To cook hot dogs on a charcoal grill, follow these simple steps:
- Start by preparing the charcoal grill. Place a sufficient amount of charcoal briquettes in the grill and stack them into a pyramid shape. Make sure to leave some space between the briquettes for air circulation.
- Next, carefully light the briquettes using a match or a charcoal chimney starter. Allow the briquettes to burn until they turn gray and are covered in ash.
- Once the charcoal is ready, spread it out evenly across the grilling area, creating a single layer of hot coals.
- Place the grill grate on top of the charcoal and let it heat up for a few minutes. This will help to ensure that the hot dogs cook evenly.
- Meanwhile, prepare the hot dogs by slitting each one lengthwise with a knife. This will help them cook thoroughly and also allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Once the grill is hot, place the hot dogs directly on the grill grate, positioning them diagonally. Ensure that there is enough space between each hot dog to allow for even cooking.
- Let the hot dogs cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they become slightly charred and have grill marks. Flip them occasionally using tongs to cook all sides evenly.
- While the hot dogs are cooking, you can toast the buns, if desired. Simply place the buns on the cooler part of the grill, away from direct heat, for a minute or two until they are warm and slightly toasted.
- Once the hot dogs are cooked to your desired level of doneness, carefully remove them from the grill using tongs.
- Serve the delicious grilled hot dogs in the toasted buns, and feel free to add your preferred condiments such as ketchup, mustard, relish, or onions.
- Enjoy your perfectly cooked hot dogs right off the charcoal grill!
Remember to always exercise caution when working with a charcoal grill, as it can get very hot. Keep a close eye on the fire and use appropriate grilling tools to handle the hot dogs and charcoal.
Best Charcoal Grills of July 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker with Cover, 811 Square Inches, Black, Outdoor Camping
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811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Tasty Smoke Flavors: The offset smoker is firmly attached to grill to ensure good circulation of heat and smoke. Easy to open side door to add charcoal and remove ashes; air vent stokes fire instantly.
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Adjustable Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan creates better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check and monitor the cooking temperature and you can cook with great confidence.
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Grill Cover Included: Made of heavy-duty fabric, the cover protects your grill from elements and withstands the harshest weather.
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Ample Space: Front and side tables offer workspace for seasonings and grilling tools. The bottom shelf provides extra storage space and holds up to only 20 lb. accessories when they are evenly distributed.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
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Stay true to the modern version of the kettle that started it all—the Original Kettle, invented by Weber’s founder, and loved around the world. Its ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, while the damperseasily adjust for precise temperature control. With a One-Touch cleaning system for easy cleanup after a long day of grilling, the Original Kettle will always be the grill built for everyone
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Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
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One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle-free ash cleanup.Removable, aluminum ash catcher
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Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl Retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
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Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
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Dampers allow you to easily control the temperature inside your grill
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3D interactive assembly instructions for this product are available through the free BILT app.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill, Black
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CHARCOAL GRILL - Barrel style BBQ Grill with heavy duty steel construction and powder coating finish, the perfect grilling solution for small decks, backyards, and patios
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LARGE COOKING AREA - 250 square inch total cooking area delivers exceptional taste and charcoal flavor
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BARBECUE GRILL FEATURES - Thick Cast Iron Cooking Grates, Bottom Storage Rack, Heavy-Duty Steel Construction, Side Air Vent, Stay Cool Wood Handle, Wheels for Easy Mobility, and Side Shelf Workstation with Barbecue Tool Storage Hooks
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EASY TO ASSEMBLE & CLEAN - Assembles easily and quickly cleans up after use with the Easy Dump Ash Pan
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830 30 Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Table, 627 Square Inches, Outdoor Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black
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627 Smoking Space: 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates with 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack offer enough space to cook.
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Heat Control: Close the side air vent completely that cuts off the oxygen flow to help extinguish coals and adjust the smoke stack for extra heat control.
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Adjustable Fire Grates: 2-level height-adjustable fire pan ensures more controlled cooking and holds up to 6 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check heat fluctuations for confident grilling.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CD1824M 24-Inch Charcoal Grill, BBQ Smoker with Handle and Folding Table, Perfect for Outdoor Patio, Garden and Backyard Grilling, Black, Medium
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Spacious Cooking Area: 384 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates and 106 sq. in. stainless steel warming rack provide a total of 490 sq. in. cooking space respectively, serving up to 10 people.
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Height-adjustable Charcoal Pan: The crank handle controls the distance between the charcoal pan and food for fine-tuning temperature and regulating heat. The charcoal pan holds charcoal up to 4.5 lb. for each use.
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Convenient Access Door: Front charcoal access door with heat-resistant spring handle provides more convenience for adding charcoal and controls heat loss to a minimum during cooking.
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Built-in Thermometer Gauge: The lid-mounted thermometer indicates the temperature changes precisely in real-time.
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Air Flow: Two adjustable air vents control air circulation to enhance sufficient burning of charcoal for efficient smoking.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Royal Gourmet Barrel Charcoal Grill with Front Storage Basket, Backyard BBQ Party and Outdoor Cooking Grill on Clearance Prime with Wheels, Black, CC1830T
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Additional Cooking Options: The charcoal grill can meet your versatile cooking demands by slow smoking or grilling ribs, veggies, lobster tails, or other preferred ingredients.
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Ample Cooking Area: To accommodate 23 hamburgers at once, there are 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates and a 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack as a secondary heating area.
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Impressive Storage: Store seasonings in the front basket, hang some cooking utensils on the integrated hooks, place plates and other food on the side tables, and meanwhile put your charcoal on the bottom storage shelf.
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Adjustable Charcoal Pan: Easily control the distance between food and fire with the lifting handle to regulate cooking temperature, which also saves fuel in the meantime.
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Heat Control: Customize your desired temperature by twisting the air damper and smoke stack, thus getting the best cooking results.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black
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Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; Built-in lid thermometer. Rust-resistant aluminum dampers
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One-Touch cleaning system with high-capacity ash catcher provides hassle-free ash cleanup
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Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
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Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
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Cooking grate is hinged for easily adding charcoal while grilling
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830S 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | 811 Square Inch cooking surface, Outdoor for Camping | Black
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811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Tasty Smoke Flavors: The offset smoker is firmly attached to grill to ensure good circulation of heat and smoke. Easy to open side door to add charcoal and remove ashes; air vent stokes fire instantly.
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Adjustable Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan creates better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check and monitor the cooking temperature and you can cook with great confidence.
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D X-Large Premium Dual Chamber Charcoal Grill
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Removable firebox divider for single or dual cooking zone
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Primary cooking area is 576 square inches
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Secondary cooking area is 240 square inches
10
Rating is 4.1 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830W 30 Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Table, 627 Square Inches, Outdoor Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black
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Spacious Cooking Area: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack, and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Offset Smoker: Use the side fire box to get tasty and authentic smoky flavors in the main chamber. Smoking, grilling, or searing all will be your choices.
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Adjustable Charcoal Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan ensures better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lb. of coal.
Can I cook frozen hot dogs on a charcoal grill?
Yes, you can cook frozen hot dogs on a charcoal grill. Follow these steps:
- Preheat the charcoal grill to medium-high heat.
- If the hot dogs are individually wrapped, keep them in their packaging. Otherwise, place the frozen hot dogs directly on the grill grates.
- Close the grill lid and cook the hot dogs for about 6-8 minutes, turning them occasionally with tongs.
- Check for doneness by cutting a hot dog in the middle. It should be heated through and no longer frozen in the center.
- Once cooked, transfer the hot dogs to a bun and serve them with your preferred toppings and condiments.
Remember to always exercise caution when grilling with open flames and handle hot dogs with tongs to avoid burns.
What is the best way to prevent the hot dogs from sticking to the grill grates?
There are a few effective methods to prevent hot dogs from sticking to the grill grates:
- Preheat the grill: Make sure to preheat your grill properly. Heating the grates thoroughly will help prevent food from sticking to them.
- Clean and oil the grates: Before grilling, clean the grates with a grill brush to remove any leftover debris. After cleaning, lightly coat the grates with cooking oil using a brush or a folded paper towel. This creates a non-stick surface and helps prevent the hot dogs from sticking.
- Oil the hot dogs: Another option is to lightly brush or spray cooking oil onto the hot dogs themselves. This extra layer of oil will reduce sticking to the grill.
- Use indirect heat: If your grill allows it, you can set up a two-zone fire, where one side has direct heat and the other side has no heat. Start by grilling the hot dogs over direct heat to get grill marks and then move them to the indirect side to finish cooking. This method minimizes the chance of the hot dogs sticking to the grates.
- Use aluminum foil: Alternatively, you can wrap the hot dogs in aluminum foil, leaving the ends open. This creates a barrier between the hot dogs and the grill grates, preventing direct contact and sticking.
Remember, regardless of the method used, avoid excessively flipping or moving the hot dogs to allow them to develop some char and grill marks before trying to rotate or remove them.
Should I oil the grill grates before cooking hot dogs?
Yes, it is recommended to oil the grill grates before cooking hot dogs. This can help prevent the hot dogs from sticking to the grates, making it easier to flip them and creating those desirable grill marks.
Are there any alternative cooking methods for hot dogs on a charcoal grill?
Yes, there are several alternative cooking methods for hot dogs if you don't have a charcoal grill or prefer a different approach. Here are a few options:
- Gas Grill: Similar to a charcoal grill, you can cook hot dogs on a gas grill. Preheat the grill, place the hot dogs directly on the hot grates, and cook until they are browned and heated through.
- Stovetop: If you don't have access to an outdoor grill, you can easily cook hot dogs on a stovetop. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the hot dogs and cook for about 5-7 minutes or until they are heated through. You can also place them in a skillet with a bit of oil and cook them over medium heat until they are golden brown.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the hot dogs on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Microwave: Cooking hot dogs in a microwave is quick and convenient. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and cook them for about 1-2 minutes. However, they won't have the same grilled texture as other methods.
- Campfire: If you're camping or have a backyard fire pit, you can cook hot dogs over an open flame. Skewer the hot dogs and hold them over the fire, rotating them every now and then until they are heated through and have a nice char.
Remember to adjust the cooking times based on the method you choose and ensure that the hot dogs are thoroughly cooked before eating.
