The Best Gas Charcoal Combo Grills in 2023

Some folks love the smokey flavor that charcoal imparts to food. Others don’t. So which type of grill should you get to keep everyone happy? A combo grill can help to solve this dilemma. But there are so many features and options nowadays. It can be frustrating trying to learn about what’s what. How about if we explain the features and show you the best gas charcoal combo grills?

We tested the biggest sellers from the most popular brands. Draw on our conclusions and learn how to pick the most useful and valuable grill for your money.

Let’s get cooking.

All of these grills pass our stringent quality, durability, and functionality guidelines. We think that one of these would be top for you.

Top Gas Charcoal Combo Grills Reviews

1. Char-Griller 5030 2 Burner Gas & Charcoal Grill

This is a good hot little grill that can be turned into a smoker with the addition of a side firebox, which is a separate purchase. It can handle all of your backyard barbeque needs.

In a nutshell, it’s a dependable, high-quality grill that’s easy to use and clean. When you put that against the price, you get the best combo grill for the money.

Most two-burner propane grills don’t put out as much heat as this one. People noticed that, and they like how quickly it sears meat. And they comment on how easy it is to clean, thanks to the non-stick grate and ashtray. Some have used it as a smoker. That king of versatility is a big winner.

2. Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner Liquid Propane and Charcoal Hybrid Grill

The best feature of this small gas charcoal combo grill is how evenly it heats. We’ve not seen a grill that cooks so well on the sides as well as the middle. Chalk that up to the three main burners. But this applies when you use it as a charcoal grill as well. There are fewer flare-ups, so there are fewer hot spots.

The only bad thing is the enamel on the exterior is likely too thin. Some have complained of small rust spots after a few years. This is considered normal wear and tear, and is therefore usually not covered by the warranty.

Folks talk about how even the heat is. And it’s no wonder. There are many reviews online that say that food cooked on the sides of the grate cook at about the same rate as the stuff in the middle.

It takes a little trial and error to get the burners adjusted correctly, but it’s nice to have such an even cooking temp. The general feeling is that this grill is so well-designed that even amateurs can cook like pros.

3. Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal/Gas/Smoker Combo

Some grills function as a smoker but fall short in areas like insulation and efficiency. Well, this grill actually is a smoker, so there’s no compromise there. You can slow smoke a roast overnight, then fire up the charcoal or propane burners and start roasting corn and burgers the next morning.

But what makes it stand out as the best gas charcoal smoker combo is the quality of the build. It has lasted many people for years with no issues and no rust or malfunctioning burners.

The traditional drum-shaped smoker design makes people happy. The fact that it actually functions as a smoker is a big selling point. Everyone likes that they don’t have to settle for the inconvenience of having to add charcoal or wood several times as they would with a grill during long, slow-smoking sessions.

4. Royal Gourmet ZH3002 3-Burner Cabinet Gas Grill and Charcoal Grill Combo

The main differences between Royal Gourmet’s ZH3003 and ZH3002 are in the design features. This one has that classic rounded drum design that just oozes authenticity. And the bottom storage area has doors for a neater and more professional look.

It’s dependable and a joy to use. But, like the other Royal Gourmet grill on our list, it doesn’t get quite hot enough to sear quickly. Other than that, it’s a good grill for amateurs and pros alike.

The biggest brags are about the storage cabinet and the deep and wide cooking area. The most common gripe is about the propane side not putting out enough heat. But the consensus is that it’s a great grill for the backyard. We’ve seen a lot of recommendations from seasoned cooks.

5. Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill

You can have a BBQ grill propane and charcoal combo without going broke. You’ll give up some durability, but this one will last if you are careful while moving it and cleaning it.

It’s a basic stainless steel grill. If you can do without the bells and whistles that add to the convenience and price of higher-end grills, you’ll be happy with the deal you can get here.

Frugal people are happy with the way this grill fit into their budget. We see comments about how some were afraid of getting ripped off at this price, so we followed those reviews. Those who posted updates were usually pretty happy with their grill years later.

The one complaint that we saw the most was dents and dings. The savings come from the material, so this isn’t the most durable grill out there.

6. Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate 4-in-1 LP Gas, Charcoal, Smoker

This isn’t just a dual-fuel grill. It’s a triple-fuel cooking dynamo. You have your propane chamber and your charcoal side. Then there’s the electric smoke box. You get it going with your favorite hardwood and adjust the output vents to control how much smoke transfers into the propane compartment. That design is simple and elegant.

But you may need an entire afternoon to put it together. And don’t expect any assembly help from customer service.

This grill has a lot of fans. The big thing is that it includes an electric smoker. It’s hard to find a unit that combines propane burners, a charcoal side, and an electric smoker that’s built right.

There have been a few durability complaints. And the warranty only covers parts. So when there’s a problem, people get the parts delivered to them and have to have it fixed themselves. Considering how difficult it is to assemble this grill, that can be a major inconvenience.

How To Choose a Gas Charcoal Combo Grills

This section will teach you about the important features you should look for and answer the most common question people have.

Factors To Consider

Build Quality

If you come across a grill that’s made entirely of cast iron, it’s a commercial model. You need steel.

Check out the protection. Powder coating costs more, but it’s more durable. Enamel looks better, but it can chip if you’re not careful.

Choose a grill with double or triple walls if you slow cook a lot. You’ll end up using less gas and charcoal with that better insulation.

Cooking Area

Make sure you get a grill with the cooking area you need. As a general rule, you can fit five burgers per 100 sq in of cooking space. But be careful. Make sure you don’t factor the area of the warming rack in. The warming rack is for keeping cooked foods hot and toasting buns.

What kind of cooking grate is best? That depends on your cooking style. Stainless steel grates make incredible sear marks. But meat can stick to them.

Cast iron has the properties of steel but is more durable. Porcelain-coated steel and iron grates are non-stick and pretty durable, but the porcelain can chip if you’re too rough with your cooking utensils.

Propane Burners

A grill that uses charcoal and propane will normally have two or three burners.

Regardless of size, three burners provide more heat for better searing, and that heat is more even for more consistent cooking.

But if a grill has less than 550 sq in of cooking area, it only really needs two burners.

Each burner should supply at least 9000 BTUs to be efficient. Side burners are good for simmering sauces and cooking beans and other sides.

Storage

Almost all grills have a side shelf. You need one to keep your spices and other cooking supplies handy. Check out the actual storage space to make sure it’s big enough.

You don’t want to have to keep running in your house to get what you need. If your grill is going to be a permanent part of your yard, consider a grill with a storage cabinet.

Warranty

Accept a 1-year warranty at a minimum. That will give any factory defects time to show themselves. 3-year warranties are around, and that’s a big plus.

You may even find warranties that run for five or 10 years.

That’s great, but don’t be too picky. Get a grill with good build quality. Then you’ll be unlikely to need to file a warranty claim in the first place.

Price

People often ask us how much they should pay for this kind of grill. It depends on several factors. Big names command a higher price for their higher quality. Convenience adds to the cost as well.

If you’re looking for a budget combo grill, expect to pay between $250 and $300. For up to $450, you can get a sturdier grill with such special features as extra storage space and porcelain-coated grates. Getting close to $1000, you’ll start seeing huge cooking grates and electric smoker elements.

In Conclusion

The best all-around combo grill is the Char-Griller 5030. It is functional, built well, and easy to use. And it carries a great price.

Char-Broil’s Gas2Coal Hybrid offers a smaller cooking area, but it’s a step up in quality. It has porcelain-coated grates, one more burner, and a special design that greatly reduces flare-ups. It costs a little more, but it’s worth it if you want better durability and extra heat.

If you have a premium grill in mind, check out the Royal Gourmet ZH3003. It’s gas and charcoal sides are totally separate, and there is little seepage of smoke and vaporized grease from one side to the next. There is a lot of storage space as well. Plus you have excellent build quality. All of this comes at a price that fits most budgets.

Our budget pick is Blossomz Dual Fuel Combination Grill. It’s bare-bones, but you can have it for about $250. Don’t worry. We wouldn’t recommend it if it wasn’t a dependable grill with good value.

Now is the time to choose the best combination of propane and charcoal grill, while the prices are still low. We think you’ll discover a totally new dimension of backyard cooking the day you get your new grill.