7 Best Kettle Grills for the Backyard (October 2026)
The best backyard kettle grills include the Weber Original Kettle 22-inch for everyday backyard grilling, the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch for checking heat at a glance, and the Weber Master-Touch 22-inch Charcoal Grill for flexible cooking setups.
On this page (7 sections)
- How we chose these backyard kettle grills
- Kettle grill comparison at a glance
- The best kettle grills for backyard cooking
- What size kettle grill suits your backyard?
- Which kettle grill features matter most?
- How do you choose a kettle grill for indirect cooking?
- How to choose between kettle grills for your yard
The Weber Original Kettle 22-inch is the best kettle grill for most backyards, combining a 363 sq in cooking area with adjustable airflow and One-Touch ash cleanup. For a thermometer and hinged grate, step up to the Premium; for more cooking room, consider the 26-inch Master-Touch.
A kettle grill keeps the layout simple: charcoal sits below a round grate, and dampers help control airflow. That shape works for direct grilling and can also support indirect cooking when you arrange the coals to leave a cooler zone.
If you are still deciding between kettle and other full-size shapes, start with our full-size charcoal grill guide. The charcoal grill size guide can help you match the cooking area to your usual guest count.
Our picks at a glance
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1
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2
Best for checking heat at a glanceWeber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch
9.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for flexible cooking setupsWeber Master-Touch 22-inch Charcoal Grill
8.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itWeber Master-Touch 26-inch Charcoal Grill
Best for cooking for a crowd - 5
Check itChar-Griller 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill
Best for a removable ash pan - 6
Check itGrill Boss 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill
Best for a warming rack and shelf - 7
Check itGreen Party 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill
Best for a flip-up grate
How we chose these backyard kettle grills
The best kettle grill for a backyard should match your typical cooking load, cleanup habits and preferred level of control. We compared stated cooking areas, grate access, ash systems, lid storage and airflow features.
We gave the highest score to a familiar 22-inch format with practical cleanup and heat-control features. Models with thermometers, warming racks, larger cooking areas or special grate systems earn consideration when those features solve a clear need.
Scores reflect how well each grill's stated features fit backyard kettle cooking. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
For fuel planning, our guide to lump charcoal vs briquettes explains the main differences between the two common charcoal types. A charcoal chimney starter can also make lighting a charcoal load easier to manage.
Kettle grill comparison at a glance
The Weber Original Kettle is the simplest fit for everyday use, while the larger Weber Master-Touch offers the most stated cooking space. Check the feature that matters most to you before choosing between them.
| Product | Best for | Cooking area | Grate | Cleanup | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Original Kettle 22-inch | everyday backyard grilling | 363 sq in | Durable-plated steel | One-Touch system with aluminized steel ash catcher | 9.2 |
| Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch | checking heat at a glance | Not specified | One-Touch system with high-capacity ash catcher | 9.0 | |
| Weber Master-Touch 22-inch Charcoal Grill | flexible cooking setups | 443 sq in | Hinged and compatible with Gourmet BBQ System inserts | One-Touch system with removable ash catcher | 8.0 |
| Weber Master-Touch 26-inch Charcoal Grill | cooking for a crowd | 508 sq in | Stainless-steel hinged grate | One-Touch stainless-steel cleaning system | 7.3 |
| Char-Griller 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill | a removable ash pan | 363 sq in | Removable EasyDump ash pan and ash bucket | 7.7 | |
| Grill Boss 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill | a warming rack and shelf | 22-inch | 7.2 | ||
| Green Party 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill | a flip-up grate | 379 sq in | Flip-up sides for adding briquettes | High-capacity ash catcher | 6.9 |
The best kettle grills for backyard cooking
The Weber Original Kettle is the best all-around starting point for most backyards, while the other models add a specific advantage such as a thermometer, warming rack, or extra cooking area. Choose by the feature you will use often.
Weber Original Kettle 22-inch: Best for everyday backyard grilling
- 22-inch cooking grate
- One-Touch ash cleanup
- Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl
- Adjustable aluminum damper
A straightforward kettle with adjustable airflow, a lid hook and all-weather wheels. Weber says it can hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press.
Pros
- One-Touch ash cleanup
- Angled lid hook
- 10-year limited warranty
Cons
- No built-in lid thermometer
- No hinged cooking grate
The Weber Original Kettle 22-inch earns the top spot for its balance of familiar size and useful daily features. Its 363 sq in cooking area gives you room for a family cookout, and Weber says it can hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press.
The porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are designed to retain heat and resist rust and peeling. A rust-resistant aluminum damper lets you adjust airflow, while the angled lid hook gives the lid a place to rest while you tend the food.
Cleanup is handled by the One-Touch system, which sweeps ash into an aluminized steel catcher. It also has all-weather wheels, tool hooks and a 10-year limited warranty from Weber.
Choose this model if you want a straightforward kettle with an ash system and no added thermometer to consider. If you prefer a temperature reading on the lid, compare it with the Premium below.
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch: Best for checking heat at a glance
- 22-inch cooking grate
- Built-in lid thermometer
- Hinged grate
- High-capacity removable ash catcher
This 22-inch Weber adds a built-in thermometer, hinged grate and high-capacity ash catcher. The hinged grate makes it easier to add charcoal during a cook.
Pros
- Thermometer on the lid
- Hinged grate for charcoal access
- High-capacity removable ash catcher
Cons
- Same 22-inch size as the basic model
- Does not include the Master-Touch warming rack
The Weber Original Kettle Premium keeps the familiar 22-inch size and adds a few practical conveniences. Its built-in lid thermometer gives you a quick view of the grill's internal temperature without opening the lid.
The hinged cooking grate lets you add charcoal while grilling. Its high-capacity removable ash catcher also means less frequent ash removal than a smaller catcher may require.
Like the Original Kettle, it has a porcelain-enameled lid and bowl, adjustable aluminum damper, angled lid hook and all-weather wheels. Weber says it can hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press.
Choose the Premium if the thermometer and hinged grate suit the way you cook. If you want a warming rack and Tuck-Away lid holder, the 22-inch Master-Touch adds both.
Weber Master-Touch 22-inch Charcoal Grill: Best for flexible cooking setups
- 443 sq in cooking surface
- Gourmet BBQ System compatible grate
- Warming rack
- Tuck-Away lid holder
The Master-Touch adds a warming rack, a Tuck-Away lid holder and a grate compatible with Gourmet BBQ System inserts. It suits cooks who want more setup options than a basic kettle offers.
Pros
- Warming rack included
- Tuck-Away lid holder
- Hinged grate
Cons
- More features to assess than a basic kettle
- Additional Gourmet BBQ System inserts are sold separately
The Weber Master-Touch 22-inch suits backyard cooks who want more than a basic grate and lid. It has a 443 sq in cooking surface, a warming rack and a hinged grate compatible with Gourmet BBQ System inserts.
The Tuck-Away lid holder keeps the lid beside the grill while you work. One-Touch cleanup sends ash into a removable high-capacity catcher, and tool hooks keep utensils close at hand.
A built-in thermometer and three regulated air vents help you monitor and adjust heat. The grate supports separately purchased Gourmet BBQ System inserts, such as a wok or griddle.
Choose it if you want its rack, lid holder and insert compatibility. For a larger cooking surface and charcoal rails, the 26-inch Master-Touch is the better fit.
Weber Master-Touch 26-inch Charcoal Grill: Best for cooking for a crowd
- 508 sq in cooking surface
- WEBER CRAFTED grate
- Bottom damper smoke setting
- Charcoal rails for indirect cooking
The 26-inch Master-Touch offers the largest stated cooking surface in this group. Charcoal rails support indirect grilling, while the bottom damper smoke setting is designed for low-and-slow cooking.
Pros
- Largest stated cooking surface here
- Charcoal rails can be repositioned for searing
- Lid holder and built-in thermometer
Cons
- Larger size needs more patio room
- WEBER CRAFTED grillware is sold separately
The Weber Master-Touch 26-inch is the largest kettle here, with a 508 sq in cooking surface for multiple entrees and sides. Its charcoal rails hold coals at the sides for indirect grilling, and can be moved inward for high-heat searing.
A bottom damper smoke setting helps limit airflow for low-and-slow cooking. The grill also includes a built-in thermometer, Tuck-Away lid holder and hinged stainless-steel cooking grate.
Its WEBER CRAFTED grate accepts custom-fit grillware sold separately, including a pizza stone, griddle, sear grate and Dutch oven. That adds cooking options, but requires extra pieces if you want to use them.
Choose this model if your gatherings regularly need more space or you want to smoke as well as grill. Measure the patio area first, since its 26-inch kettle body takes more room than a standard 22-inch model.
Char-Griller 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill: Best for a removable ash pan
- 363 sq in cooking area
- Adjustable top and bottom dampers
- Removable EasyDump ash pan and bucket
- Porcelain-coated lid and body
Char-Griller pairs a 363 sq in cooking area with adjustable top and bottom dampers. Its removable ash pan and bucket make ash disposal a key reason to consider it.
Pros
- Removable ash pan and bucket
- Top and bottom dampers
- Porcelain-coated lid and body
Cons
- No built-in thermometer is specified
- No hinged grate is specified
The Char-Griller 22-inch kettle is a useful alternative if you want a removable pan and bucket for ash. Its 363 sq in cooking area matches the Weber Original Kettle's stated surface area, and adjustable top and bottom dampers give you airflow controls.
The lid and body are porcelain coated, and the steel construction is paired with a removable EasyDump ash pan and ash bucket. Those pieces make ash disposal a defining feature of this model.
Char-Griller describes it as a kettle grill and smoker, with an access door for adding charcoal during grilling. Its product details do not specify a built-in thermometer or hinged cooking grate.
Choose it if removable ash handling is your main priority. Compare its cleanup setup with the Weber's One-Touch system and the Green Party's high-capacity catcher before deciding.
Grill Boss 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill: Best for a warming rack and shelf
- Large 22-inch cooking area
- Built-in thermometer
- Raised warming rack
- Bottom wire storage shelf
Grill Boss includes a warming rack, thermometer and bottom wire shelf for tools or plates. Two wheels support moving it around the yard or taking it to a tailgate.
Pros
- Warming rack for sides or buns
- Bottom storage shelf
- Two wheels
Cons
- Cooking surface area is not specified
- No hinged grate is specified
The Grill Boss 22-inch is a fit for buyers who want a warming rack and a lower shelf for grilling supplies. It also includes a built-in thermometer, adjustable vents and two wheels.
Its porcelain-coated steel lid and grill are designed to retain heat. The raised rack can hold sides or buns, while the bottom wire shelf gives plates, utensils or tools a place near the grill.
The cooking area is described as large, but no square-inch measurement is provided. If exact surface size is central to your choice, compare models with stated areas before you buy.
Choose Grill Boss if the rack, thermometer and shelf are useful extras for your backyard setup. For a grate designed to flip up for charcoal additions, consider the Green Party kettle.
Green Party 22-inch Kettle Charcoal Grill: Best for a flip-up grate
- 379 sq in cooking area
- Porcelain-enameled grill parts
- Flip-up grate sides
- High-capacity ash catcher
Green Party's 22-inch kettle has a 379 sq in cooking area and grate sides that flip up for adding briquettes. Its ash catcher is designed for easier cleanup.
Pros
- Flip-up grate sides
- High-capacity ash catcher
- Two wheels for moving it
Cons
- Handle installation may require adjustment
- No built-in thermometer is confirmed
The Green Party 22-inch kettle offers a 379 sq in cooking area and flip-up grate sides for adding briquettes. Its porcelain-enameled lid, grate, charcoal section and ash catcher are designed for outdoor grilling.
A high-capacity ash catcher supports cleanup, and two wheels make it possible to move the grill around a yard. Follow the assembly instructions carefully, since the handle angle may need adjustment.
The available product details do not confirm a built-in thermometer, so don't choose it on the assumption that one is included. Its main advantages here are the stated cooking area, flip-up grate sides and ash catcher.
Choose it if those features matter more to you than a confirmed lid thermometer or a branded insert system. For other compact options, see our portable charcoal grill guide.
What size kettle grill suits your backyard?
A 22-inch kettle is a practical default for regular family grilling, while a 26-inch model can make sense when you cook several foods at once. Think about how many items you cook in one session and the space available around the grill.
The Weber Original Kettle and Premium are both 22-inch models, and Weber says each can hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press. The 26-inch Master-Touch has the largest stated cooking area in this roundup at 508 sq in.
Cooking area alone does not tell you how much room you'll have for a full meal. Plan for the size of the food, whether you want a cooler zone for indirect cooking, and enough patio space to open the lid and move safely around the grill.
Which kettle grill features matter most?
Focus first on ash removal, airflow and grate access, since those affect routine grilling. A thermometer, warming rack or specialty grate matters when it fits your cooking habits.
One-Touch cleaning appears on the Weber models here and moves ash into a catcher. Char-Griller uses a removable ash pan and bucket, while Green Party has a high-capacity ash catcher.
For airflow control, the Weber models have dampers, and the Char-Griller specifies adjustable top and bottom dampers. The 26-inch Weber adds charcoal rails, which can hold coals for indirect cooking or move inward for searing.
A hinged grate helps you add charcoal without removing the entire grate. The Premium, 22-inch Master-Touch, 26-inch Master-Touch and Green Party model include hinged or flip-up grate access.
How do you choose a kettle grill for indirect cooking?
For indirect cooking, choose a grill that lets you arrange charcoal away from the food and adjust airflow with dampers. The 26-inch Weber Master-Touch adds charcoal rails designed to hold coals at the sides.
A basic kettle can also support indirect cooking by placing charcoal to one side and food over the cooler area. Use the lid and dampers to manage heat, and check temperatures as you cook.
If smoking is a regular goal, compare the 26-inch Weber's smoke setting with the Char-Griller's kettle and smoker design. Neither feature removes the need to monitor the fire and adjust airflow.
How to choose between kettle grills for your yard
Pick the Weber Original Kettle for a straightforward 22-inch grill with One-Touch cleanup and adjustable airflow. Choose the Premium if you want a lid thermometer and hinged grate, or the 22-inch Master-Touch for its warming rack and insert-compatible grate.
Choose the 26-inch Master-Touch if you need its larger cooking area and charcoal rails. The Char-Griller, Grill Boss and Green Party models suit more specific preferences for ash handling, a warming rack and shelf, or flip-up grate sides.
Before you buy, match the grill's size and features to your patio and cooking routine. For a broader look at full-size options, continue with our full-size charcoal grill guide or see Weber kettle accessories worth buying first.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
-
2
Best for checking heat at a glance
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch
9.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for flexible cooking setups
Weber Master-Touch 22-inch Charcoal Grill
8.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What size kettle grill works for a backyard?
A 22-inch kettle is a useful starting point for many backyards because it offers room for a family meal without taking the footprint of a larger grill. Weber says its 22-inch Original Kettle can hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press.
For bigger gatherings, compare cooking area and patio space before choosing a larger model.
Is a built-in thermometer useful on a kettle grill?
A built-in lid thermometer gives you a quick read of the air temperature near the top of the grill. The Weber Original Kettle Premium and both Weber Master-Touch options here include one.
It does not measure the temperature at the cooking grate, so use a separate probe when food temperature matters.
How do you choose between the Weber Original Kettle and Premium?
The Original Kettle covers the basics with a 22-inch grate, adjustable damper and One-Touch ash cleanup. The Premium adds a lid thermometer, hinged grate and high-capacity ash catcher.
Choose based on whether those conveniences matter to your cooking routine.
Can a kettle grill be used for indirect cooking?
Yes. Set charcoal to one side or use charcoal rails where included, then place food away from the coals and manage airflow with the dampers.
The 26-inch Weber Master-Touch includes charcoal rails for indirect grilling and smoking.
Use a thermometer to monitor the cooking temperature and adjust vents as needed.
What should you check before buying a kettle grill?
Measure the space where the grill will sit and leave room to move around it safely. Then compare cooking area, grate access, ash removal, lid storage and whether you want a built-in thermometer.
Our charcoal grill size guide explains how to match cooking space to your usual meals.
