For every griller, figuring out what will power your grill is one of the first decisions to make. With charcoal grills, you’ll get smoky flavors on your BBQ. Gas units, on the other hand, offer cooking convenience and top-notch heating performance.
But who says you have to choose one grill type over the other when you can get the best gas charcoal combo grill—dual fuel (Gas & Charcoal) options in one piece of hardware.
In this guide, we’ll reveal the top seven gas and charcoal grill combos in the market. You’ll find most likely everything, from detailed overviews, customer reports, and a comprehensive buying guide, about the combination of gas and charcoal grill that offers the best of both worlds.
Be Mindful: Seven products are chosen here based on Dual-fuel (Gas and Charcoal) Combo — the most popular hybrid grills. However, if you are only searching for a grill and smoker combo — whatever the fuel source is; you can read our another article: 10 Best Smoker Grill Combo of 2023
Should You Buy a Dual-fuel Gas Charcoal Combo Grill?
The best gas-charcoal combo grills have a lot to offer but also their fair share of drawbacks. To help you decide whether they’re for you, here are the pros and cons of getting a gas and charcoal grill:
Benefits:
1. Brings the good of gas and charcoal grills together: The idea of smoky flavors when using charcoals and the heating performance of gas units draws enthusiasts to combo grills. If you’ve got a premium unit, a combo grill could also allow you to smoke or warm food.
2. Saves money: As we’ve established, a gas and charcoal combo grill will likely be more expensive than a single-fuel grill. However, they are often way cheaper than two single-fuel grills.
3. Great for small spaces: If you have a small patio, balcony, or yard, you can still cook with a combo grill. Using one allows you to organize your space the way you want it.
Drawbacks:
1. Comparative effectiveness: Individual chambers in combo units might not produce the same grilling experience as a single-fuel grill.
2. Cost and quality: Some hybrid grills tend to either fall short in terms of quality or be expensive. You should weigh the value the combo grill brings with its price.
3. Cooking space: Unless you have the best gas and charcoal grill, many units tend to have less space to cook your meals than single-fuel grills.
After getting all pros and cons, you have decided to stick with it. Let’s get right into it!
The Time-proof Buying Guide to Choose
— Best Gas Charcoal Combo Grill —
Considering getting a gas and charcoal grill? Here are the factors you should look out for:
1. Cooking space:
This is the area you get to grill your food. Therefore, it’s measured in square inches, and you should find the dimensions among the grill’s specs.
With ample cooking space, you can cook for a party or a large family. However, a small cooking space implies a smaller and more compact grill.
2. Cooking grates:
Grills often come with grates, but some models have better quality grates than others.
When getting a combo grill, consider those with cast-iron grates. These grates distribute heat evenly to your food. And if they’re porcelain-coated, they won’t rust or stick to your food.
For your charcoal chamber, look for a model that has a crank attached to the grates. The crank will help you adjust the grate’s height farther or closer to the blazing charcoals.
3. Warming rack:
Warming racks are essential grill components, and they make up part of your grill’s total cooking surface. They can help to keep your food warm while you grill other batches. However, in recent times, pitmasters use warming racks to indirectly cook delicate meals.
If you value this factor, look for combo grills that have warming racks in both chambers.
4. Dimensions and weight:
A unit that allows multiple grilling options tends to be larger and heavier than standard units. Therefore, the best gas charcoal combo grill comes with casters for mobility.
The dimensions and weight of a combo grill should be listed in the grill’s specs sheet.
5. Number of burners:
With more burners on a combo grill, you can supply heat to several meals at once. For example, a 2-burner grill allows you to make burgers and indirectly cook vegetables.
Consider models that have at least two burners. A side burner is a plus.
6. BTUs:
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. In grilling, it is the amount of heat output that the burners can generate in an hour.
A gas and charcoal grill with a high BTU-rating doesn’t imply superior heat output. That’s because BTUs are often compared with the primary cooking surface.
7. Temperature Gauges:
A gas and charcoal grill with temperature gauges allow you to monitor your grill’s ambient temperature. Consider getting a model that has accurate meters on both chambers if this factor is crucial to you.
8. Design and build quality:
Hybrid grills come in different shapes and build quality, and the material used affects heat retention. If you’re big on durability, then look for a unit with heavy-duty construction.
The popular materials used in hybrid grills are stainless steel or ordinary steel. Stainless steel makes the body easy to clean, while standard steel makes it sturdy.
9. Warranty details:
If you rather not get replacement parts on your own, consider finding a model that offers a generous warranty. Generally, most manufacturers offer a one to a five-year warranty on the entire unit as long as you stick to their instructions.
10. Additional features:
To narrow down your search, also consider:
● Ease of assembly: Most combo grills aren’t pre-assembled. Therefore, look for grills that take one to two hours to put everything together.
● Cleaning and maintenance: If you want your grill to take on harsh conditions and the mess you’ll make, consider units that are easy to clean and maintain. As a rule of thumb, check out units that have removable grease and ash trays. These components make cleaning a breeze.
● Piezo ignition system: For the gas chamber, consider units that light automatically with a piezo ignitor. With one, you don’t need a match to get things started.
● Separate side burner: Side burners offer additional cooking space, usually to warm your meals. Quality gas and charcoal combo grills have side burners that double as side tables.
● Extra storage space: You’ll always need a place to keep your tools, ingredients, and cooked food. So, check out units that have side tables, S-hooks, under-table spaces, and a slot for your propane tank.
Top 7 Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo Reviewed in 2023
1. Char Griller 5050 Duo Gas and Charcoal Grill — Editor’s Choice
Pros
- Inexpensive for a combo grill
- Spacious storage and cooking surfaces
- Comes with slide-out ash and grease pans
- Impressive extendable functions— can attach a smoker
Cons
- Components could definitely be of better quality
Our Thoughts
The Duo 5050 is the first of its kind and one of Char-Griller’s foremost grills. Featuring two barrels, the gas and charcoal grill provides ample space for cooking independently or simultaneously. It also has a side burner that notches the total cooking space up to 1,260 square inches.
Like other quality combo grills, the Duo 5050 fires up by the push of its electric-ignition button. While the three gas burners offer 40,800 BTUs, the side burner has 12,000 BTUs for warming meals.
The Char-Griller Duo 5050 has a 580 square-inch charcoal system with adjustable grates. This way, you can control the heat that gets to your meal. Its open-cart design is roomy, and each section has a warming area. You could still explore the condiment baskets, use the bottom shelf, or fold the side burner’s cover for extra storage space.
There’s an efficient grease management system on the gas barrel of the Duo 5050. On the other hand, the charcoal side has a dump ash pan, an adjustable smokestack, and a side damper.
This combo grill moves on two casters and comes with a grate lifter. It’s made from heavy-duty steel, and both sides have porcelain-coated cast-iron grates: just what you’d expect in the best charcoal gas combo grill.
What recent customers report:
Recent customers report that the grill is sturdy and easy to use. However, the major concern has been the grill’s painted exterior rusting after a few years.
Customers say you’d probably need a hand to assemble this unit. But asides from that, they think it’s quite a powerhouse for grilling and can fit 50 burgers at a go. Most users are impressed with how the grates heat up, and one happy customer summed up his review of the grill as ‘the best.’
2. Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill — Best Compact
Pros
- Easy to move around
- Inexpensive for a hybrid unit
- Relatively easier to assemble than different combos
- Grates produce little to no flare-ups
- Backed by a 5-year warranty on burners, 2-year warranty on firebox, and 1-year warranty on other parts
Cons
- Construction materials can be improved
- One cooking chamber – You’ll have to pick between using gas or charcoal
Our Thoughts
When pitmasters talk about a gas and charcoal grill, what readily comes to mind is a kitchen-size unit. The Gas2Coal grill has a complete opposite and unique design to this norm.
Made by a reputable manufacturer, this combo grill is Char-Broil’s answer to whether you should pick between a gas or charcoal grill. It is portable and offers 420 square inches of primary cooking surface. Plus, there’s a small 12,000-BTU side burner that folds down.
The Gas2Coal’s cast-iron grates are built to last and coated with porcelain. However, you can’t adjust their levels. Just in front of them are three stainless steel burners with a combined rating of 40,000 BTUs. And on the hood, the combo grill has a steel handle and temperature gauge.
This grill is a convertible with a unique charcoal system that works with its charcoal tray. When you’re ready to use it, simply take out the grates, place the charcoal tray, and put back the grates.
This design means you can’t use both gas and charcoal to grill at the same time—however, irrespective of the option you pick, the Gas2Coal lights with the push of the button.
For a compact grill, the Gas2Coal provides ample storage and holding space. It has a side shelf for grilling tools and accessories; and a removable warming rack.
The Gas2Coal’s cooking system comes in handy for indirect cooking, especially at low temperatures. Since it has a closed-cart design, you can fit a propane tank in it and move the unit on its wheels.
What recent customers report:
According to recent customer reviews, the Char-Broil GaS2Coal is perhaps the foremost gas-charcoal combo grill available.
Recent customers have split views on charcoal grilling with the unit. Some feel the charcoal side doesn’t precisely recreate cooking on a charcoal grill since it works with a tray and electric system. However, others see the charcoal section as a modern way of grilling with charcoal.
One thing users agree on is that the grill cooks food well and leaves excellent grill marks.
3. Blossomz Dual Fuel Combination Grill — Best Value
Pros
- Super affordable
- Easy to clean and use
- Retains heat and distributes heat well
- Convenience to store or move around
Cons
- The instruction manual is not detailed
Our Thoughts
If you’re big on investing in the best gas charcoal combo grill out there, then Blossomz Dual Fuel grill could be the unit you’ve been looking for. It’s an open-cart hybrid with ample space for grilling your best meals.
This almost-symmetric unit has a side shelf and a side burner with a cover (which you can fold down). The gas section features three burners that can supply 24,000 BTUs of combined heat. And like many quality grills, there’s an auto-ignition knob to get the gas chamber up and running.
The Blossomz Dual Fuel Combination grill offers a total cooking space of 557 square inches, and the gas side is slightly bigger than the charcoal chamber. If you add the warming rack, then the entire available space to cook or store food rounds up to 745 square inches.
Of course, this unit has separate dome lids for retaining heat. There’s also a gauge to monitor the grill’s ambient temperature. However, only the charcoal chamber has a smokestack on its dome.
This grill has two cast-iron grids and an efficient waste management system. While the charcoal chamber has a slide-out ash tray, a grease catcher is on the gas side.
The Blossomz Dual Fuel Combination grill moves on two plastic wheels and weighs just shy of 100 pounds. There’s a bottom shelf on the unit and enough space to keep a propane tank just below the burners.
You’ll have to put the entire grill together before grilling.
What recent customers report:
The most attractive thing to recent customers is the affordable price of this grill. Many users also remarked that they could fit 30 to 32 burgers on the unit at once.
On the flip side, the time it took to assemble the unit was the major concern for most users. The unlabelled parts and tiny words in the instruction manual didn’t also make things easier—however, those who had an expert to help reported that they assembled the unit in no time.
In a nutshell, recent customers have been impressed with the unit’s cooking power, and many agree that it is totally worth its value!
4. Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Gas Charcoal Combo Grill — Best Versatile
Pros
- Multiple cooking options
- Accurate temperature gauges
- Cooks and distributes heat evenly
- Easy to control temperature and airflow
Cons
- Quite hefty
- Can not convert to natural gas
Our Thoughts
Grilling is a fun way when you have the right grill to get the job done. The Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn is a combo grill that allows three cooking methods: gas grilling, charcoal grilling, and smoking.
Across all cooking chambers, the Longhorn Combo grill offers 1060 square-inches of total cooking space. While the chambers feature 750 square-inches of space, the secondary cooking space covers 310 square inches.
This gill’s charcoal chamber houses two porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates. It also comes with a lifting tool for carrying hot grates. Underneath the cooking grates, you’ll find the fire grate. And on its heat-retaining hood, there’s a cool-touch handle.
The gas side features three stainless steel burners. Together, they can produce a combined heat power of 36,000 BTUs. The burners heat food quickly, and you only need to push the electric ignition button to get the gas chamber lit. Also included is a temperature gauge on its hood.
The Oklahoma Longhorn has a side shelf that doubles as a place to keep your food. It has a 12,000 BTU burner for warming food. On the other side, there’s a plate warmer on the firebox cover and an access door to control airflow into the offset smoker.
Oklahoma Joe loads the Longhorn Combo with enough storage space to get by. There’s a tool rack just in front of the charcoal chamber and a wire shelf rack underneath the unit.
The Longhorn Combo moves on two wagon-style wheels, and there’s a handle on its firebox to push the entire unit.
What recent customers report:
Recent customers have had spotted more highs than lows about this grill. Most users didn’t have to break a sweat to put the unit together. They also commented that the unit is heavy-duty and grills well. However, the complained of the burner covers rusting.
One piece of advice recent customers gave is to season the grates often to get delicious meals using the Longhorn Combo.
5. Char-Griller 5030 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill — Best Affordable Pick
Pros
- Super affordable unit
- Compact and portable
- Sturdy construction
- Distributes and retains heat properly
- Multiple temperatures and airflow controls
Cons
- No side burners
- Wheels can be made of better quality
Our Thoughts
Char-Griller is a top grill manufacturer, and the Char-Griller 5030 grill is its budget unit. Made in China, the combo grill is petite and constructed with heavy-duty steel. It has a total cooking area of 870 square inches, where 606 square-inches cover its primary cooking surface.
This unit’s gas chamber works with two burners that produce a total heat output of 24,000 BTUs. On its hood, there’re two smokestacks to control the heat settings of your meal. Still, you can spot two temperature gauges on each chamber.
When you open the gas chamber, you’d be greeted with two porcelain-coated cast-iron grates. And to get started, you only have to push the electric ignition button placed between the burners.
The charcoal chamber of the Char-Griller 5030 combo grill packs features for traditional cooking with charcoal. It comes with dual damper controls and is compatible with a side firebox. With its ash pan, you can clean out the unit.
Both chambers of the Char-Griller 5030 combo are made from triple gauge steel. Hence, they provide superior heat retention for cooking. There’s one side table where you can keep your meals and S-hooks for hanging cooking tools.
This combo grill comes with a detailed instruction manual. To move the Char-Griller 5030 around, you’d need to tip it while grasping the side handle.
The entire unit weighs a little above 100 pounds and works only with a propane tank.
What recent customers report:
Customers were impressed with the cooking performance of the grill. They like that the unit is portable and takes only about an hour to assemble.
For most users, cooking for a small family of five or less was a breeze with this unit. They report that they could fit 8 to 10 hamburgers at a go, and its burners heat up nicely. However, some customers weren’t at all impressed with the dampers.
In a nutshell, recent customers love this grill, especially those that are in the market for the most affordable combo unit.
6. Royal Gourmet ZH3002-S Gas Charcoal Grill Combo — Best for stainless steel
Pros
- Relatively lightweight
- Easy to clean and use
- Ample space to store tools, food, and tank
- Works on propane or natural gas
Cons
- Material quality could be thicker
- Assembly instructions could definitely be simpler to understand
Our Thoughts
The Royal Gourmet ZH3002-S is loaded with features for gas and charcoal grilling. Made primarily from stainless steel, this grill also has touches of black paint. It offers 576 square-inches of cooking space and a 164 square inch warming rack.
The ZH3002-S combo grill has three stainless-steel burners that deliver 27,000 BTUs of heat. Underneath them, the hybrid grill has an oil tray and catcher for easy cleaning. On the other side, the charcoal chamber has an ash-tray.
This grill allows you to control the heat and smoke on your food using its in-built dampers. Still, there’re temperature gauges on the lids, and you can adjust the height of the charcoal pan without opening the chamber. There are two fixed side tables, integrated S-hooks, and a bottle opener.
Inside the chambers of the ZH3002-S gas and charcoal grill, there’s a front air vent. And underneath them, there’re two bottom double-layer doors where you can keep a 20-pound propane tank. The entire unit weighs a little more than 100 pounds and moves on a combination of wheels and casters.
What recent customers report:
Overall, recent customers are happy with this grill, and many think it could well be the best gas and charcoal grill available. Its stainless-steel body gives it a dashing look, although they claim it is relatively thin. Grillers commented that you could fit 33 burgers on the ZH3002-S grill, just as its manufacturer claims.
On the downside, some reported that a few parts were missing. So, you should inspect them before you start putting everything together.
Most customers like the flame protectors in the unit, and they say it helps to distribute food to your meals.
7. Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate 4-in-1 LP Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo — Best Premium Pick
Pros
- Allows multiple cooking options
- Ease to move with four casters
- Comes with extra storage space
Cons
- Hefty at over 200 pounds
Our Thoughts
The Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate is a powerhouse hybrid grill. So, what exactly does it offer grilling enthusiasts and pitmasters?
First, it’s a three-burner gas grill. It’s also a premium charcoal grill, full-size electric smoker, and offset smoker.
The complete grilling setup has ample cooking space that covers 2,100 square inches. While using the gas side, you can get a power output of 36,000 BTUs by pushing the auto-lighting button. The gas chambers have heavy-duty cast-iron grids and an upper rack to store food. Plus, there are stainless-steel burner tubes and porcelain flame diffusers for easy grilling.
On the Memphis Ultimate’s charcoal side, you can adjust the coking level, exhaust, and air intake without lifting the lid. Like in its gas chamber, the charcoal side has a large cast-iron grilling surface for huge meat chunks.
Underneath the grilling chambers, you’d find the Memphis Ultimate’s electric smoker. It’s pretty large for turkeys, and there’s a wood chip tray you can access from outside.
The Memphis ultimate is equipped with storage drawers, tool hooks, and grease drawers. Weighing in at 215 pounds, the grill moves on four casters, and you can attach a propane tank at its side.
What recent customers report:
Recent customers are convinced this unit has just about everything they need for grilling. The multipurpose combo grill has often been referred to as ‘the beast,’ for a good reason.
According to these customers, the unit’s heat distribution is great, and the only major pain-point was setting the grill up. Nonetheless, most grillers think it’s an incredible product.
Wrap up
You don’t have to choose between a gas unit and a charcoal grill. Several grills combine both functions, and we’ve listed the best ones in the market for you.
Peruse our reviews and use our buying guide to find the best gas charcoal combo grill just for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
In our opinion, the best combo grill in the market is the Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas and Charcoal Grill. It has a large cooking space, high cooking performance, and just about everything you need to grill a delicious meal.
Gas and charcoal combo grills can be challenging to assemble. However, not all of these units require you to take the day off just to set them up.
If you get a model that comes with a detailed instruction manual, then assembling the unit should be a walk in the park. Alternatively, you can outsource the entire process to experts if you don’t want to spend time putting pieces together.
You can use the gas and charcoal sides of a combo grill at the same time as long as the unit isn’t a convertible grill. But first, you’ll need to fill the charcoal side with coal and get enough fuel for the gas chamber.
