Royal Gourmet CC1830S Charcoal Grill Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Royal Gourmet CC1830S suits backyard cooks who want a large charcoal grill with an attached offset smoker. Its 824 sq. in. total cooking area includes a 475.3 sq. in. main grate, warming rack and smoker chamber.
On this page (9 sections)
- What does the Royal Gourmet CC1830S offer?
- How much room does the CC1830S need?
- How do you set up and use the CC1830S?
- How can the adjustable pan and airflow help with heat?
- CC1830S vs CC1830V: which Royal Gourmet should you choose?
- How does the Realcook offset grill compare?
- Is a kettle grill a better alternative?
- What mistakes should you avoid with the CC1830S?
- Is the Royal Gourmet CC1830S worth choosing?
The Royal Gourmet CC1830S is a fit for backyard cooks who want charcoal grilling and an attached offset smoker in one cart. Its 824 sq. in. of total cooking space includes a 475.3 sq. in. main grate, a 151 sq. in. warming rack and a 197.3 sq. in. smoker chamber.
The adjustable charcoal pan, side access door and work tables make it more capable than a basic barrel grill. Its 51.69 in. width also calls for a roomy, permanent outdoor spot.
The key choice is whether you'll use both chambers often. The CC1830S makes sense when you want to grill food directly over charcoal and smoke other food in the side chamber; if you mostly grill quick meals, a simpler charcoal grill is easier to justify.
What does the Royal Gourmet CC1830S offer?
The CC1830S pairs a barrel charcoal grill with a separate offset smoker. It suits cooks who want two cooking zones and the option to manage the charcoal bed’s distance from the food.
Royal Gourmet CC1830S Charcoal Grill with Offset: Best for backyard smokers
- 824 sq. in. total cooking space
- 475.3 sq. in. main cooking grate
- 197.3 sq. in. offset smoker
- Two-level adjustable charcoal pan
A large barrel grill with an attached offset smoker, adjustable charcoal pan and front and side tables. Choose it when you want separate grill and smoker areas in one setup.
Pros
- Large combined cooking area
- Height-adjustable charcoal pan
- Side door for adding charcoal and removing ash
- Front and side work tables
Cons
- Wide footprint needs planning
- Offset chamber takes space beside the main grill
- Bottom shelf holds up to 20 lb when weight is evenly distributed
The main grate is the useful measure for direct grilling. The warming rack can hold food away from the main heat, while the smoker chamber provides a separate area for smoke cooking.
A two-height charcoal pan gives you another way to manage heat. The side door allows charcoal additions and ash removal, while an air vent feeds the fire.
The lid thermometer lets you check the main chamber temperature without opening the lid. Use it as one part of heat management: charcoal amount, vent position, pan height and the lid’s position all affect cooking conditions.
The front and side tables provide space for tools and seasonings. The bottom shelf holds up to 20 lb when weight is evenly distributed, so keep heavier bags of charcoal on the ground.
Who should buy the Royal Gourmet CC1830S?
Buy the CC1830S if you have room for its wide cart and expect to use the offset smoker, not just the main grate. It’s a sensible match for cooks planning larger backyard meals with direct grilling and smoke cooking in the same session.
It also suits someone who wants a charcoal pan that adjusts between two heights and a side door for tending fuel. Those features offer useful control without turning the grill into a compact patio appliance.
Who should skip the Royal Gourmet CC1830S?
Skip it if you mainly cook a few burgers or vegetables at a time, or if your patio has little spare floor space. The attached smoker and side tables add width that a kettle or simpler barrel grill doesn’t need.
It’s also a poor fit if you don’t expect to use the smoker chamber. In that case, you’d be making room for a feature that adds little to your usual cooking.
How much room does the CC1830S need?
Plan for a footprint 28.56 in. deep by 51.69 in. wide, then leave room to open doors and move around the hot grill. Its height is 46.89 in.
| Detail | Royal Gourmet CC1830S |
|---|---|
| Total cooking space | 824 sq. in. |
| Main cooking grate | 475.3 sq. in. |
| Warming rack | 151 sq. in. |
| Offset smoker | 197.3 sq. in. |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 28.56 x 51.69 x 46.89 in |
| Weight | 45.2 lb |
| Fuel | Charcoal |
| Cooking grate material | Porcelain-enameled steel wire |
| Storage shelf limit | 20 lb, evenly distributed |
Measure the full cooking location, including space beside the smoker and tables. Also check the route from the delivery point to the grill spot so the wide unit can reach its destination.
The charcoal grill size guide helps you match cooking area to the number of people you usually feed. For more full-size layouts, browse our full-size charcoal grill guide.
How do you set up and use the CC1830S?
Set up the CC1830S on a stable outdoor surface with room to reach both chambers and the side door. Assembly is required, so sort the parts first and follow the instructions in order before loading charcoal.
Before the first cook, learn how the charcoal pan moves between its two height settings. Start with a modest amount of fuel and adjust pan height or airflow gradually, watching how the main chamber responds.
Keep the side door accessible during a cook. It provides a route to add charcoal and remove ash, but use heat-safe tools and avoid placing hands near hot metal or coals.
Use the smoker chamber for food you want to cook in smoke, and the main grate for food you plan to grill directly. Organize tools, seasonings and a safe place to set cooked food on the work tables before lighting the charcoal.
How can the adjustable pan and airflow help with heat?
The CC1830S gives you pan height and airflow as practical ways to manage charcoal heat. Raising the pan brings the coals closer to the food, while lowering it increases the distance.
Make one adjustment at a time and give the grill a chance to respond. Changing the pan height and vent position together makes it harder to tell which change affected the heat.
The side chamber is attached to help circulate heat and smoke. Plan what belongs over the main charcoal bed and what belongs in the offset area, then avoid opening either chamber more than needed.
The lid thermometer provides a quick reference for the main chamber. Keep in mind that the temperature where food sits can differ from the lid reading, so pay attention to the cooking area and move food as needed.
For more on the trade-offs, read whether a charcoal grill with an offset smoker is worth it. That guide can help you decide whether the second chamber fits the way you cook.
CC1830S vs CC1830V: which Royal Gourmet should you choose?
Choose the CC1830S for a smoker chamber, or the CC1830V for a simpler barrel grill with a large main grate. The right one depends on whether you’ll smoke food separately from direct grilling.
The CC1830S has 824 sq. in. of combined cooking area, with 197.3 sq. in. in its offset chamber. The CC1830V has 627 sq. in. across its main grate and warming rack, without a separate smoker chamber.
The CC1830V still offers an adjustable charcoal pan, lid-mounted gauge, front and side tables, and an easy-dump ash pan. Choose it if you want a roomy direct-grilling setup and don’t need a side smoker.
Our Royal Gourmet charcoal grill guide compares the brand’s models by layout and helps narrow down which one fits your cooking plans.
How does the Realcook offset grill compare?
The Realcook is a smaller dual-chamber option with 510 sq. in. of cooking space and a stated 467 sq. in. of shelf storage. It fits shoppers who want a separate smoker and value extra shelf area for gear.
Its main chamber has two grates, designed to make charcoal additions during a cook easier. Assembly needs care, especially where the lid meets the chamber, so check alignment as you put the grill together.
Choose the CC1830S if a larger combined cooking area and front and side tables matter more. Consider the Realcook if its smaller dimensions and storage arrangement suit your space and routine better.
Is a kettle grill a better alternative?
A kettle grill is the better choice when you want a smaller charcoal setup without a separate smoker. The Weber Original Kettle measures 25 x 25 in. and has 363 sq. in. of cooking space.
Its One-Touch cleaning system moves ash into an aluminized steel catcher. The porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and the angled lid hook gives you a place to hang the lid during cooking.
The CC1830S offers more than twice the kettle’s cooking area, along with a smoker chamber and work tables. Choose the Weber if you value a more compact footprint and straightforward ash cleanup over extra cooking zones.
For more options in this style, see our guide to the best kettle grills for the backyard.
What mistakes should you avoid with the CC1830S?
The most common buying mistake is treating all 824 sq. in. as main-grate space. The main grate is 475.3 sq. in.; the rest is divided between the warming rack and offset smoker, so check whether that main surface fits your usual meals.
Another mistake is measuring only the grill body and forgetting room for the attached chamber, tables and access doors. Measure the whole setup and walking space before deciding where it will live.
Don’t overload the bottom shelf. Its limit is 20 lb when weight is spread evenly, so store heavier fuel elsewhere.
During cooking, avoid making several heat adjustments at once. Change pan height or airflow in small steps, then watch the thermometer and food before adjusting again.
Is the Royal Gourmet CC1830S worth choosing?
Choose the Royal Gourmet CC1830S if you’ll use its attached smoker and have room for a 51.69 in. wide grill. Choose the CC1830V for a simpler barrel grill, the Realcook for a smaller dual-chamber layout with substantial shelf storage, or the Weber kettle for a compact, direct-grilling routine.
If you’re still comparing layouts, use the full-size charcoal grill guide to see which size fits your space. The CC1830S is easiest to recommend when the smoker chamber will see regular use.
Frequently asked questions
How much cooking space does the Royal Gourmet CC1830S have?
The CC1830S has 824 sq. in. of total cooking space: 475.3 sq. in. on the main grate, 151 sq. in. on the warming rack and 197.3 sq. in. in the offset smoker. Those areas serve different roles, so consider how much room you need on the main grate for direct grilling.
Does the Royal Gourmet CC1830S have an adjustable charcoal pan?
Yes. The charcoal pan has 2 height settings, letting you change the distance between the coals and food.
The lid thermometer helps you track temperature, while pan height and airflow give you ways to manage heat as fuel burns.
How does the CC1830S compare with the CC1830V?
The CC1830S adds an attached offset smoker and has 824 sq. in. of total cooking space. The CC1830V has 627 sq. in. across its main grate and warming rack, without a separate offset chamber.
Choose the CC1830V if you want a simpler barrel grill.
Is the Royal Gourmet CC1830S a good fit for a small patio?
It may be too large for a tight patio: the grill measures 51.69 in. wide and 28.56 in. deep, before allowing room to work around its tables and smoker chamber. Measure the full space and walking path first, or compare a kettle grill with a smaller footprint.
