7 Best Gas & Charcoal Combo Grills in 2020 Review

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 top rated gas charcoal combo grill?

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.

For those who in a rush

Here’s a quick rundown of our three top picks for those of you who just need a quick recommendation.

7 Best Gas & Charcoal Grills on the Market:

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

Review

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.

Review

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 less flare-ups, so there’s less 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.

Review

Top rated combo grills let you cook with gas and charcoal at the same time, but few have such solid separation between the two sides as this one. It isn’t so much a combo grill as it is two grills in one. One side cooks with charcoal, and the other is fired by gas.

Keep in mind that some of that smokey charcoal flavor will seep over to the propane side, but not as much as you’d find in similar grills..

And we really like how much storage space there is .You can keep all of your BBQ supplies right there on the bottom shelf and your spices on the side shelves.

Review

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.

Review

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 oher 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.

Review

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.

Review

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.

How To Choose A Charcoal Gas Combo Grill

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Charcoal Gas Grill

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.

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.

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.

Charcoal Gas Grill FAQs

Can they be used for smoking?

Any grill that burns charcoal can be used for smoking, but you’ll get much better results if you get a grill with a fire box. They’re more efficient with the wood. And they usually have better insulation for more even heat.

Can I cook with charcoal and gas at the same time?

Yes, you can. Be aware that, even with the best combination grills, there’s no way to keep all of the charcoal smoke out of the gas side of the grill. But you can use each side separately or both at the same time.

Do they come with smart features?

Remote temperature monitoring and app connectivity are smart features that you can find on some gas grills. But combo grill technology has largely lagged behind. There are few dual fuel grills that incorporate smart features, but we’ll keep you posted as the tech catches up.

Can they be used indoors?

The gas side can be used indoors in certain situations. There has to be good ventilation and an exhaust hood directly over the grill. Charcoal should never be used indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide buildup.

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 the better durability and extra heat.

If you have a premium grill in mind, check out the Royal Gourmet ZH3003. Its 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 an 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 a good value.

Now is the time to choose the best combination 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.