Expert Grill Premium 22-Inch Kettle
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Can a $70 kettle grill actually produce good food? Yes. The Expert Grill Premium 22-Inch Kettle from Walmart is the cheapest full-size charcoal grill worth buying. It won't win any awards, but it'll cook burgers, dogs, and chicken just fine.
What We Love
- +$70 — can't beat the price for a full-size grill
- +22-inch cooking surface fits plenty of food
- +Hinged grate for easy charcoal access
- +Ash catcher for cleaner cleanup
- +One-touch cleaning system
- +Available everywhere (Walmart in-store)
Watch Out For
- −Thin steel construction — dents easily
- −Lid seal is loose — heat escapes faster
- −Dampers are imprecise
- −Legs feel flimsy
- −Plated steel grates rust quickly
- −No Weber-quality fit and finish
Specifications
Cooking Area
363 sq in
Material
Porcelain-coated steel
Weight
22 lbs
Fuel
Charcoal
Grates
Plated steel (hinged)
Dimensions
37" x 22" x 22"
Warranty
1 year
The Full Review
Let's be honest about what this grill is: it's a $70 charcoal kettle from Walmart. It's not a Weber. It's not trying to be. But it absolutely works for basic grilling.
The 22-inch diameter gives you 363 sq in of cooking space — enough for a dozen burgers or 8 chicken thighs. The hinged grate makes adding charcoal during long cooks easier than on some more expensive grills.
Heat management is the main challenge. The thin steel body doesn't retain heat as well as a Weber, and the dampers are imprecise. You'll burn through charcoal faster and have less temperature control. For direct-heat grilling (burgers, steaks, dogs), this doesn't matter much. For low-and-slow smoking, you'll struggle.
The plated steel grates are the weakest point. They'll start rusting within a season unless you oil them religiously after every cook. Budget $20 for replacement grates (or upgrade to cast iron aftermarket grates) and you'll extend this grill's useful life considerably.
Assembly is straightforward — about 20 minutes with basic tools. Everything fits, nothing is confusing.
I recommend this grill for one specific audience: people who aren't sure they'll enjoy charcoal grilling and don't want to spend $175+ on a Weber to find out. Use this for a summer, and if you love charcoal cooking, upgrade. If not, you're out the price of a nice lunch.
How Does It Compare?
At a glance against its closest charcoal rivals.
| Grill | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Grill Premium 22-Inch Kettle (this) | 3.8 | $70 | The $70 Walmart kettle that gets the job done. |
| Weber 22" Original Kettle Premium | 4.6 | $175 | Fifty-plus years of proven design. |
| Weber Performer Deluxe | 4.7 | $399 | Everything great about the Original Kettle plus a worktable, charcoal storage bin, and gas-assisted ignition. |
Who Is It For?
First-time grillers on a tight budget. College students or renters who need a cheap, functional grill. Anyone testing whether charcoal grilling is for them before investing in a Weber.
Final Verdict
The Expert Grill 22-Inch Kettle won't change your life, but at $70 it doesn't need to. It cooks food over charcoal — and for many people, that's all they need. If you outgrow it, you've lost less than the cost of a dinner out.
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