts, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of a hot, fast sear.
Cooks who want restaurant-level consistency and are willing to pay a premium for a grill that will likely outlast every other appliance in the backyard. If you’re weighing kamado-style grills generally, our best kamado grills guide compares several options side by side.
Free Download: The Steak Searing Playbook
Get our exact time, temperature, and flip-frequency charts for nailing the perfect medium-rare crust on any charcoal grill.
3. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 — Best High-Heat Digital Grill
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
A note on this pick: our original shortlist included the Big Green Egg Large here. It’s an excellent grill, but it’s sold almost exclusively through authorized dealers rather than standard online retail, which makes it a frustrating recommendation for readers who want to click, compare, and buy. The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 earns the slot instead — it’s a digitally controlled charcoal grill with a gravity-fed hopper and a built-in fan that can drive the cooking chamber above 700°F in minutes, combining kamado-level heat with the convenience of app-based temperature control.
- Massive 800-square-inch cooking surface split across two levels
- Digital fan control hits and holds high-searing temperatures fast
- Doubles as a smoker, griddle-compatible grill, and searing station
- Gravity-fed hopper means less manual charcoal management mid-cook
- Requires electricity to run the fan and controller
- Larger footprint than a standard kettle
- Learning curve for first-time users of gravity-fed systems
Key Features
A vertical charcoal hopper feeds fuel down into the firebox as it burns, while a DigitalFan monitors and adjusts airflow automatically to hit your target temperature. It’s compatible with interchangeable cooking surfaces, including a griddle plate, giving it real dual-purpose value for steak-and-eggs mornings or steak-and-burger cookouts.
Steak Cooking Results
The fan-forced airflow gets the grill from cold start to sear-ready faster than almost any other charcoal option on this list, and the digital control means you can hold a precise high temperature through a whole batch of steaks without babysitting the vents.
Steak lovers who cook for a crowd, want set-it-and-monitor convenience, and like the flexibility of a grill that can also smoke and griddle.
4. PKGO Portable Charcoal Grill — Best Small Charcoal Grill for Steaks
PKGO Portable Charcoal Grill
The PKGO uses thick cast aluminum instead of stamped steel, which means it holds and radiates heat far more evenly and for far longer than most compact grills. It folds down into a travel-friendly shape with a locking lid for transport.
- Cast aluminum construction retains heat remarkably well for its size
- Compact and genuinely portable — built for tailgates and small patios
- Won’t rust, unlike thin steel portable grills
- Surprisingly capable of high-heat searing despite the small footprint
- Limited cooking area for larger groups
- Higher price point than typical portable grills
Portability Benefits
Because the body doesn’t lose heat quickly, you don’t need a huge charcoal load to hit searing temperatures, which makes it efficient for camping trips, tailgates, or apartment patios where a full-size kettle isn’t practical.
Grillers who want steakhouse-quality searing without a full-size grill — think condo dwellers, campers, and anyone who tailgates regularly.
5. Weber Jumbo Joe — Best Budget Pick
Weber Jumbo Joe
The Jumbo Joe is a scaled-down version of Weber’s kettle design, with a 240-square-inch cooking grate, a lid thermometer-ready design, and the same porcelain-enameled bowl construction as its bigger siblings.
- Affordable entry point into serious charcoal cooking
- Compact but still large enough for two to three steaks at once
- Simple, reliable one-touch venting
- Lightweight and easy to store
- Smaller grate limits how many steaks you can sear at once
- Less heat retention than a heavier premium grill
Steak Searing Capability
Don’t let the budget price tag fool you — a full chimney of lit charcoal packed into this smaller bowl still produces grate temperatures in the 600°F range, which is plenty hot for a proper crust on one or two steaks at a time.
Beginners, small households, or anyone who wants to try serious charcoal searing before committing to a larger, more expensive setup. It’s arguably the best portable charcoal grill for the price.
6. Slow ‘N Sear Kettle Grill — Best for Reverse Searing
Slow ‘N Sear Kettle Grill
The Slow ‘N Sear system pairs a stainless-steel charcoal basket with a curved water pan, creating a sharply defined boundary between a very hot direct zone and a gentle, humidity-controlled indirect zone within the same kettle.
- Purpose-built charcoal basket creates an intense, isolated hot zone
- Excellent for the reverse-sear method on thick steaks and roasts
- Water reservoir helps moderate indirect-zone temperature for long cooks
- Compatible with standard 22-inch Weber kettles if bought as an add-on
- Best performance requires understanding two-zone and reverse-sear techniques
- Slightly more setup involved than a standard kettle
Reverse Sear Performance
For thick-cut steaks — think a two-inch tomahawk or porterhouse — this setup shines. You slow-cook the steak indirectly until it’s just under your target internal temperature, then slide it over the Slow ‘N Sear basket for a fast, brutal sear that finishes the crust without overcooking the interior. For a full breakdown of the technique, see our reverse sear guide.
Anyone serious about thick-cut steaks who wants restaurant-level control over doneness from edge to center.
7. Napoleon PRO Charcoal Kettle — Best Commercial-Style Option
Napoleon PRO Charcoal Kettle
Napoleon’s PRO kettle uses cast iron cooking grates rather than the plated steel found on most kettles, along with a reinforced charcoal bed and a wider ash management system built for repeated high-heat use.
- Heavy-duty cast iron cooking grates hold serious heat
- Larger charcoal capacity than a standard kettle for extended high-heat cooks
- Built for frequent, heavy use — restaurant patios, catering, high-volume backyard cooking
- Sturdy cart-style base with storage
- Bulkier and heavier than a standard kettle
- Premium price relative to comparable kettle-style grills
High-Heat Cooking Performance
Cast iron grates hold heat between flips far better than thin stainless wire, which means more consistent sear marks steak after steak, even during back-to-back cooks for a crowd.
Frequent grillers, small catering operations, or anyone who wants commercial-grade grates without buying a full commercial rig.
Two More Standout Picks Worth Knowing About
If none of the seven above are quite the right fit, two additional options came up repeatedly in our research and deserve a mention:
- Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill: A fully cast iron grill body paired with cast iron grates. Nothing sears quite like cast iron holding a stable high heat, and it’s an excellent budget-to-mid-range alternative if searing performance matters more to you than size or portability.
- PK300 (PK Grills): A thick cast aluminum grill in the spirit of the PKGO but larger, marketed as a lifetime purchase. Cast aluminum outperforms thin stamped steel for heat retention, and PK’s design has a loyal following among steak-focused grillers who want something between a kettle and a kamado.
Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill
A fully cast iron grill body that sears beautifully on a budget.
PK300 (PK Grills)
Thick cast aluminum body. A lifetime purchase for serious searing.
Lodge & PK300 Retailer
Prefer to buy elsewhere? Check alternate retailer pricing.
How to Grill the Perfect Steak on a Charcoal Grill
Great equipment only gets you halfway there. Here’s the process that consistently produces a steakhouse-quality result.
Step 1: Choose the Right Cut
- Ribeye: Heavily marbled, forgiving, and flavorful — a great starting point.
- New York Strip: Leaner than ribeye with a firm, satisfying bite.
- Filet Mignon: Extremely tender but low in fat, so it benefits from careful temperature control.
- Tomahawk: A bone-in ribeye cut thick, ideal for reverse searing.
- Porterhouse: Combines strip and filet in one cut — see our breakdown of the difference between T-bone and porterhouse steaks if you’re deciding between the two. For a wider overview of cuts, check our types of steaks guide.
Step 2: Use Two-Zone Cooking
Bank your charcoal to one side of the grill (or use a basket like the Slow ‘N Sear) so you have a screaming-hot direct zone and a cooler indirect zone. This gives you somewhere to move the steak if flare-ups happen or if you need to bring a thick cut up to temperature without charring the outside.
Step 3: Get the Grill Hot
Light a full chimney of charcoal and let it ash over completely before dumping it onto the grate — a chimney starter does this cleanly, without the chemical taste lighter fluid can leave behind. Target 600–700°F at grate level for the direct zone, and use your top and bottom vents to fine-tune: open both wide for maximum heat, and close them partway to moderate.
Reverse Searing Thick Cuts
For anything over 1.5 inches thick, cook the steak low and slow in the indirect zone first (around 225–275°F) until it’s about 10–15°F below your target internal temperature, then move it over the direct zone for a fast, hard sear on each side. This gives you edge-to-edge even doneness with a deeply browned crust — read our full reverse sear guide for the step-by-step process.
Step 5: Finish and Rest
Pull the steak once it’s a few degrees under your target internal temperature and let it rest for 5–10 minutes, tented loosely with foil. Carryover cooking will bring it the rest of the way, and the resting period lets the juices redistribute rather than spilling out the moment you slice into it. If you want to learn the exact timing, check out our guide on how to grill steak medium rare.
What Is the Best Charcoal Grill Temp for Steaks?
Steak doneness is ultimately about internal temperature, not time on the grill. Use an instant-read thermometer and pull the steak a few degrees before your target to account for carryover cooking.
120–125°F
Pull at 115°F
130–135°F
Pull at 125°F
140–145°F
Pull at 135°F
150–155°F
Pull at 145°F
160°F+
Pull at 155°F
Best Grill Surface Temperature for Searing
Aim for 500°F–700°F at grate level for most steaks — that’s the sweet spot where you get rapid browning without burning the surface before the interior catches up. For very thick cuts being reverse-seared, or for cooks chasing an extra-dark crust in a short window, pushing above 700°F for the final sear stage can work well, as long as you’re watching closely and flipping frequently to avoid scorching.
Best Charcoal Grill for Steaks and Burgers
If you want one grill that handles both steak night and backyard burger cookouts, look for these traits.
- Large Cooking Surface: Enough room to sear multiple items without overcrowding, which matters for burgers especially since crowding drops grate temperature fast.
- Adjustable Charcoal Height: The ability to raise or lower your coal bed (or use a basket system) lets you switch between an aggressive steak sear and a gentler burger cook without rebuilding the fire.
- Easy Heat Management: Wide, responsive vents that let you recover heat quickly between batches.
- Fast Recovery Time: Grills with good heat retention (cast iron grates, thicker steel or ceramic bodies) bounce back to searing temperature faster after the lid comes off.
Best Dual-Purpose Grills
Our top picks for cooking both steaks and burgers include the Weber Original Kettle Premium, Napoleon PRO, and Kamado Joe Classic III.
Looking for a Combo?
If you want the flexibility of gas and charcoal in one unit for ultimate control, check out our guide to the best hybrid gas-charcoal grill combos.
Best Small Charcoal Grill for Steaks
Who Needs a Compact Grill?
- Apartment and condo patios with space restrictions
- Camping trips
- Tailgating
- Small households cooking for one or two
Top Compact Options
Our top picks for compact spaces are the PKGO Portable Charcoal Grill, Weber Jumbo Joe, and Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill.
Going Tailgating?
For readers who tailgate regularly, our best tailgate grill picks go deeper into portable options built for that specific use case.
Best Lump Charcoal for Grilling Steaks
Why Lump Charcoal Beats Briquettes for Steak
- Higher temperatures: Lump charcoal burns hotter than briquettes, which matters when you’re chasing a hard sear.
- Cleaner burn: Lump is made from pure charred wood with no binders or fillers, so it produces less ash and less residual odor.
- Better airflow: Irregularly shaped lump pieces create natural air pockets that briquettes, with their uniform shape, don’t offer as readily.
For a deeper comparison, see our briquettes vs. lump charcoal breakdown. You can also browse our complete list of the best lump charcoal on the market.
| Charcoal Brand | Burn Time | Heat Output | Spark Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jealous Devil | Long | Very High | Low | Competition-level searing |
| FOGO Premium Oak | Long | Very High | Low | High-heat steak cooks |
| Rockwood | Moderate–Long | High | Low–Moderate | Everyday grilling |
| Kamado Joe Big Block | Long | High | Low | Kamado-style cooking |
| B&B Oak | Moderate | High | Moderate | Budget-friendly grilling |
Quick Charcoal Buying Links:
- Jealous Devil: Dense South American hardwood that burns long and hot. Amazon | Walmart
- FOGO Premium Oak: Large, dense lump pieces with minimal sparking. Amazon | Walmart
- Rockwood Lump: Sustainably sourced with a clean burn. Amazon | Walmart
- Kamado Joe Big Block: Dense pieces formulated for kamados. Amazon | ABT Electronics
- B&B Oak Lump: Budget-friendly, solid heat output. Amazon | Walmart
Common Mistakes When Grilling Steaks on Charcoal
- Not Drying the Steak Surface: Moisture is the enemy of a good crust. Pat the steak dry with paper towels right before it hits the grate — the drier the surface, the faster and more evenly it browns.
- Using Lighter Fluid: Lighter fluid can leave a chemical aftertaste on food, especially something as simple as a seared steak where there’s nowhere for off-flavors to hide. A chimney starter lights charcoal cleanly with nothing but paper and airflow.
- Relying on Time Instead of Internal Temperature: “Six minutes a side” is a rough guideline at best — steak thickness, grill temperature, and starting temperature all vary too much for time alone to be reliable. Use an instant-read thermometer every time.
- Cooking Over Cold Coals: Putting a steak on before the charcoal has properly ashed over means you’re steaming rather than searing. Wait until the coals are glowing and lightly covered in gray ash before cooking.
- Skipping the Rest Period: Cutting into a steak straight off the grill lets the juices run out onto the cutting board instead of redistributing through the meat. Give it 5–10 minutes under loose foil.
- Overcrowding the Grill: Too many steaks on the grate at once drops the surface temperature and steams the meat instead of searing it. Cook in batches if needed, using the indirect zone to hold finished steaks warm.
Charcoal Grill vs Gas Grill for Steaks
Flavor Comparison
Charcoal produces smoke from rendering fat and burning wood or charcoal itself, which imparts a depth of flavor gas simply can’t replicate. Gas grills are cleaner-burning but flatter in flavor by comparison.
Heat Output Comparison
A well-managed charcoal fire can exceed 700–900°F at the grate, while most consumer gas grills top out closer to 500–600°F even on their highest setting.
Ease of Use
Gas wins here — instant ignition, precise dial control, and no ash cleanup. Charcoal requires more hands-on management, from lighting to vent adjustments to cleanup.
Cost of Ownership
Gas grills cost more upfront in propane/natural gas hookups over time is often cheaper per cook than charcoal, but high-quality charcoal grills tend to last longer and require less maintenance on moving parts like burners and igniters.
Which Produces Better Crust?
Charcoal, decisively. The higher achievable temperatures and the dry, radiant heat produce a deeper, more even crust than most gas grills can manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best charcoal grill for cooking steaks?
The Weber Original Kettle Premium is our top overall pick for its combination of high heat, reliable venting, and value, though premium buyers looking for maximum consistency should consider the Kamado Joe Classic III.
What temperature should a charcoal grill be for steaks?
Aim for 500–700°F at grate level for the direct searing zone, and check with an infrared thermometer rather than guessing.
Is lump charcoal better for steaks?
Generally yes. Lump charcoal burns hotter and cleaner than briquettes, which helps achieve the intense heat needed for a proper sear. Check out our guide to the best lump charcoal for specific brand recommendations.
What is the best small charcoal grill for steaks?
The PKGO Portable Charcoal Grill leads this category thanks to its heat-retaining cast aluminum body, with the Weber Jumbo Joe as a strong budget alternative.
How long do you cook a steak on a charcoal grill?
It depends heavily on thickness and grill temperature, but a 1-inch steak over direct high heat typically takes 6–8 total minutes, flipped frequently, until it reaches the desired internal temperature. For precise doneness, read our guide on how to grill steak medium rare.
Is charcoal better than gas for steak?
For crust quality and flavor, yes — charcoal reaches higher temperatures and adds smoke flavor that gas grills can’t replicate. Read our full comparison of charcoal vs gas grills for more details.
Can you reverse sear on a charcoal grill?
Yes, and it’s one of the best methods for thick cuts. Cook the steak indirectly at a lower temperature until it’s close to your target, then finish it over direct high heat for the crust. See our reverse sear guide for the full method.
What charcoal do steakhouses use?
Many steakhouses use lump charcoal or hardwood for its high heat output and clean flavor, though some high-end kitchens use dedicated broilers that exceed even what backyard charcoal grills can produce.
Final Verdict
Best Overall: Weber Original Kettle Premium
Best Premium Choice: Kamado Joe Classic III
Best Value: Weber Jumbo Joe
Best High-Heat Digital Grill: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
Best Small Charcoal Grill: PKGO Portable Charcoal Grill
Whichever grill you choose, the fundamentals stay the same: dry the steak, build a real two-zone fire, use lump charcoal or a clean-burning briquette, and trust your thermometer over the clock. Budget shoppers will get outstanding results from the Weber Jumbo Joe, weekend cooks who want one grill for everything should look at the Weber Original Kettle Premium, and anyone chasing restaurant-level consistency will be happiest with a Kamado Joe or a digitally controlled option like the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800.