Outdoor Blog

Best Green Egg Alternatives

Having your own grill in the backyard can become the ultimate experience of dining out in the backyard. You can gather your friends and family for weekend steaks or sausages by the pool.

10 Best Green Egg Alternative Grills For Outdoor Picnics

That are lightweight, heat insulated and affordable

Before buying a grill, think about whether you want a gas or a charcoal grill as they differ in their features and price.

Gas grills have been around for decades and are much more easy to use plus with gas grills you don’t need to bother with the ashtrays and with dumbing the used charcoal.

Moreover, with gas grills all, you would have to do is just turn the button and you wouldn’t have to wait while the charcoal starts burning.

However, charcoal grills are the ones that offer the user more control over determining what temperature and regime the user desires.

You would also want to pay attention to the size of the cooking plate because it will determine how many burgers, steaks or sausages you can cook at the same time.

Obviously, if you have a large family or often gather large groups of friends then you might want to look for a grill that offers that.

Also, always examine the interior and exterior finish to see if it will withstand the heat and not pill of in case if it is a painted finish.

Product Comparison Table

Product Reviews

1. Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Barbecue

Kamado charcoal grill is made from durable and very thought through construction that will last for generations to come.

It is built from a triple walled cast iron material and 22 gauge steel that easily retains heat but prevents it from escaping.

Moreover, customers have reported that it evenly cooks grills and even smokes all sorts of meats, fish and sausages.

You can use to sear delicious meats either on high or low roast setting as per your desire plus this grill can maintain up to 700 degrees of Fahrenheit.

Testing of this Kamado grill has revealed that it uses much less charcoal as compared to other similar models thanks to the air dumpers at the bottom and the top thus it is much more eco-friendly and economical.

The exterior is powder coated while the interior is porcelain finished for easy cleaning and maintaining plus the ash pan is easily removable for cleaning.

What we liked:

• Durable cast iron and steel build
• Uses less charcoal
• Porcelain inside finish for easy cleaning
• Can be used for roasting, cooking, smoking and grilling
• Comes with a warranty
• Movable

What we didn’t like:

• Available in one colour only
• Some bolts were reported to melt after some time
• Wheel axles are not included
• Some grills arrived damaged

1. Char-Broil Kamader Charcoal Grill with Wheels

Kamader Charcoal Grill was made with much better airflow system than its previous version thus this model has top mounted air dumpers that will help regulate optimal temperature for various cooking regimes such as roasting or smoking.

The dumpers can be adjusted from the below and have a safety mechanism in place to protect you from hot air burns.

Moreover, it comes with porcelain grates that are easy to use for cooking and are not difficult to clean.

Plus, the cooking rack is made from stainless steel and has a 142 square inches of an area that will allow you to cook for a large group of family or friends whenever you have them around.

Customers have reported this Kamader charcoal grill from Char-Broil to be very versatile as it allows its user to roast, grill, fry and even smoke.

The internal ash pan can be easily removed for cleaning or storage whenever it is not needed. Furthermore, this grill quickly and evenly heats up as it made from double insulated walls while the charcoal chamber is located deep below.

What we liked:

• Double wall insulated
• Removable ash tray
• Hooks on the side for utensil storage
• Stainless steel cooking rack and porcelain interior
• Good customer support
• Large enough for big groups of people
• Comes with a drip tray

What we didn’t like:

• Wheels were reported to often get stuck
• Temperature can be hard to control at first
• Some parts are made from plastic

1. Char Griller Akorn Jr. Kamando Kooker from Cast Iron in Red Color

Kamando Kooker is made from cast iron body and painted in vivid red colour while the grates are also made from cast iron and have been reported to be easy to clean with a soapy solution and hot water.

The grills were designed in a Kamando style so as to obtain quick and even heating throughout the grills.

The ash pan is located below and can be easily removed whenever needed to dump the ash or to be thoroughly cleaned.

The temperature is very easy to control thanks to the air dampers that are strategically located on the top and below.

Depending on what you are cooking and how hot you need the grill to be, you can either open or close them.

Plus, you do not have to worry about burning yourself with steam as the dampers are protected by a steam valve.

Tests have revealed this grill to be much more compact and lightweight as compared to similar ceramic grills on the market in the same price range.

This grill can become a great gift for someone who enjoys delicious steaks made on the grill plus it can be used by RV owners and individuals who frequently go camping in the outdoor cabin.

However, it does not come with wheels so moving it can be a little challenging but it does have ergonomically designed handles on the sides.

What we liked:

• Made from cast iron
• Air dumpers help regulate the heat
• Porcelain grates and stainless steel grills
• Vivid red colour exterior
• Great for RV and forest cabin owners
• Lightweight compared to ceramic counterparts

What we didn’t like:

• Comes without wheels
• Medium sized
• Smoking stone will need to be purchased separately
• Long shipping

1. Vision Grills Kamado Pro Charcoal Ceramic Grill

Vision Grill is made from reinforced stainless steel that perfectly holds heat and is easy to clean with little effort.

Overall, the design is standard with porcelain grates for easy cleaning and air dampers located at the bottom and top for temperature regulation.

The ashtray is also removable but has been reported to be difficult to clean as it is made from stainless steel that attracts and sticks food particles.

However, it is made from stainless steel so you will be able to use a harsh kitchen loofa to scrap the burned remains off if needed.

What we liked:

• Easy to use and clean
• Strategically placed air dampers
• Removable ash tray
• Fast shipping
• Great customer support

What we didn’t like:

• Comes without wheels
• Rather small
• Ashtray has been reported to be difficult to clean
• Stains and oil dripping are easily seen on the black exterior

1. Grill Dome Infinity Series Ceramic Kamado Charcoal Smoker Grill

A good charcoal grille that has ceramic interior and quickly heats up for cooking in less than 15 minutes.

The Terapex ceramics that has been used is known as a very good for heat retention hence your food will be ready in half the time you would normally use to prepare it on regular charcoal grills.

Plus, this will help you save fuel and charcoal too thus saving you money in the long run.

Moreover, it perfectly resists rust build-up for up to 5 years. If you see any rust markings in that time frame you can always send it back to the manufacturer free of charge and ask a similar replacement.

The lid is quite heavy but is airtight and supported by durable hinges thus you do not have to worry about the lid coming down on your fingers.

Sadly, this model does not have wheels either and will be a bit problematic to carry around especially considering its weight.

What we liked:

• Made out of Terapex ceramic
• Airtight lid with durable hinges
• Beautiful design will make your outdoor patio look great
• Removable ash tray
• 5-year warranty
• Available in many colours

What we didn’t like:

• The paint was reported to bubble and then chip on some grills

• Made in China
• Firebox might crack after some time
• You will need to be a lot of effort if you want to roast or smoke at a low temperature

1. Broil King KEG 5000 Charcoal Barbecue Grill

Broil King KEG 5000 Charcoal Barbecue Grill is made from stainless steel that is insulated and thereby retains the heat much better than other surfaces thus this helps to use less charcoal while preparing the food in 1.5x faster.

The grill can be used for roasting, grilling and of course smoking too, however, customers have reported that the air dampers are hard to control while the plastic parts were said to melt with time.

The grill does have 2 removable side shelves that can be used to store food ingredients, as well as cooking utensil plus the sides of the grill, have two hooks that can also be used to hand stainless steel utensils.

The grate is chrome plated which makes it ideal to be used in a grill because it prevents food particles from sticking.

What we liked:

• Beautiful design
• Chrome plated grates
• 2 removable shelves at the side
• Great heat retention

What we didn’t like:

• The bottom of the grill was said to rust after some time
• No warranty
• Poor customer support

1. Kamada Joe Classic II Ceramic Grill in Blaze Red

A very easy to use charcoal grill that is made from cast iron and is glazed in vivid red colour that will fit right in with any décor.

Moreover, the manufacturer has used new technology that makes the lid weight up to 90% lighter without losing its airtight properties.

It features great grates that are easy to clean and the cooking plate is large enough to cook for large groups of people while the gasket is made from new fibreglass that has lifespan almost 10 times than the standard gaskets in older models.

The temperature is very easy to control and maintain as this grill has a built-in thermometer while the side air dampers make increasing or decreasing temperature a breeze.

What we liked:

• Built-in thermometer
• Beautiful red design
• Made out of cast iron
• Fibreglass gasket
• Lightweight lid

What we didn’t like:

• The dome can crack if it is not taken care of
• In some grills, the paint bubbled and chipped off
• Pricey
• Very heavy overall

1. Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill with Off-Set Smoker in Black

Royal Gourmet is made from cast iron body and painted in vivid red colour while the grates are also made from cast iron and have been reported to be easy to clean with a soapy solution and hot water.

The grills were designed in a Kamando style so as to obtain quick and even heating throughout the grills.

The ash pan is located below and can be easily removed whenever needed to dump the ash or to be thoroughly cleaned.

The temperature is very easy to control thanks to the air dampers that are strategically located on the top and below.

Depending on what you are cooking and how hot you need the grill to be, you can either open or close them plus this Royal Gourmet is much more compact and lightweight as compared to similar ceramic grills on the market in the same price range.

What we liked:

• Compact and lightweight
• Lux black design with a separate smoker
• Warranty
• Easy to use and clear video instructions

What we didn’t like:

• Pricey
• The paint pills off soon after use
• Door panels might be mismatched and hence do not close properly

1. Beau Jardin Portable Charcoal 22 Inch BBQ Grill

A beautiful BBQ grill from Beau Jardin, this 22-inch grill is made with portable smoker and lid for ease of transportation.

Moreover, the heat and smoke level can be easily controlled without any hassle as the grill comes with a built-in thermometer.

The lid and the air vent is made from rust-proof aluminium thus making this grill great for camping and recreational vehicles.

The food was reported to be always evenly cooked without the burnt smell, however, it has been also said that this Beau Jardin charcoal grill uses a lot of fuel.

What we liked:

• An aluminium lid that is rust proof
• Great design that is easy to use
• 22-inch grill plate
• Built-in thermometer

What we didn’t like:

• Arrives without a handle or mounting hardware
• Can be hard to assemble
• Comes without any manual or instructions

1. Weber Jumbo Joe 18 Inch Portable Grill

Weber Jumbo Portable Grill was made with porcelain grates and an aluminium-coated lid that is resistant to corrosion and rust.

Moreover, the air flow system has air dumpers that will help regulate optimal temperature for various cooking regimes such as grilling or roasting.

The dumpers can be adjusted from the below and have a safety mechanism in place to protect you from hot air burns.

Moreover, it comes with porcelain grates that are easy to use for cooking and are not difficult to clean.

What we liked:

• Easy to clean and maintain
• Coated in an anti-rust and anti-corrosion layer
• Portable
• 18-inch cooking plate

What we didn’t like:

• The plastic handle starts melting after some time
• Comes without any wheels
• The bottom air gap was reported to be difficult to regulate

Conclusion

Another thing that a potential buyer would definitely want to look at is how easy the grill will be to clean as cleaning will always be the most daunting thing to do after a fun weekend of BBQ in the backyard.

Porcelain and ceramic finishes are great because food particles do not stick to them hence they can be easily cleaned with little effort and soap.

But, they can be easily scratched and scuffed so you should be careful handling them. Also, it might make sense to regularly use hot water to clean the exterior of the grill as well as some oil dripping and oily steam might grease the exterior regardless of what finish it is.