8 Best Gas Charcoal Combo Grills of 2024: Everything Inside
To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living. Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN
If you love the smoky flavor that cooking over a charcoal fire imparts, but also enjoy the convenience of gas grilling. Then a gas charcoal combo grill may be the perfect solution for you. These grills allow you to use both fuel types in the same unit, giving you the best of both worlds.
After extensive research and hands-on testing of top rated combo grills models, I’ve compiled this list of 10 best gas charcoal combo grills for 2024. I evaluated critical features like durability, ease of use, temperature range and control, and extra convenience factors. This guide has options to meet any budget or cooking need.
Top Picks for the Best Gas Charcoal Combo Grills
After extensive testing and hours of outdoor testing, these three gas charcoal combo grills rose to the top of the pack:
Overall Best Combo Grill: Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-And-Charcoal Grill
I cater my cooking needs with the versatile Char-Griller Duo Gas and Charcoal Grill. This innovative grill combines a three-burner gas grill with ample 40,800 BTU heating power and a spacious charcoal grill to unlock countless recipe possibilities.
The Char-Griller Dual Combo grill is highly adaptable to the cook’s needs and has great heat flow and retention for its price. With multiple burners and two barrels, it can do a lot, making it a great choice for outdoor cooking. However, those who don’t need as much flexibility might prefer a simpler grill option.
MICHELLE MASTRO
Consider this perfect permanent placement to cherish this combo grill as the centerpiece of your outdoor grill for decades of distinguished service.
High-End Best Combo Grill: Coyote Centaur 50-Inch Natural Gas/Charcoal Dual Fuel Grill
The Coyote is the best Hybrid grill of both worlds for me. I love the smoky, charred flavor you can only get from cooking over a real charcoal fire. But gas grills make it a cinch to whip up quick weeknight meals or foods that need more gentle heat.
This clever grill lets me have it all. When I’m feeling fancy and have more time, I load up the charcoal side with lump hardwood and watch those flames work their magic on thick steaks and juicy ribs. The smoke perfumes them perfectly. Then when I just need to make some chicken breasts for tacos or veggies for the kiddos, I fire up the gas side. It heats to 500 degrees in minutes, no fuss.
The Coyote Hybrid means I never have to compromise, getting that charcoal taste whenever I want with the ease of gas too. It’s the best of both worlds in one grill!
Best Budget Combo Grill: Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill
I recommend this budget-friendly beauty to homeowners and tailgaters who are seeking to merge serious grilling technology with everyday affordability. The feature-packed Dual Fuel Combo Grill proffers professional-caliber functionality at a fraction of the cost. Equip your outdoor cooking arsenal with this barbeque grill without breaking the bank.
No matter your needs and budget, one of these top-rated combo grills is sure to help you master that delicate balance of convenience and charcoal flavor.
Keep reading for more details on these and other excellent options.
What is a Gas Charcoal Combo Grill?
A gas charcoal combo grill is an outdoor cooking appliance that allows you to cook over both gas and charcoal fuel in the same unit. One side operates as a typical gas grill, heating up quickly at the push of a button and offering consistent temperatures.
The other side is a charcoal grill, where you load charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal to create an authentic, smoky barbecue flavor. Many models include offset smoking chambers as well to add even more versatility.
These dual-purpose grills aim to provide the control and convenience of gas fuel along with the flavor of real wood or charcoal burning. With both options in one unit, you can easily switch between fuel types for different recipes.
For those who are also considering pellet smokers, our guide on the best vertical pellet smokers offers valuable insights
Benefits of Gas Charcoal Combo Grills
Combo grills give you some significant advantages over a standard single-fuel grill:
Convenience of Gas Plus Flavor of Charcoal – Get the quick startup and temperature precision of gas along with the wood smoke taste charcoal imparts. No need to choose one or the other.
More Versatile Cooking Options – Sear steaks over the hottest gas burners while smoking a brisket low-and-slow over the charcoal chamber. Cook over both sides at once for large gatherings.
Better Temperature Control – Precisely adjust the gas burners for consistent heat when needed while managing the charcoal fire for customized smoke profiles.
Save Money By Choosing Fuel Strategically – Use cheaper charcoal for most cooks and reserve gas for quick weeknight meals or when you run out of charcoal.
Extra Features Like Side Burners and Smokers – Many combo grills include extras like side burners, prep spaces, storage, and integrated smokers to replace several appliances.
The flexibility to switch between fuel types and cooking chambers allows you to be more creative with recipes and cater to different tastes and preferences.
Supermodel Tyra Banks revealed to her fans that she stays slim by “grilling lean meats like chicken and enjoying lots of low-calorie grilled veggies.” These charcoal and gas combo grills make healthy barbecue a breeze.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Gas-Charcoal Hybrid
With so many options on the market, it helps to know what features impact performance and convenience. Use this buying guide when researching and comparing different models:
Size and Cooking Surface Area – Consider how many people you regularly cook for. More overall square footage allows you to handle larger gatherings. Look for at least 500-600 square inches.
Fuel Type and Maximum Heat – Charcoal chambers should hold both briquettes and lump charcoal. More BTUs on gas burners means higher potential heat. Look for at least 40-50,000 BTUs across main burners.
Temperature Range and Control – Precision temperature control allows you more creativity and consistency. Good combo grills reach up to 700+ degrees Fahrenheit but also down to 200 degrees F or less for smoking.
Build Quality and Materials – Focus on thick, high-grade stainless steel that resists rust and retains heat well. Sturdy welding and hardware are also reassuring signs of durability.
Ease of Cleanup – Look for removable parts, convenient access doors and ash pans, and other smart design choices that make keeping your grill tidy much simpler.
Extra Features and Overall Value – Many combo grills add extras like side burners, prep spaces, sinks, storage and more. Factor what’s most useful for your household into assessing the full value.
With the right criteria in mind from the start, you’re sure to select a high-performing, long-lasting best gas charcoal combo grill perfect for your outdoor cooking needs.
10 Best Gas Charcoal Combo Grills
After extensive firsthand testing of top-rated models, I determined these 10 gas charcoal combo grills to be the best options across price points and feature sets:
The convenient gas side starts up fast to sear weeknight dinners like juicy burgers or chicken breasts at the push of a button. Three independently controlled burners reach up to 500°F, expertly searing meats while retaining moisture and flavor.
When the weekend arrives, uncover the potential of authentic wood-fired flavor on the charcoal side. Load up bountiful spreads for the whole family, like slow-smoked brisket or whole chickens with crispy skin. Over 1260 sq. in. The cast iron surface area accommodates large cookouts for 20+ people with ease.
No matter the day or meal, the Char-Griller Duo grill stands ready to deliver incredible results through versatile, dual-fuel cooking.
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Despite its tricky assembly, I would love to buy it again and again due to its powerful body and two cooking spaces next to each other.
The Coyote Centaur is a beast of a combo grill! It’s got your basic two-in-one setup with huge side-by-side gas and charcoal grilling sections. It comes with a whopping total of 1200 sq. inches to work with. That’s plenty of room for cooking up a storm.
The best thing about it? The gas half alone has two big burners putting out 40,000 BTUs. That gets things hot enough to sear steaks or barbecue chicken without any flare ups.
This baby is built seriously tough – it has high-end stainless steel all over so I am not worried about holding it up for years on my deck. It’s so pretty and most importantly, it lets me grill with gas or charcoal.
With tons of space to cook on both sides at once, I can make family meals and have all our friends over no problem. This grill is an investment but I won’t lie it really does make me feel like a grilling all-star in my own backyard. And isn’t that what every chef with a spatula dreams about?!
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I must say. It totally looks like it belongs in some fancy chef’s backyard instead of mine! But I love that it lets me cook like a pro. Grab your hands on it!
Strike an optimal balance of value and performance with this best charcoal and gas smoker grill. As one of the most competitively priced best charcoal and gas grill combo offerings in its class. This value-focused grill refuses to compromise on capabilities.
This versatile 3 in 1 combo grill allows me to take full advantage of different fuel types for all my backyard cooking needs. It comes equipped with both a spacious charcoal grill and an ample 3-burner gas grill, plus a powerful propane side burner for additional functionality.
The gas side offers 295 square inches of cooking space across three high-performance stainless steel burners that provide a combined heating power of 24,000 BTUs. It makes it easy to generate a wide range of heat intensities for searing, simmering, or anything in between.
Meanwhile, the charcoal grill features 262 square inches of durable cast iron grates set above a height-adjustable tray. The front-access door makes it simple to replenish charcoal fuel mid-cook when smoking low and slow. And of course, those smoldering embers impart the rich, smoky flavor no gas grill can truly replicate.
With the flexibility to fire up both grill boxes plus a potent 12,000 BTU side burner, this combo unit becomes my outdoor cooking command station. I can cook everything from weeknight chicken to a fully-catered BBQ bash using this best charcoal and gas grill.
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In essence, constructed on a dependable steel frame, this is the best Dual Fuel grill which provides enduring durability season after season. While priced attractively for budget-focused buyers, it still integrates premium features. Like, built-in temperature gauge, side shelf, and adjustable charcoal tray.
As an avid backyard chef looking to elevate my outdoor culinary pursuits, the Pit Boss Memphis 4-in-1 Grill caught my attention immediately. With its vast 1,500 sq. inch total cooking surface, this feature-packed unit promises to be the ultimate grilling and smoking workhorse once could have dreamed of owning.
Beyond the massive cooking capacity, the true allure here is the four-in-one versatility. Combining a gas grill, charcoal grill, electric smoker, and smoker box into one sleek package, this hybrid bbq grill enables you to chase any flavor on a whim without compromise.
As an enthusiastic griller, the exceptionally generous cooking capacity blew me away. With a total surface area spanning 2,167 inches, this grill has the flexibility to be my backyard’s personal kitchen stadium.
The dedicated 840 square inch electric smoker lets hot smoke bountiful batches between 250-300°F. Meanwhile, the massive 1,327 inch main grill area accommodates direct grilling, searing, and general cooking needs. The adjustable charcoal tray optimizes heat for flawless results.
Remarkably, despite its formidable size, this unit maintains mobility thanks to four smooth-rolling wheels. I can transport it to storage with ease after cooking up a backyard feast. It also offers abundant storage space for all grilling accessories with two side tables and three roomy drawers.
After over a year of frequent use, the construction continues shining through wear and tear. The grates show no signs of rust, and only minor gripes have surfaced like deteriorating handle grips and occasionally finicky igniters. But the satisfaction I get cooking on this grill makes up for these tiny issues tenfold.
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For the aspiring pitmaster ready to take on cooking projects of unprecedented ambition, the Pit Boss Memphis 4-in-1 warrants your full attention. I confidently recommend this multi-talented unit to fellow barbecue enthusiasts.
This creative 3-in-1 design harmoniously combines a traditional charcoal barrel grill, sizable gas grill, and ample offset smoker into one heavy-duty unit.
The attached offset smoker opens up low-and-slow smoking potential. This feature imparts delicate hints of wood fire flavor into briskets, ribs, and more using indirect heat. Meanwhile, the standard charcoal and gas grill barrels lets you choose between smoking with real wood charcoal or the simplicity of propane fuel for direct grilling.
The gas half contains 36,000 BTUs of heat across three 12,000 BTU burners, allowing to generate a wide and precise range of temperatures. An additional propane side burner provides supplementary cooking power.
Meanwhile, the charcoal grill doubles as a full-fledged smoker thanks to the attached offset firebox chamber. It gives authentic wood-fired flavor by channeling heat and smoke indirectly over the ample grilling surface. And I can always load the main chamber with charcoal for classic direct heat grilling when I crave those smoky undertones.
Six adjustable cooking grates and over 1,060 square inches of total cooking space. This heavy-duty combo has the capacity to handle my largest cookouts with ease. While not stainless steel, conscientious care and covering can maintain the exterior.
This charcoal/gas/smoker triangle will give you the creative freedom to pursue virtually any barbecue you desire out in the backyard.
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The expert Oklahoma Joe’s craftsmanship promises enduring performance. The smart configuration leaves nothing to be desired.
As someone with a smaller outdoor space, the Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner Hybrid Grill offers the best of both worlds without consuming excess storage room. This innovatively designed 2-in-1 packs a deluxe gas grill and durable charcoal grill into one compact, feature-packed unit.
Despite its smaller 420 square inch cooking surface, it still supplies over 40,000 BTUs of ample grilling power. The high-performance side burner alone contributes an extra 12,000 BTUs for supplementary heat when needed. Durable porcelain-coated cast iron grates retain heat excellently across both gas and charcoal sides.
The gas half delivers convenience and control, while the charcoal side produces genuine, smoky depth of flavor.
This innovative grill equips one compact 420 square inch cooking surface to run on either propane or charcoal fuel at the flip of a switch. Read more in detail about the best propane smokers in which I have mentioned how to deal carefully with them.
The seamless conversion process takes around 60 seconds. To switch from gas to charcoal, I simply remove the grates slot in the specialized charcoal tray with flare-preventing design. Then ignite the coals using the built-in propane lighter. No need for fire starters or messy lighter fluid.
This allows me to choose the preferred fuel type on a whim based on what dish I’m cooking. For weekday meals, I fire up the triple-burner propane side for swift, predictable heat. When I crave deep smoky undertones, the charcoal side infuses rich flavor using the same exact surface.
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- Can’t use gas and charcoal features at the same time
While meeting space and budget needs for smaller households, the Gas2Coal refuses to compromise on versatility. This grill squeeze’s remarkable cooking diversity into the smallest possible footprint.
As a longtime admirer of Blackstone’s exceptional griddle catalog, their new Griddle & Charcoal Combo Grill is my favorite. This innovative grill converges Blackstone’s signature flat top griddle excellence with versatile charcoal grilling capabilities into one convenient appliance.
Unlike traditional lids, the lift-off flat top design enables high-heat searing unmatched by covered grills. You can sear peppery steaks over the glowing charcoal coals for full-bodied flavor the griddle side simply can’t replicate. Simultaneously, the non-stick griddle surface excels for onions, mushrooms, or any ingredient needing broad, consistent heat distribution.
While technically portable thanks to four smooth-rolling wheels, the fixed legs make compact storage in smaller vehicles trickier. But the removable griddle top and overall mobility still allow feasible transport from garage to backyard more easily than average fixed grills.
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It is a good option for any small outdoor cookouts needing serious searing power from dual fuel heat sources. I’m thoroughly impressed with this combo’s cooking diversity. Blackstone’s innovative gas and charcoal marriage earns a coveted spot in my grilling arsenal moving forward.
This remarkably versatile Char-Griller Texas Trio Gas and Charcoal Grillis known for its exceptional smoking capabilities. This heavy-duty combo grill features dual fuel options with a standard 3-burner gas side and traditional charcoal barrel. Not only this, it has a transformable offset smoker box for low-and-slow masterpieces.
The massive 1,394 total square inch cooking surface is a wow factor to prepare feast-sized spreads. Splitting 784 square inches in the primary area and 610 square inches in the secondary cooking area.
With a powerful 40,800 BTUs heating the gas portion, maintaining even heat distribution is effortless. The charcoal barrel can readily convert into a bonafide smoker thanks to the side firebox, adjustable dampers, and integrated thermometer – no other accessories needed.
The two smooth-rolling wheels and durable construction allow feasible maneuverability for storage solutions.
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This creative 3-in-1 design has cemented its status as the favorite combo among most of the grilling masters.
Related article: Best Smoker Grill Combo 2024: Buying Guide Reviews And Comparison
Gas vs Charcoal vs Combo Grill Comparison
To make the case for purchasing a combo grill, here’s a quick look at how they differ from regular gas and charcoal models:
Gas Grills: Ease and Convenience
For many backyard cooks, gas grills represent an appealing balance of convenience and authentic barbecued flavor. Gas grills ignite quickly at the push of a button and allow you to precisely control the temperature. Which is ideal for quick weeknight dinners. The main burners heat up rapidly, while a side burner provides ample room for pots and pans when cooking classic BBQ sides. With consistent heat and simpler cleanup than their charcoal counterparts, gas grills are the easiest grilling option for most families. Just note that you’ll have to refill the propane tank periodically.
Charcoal Grills: Traditional Smoky Flavor
Serious barbecue fans love charcoal grills for their traditional method of cooking. For over genuine hardwood lump charcoal, which imparts a treasured smoky flavor. Mastering the art of charcoal grilling does come with a learning curve though, as the temperature can fluctuate and require regular attention. Charcoal grills also tend to be messier and less convenient than gas. However, for authentic BBQ taste, a classic kettle charcoal grill can’t be beat. The small hot spots and fire-kissed flavor are exactly what some grillers live for. Hardcore smokers also rely on charcoal.
Combo Grills: The Best of Both Worlds
Can’t decide between gas convenience and charcoal flavor? Combo grills give you both in one appliance!
Also known as dual-fuel grills, these versatile options feature separate gas and charcoal grill spaces. That means you can opt for quick weekday meals on the gas side. While using charcoal on weekends when you have more time to spend tending the coals for flavorful low-and-slow barbecue. It gives you flexibility for different fuels and cooking methods, combo grills are a great choice for seasoned grill masters. The only drawback is the higher price tag compared to standalone gas or charcoal grills.
Rather than feeling limited by one fuel type, you can play to the strengths of my recommendations of best charcoal and propane grills for countless smoking recipes.
FAQs About Best Gas Charcoal Combo Grills
If you’re still undecided about whether a combo grill fits your needs, these common questions may help:
Aren’t combo grills more expensive?
They often carry a higher initial sticker price. But by combining two grill types in one, they can save money long-term over buying both separately. Consider them an investment that pays off over years of use.
Is charcoal flavor/smoke really that noticeably different?
It can be! Many barbecue fanatics insist on real hardwood charcoal because it imparts a richer, smokier flavor as fat and juices hit the coals. Gas can’t fully replicate this taste.
Q: Aren’t combo grills challenging for beginners?
Quality models are designed for simplicity across both gas and charcoal functions. They are considered as the best smokers for beginners. Easy access doors, simple controls, and thorough instructions make most combo grills viable even for novices.If you’re new to propane, learn how to use a propane smoker effectively.
How do you prevent gas and charcoal smells from mixing together?
Use aluminum foil as a barrier between the gas and charcoal sides. Fold a sheet of heavy-duty foil over the grates separating the two sides. This creates a physical barrier preventing smoke and aromas from transferring from one side to the other.
Choosing the Best Charcoal Combo Grill is Easy Now!
Finding the best charcoal and gas grill combo allows you to enjoy the perks of both fuel types without compromise. After reviewing the top-rated options, the Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-And-Charcoal Grill rises to the top for its unbeatable versatility, premium construction, and savvy design.
While the initial investment exceeds average standalone grills, a high-quality combo grill pays dividends through years of use. The convenience of gas perfectly balances the authentic smoky flavors only charcoal can provide. Add in extra features like ample cooking capacity, side burners, and integrated smokers, and these multi-talented appliances replace several grilling units.
The top gas charcoal combo grills like the Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill
allow you to sear steaks over charcoal while grilling veggies on gas simultaneously. Dual fuel capabilities open new creative avenues to experiment with recipes and cooking techniques.
This guide is especially for barbecue fans unwilling to compromise between convenience and taste. So, upgrade your outdoor arsenal with one of these exceptional best combo grills in 2024.
Enhance your grilling experience with these best barbecue side dishes that pair perfectly with any BBQ. Explore more options in our comprehensive guide to the best smoker grill combo.
Happy grilling!
