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How to Cook Steak on A Charcoal Grill?

Published on
6 min read
How to Cook Steak on A Charcoal Grill? image

Best Charcoal Grills for Steaks to Buy in December 2025

1 Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill for Outdoor Cooking and Barbecue, 22-Inch, Black

Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill for Outdoor Cooking and Barbecue, 22-Inch, Black

  • COOK UP TO 13 BURGERS AT ONCE WITH PREMIUM WEBER BURGER PRESS!
  • EASY ASH CLEANUP WITH ONE-TOUCH SYSTEM ENSURES HASSLE-FREE GRILLING.
  • DURABLE, HIGH-TEMP PORCELAIN DESIGN PROVIDES RUST RESISTANCE AND FLAVOR.
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$141.99 $159.00
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Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill for Outdoor Cooking and Barbecue, 22-Inch, Black
2 SUNLIFER Charcoal BBQ Grills Outdoor: Spacious Barrel Barbecue Grill with Side Front Table - Premium BBQ Smoker Combo for Backyard Cooking Patio Grilling Tailgating Party Camping Picnic

SUNLIFER Charcoal BBQ Grills Outdoor: Spacious Barrel Barbecue Grill with Side Front Table - Premium BBQ Smoker Combo for Backyard Cooking Patio Grilling Tailgating Party Camping Picnic

  • SPACIOUS 589.32 SQ. IN. COOKING SURFACE FOR BIG BBQ GATHERINGS.

  • EASY MOBILITY WITH WHEELS, PLUS AMPLE PREP AND STORAGE SPACE.

  • PRECISION HEAT CONTROL FOR PERFECT GRILLING AND SMOKING EVERY TIME.

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$118.99 $139.99
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SUNLIFER Charcoal BBQ Grills Outdoor: Spacious Barrel Barbecue Grill with Side Front Table - Premium BBQ Smoker Combo for Backyard Cooking Patio Grilling Tailgating Party Camping Picnic
3 Royal Gourmet CC1830S BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | 823 Square Inch cooking surface, Outdoor for Camping | Black

Royal Gourmet CC1830S BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | 823 Square Inch cooking surface, Outdoor for Camping | Black

  • MAXIMUM COOKING AREA: 823 SQ. IN. FOR VERSATILE GRILLING OPTIONS.
  • FLAVORFUL SMOKE: OFFSET SMOKER ENSURES PERFECT HEAT AND AROMA.
  • PRECISE CONTROL: ADJUSTABLE RACK AND TEMPERATURE MONITOR FOR IDEAL GRILLING.
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$149.99
Royal Gourmet CC1830S BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | 823 Square Inch cooking surface, Outdoor for Camping | Black
4 SUNLIFER Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker: Charcoal Barbecue Grills with Spacious Cooking Area | Barrel BBQ Grill and Smokers Combo for Outdoor Patio Backyard Camping and Parties

SUNLIFER Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker: Charcoal Barbecue Grills with Spacious Cooking Area | Barrel BBQ Grill and Smokers Combo for Outdoor Patio Backyard Camping and Parties

  • PRECISE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: MONITOR TEMPS WITHOUT LIFTING THE LID!

  • SPACIOUS DUAL-CHAMBER DESIGN: 512 SQ. IN. FOR GRILLING & SMOKING FLEX.

  • EASY MOBILITY & STORAGE: CART-STYLE WHEELS ENHANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCESS.

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$110.49 $129.99
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SUNLIFER Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker: Charcoal Barbecue Grills with Spacious Cooking Area | Barrel BBQ Grill and Smokers Combo for Outdoor Patio Backyard Camping and Parties
5 Captiva Designs Extra Large Charcoal BBQ Grill with Oversize Cooking Area(794 SQIN), Outdoor Cooking Grill with 2 Individual Lifting Charcoal Trays and 2 Foldable Side Tables

Captiva Designs Extra Large Charcoal BBQ Grill with Oversize Cooking Area(794 SQIN), Outdoor Cooking Grill with 2 Individual Lifting Charcoal Trays and 2 Foldable Side Tables

  • MASSIVE COOKING SPACE: 800 SQ. IN. FOR GATHERINGS BIG AND SMALL.
  • CUSTOM CHARCOAL CONTROL: ADJUST HEAT WITH TWO LIFTABLE CHARCOAL TRAYS.
  • VERSATILE SIDE TABLES: FOLDABLE DESIGN FOR EASY STORAGE AND PORTABILITY.
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$288.79 $519.99
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Captiva Designs Extra Large Charcoal BBQ Grill with Oversize Cooking Area(794 SQIN), Outdoor Cooking Grill with 2 Individual Lifting Charcoal Trays and 2 Foldable Side Tables
6 Royal Gourmet CC1830 30 Inch Barrel Charcoal Grill with Warming Rack, Outdoor BBQ Grill with 627 Sq. In. Grilling Space for Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black

Royal Gourmet CC1830 30 Inch Barrel Charcoal Grill with Warming Rack, Outdoor BBQ Grill with 627 Sq. In. Grilling Space for Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black

  • SPACIOUS 627 SQ. IN. COOKING AREA FOR LARGE GATHERINGS!

  • PRECISE HEAT CONTROL FOR PERFECT GRILLING EVERY TIME!

  • EASY CLEANUP WITH A REMOVABLE CHARCOAL PAN AND HANDY ACCESSORIES!

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$109.99
Royal Gourmet CC1830 30 Inch Barrel Charcoal Grill with Warming Rack, Outdoor BBQ Grill with 627 Sq. In. Grilling Space for Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black
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Cooking steak on a charcoal grill can be a delicious and enjoyable experience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

  1. Start by preparing the grill. Arrange the charcoal briquettes in a single layer on the bottom of the grill. Leave some space in the center for indirect cooking. Light the charcoal using a chimney starter or lighter fluid, allowing it to burn until the coals are covered with white ash.
  2. While the grill heats up, take the steak out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the steak to cook more evenly.
  3. Pat the steak dry using paper towels and season it generously with salt and pepper, or any other desired seasoning. You can also marinate the steak beforehand for added flavor.
  4. Once the grill is heated, use tongs to place the steak directly over the hot coals. Sear each side for about 2-3 minutes to create a nice crust. This step locks in the juices and adds flavor to the meat.
  5. After searing, move the steak to the cooler side of the grill, where there are no coals directly underneath. This creates indirect heat, which allows the steak to cook more evenly without burning the exterior.
  6. Cover the grill with the lid, leaving the vents partially open to maintain airflow. This helps control the temperature inside the grill.
  7. Cook the steak for an additional 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of doneness. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-rare, aim for a reading of around 135°F (57°C).
  8. Remember to flip the steak only once during cooking to retain the juices and avoid overcooking. Opening the grill too frequently can cause temperature fluctuations.
  9. When the steak reaches the desired doneness, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak.
  10. Finally, slice the steak against the grain and serve it immediately while it's still hot.

Enjoy your perfectly grilled steak straight from the charcoal grill!

How do I determine the doneness of the steak by using the touch test?

To determine the doneness of a steak using the touch test, you can follow these general guidelines:

  1. Start with clean hands and make sure your steak is properly cooked on both sides.
  2. Use your hand to compare the feel of the steak's firmness to different parts of your hand.
  3. Understand the correlation between the firmness of the steak and the different levels of doneness:
  • Rare: When you touch the fleshy area of your palm just below the thumb, the steak should feel very soft and squishy, similar to the texture of your steak when it's rare.
  • Medium Rare: Touch the area of your palm between your thumb and the base of your pinky finger. This will give you an indication of how a medium-rare steak should feel. It should feel slightly firmer than when it's rare, but still retain some softness.
  • Medium: Using your thumb and middle finger together, press the fleshy part of your palm comparing the firmness to your steak. A medium steak should feel firm but still have a slight give.
  • Well-Done: Firmly press the fleshy part of your palm with your thumb and pinky finger touching each other. This simulates how a well-done steak feels. It should feel very firm with no give.
  1. Practice and familiarity with the touch test will help you become more accurate in gauging the doneness of a steak based on its firmness.

Note: It's essential to use a meat thermometer for accurate results, especially if you're new to using the touch test. The touch test is subjective and may vary depending on factors such as the thickness of the steak, type of meat, and personal preference.

How long should I grill the steak on each side for medium-rare doneness?

For a medium-rare steak, you should grill each side for about 4-5 minutes. However, cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the steak and the temperature of the grill. To ensure the desired doneness, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For medium-rare, the thermometer should read around 130-135°F (55-57°C).

What is the best way to clean a charcoal grill after cooking steak?

Cleaning a charcoal grill after cooking steak can be done effectively by following these steps:

  1. Allow the grill to cool: Before starting the cleaning process, it's important to let the grill cool down completely to avoid any burn injuries.
  2. Remove the grates: Take out the cooking grates from the grill and set them aside.
  3. Brush off debris: Use a grill brush with wire bristles to scrape off any leftover food particles, grease, or debris from the grates. Make sure to scrub both sides thoroughly.
  4. Empty the ash/charcoal: Remove the grill's ash catcher or open the bottom vents to let the ash out. Be careful not to spread it everywhere. Safely dispose of the cold ash/charcoal in a designated area.
  5. Wipe down the inside: Using a damp cloth or paper towels, wipe down the inside of the grill, removing any grease, oil, or ash that may have accumulated. You can also use a mild soapy water solution to clean more stubborn stains.
  6. Clean the exterior: Use a grill cleaner or mild soapy water to wipe down the external surfaces of the grill, including the lid, handles, and side trays. Rinse with clean water and dry them thoroughly.
  7. Clean the grates: Soak the grates in warm soapy water for around 15 minutes to loosen any remaining grease. Scrub the grates with a grill brush to remove any remaining residue or burnt-on food. Rinse them thoroughly with clean water.
  8. Reassemble and store: Once everything is cleaned and dry, reassemble the grill and store it in a clean, dry place, protecting it from the elements.

It's important to note that regular maintenance and cleaning after each use will help to prolong the life of your grill and ensure optimal performance.