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For charcoal grill lovers, Lodge is a familiar name for years. The Lodge Sportsman hibachi-style portable grills are out-of-the-box when it comes to backyard BBQing or tailgating.
But unfortunately, they are not available anymore. Even if you can find them very rarely, they are highly overpriced. But what’s the reason?
Because the Lodge Sportsman grill discontinued its production. They wanted to modify their previous models with some advanced features. Hopefully, you will hear an official announcement from them about the new version.
On that note, we have some better alternatives that exactly perform like the Lodge ones as a hibachi charcoal grill.
So, let’s try digging into them.
3 Best Alternatives To Lodge Sportsman Grill
After hours of research, our expert team has picked the following three grills that are extremely easy to use and last a lifetime. Moreover, they prepare food on direct heat right in front of you.
Let’s explore their amenities and drawbacks below to learn more in detail.
Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Portable Charcoal Grill
On the first spot, we have an amazing alternative from the same brand. It’s their Pro 19.38 inches charcoal grill. Let’s look forward to whether it lives up to its ancestors or not.
Top Features
- Made in the USA
- Includes a removable grill grate
- Features a slide-out ash drawer
- Pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil
- Safe and secure grip with the carrying handles
As we all know, charcoal and cast iron are a deadly combination when it comes to grilling at high temperatures. Naturally, this cast iron grill is an excellent choice for charcoal grill aficionados.
Being crafted carefully in the USA, this grill lets you make a lot of golden memories with your near and dear ones. The manufacturers seasoned the cooking surface with 100% natural vegetable oil.
Therefore, it remains non-stick for a long time. But like other cast iron cookware, it certainly needs some care over time.
Yes, it’s true that being solely made of cast iron, it’s a bit heavier. But that doesn’t count as a big deal as you get so many conveniences out of this outstanding grill.
For example, it comes with a set of steel hooks and carrying handles. So, you can easily lift it with a secure grip. And thanks to the removable grill grate, adding charcoal becomes a breeze.
In addition, the slide-out ash drawer is a big blessing for this grill. Not only does it remove ashes easily but also lets you control heat precisely.
In fact, it’s an all-purpose grill with a virtually indestructible design. You can use it for a lifetime with a little bit of care.
We also loved this hibachi-style grilling tool for its excellent heat retention capability. Indeed, it can handle high heat pretty well. That surely is a much-required quality for any charcoal grill out there.
Besides, the dual air vents work magically well to manage the airflow so that you have full control over the heat flow. Undoubtedly, you are going to make the best meal with this grill.
Don’t know much about assembly? You need not. The four-piece design of this charcoal grill is extremely easy to assemble. Also, the removable grate and the ash drawer keep all the cleaning hassle at bay.
All things considered, it’s a perfect pick for those looking for a premium-quality hibachi-style grill.
Pros
- Both for indoors and outdoors
- Comes at a very reasonable price
- Compact architecture lasts longer
- Infuses an enchanting aroma into the food
- Evenly cooks with a precise temperature control
Cons
- A bit heavyweight
- Sometimes the ash pan doesn’t slide smoothly
Giantex Cast Iron Portable Grill with Net
Are you still wondering- has the Lodge Sportsman grill been discontinued? Then let’s meet another irresistible alternative that can erase your memory of the Sportsman one. Yes, we have the great Giantex Portable Grill at hand.
Top Features
- 12.5″×8.5″ larger grilling area
- Includes a sliding air regulating door
- Comes with a double-sided grilling net
- Lightweight construction adds portability
- Made of strong and sturdy cast iron material
If you are looking for a charcoal grill that can smoke fish, meat, cheese, veggies, steaks, drumsticks, and literally everything on earth, go for this right away.
It comes with loads of conveniences to make your outdoor grilling a favorite memory, not a hectic one.
On that note, the grill offers easy assembly. The compact and pithy architecture comes in a portable size in 15.5×10.5×7 inches measurements.
Certainly, it’s a great size as a portable grill to carry camping. Moreover, the robust cast iron construction makes it incredibly long-lasting.
Aside from the thoughtful craftsmanship, you can rely on the outstanding heat retention and thermal conductivity.
No wonder, it preserves the authentic taste in everything you cook, from kebab to steaks.
Next, we absolutely loved the front fore gate due to which you can easily add or remove coal. On top of that, the humanized design prevents any burn or scald.
An often overlooked feature is the air regulator door. It’s a sliding one and that’s why it moves easily. Adjusting the temperature is a great concern when it comes to achieving the exact smokey smack in your food. And this door makes fire adjustment a snap.
Above all, it includes both a grilling net and a charcoal net. Furthermore, the double-sided grilling net can adjust two different heights based on the cooking demands.
In terms of storing and transporting the grill, it’s quite space-saving with a solid design. And credit goes to the charcoal and grilling nets again, they are removable, and resultantly, cleaning the grill becomes a breeze.
Talking about the budget, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg. It is quite affordable compared to other high-end charcoal grills with similar benefits.
So, what’s making you wait? Get this grill for a splendid smokey meal in no time.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Very much affordable
- Comes extremely well-packed
- Sufficiently thick cast iron coating
- A convenient cast iron hatch on the front
Cons
- Smaller than the Sportsman grill
- A bit clumsy assembly instructions
PKGO Cast Iron Aluminum Portable Charcoal Grill
The final product on the list is a PKGO BBQ smoker and grill. It’s a premium-quality grill with a lid that is equipped with so many advanced features. Let’s check out its core specialties below.
Top Features
- Rust-resistant top and bottom
- Offers a two-zone BBQ grilling
- Includes a separate charcoal grate
- Featured a durable aluminum handle
- Comes with a lid lock for easy transport
To begin with the benefits, we must admire the 4-point venting system first. This patented venting system allows both direct high heat smoking and indirect low and slow cooking.
On top of that, it is basically a smoker and grill combo with so many extra cooking conveniences.
The interior is made of high-quality stainless steel and the entire cooking surface is cast iron coated.
However, the outer material is heavy-duty aluminum though.
As the grill consists of a charcoal grate, it literally doubles the cooking area. Therefore, you can cook a large batch of food at a time.
Talking about the dimensions, it measures 20.9×15.3×13.03 inches. Don’t misjudge it seeing its smaller diameter. The grill is way more functional than any average charcoal grill or smoker.
Honestly speaking, the best part of the grill is the two-zone grilling experience. In the case of direct grilling, it can produce heat 4 times faster compared to a sheet metal grill. So, you can always prepare hot and juicy fish or meat.
Undoubtedly, we were blown away by this cast-aluminum cooking combo for its excellent low and slow smoking performance. You get such a nice smoky aroma that cannot be described in words.
Be it in the backyard or at the tailgate, this heavy-duty grill is meant to retain the original taste in everything, from burgers to steaks.
Another great add-on of this grill is the digital probe access door which makes its operation a snap. And the lid lock always secures the lid so that you can carry it anywhere you want.
As a small and compact cooking tool, it also fills the bill with its long-lasting engineering. It is, indeed, built to last.
Pros
- Holds heat consistently
- Consumes less charcoal
- A smoker and grill combo
- Top-notch construction and quality control
- The flip kit offers an additional 200 square inches of surface
Cons
- A bit expensive
- The two air vents underneath make the loose ashes fall out
Are The Alternatives Better Than The Original One
To some extent, yes. As you know, Sportsman grills are heavier and harder to clean. Moreover, there are lots of other alternatives that come cheaper than them.
When the grills were in production, despite their heavy-duty performances, people used to complain about the weight. Although there were portable grills, it was difficult to carry them outside.
But the alternatives we reviewed above are lighter and cheaper than the original ones. Also, they are easier to clean.
As the original ones aren’t continued anymore by the manufacturers, we highly recommend trying an alternative. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
From When The Lodge Sportsman Grill Discontinued
Umm, we cannot assure the exact time. They are unavailable for the last few years. Nowadays, you can rarely find one or two pieces of the grill, that too from other sellers at a high price. Probably, they bought them years ago and stored them.
Considering the unavailability, we guess they discontinued the item around 3-4 years ago.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have got the answer to whether the Lodge Sportsman Grill discontinued or not. Yes, they no longer continue making the product and never will be back with the same model. They might come back in a new version with some adjustments and advancements.
We know that the avid Lodge Sportsman fans are going crazy over this news. That’s why we recommend the three best alternatives to them.
Once you try them out, you will surely understand why they can successfully replace your old Sportsman grill and become your new favorite.
