Charcoal grilling is a timeless cooking method that brings out unique flavors in food, unmatched by other grilling techniques. The fundamental principle of charcoal grilling is the use of charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal as a heat source. The choice between these two depends largely on the flavor profile and cooking style you prefer. Briquettes offer consistent heat and longer burn time, while lump charcoal burns hotter and adds a more authentic smoky flavor.
Setting up your charcoal grill involves arranging the charcoal in a way that allows for optimal heat distribution. The two-zone setup is popular, creating a direct heat zone for searing and an indirect zone for slower cooking. This setup provides versatility, allowing you to cook a variety of foods at different temperatures simultaneously.
Tip: Always let the charcoal ash over until it turns gray before starting to cook. This ensures that you reach the perfect cooking temperature without flare-ups.
Choosing the Right Charcoal
The type of charcoal you use can significantly impact the flavor of your grilled food. Hardwood lump charcoal is a favorite among purists for its natural flavor and high heat. It's made from real wood and contains no additives, providing a clean burn. On the other hand, briquettes are made from wood by-products and contain additives for a longer burn time and steady temperature, making them ideal for beginners.
Mastering Temperature Control
One of the most challenging aspects of charcoal grilling is managing temperature. Unlike gas grills, which offer precise temperature control with a knob, charcoal grills require a bit more finesse. The key is to manipulate the airflow using the vents located at the bottom and top of the grill. Opening the vents increases the airflow, raising the temperature, while closing them reduces airflow and heat.
Vent Position
Effect
Fully Open
Maximum airflow, highest temperature
Half Open
Moderate airflow, medium temperature
Closed
Minimal airflow, low temperature
Using a grill thermometer is crucial for maintaining the right temperature. Insert the thermometer through the vent to monitor the internal grill temperature, ensuring your food cooks evenly and thoroughly.
Common Charcoal Grilling Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced grillers can make mistakes. One common error is starting to cook too soon. Letting the charcoal fully ash over is crucial for achieving the right cooking temperature and preventing food from tasting too smoky. Another mistake is overcrowding the grill, which can lead to uneven cooking and flare-ups. Ensure there's enough space between each piece of food for proper heat circulation.
Warning: Avoid using lighter fluid, as it can impart a chemical taste to your food. Opt for a chimney starter to light your charcoal instead.
Advanced Charcoal Grilling Techniques
Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to explore advanced techniques that elevate your grilling game. One such method is the reverse sear, which involves slowly cooking meat at a low temperature before finishing it with a high-heat sear. This technique is perfect for thick cuts like steaks, ensuring a juicy interior with a caramelized crust.
Smoking is another technique that adds complexity to your dishes. By adding wood chips or chunks to your charcoal, you can infuse foods with a rich, smoky aroma. Different woods impart different flavors: hickory adds a strong, bacon-like flavor, while applewood offers a milder, sweet taste suitable for poultry and pork.
The Art of Seasoning
Seasoning your grill adds depth to your food and helps prevent sticking. To season a new grill or refresh an old one, coat the grates with a high-smoke-point oil like canola, and heat the grill for about 30 minutes. This creates a non-stick surface and enhances the grill's flavor profile over time.
Pairing Food and Charcoal
Different foods pair better with different types of charcoal and wood. For example, beef and lamb benefit from the strong flavors of mesquite or hickory, while fish and vegetables are best paired with milder woods like alder or cherry. Understanding these pairings can transform a simple meal into a gourmet experience.
Food Type
Recommended Charcoal/Wood
Beef
Hickory, Mesquite
Poultry
Apple, Cherry
Fish
Alder, Cedar
Experimenting with different combinations can lead to new flavors and enhance your grilling repertoire. Don't be afraid to mix and match to find your perfect flavor balance.
Conclusion
Charcoal grilling is an art that combines technique, patience, and creativity. By mastering the basics and exploring advanced methods, you can transform your grilling into a culinary adventure. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned griller, the world of charcoal offers endless possibilities to explore and enjoy.
Tip: Keep a grilling journal to track your experiments and refine your techniques over time. This can help you achieve consistent results and discover new favorites.
Why Choose Us
Here's what sets us apart
Premium grilling experience at accessible pricing
We position ourselves as delivering high-end outdoor cooking features and performance without premium-brand pricing, emphasizing “Quality Grills. Unbelievable Value.”
Wide range of outdoor cooking products for every use case
We offer gas grills, pellet grills, griddles, smokers, pizza ovens, portable/tabletop grills, electric grills, accessories, and replacement parts — allowing customers to stay within one ecosystem for all outdoor cooking needs.
Innovation-focused outdoor cooking with smart technology
We differentiate ourselves through smart grilling products like the Oakford smart pellet grill, including app-connected cooking controls and modern outdoor cooking technology.
What Our Clients Say
Don't just take our word for it
“I’ve been using the Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Gas Griddle for a while now, and I’ve been really happy with it. First off, it’s super sturdy and feels really well-made, like it’s going to last me a long time. The cooking space is awesome—plenty of room for making big meals. So far I’ve cooked pancakes, burgers, bacon and some veggies. The 4 burners make it easy to control the heat in different areas. I love that I can keep one side hotter for searing and leave the other side cooler for things that don’t need as much heat. Plus, it heats evenly, which I was really glad to see. The shelves underneath and on its sides are a nice bonus. I’ve used them to keep things like plates, tools, and ingredients handy while I’m cooking, it’s very convenient. Cleaning it is super simple too. Once it cools down, I just wipe off the cooking surface and let the grease funnel into the trap. It’s quick and easy, and honestly, it barely looks like I even used it. If I had to nitpick, the grease trap can fill up kind of quickly during bigger cooking sessions, but as long as you keep an eye on it, it’s not a big deal. Overall, this griddle has been great. It’s sturdy, easy to use, and makes cooking outside a lot of fun. If you’re into grilling or want something versatile, I think this is a solid choice. Originally posted on influenster.com”
M
martind23_2941
Sturdy, easy to use, and perfect for cooking big m
“took about 2-3 hrs for complete assembly. took about 15-20 minutes to fully heat to 700. used a pan liner and a drip cup liner due to previous issues with those rusting away. this is about the 3-4 grill i have assembled. dont try to do it alone or ask the wife for help with the firebox its awkward. always check the directions 2-3 times before tightening down and dont over tighten the screws. hopeing for 5 years of grilling on this but i havent checked the warrenty yet.”
DT
Dave the Griller
finally got around to building this.bought in 2025
“We just bought this guy and I recommend always buy it assembled, we just use the grill 2 times and really works good; is perfect size and the side burn is very useful plus the caddy attach for spices; the material quality is in medium rate; no too cheap no too expensive I'll be glad if it works for minimum 5 years. Nexgrill could improve with the way, and cleaners to not damage the grates and the burners. I protect the removable pan with heavy duty aluminum foil, when the grease drop I only change the foil. Well I am enjoying my new Nexgrill !!! P.s. always clean the grill after use it....ALWAYS :-)”
KA
Karl A
Nice Grill
“Thank you to Influencer and Nexgrill for sending this to me for free, in exchange for my honest opinion. My 17 year old son put this together for me. It was easy but time consuming, it took about 2 hours. This is great for families, because you can cook a good amount of food in a short time. We did tacos, but it’s also great for breakfast, pancakes, eggs, breakfast burritos. It’s easy to clean if you have the right tools, you’ll need a scraper and metal spatula. Overall I would recommend this flat grill, it’s a great addition to our household. Originally posted on influenster.com”
K
KellyL
Quick and easy cooking
“My old Nexgrill is 25 years old and still looking and performing well! This new one is going on our back patio to partner with the old one in our courtyard. Obviously quality products to last that long. I hope the new one does as well. The only concern I have is that the sides are painted metal rather than stainless like the old one. I hope it doesn’t rust over time. But, We are very happy grillers!”
JS
Judy S
New grill to partner with my old one
“Bought grill 3 years ago stainless grates rusted out had to order new ones to replace Yes, I recommend this product.”
G
GaryS329
Stainless
“I’ve always been a smoker, fryer kind of guy. But recently with my new job keeping me super busy I’ve been cooking on my father in-laws 2 burner grill and it takes so long to cook ribs and chicken. I love just lighting the burners and cooking so I decided to upgrade by buying my own and I got this 5 burner with side burner for veggies , took me maybe 20 minutes to get all the dinner done tonight after I seasoned the grill with an onion. Love it so far, I hope it lasts a long time! It’s beautiful!”
JB
Jason B
Love it so far! My first propane grill I’ve ever bought myself!
“I love your grills. This is a replacement grill for a fully stainless steel one (was suppose to be). We originally bought it for our daughter's new townhouse, but her patio was not "ready" for it. We have kept it for 5 years now. My husband passed, I sold the house and move it, in the original box, with me and just put it together. The”
LG
Lisa G
Replacement
“Purchased a 5 burner with side burner grill probably 7-8 years ago. You can only replace things for so long. Opted on a smaller 4 burner grill this time. Hoping to get lots of use for many years to come.”
BS
Brian S
2nd grill with out
“Easy grill to use & grills well. Last grill lasted a little over 6 years. Had to replace burners twice (just worn out - lots of use). Here is old grill & new grill.”
RE
Russell E
2nd Nexgrill
“I had either recieved or bought a grill from either webber or Charbroil. Both had lasted roughly 5 years each before rusting out. For the price point and the way this grill feels I think this one should last longer. Looks awsome new so hopes are high.”
VA
Victor A
3rd grill so far...
“I’m just setting up my second 5 burner nexgrill!!! My first one was purchased in 2015!! I live in New England and the grill lived outside for 7 1/2 years!! That is an impressive lifespan for a grill in my area! I’ll be a loyal Nexgrill customer for life. Thanks very much. Yes, I recommend this product.”
L
Litch
Robust grill with Longevity to boot
“This grill is good for an economy grill. My 10 year old assembled most of it. I knew that I was getting a budget grill and didn't expect a Cadillac. I bought it mainly because the burners have flame on the left and right, instead of one row on the top. I checked the temperature gauge vs my digital and it runs 50° high, didn't expect it to be right on. The burner tents are higher in the front, making it hotter in the front. I have snips so I'll cut the front to set level. I seasoned the grill with bacon, it leaked from the screw to the drip pan, which was tight. The corners are sharp. I had corner protectors for my smoker and put some on the Nexgrill, hoping to get more life from the cover. Overall it's pretty good for the price.”
We position ourselves as delivering high-end outdoor cooking features and performance without premium-brand pricing, emphasizing “Quality Grills. Unbelievable Value.”
Wide range of outdoor cooking products for every use case
We offer gas grills, pellet grills, griddles, smokers, pizza ovens, portable/tabletop grills, electric grills, accessories, and replacement parts — allowing customers to stay within one ecosystem for all outdoor cooking needs.
Innovation-focused outdoor cooking with smart technology
We differentiate ourselves through smart grilling products like the Oakford smart pellet grill, including app-connected cooking controls and modern outdoor cooking technology.
Find griddle recipes, cooking techniques, cleaning tips, and outdoor meal ideas designed for Nexgrill griddles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions
Nexgrill equipment is suitable for a variety of recipes including meats, vegetables, and even pizzas. Popular options include marinated steaks, grilled vegetables, and shrimp skewers.
To enhance the flavor of grilled vegetables, consider marinating them in olive oil, herbs, and spices before grilling. Alternatively, you can season them with salt and pepper during grilling for a more straightforward approach.
To achieve perfect grill marks, preheat your grill to a high temperature and ensure that the food is dry before placing it on the grill. Avoid moving the food too early, as it needs to sear properly to form those classic grill marks.
Using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to ensure your grilled meat is at the desired temperature. For instance, chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F while medium-rare beef is typically at 135°F.
To clean your Nexgrill after cooking, allow it to cool and then use a grill brush to remove any residue from the grates. You can also wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth and mild soap to keep it looking its best.