CosmoGrill Outdoor XL Charcoal Grill Review (New for Summer)

Having an outdoor barbecue is the perfect way to make use of your outdoor garden, especially in the warmer months

But to do that, you need the right BBQ grill

That’s why, in today’s post, I’ll be reviewing the CosmoGrill Outdoor XL Charcoal grill. 

With most of our social events happening outdoors in the past year, having a portable barbecue grill can make a world of difference. With it, you can make delicious and smokey meats and veggies to enjoy with your friends and family. 

What I’ll Cover…

• Charcoal vs Gas grills
• Best features
• Product specifications
• Customer reviews
• Top alternatives
• Is it the right choice for you?

OK, let’s get stuck in…

The first decision you have to make when buying a grill for your garden is choosing between gas and charcoal. Both have their advantages, so you need to choose one based on your specific needs.

The best part about gas grills is that they start at the push of a button and require much less cleaning. However, they are more expensive and are less portable. 

This is the XXL model shown in use – more on that below

On the other hand, charcoal grills require you to prep the charcoal before starting but produce a much higher heat that allows that delicious caramelization. It also gives off that smokey flavour that we all know and love.

In addition, charcoal grills are much more portable and you can take them almost anywhere, so it’s perfect if you travel often, such as going camping.

If you’re more interested in gas grills, check out my previous review of the gas model of the CosmoGrill.

And now, let’s get to the CosmoGrill XL Outdoor Charcoal Grill.

Key Features

Let’s start by looking at the key features at a glance:

Coal tray with crank handle

The Cosmo Grill has a coal tray with crank handle

Adjusting the temperature on a charcoal grill can often be difficult due to the nature of charcoal. Some coals have higher heat while others have lower, and you need to be always observing to not overcook your food.

But with the Cosmo Grill Outdoor XL grill, you don’t need to worry so much about it.

It features a stainless steel handle that’s attached to the coal tray. This option allows you to move the tray up and down to gain the optimum heat you need.

Warming rack

The top rack keeps your food hot after cooking

Besides the main grill area, there’s one more above it that acts as a warming rack. It’s the perfect place to put any food that’s done cooking and needs to stay warm while you’re finishing up the other foods.

It can also serve as a secondary grilling area, especially if you need something that takes longer to cook on a lower heat.

Some things that come to mind are baked potatoes, corn on the cob or meat that is thicker.

Removable ashtray

Another common drawback of charcoal grills is that they leave ash as a waste which can be difficult to clean. But the CosmoGrill Outdoor XL Grill has figured out a way to make this process a lot easier.

Below the coal tray, there’s a removable drawer that catches all the ash and tiny pieces of coal.

Once you’re done grilling, just remove the drawer and empty it out, it’s as simple as that. You can even put it on your garden to give a little back in terms of nutrients.

Functional accessories

Cook to perfection with the in-built thermometer

To make your grilling process more enjoyable, the CosmoGrill includes a variety of accessories and attachments.

The best one has to be the built-in thermometer. It allows you to always keep an eye on the temperature and adjust the coals if necessary.

Other useful attachments include side shelves for easy storage and a prep area. The side shelves also have four hooks below them to hang all your utensils so as to keep them within easy reach at all times.

Fully portable

If you often move around and want to have your grill available for transport, you’ll be glad to hear that the CosmoGrill features two wheels that ensure easy transportation.

The whole unit weighs 24kg, and thanks to the wheels, moving it around seems like a breeze.

So, the next time you’re off to a picnic, you don’t have to cook beforehand – you can do it at the spot and enjoy freshly cooked food.

Here are the highlights…

Learn more at Amazon

Specifications

• Length: 124 cm
• Width: 66 cm
• Height: 113.5 cm
• Weight: 24kg
• Basin material: Steel
• Charcoal capacity: 2.7kg

What are People Saying…?

With more than 750 5-star reviews on Amazon, it’s clear that the CosmoGrill Outdoor XL Barbecue is highly-rated among people who’ve used it.

The main positive points that can be seen in all of these reviews are the adjustable height of the coal tray, the side shelves for easy prep, and the fact that it can be closed and used similar to an oven.

What can I say apart from this BBQ is outstanding? I have spent a lot of time considering what bbq to get and was looking at ones twice this price and even custom builds. The build quality is just amazing, it’s well packaged and easy to assemble. Instructs are clear and easy to follow. The coal tray is great, it’s nice to be able to adjust the heat without having to struggle with moving the rack up or down like on different BBQs, and the side trays with plenty of hooks make cooking for a large party easy. There is loads of room for meat, which is awesome, as we always cook too much. Would definitely recommend this grill. – Mark

What’s the Downside…?

To our surprise, some people found it hard to assemble the grill before using it, with some people even spending hours on it. They all seemed to love the actual barbecue, but the assembly was a real pain to go through.

It is actually a good design but a real pain to put together, takes about 3 hrs with all the tiny parts and screws. Once I assembled it though, I’m pleased with the product and have to say it cooks food well. – ILSC Housekeeping

The positive to take from this is that you only have to do it once!

Is it Suitable for You..?

If you’re looking to get that smokey meat flavour that you can only get from a charcoal grill, the CosmoGrill Outdoor XL BBQ is the perfect choice for you.

Another shot of the Cosmo Grill XXL model, which is almost the same as the XL model

It is very well built and has plenty of accessories and attachments to make your grilling experience much more enjoyable. The built-in thermometer allows you to stay in control of the temperature when you’re smoking meats or using it as an oven. 

And if you often wish you had a portable grill so you can do barbecues anywhere, you can now do so thanks to the two wheels at the bottom of this grill that allow you to bring it with you wherever you go.

Alternatives Options

• Cosmo Grill 6 Gas BBQ
• Outback Meteor 4 Burner BBQ Critical Review & Buyers Guide
• Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Chef Pan 30mbar Review

The bottom line…

If a durable and resistant charcoal barbecue is what you’re after, then this one from CosmoGrill will provide you with everything you need. It’s highly portable, which means you can enjoy delicious barbecue wherever you go.

In addition, it has well-designed features, like the adjustable coal tray and the warming rack to make every cooking session a little more enjoyable. And when you’re done cooking, just pull out the ashtray and empty it out. Simple as that.

A stylish and professional looking BBQ and grill

If you like this option, but need a larger cooking area to serve more friends and family members, you can check out their larger, XXL model. It’s entirely the same, but with more place for all your foods.

Overall, the CosmoGrill Outdoor XL BBQ is a perfect addition to your outdoor entertainment area.