Lodge Sportsman Grill vs Weber Charcoal Grill: Which One Should You Get?

By Kristy Warren •  Updated: 01/04/22 •  7 min read

Simple, easy to carry, and gets the job done right, these are the features of a good outdoor grill! However, not every manufacturer provides what you’re looking for! So, finding the right product is crucial, and that’s where Lodge and Weber come in! 

Both Lodge and Weber are big names in the world of grills. They’ve years of experience in grills of different styles. So, when choosing a grill, you might ask “Which one should I go for between Lodge Sportsman Grill Vs Weber Charcoal Grill” 

Both Lodge sportsman and Weber get the job done right. However, Lodge is a more versatile option due to its cast-iron build. But, if you’re looking for something easier to carry, Weber is the way to go! 

In this article, we’re going to discuss all you need to know about Lodge and Weber to help you find what you need. Let’s begin! 

Lodge Sportsman vs Weber Charcoal Grill: Head to Head

Choosing a good grill can be as confusing as a good meat grinder. We have to look at a lot of factors when choosing the right one.

As mentioned before, both the Lodge and Weber have features that stand out! So, we decided to break our argument down to a few key factors to help you out. But before we get into details, here’s a quick review table to get things started- 

SpecificationLodge Sportsman Weber Charcoal
Price $80-100$60-80
Material Cast Iron Stainless Steel 
Lid No Yes 
Vent One Two 
Griddle Pan Yes No 

The table should give you a summarized idea of what to look for. With that said, let’s get into the details- 

Price

One of the most important factors when it comes to your choice is the price. Choosing the best value for money is very important. In terms of prices, the Weber takes the edge compared to the Lodge Sportsman. 

The Weber charcoal sits at a fairly affordable price point. You can get the grill at a base price range of $60-80. However, the Lodge Sportsman is slightly on the more expensive side. You have to spend anything between $80-100 to get your hands on it! 

If price is a key factor, Weber is definitely the more affordable option. 

Winner: Weber Charcoal 121020

Portability 

When it comes to outdoor grills, portability is of the essence. If the grill is too heavy or too fragile, it’s not going to work outdoors. So, even if you have a grill that works well indoors, it might not be a good fit for your outdoor expeditions. 

In terms of portability, the Weber Charcoal 121020 is a good choice. Since the entire material is stainless steel, it’s easy to carry and transport. It’s also fairly lightweight at around 13lbs. Also, the legs of the grill can be pivoted to make it easier to carry. 

Also, the lid keeps all the coal and ash secured during transport. So it’s very unlikely that you’ll make your surroundings dirty while carrying. However, the handles get very hot while carrying, so keep that in mind.

When it comes to the Lodge Sportsman, it’s almost perfectly sized. It’s not too big or too small, so it’s very easy to carry. However, since the top material is cast iron, it’s significantly heavier than the Weber at 26lbs.

Furthermore, the Lodge Sports grill doesn’t have a lid. So, you have to let it cool down, empty its insides, and then transport it. Otherwise, the heat from the transport can damage it significantly. 

Winner: Weber Charcoal 121020

Durability 

When it comes to outdoor grills, durability is another key factor. It has to deal with the wear and tear of outdoors as well as being able to cook outdoors. And in terms of durability, the Lodge Sportsman is one of the best there is! 

The material of the Lodge Sportsman is mostly cast iron. And in terms of durability, cast iron is one of the best in the business. Most cast iron products can last generations without hassle. Also, the hibachi and the griddle are significantly thicker than their competitors. 

On the flip side, the Weber Charcoal Grill is completely stainless steel. While it might not be as durable as cast iron, it’s still pretty sturdy. So, you can take it outdoors without any hassle. 

Also, the base is porcelain enameled. So, it holds the coal and ember without dissipating too much heat out of the grill. Also, it protects the metallic body from peeling or rusting. So, you won’t have to worry much about the durability unless there are any accidents. 

Winner: Lodge Sportsman 

Features 

When it comes to choosing a grill, what features they bring to the table is important. And when it comes to comparing Weber and Lodge, there’s a lot to like about them! 

What we like the most about the Lodge Sportsman is the adjustable grill grate. You can decide how far away from the coal the grate is going to be. You can get the signature char marks by keeping them close to the fire. 

Also, if you’re slow cooking, the distance between the food and the coal is crucial. Also, there’s a flip-down door for you to add or remove coal to maintain temperature.

When it comes to the Weber, it’s just as feature-packed! To begin with, It has two vents with dampers on the lid. As a result, you get massive control over the temperature of the grill. You can make parts of the grill hotter for certain dishes.

Another good feature is the hook built-in with the lid. You won’t have to worry about the lid closing when you’re working an open grill. This also allows you to place the grill both on the ground and on tables.

So, it’s safe to say that both the grills provide vastly different features. However, if you’re looking for versatility, the Lodge is the way to go! 

Winner: Lodge Sportsman 

Verdict

Now, let’s finally settle the dispute! Lodge sportsman or Weber charcoal, which one should you go for! Both of the grills get the job done very well with unique features of their own. 

If you’re looking for a versatile grill that can both grill and slow cook, the Lodge sportsman is right for you. However, if you’re looking for a lightweight, easy-to-carry grill that’s affordable, we recommend the Weber. 

Thus, you have to make up your mind about what you need before choosing the product! 

FAQs 

Now that we’ve discussed the details, here are a few frequently asked questions-

Can You Use Wood in a Lodge Sportsman Grill? 

Yes! But the pieces of wood have to be very small to fit into the base. And since wood burns quickly, we don’t recommend using coal in your grill.

Can You Season a Cast Iron Hibachi Grill?

Yes, you can season a hibachi grill. You need to clean the grates and coat them in vegetable oil. Then turn on the grills for at least 90 minutes. Seasoning the grill regularly is good for its longevity. 

What Oil is Suitable For Seasoning a Grill? 

You can use any type of cooking oil for seasoning. But we recommend something with a high smoke point like vegetable oil for the best experience. 

Final Words 

A good outdoor grill can be an absolute game-changer for anyone! Both the Lodge Sportsman 

and Weber Charcoal grills are amazing grills with their features.

If you’re confused with the Lodge Sportsman Grills vs Weber Charcoal debate, we hear you! We’ve discussed all you need to know! We hope this article helps you!

Kristy Warren

Hello, I’m Kristy and the person behind KitchenPicker.com. I regularly post daily life kitchen-oriented things like kitchen hacks, kitchen tools, utensils, and related articles. The purpose of this blog is to make an archive and share my ideas and knowledge with my followers.