It’s time to impress your pals as we get you ready for summertime cookouts with our list of the best pellet/gas combo grills/smokers available for purchase today.
The combo grill/smoker industry is big business and making the right decision is more important than most casual cookers give credit. It’s more than just the look of the grill/smoker and many elements need to be considered before making a purchase.
If you’ve never done much cooking via smoking before and want a hybrid cooking option try it out, this is the place to look. We’ve done the hard work for you and reviewed the 10 best combo grill/smokers on the market and listed the pros and cons of each model.
Something to note is that in this hybrid grill/smoker combo space, there aren’t that many models to choose from, which makes it even more important to pick the right one.
Whilst we didn’t want to include extra combo grill/smokers just to make up numbers, we’ve broken the list down into two categories, the best pellet/gas combos, and then the best of the other types such as gas, charcoal, and electric.
There’s no better place to start than with this popular industry staple. Pit Boss produces a wide variety of diverse gas/combo grills, and this model can reach temperatures of 180 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and comes included with two meat probes.
We tested out some fish and pork joints and found both the smoking and gas sections to be superb. This is a solid grill that would be welcome in any backyard.
The only downside we could see was that it produced a tonne of dust, so be prepared to do a thorough clean-up job once the dust has settled.
Pros
Superb quality and the base felt sturdy, which reassured us when moving it around.
Can reach temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and comes with plenty of space to cook.
Can use a wide variety of meats, fish, and poultries and cooks them through evenly.
Cons
This product does produce a lot of dust so be mindful if maintenance is not something you enjoy.
This model takes the traditional gas grill and makes it a high-tech option. It comes equipped with 900 square inches of cooking space and includes heavy-duty cast-iron grates.
There are two meat probes and Bluetooth readouts with an LCD controller located just below the grill.
This mode exceeded expectations and both sides worked perfectly. We’d have liked to have seen an enclosed bottom for storing more pellets and must be covered to avoid catching moisture.
Pros
Plenty of space for cooking on both sides which makes it ideal for bulk cooking.
We liked the LCD controller and Bluetooth options not seen on similar models at this price range.
Everything we cooked was well done and tasted delicious.
Cons
The design could have featured an enclosed bottom to allow for storing more pellets and for protecting them.
If you’re a master chef, this awesome model from the Pit Boss line will be the perfect choice to level up your cookouts. It’s a big unit and weighs over 250 pounds, with a maximum cooking temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
We found this model to be one of the most versatile combos, and the pellet side allows for enough heat for optimal smoking and cooks evenly through. We did notice the propane grill lacking in the searing department, however.
Pros
Its heavy-duty stainless steel build is sturdy, which is standard for the Pit Boss line.
We liked the pellet side, and the items we cooked were all well done.
The digital app worked well and helped to keep track of the cook whilst we were inside the house.
Cons
The propane side lacked in the searing department.
This gas-charcoal solution from Char-Griller comes with three stainless steel burners and has a total output of 40,800 BTUs.
Both sides together will net you 1,260 square inches of cooking space, including some nifty warming racks to keep the meat nice and warm ready for the first bite.
Overall we liked the model and appreciated some of its features like the electric starter and side burner. What we didn’t like was assembly, as the grill came in close to 500 pieces.
Pros
Plenty of cooking space across both grills makes this a robust choice.
The electric gas starter was easy and we didn’t face any problems getting the heat going.
The additional side burner is a nice touch.
Cons
It’s a great grill once you’ve fitted it together, but will take some time to assemble.
We had to feature this design as it’s still one of the best models for a hybrid cookout. The Char-Broil is a monster and you’ll be able to host many people with this gas/smoker combo.
It takes up to 1,060 total square inches of cooking surfaces and features 6 grates. It also comes equipped with a side burner and a professional temperature gauge for accurate monitoring.
If you can’t quite take the plunge and go for pellets, then stick with this awesome combo. It cooked our meats well and we feel this could easily feed up to 25 people.
Pros
If you’re not yet ready to invest, this is a great alternative to pellet cooking.
Plenty of cooking space, and the 1,060 square feet could host well over a dozen people.
The side heater cooked well and didn’t overcook any items.
Cons
We’ve noted a few reviews mention rusting issues, so be mindful of this model’s maintenance.
The second Char-Broil to feature on our list, for the ultimate in space-saving barbecues.
We know that not everybody has the space to fit a two-grill combo, however, this spacious design solves the footprint problem, as it’s only 24.6 inches long, 52.5 inches wide, and 47.5 inches in height.
For an entry-level option, this isn’t a bad choice and most of the food we tried tasted great.
With that said, the one downside with this model is that the charcoal plan is close to the grill so a lot of the food we cooked was not cooked through evenly, and can be prone to burning.
Pros
It’s a small model and the modest footprint is ideal for small backyards and gardens.
The 540 square inches of cooking space make this ideal for families or small gatherings.
Easily converts from a gas grill to a charcoal grill without any hassle.
Cons
Be wary of the charcoal pan, as it’s located too close to the grill and if you’re not careful will burn your food.
This is the mother of all hybrid gas/charcoal grills. Powered by two Coyote I-Burners, the gas grill delivers up to 40,000 BTUs of cooking power and has over 1,200 square inches of the cooking area between both sides.
It’s a meaty option, and the stainless steel model comes available with many accessories such as a weather-resistant cover and drop-in griddle. The one downside is that this doesn’t come with a steel cart and you’ll have to purchase this separately.
Pros
This model is a high-performance option with up to 40,000 BTUs.
Adjustable dampers allow for controlling airflow.
Two high-performance Coyote I-Burners cooked our meats amazingly, and the food tasted great.
Cons
You’ll need to find room to place this as it doesn’t come standard with a stainless steel cart.
Blossomz has devised a simple, yet effective cart-style combo grill in matte black and only weighing 100 pounds. It’s lightweight and easy to move about.
For a total burn of 24,000 BTUs and over 500 square inches with both charcoal and gas combined, we love this and it would be a solid choice for recreational grillers not looking for too many fancy knobs and switches.
Similar to other models in this price range, the grill came in a lot of pieces and might take the average Joe 2-3 hours to fit together.
Pros
Its simple yet effective design allows for a decent quality controlled cook.
It’s lightweight and easy to move about, in case the neighbors want to borrow your grill.
Although lightweight, it felt sturdy and looks like it has been designed to last a long time.
Cons
Some assembly is required, and it might take you a good chunk of the day to get this fitted together.
Royal Gourmet has launched the ZH3002 and the entire unit is made from double-layer stainless steel. It’s strong, sturdy, and comes with 2 built-in dampers for better smoke regulation.
What we liked the most was how user-friendly the model is, and dual cooking is not a problem as we found cooking both sides using the temperature control to be seamless.
We have noted that some replacement parts are not easy to get a hold of, so be wary that you look after your equipment to save hassle down the road.
Pros
Easy to assemble and the base feels solid and secure.
This was one of the easiest models to clean and would be an ideal choice for reducing the maintenance time.
Cooking with both sides was a breeze and temperature control helped achieve a perfect cook.
Cons
Replacement parts are apparently hard to source, so make sure you keep this in good order.
Our final hybrid grilling machine is this one from Weber. With this model, you get a 22-inch diameter porcelain-enameled bowl and lid with a modest cooking area of 363 square inches. It’s a nifty piece of kit that isn’t too cumbersome to move around.
We loved some of the added features on this, especially the removable LCD timer and built-in lid thermometer.
We also appreciate the large aluminum ash catcher that’s easy to remove and insert again, and even easier to clean. One issue we spotted was turning the gas knob tightly off otherwise it may still be releasing gas.
Pros
Simple yet elegant design and we loved the porcelain-enameled bowl and lid.
Very easy to move about and was super quick to assemble.
Comes with some cool features, like the removable LCD timer and built-in lid thermometer.
Cons
Be wary of the gas knob, as it may need double-checking to ensure it is not releasing gas and is fully switched off.
Buyers Guide
By now you should have a couple of options that have piqued your interest: it’s picking the right one, which if we’re being honest, is the tricky part. Follow our guide below and make sure you don’t make the wrong choice with our buyer’s guide.
Cooking Goals
The first thing to consider is what type of cooking you are likely going to do? Many of our choices come with a grill and smoker combination, and smoking is ideal for those slow and low heat cooks that use wood chips and pellets to infuse your ingredients with a smokey taste.
Some larger cuts of meat might end up taking half a day. Grilling is simply cooking something over high heat and is suitable for a wide range of ingredients, from meats to vegetables.
Along with the different types of cooking, you also need to take into consideration how the grill is fueled, as you have a few options, from electric to gas and charcoal.
Charcoal remains the most popular choice, however, newbie smokers or grillers will need to bear in mind the learning curve of managing a charcoal-based grill, making sure to have enough charcoal, and ensuring an even spread so that heat is consistent over a wide cooking space.
Not to mention how important air ventilation is. Too much and the temperature will rise too high, and too low and the temperature might not get hot enough for a decent cook.
If your main focus is finding a decent smoker, then prioritize this feature over the grill aspect, whereas if you’re only going to use the smoking element on rare occasions, focus your time looking for the best grill.
Size
Every combo grill/smoker is built differently, and choosing something you’re not prepared to handle could be a waste of time and money. Picking a smaller option for your first combo is not a bad idea, and the more comfortable you become with using them, you can always upgrade later.
For more experienced cookers, feel free to explore a larger option and pick a more powerful combo grill/smoker.
The other element to consider with the size is how much space you have for cooking. Typically with combo grills/smokers, you are going to get two sides for cooking (although some do not have this feature), effectively doubling the cooking area.
In terms of space for ingredients, what you are looking for is how many square inches you get. The larger the number, the bigger the area.
This isn’t that important if you only ever plan to cook for small amounts of people, but if you’re hosting a block party and need to cook for 40 or more people, the cooking area is going to matter.
Temperature Control
This is an important aspect to consider, especially if you are not intuitive with temperatures and haven’t done much smoking before.
Most of the models will feature some form of temperature control, but be wary that some of the cheaper models might have sub-optimal temperature gauges or even none at all.
On the opposite side of this, many of our featured grill/smokers have LCD monitors or standard thermometers to help you stay on top of the heat.
The other thing to bear in mind is making sure your combo grill/smoker has a wide range of heat. We consider 220-250 degrees the ideal temperature for grilling, so anything within this range or higher is going to be a good option.
Warranty
Purchasing a combo grill/smoker is an investment worth protecting, and making sure you’re covered against any accidental problems is a must, even if it’s just for peace of mind.
The good news is that most manufacturers offer a 3-year warranty on their models, and many of the premium options on our list do offer a lifetime warranty.
Cheaper and basic models with less expensive parts are generally going to cost less to repair, so while it may be a gamble only to get a basic warranty, say 12 months on one of the cheaper models, the good news is that it won’t cost you a lot to repair if anything does go wrong.
Assembly And Maintenance
We know cooking and eating is the fun part. Unfortunately, there is also the assembly and aftercare once the food has been cooked which needs to be taken into consideration.
An improper build could affect the cooking phase, and not keeping the combo grill/smoker clean is going to leave a horrible mess and reduce the shelf life of the model.
Some of the options we’ve picked are straightforward to piece together and won’t take long. With that said, make sure to check out the assembly requirements before purchasing as some of them are going to arrive in a million pieces and take you 2-3 hours to fit together.
Hiring someone to fit it is an alternative if you like the look of one of the models that have got a big assembly job, but this increases the overall cost.
We’ve done our best to include models that come with ash removal bins and porcelain cooking grates, and finding a model that includes accessories to help you out with this is always worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Smoke And Grill At The Same Time?
Yes, this can be done. The major benefit of a hybrid combo is that it allows different types of cooking methods simultaneously.
Is Smoking A Better Way To Cook Than Grilling?
In terms of taste, many people prefer smoked food because it adds a different flavor, especially large cuts of meat that cook more evenly. However, grilling is the preferred method as it’s quicker and doesn’t take nearly as long to cook.
What Exactly Makes Pellet Smokers Different From Other Smokers?
Pellet smokers are typically a push-button approach that is easy to operate and considered the most technologically advanced of all outdoor smokers.
How Often Should I Clean My Combo Grill/Smoker?
We recommend following the manufacturer’s manual for instructions on cleaning and cleaning frequency. As a general rule, you can check after going through a couple of hoppers full of pellets.
