We Tested The 7 Best Gas Charcoal Combo Grills

Gas and charcoal combo grills give you the nice flavor of charcoal grills combined with the effortless convenience of gas grills. 

After grilling 20+ pounds of ribeyes steaks, chicken thighs, and fish, our testing revealed that the Char-Griller Duo 5050 is the best gas charcoal combo grill for most beginners. 

10 Best Gas Charcoal Combo Grills to Buy in 2024

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• Best Overall: Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-And-Charcoal Grill
• Best Runner-Up: Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Combo Smoker and Grill
• Top Budget: Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill
• Largest Cooking Capacity: Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate 4-in-1 LP Gas Charcoal Smoker
• Best Compact: Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner Hybrid Grill
• Top High-End: Coyote Centaur 50-Inch Natural Gas/Charcoal Dual Fuel Grill
• Best Smoking: Char-Griller Texas Trio Gas and Charcoal Grill

1. Best Overall: Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-And-Charcoal Grill

Specs

• Building Materials: Heavy-duty steel
• Dimensions: 65” x 49” x 28”
• Cooking Area: 1260 sq. in
• WiFi Enabled?: No
• Easy to Clean?: Yes
• Weight: 168 lbs
• Easy to Transport?: Heavy, but has two wheels on one side

The Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-And-Charcoal Grill is a favorite pick, offering gas and charcoal cooking surfaces right next to each other. Rather than picking what you want to use, you have access to both whenever you need them.

Electric starters make it easier than ever to turn on the grill, meaning you can start cooking in no time. The gas side boasts three burners that can heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, while the charcoal version allows adjustment of height to provide you with maximum control over the cooking process.

With both sides combined, you’ll find a total area of 1,260 square inches of room to bring your meal to life. It’s made of corrosion-resistant steel and offers warming racks to keep the food at a comfortable temperature until it’s time to eat. 

From the utensil rack to the non-stick grates, there are plenty of enticing features in the Char-Griller 5050. We highly recommend it if you’re hunting for one of the best combo grills, which allows you to use both gas and charcoal.

Pros

• Output burners with high BTU
• Electric gas starter option
• Extra side burner
• Plenty of room for cooking with two grills

Cons

• Many parts and pieces, making it tricky for some to set up
• Cooking area is fully divided, which can be limiting.

2. Best Runner-Up: Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Combo Smoker and Grill

Specs

• Building Materials: Stainless steel, porcelain coated cast iron
• Dimensions: 74” x 20” x 51”
• Cooking Area: 1060 sq. in
• WiFi Enabled?: No
• Easy to Clean?: No
• Weight: 224 lbs
• Easy to Transport?: No.

If you want to get the most out of your combo grill, go with Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Combo Smoker and Grill. Barrel-style charcoal and gas grills rest next to each other in the middle, while an offset smoker box sits attached to the charcoal portion for additional cooking options.

You get a combined total of 1060 square inches of cooking space on this machine, perfect for steaks, veggies, and beyond. The primary cooking surface is 750 sq inches while the secondary grill surface is 310 square inches, and it will hit temps of up to 36,000 BTUs on the gas grill.

There are tons of features here to make life easier for you as a cook. You’ll find a bottom shelf for additional storage, temperature gauges on the lids, side burners, and a damper to keep the temperature under control. This combo grill performs well as a grill, smoker, and charcoal grill, offering good bang for your buck with its 3-in-1 capabilities. It's ideal for backyard cooks who want the flexibility of gas, charcoal, and smoker options.

Unfortunately, while we love this grill, it is huge, coming in at over six feet wide and over 200 lbs. This measurement makes it ideal for a solid back porch or deck with ample room for the appliance. If you want a combo grill you can take with you or move around, this one isn’t for you. However, the wheels do make it possible to move it around the driveway or yard.

Be aware that it can developed some rust over time when left uncovered, and the factory thermometer stopped working. The push-button ignition may fail over time, and the smoker box works great but can 'mush' briskets if overloaded. The cover it comes with wears out quickly, so an upgrade is recommended. With proper care and maintenance, this grill can last many years, although it's not as heavy-duty as some comparable offset smokers.

Pros

• Powerful 12,000 BTU burners and one 12,000 BTU side burner on the gas side
• Three-in-one gas, charcoal, and offset smoker
• Cool-touch handles and multiple temperature gauge selections

Cons

• Various customer complaints about rusting after just a few years.
• Massive, difficult to move.

3. Top Budget: Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill

Specs

• Building Materials: Alloy steel
• Dimensions: 64” x 28” x 50”
• Cooking Area: 745 sq. in
• WiFi Enabled?: No
• Easy to Clean?: No
• Weight: 103 lbs
• Easy to Transport?: Yes

For those who want to save money when investing in their gas charcoal combo grill, the Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill is an excellent option. For a much lower cost than competitors, you get a combo charcoal, three-burner gas, and a 12,000 BTU propane side burner.

The gas side offers 295 square inches of grilling space and cast iron grates. The charcoal side is smaller at 262 square inches, with an access door for adding more charcoal and a tray that is adjustable for temperature control during the cooking process. There is also 188 square inches of warming space spread between the two cooking areas, which is included in the calculation of the overall cooking area.

The propane style also offers a decent punch, even with a smaller cooking area than the other two. Three stainless steel burners offer excellent heat for vast versatility on the Dual Fuel grill. The added side burner is particularly useful for pots and pans, enhancing the overall versatility of this grill.

While this grill is decent for the price, know that it looks and feels cheap compared to the other combo grills on your list. It won’t withstand the weather and should be pulled inside during the winter season. However, it's sturdy and of quality construction once fully assembled. Assembly does take real time and effort – at least 1 hour, so it’s not the right choice if you want fast, easy assembly.

The storage space underneath is generous, and wheels make moving it around much easier, adding to its convenience. The temperature gauges in the lids are handy for monitoring cooking conditions. This grill has held up well outdoors so far, offering a lot of cooking space for the price paid.

Pros

• Excellent value and features for the price point
• Lightweight and can be moved easier than other combo grills
• Extra side burner

Cons

• Extended and frustrating assembly process
• Small cooking space for a combo grill
• Not as sturdy as other grills

4. Largest Cooking Capacity: Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate 4-in-1 LP Gas Charcoal Smoker

Specs

• Building Materials: Alloy steel, porcelain coated cast iron 
• Dimensions: 74” x 25” x 48”
• Cooking Area: 2,167  sq. in
• WiFi Enabled?: No
• Easy to Clean?: Yes
• Weight: 213 lbs
• Easy to Transport?: Heavy, but has four wheels

If you want a complex grill with an insane cooking capacity, look no further than the Pit Boss Memphis 4-in-1 LP Gas Charcoal Smoker. 

Not only do you receive a massive amount of area to cook your food, but you also get four smoking and grilling tools in one. Beyond just being a gas and charcoal combo grill, this grill can function as an electric smoker, meaning you can make just about anything.

The total cooking area in the Pit Boss is 2,167 square inches. The electric smoker area is 840 square inches, while the grill cooking section itself is 1,327 square inches. It’s hard to know what to cook with all that area. The smoker box, notably, gets up to 250-300°F for hot smoking, and the charcoal side works excellently with its adjustable tray.

For its size, this grill is surprisingly easy to move, as it has four wheels rather than the usual two. While we still don’t recommend using it as a travel grill, you could shift it into a garage or shed when not in use.

This grill also has tons of storage and workspace, whether you want to set a plate on one of the two side shelves or store your cooking utensils in one of the three drawers–you can’t go wrong. The grates have shown no signs of rust so far, and the grill has held up well over 1 year of frequent use. Although the rubber grip handles have started deteriorating and the igniters can be finicky, these minor issues are fixable.

Drippings can make a mess below the grill, but the overall satisfaction after a year of ownership remains high. This quality and versatile grill, which handles regular wood chips or pellets for smoking, has been one of the best purchases made grill-wise and comes highly recommended. Its great versatility in one grill makes it an excellent combo grill for the price.

Pros

• Excellent grilling ability with charcoal and propane
• Massive cooking surface area
• Electric smoking capabilities

Cons

• Large and complex, making it trickier to put together than other selections

5. Best Compact: Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner Hybrid Grill

Specs

• Building Materials: Stainless steel, porcelain coated cast iron
• Dimensions: 25” x 53” x 48”
• Cooking Area: 420 sq. in
• WiFi Enabled?: No
• Easy to Clean?: Yes
• Weight: 110 lbs
• Easy to Transport?: Yes

Those with less room to store a grill will enjoy the Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner Hybrid Grill. You’ll find two grilling styles in one excellent machine, ensuring you maximize your dollar. Although it only has 420 square inches of cooking room, it still produces more than 40,000 BTUs, and the side burner manages to put out more than 12,000 BTUs.

However, it’s critical to note that you can’t cook on the charcoal and gas grill at the same time with this grill, as it is a hybrid rather than a true combo grill. There is also only a single cooking space rather than a divided one.

This is a small sacrifice for the impressive 52-inch width of the machine. It’s simple to store in locations with little room for a massive grill, and easy starters and side tables make it easy to prep, cook, and store food for any gathering. It also has several storage shelves, making it convenient for those living in an apartment and wanting to grill on a balcony. 

Pros

• Far more compact than other grill selections
• Ability to prep and cook food on the side table
• Has a side table with a built-in burner
• Gas burners to ignite charcoal, removing need for starter fluid
• Simple cleanup with a charcoal tray under cook box

Cons

• Unable to use gas and charcoal cooking simultaneously 

6. Top High-End: Coyote Centaur 50-Inch Natural Gas/Charcoal Dual Fuel Grill

Specs

• Building Materials: 18 gauge stainless steel
• Dimensions: 23” x 50” x 26”
• Cooking Area: 1,200 sq. in
• WiFi Enabled?: No
• Easy to Clean?: No
• Weight: 197 lbs
• Easy to Transport?: No, built-in

The Coyote Centaur 5-Inch Natural Gas/Charcoal Dual Fuel Grill is an excellent choice if you want a high-end grilling experience and have space for an outdoor built-in kitchen or grill. It offers gas and hybrid cooking selections right next to each other for a combined surface area of 1,200 square inches.

The charcoal side of the grill supports wood chip cooking and provides heat control grids, a height-adjustable rack, and adjustable airflow for precise cooking experiences. The gas side brings 40,000 BTUs through two gas burners. The combination of these two factors gives you the ability to smoke, grill, sear, and more. 

The Coyote Centaur has a sleek appearance through its use of continuously welded stainless steel. The surface is sturdy and durable, and the corners are smooth and seamless, making it a beautiful addition to any outdoor space. 

Overall, the Coyote Centaur is an incredible choice if you want something that feels elegant and high-end. It’s a combo grill fit for the king of the outdoors. Just know that there is only a built-in option, meaning if you want a grill for a smaller space or one you can move, this isn’t the grill for you. 

Pros

• Durable, lasting design and construction
• Sleek finish
• High-output gas burner selection
• Wood chip cooking option

Cons

• No standard cart option/built-in only

7. Best Smoking: Char-Griller Texas Trio Gas and Charcoal Grill

Specs

• Building Materials: Stainless steel, porcelain coated cast iron
• Dimensions: 49” x 76” x 32”
• Cooking Area: 1,394 sq. in
• WiFi Enabled?: No
• Easy to Clean?: Yes
• Weight: 202 lbs
• Easy to Transport?: Heavy, but has two wheels

If you want to smoke on your grill while using the charcoal and gas functions, the Char-Griller Texas Trio Gas and Charcoal Grill is your best selection. Between the side-by-side gas and charcoal barrel grills, you get a combined cooking area of 1,394 square inches, with 784 in the primary area and  610 square inches in the secondary cooking area. 

Three burners work to support the gas grill, allowing it to hit 40,800 BTUs - more than enough to heat the surface evenly and cook anything placed on top of it all the way through. There are three smokestacks for air control, temperature gauges, and a smoker box to allow the charcoal side to turn into an offset smoker whenever you want.

This grill is large, but it has two decent wheels, so you can move it around your patio or yard. The construction is durable, and while we love it, we do find the storage space lacking on this grill since the only side table is an additional burner. So if you are looking to store your tools with your grill, we recommend choosing a different combo grill. 

Pros

• Gas side has three burners for the most practical even-cooking process
• Side burner for additional dishes and sauce
• Gas, charcoal, and smoker options all in one.
• Durable construction

Cons

• Difficulty assembling
• More than six feet wide, making it tricky for those with smaller patios

Is A Gas Charcoal Combo Grill Worth It?

A gas charcoal combo grill might seem like it has it all. However, is it the right choice for your outdoor endeavors? It’s worth it to pause and take a few seconds before rushing out to invest in one of the selections on this list. After all, every home and griller has a different idea of what they want in a grill.

To help you land on the right decision about a gas charcoal combo grill, we’ve listed out some vital pros and cons. Analyze these to determine if a gas charcoal grill combo is worth it, or if you’re better off going with another grill selection for your outdoor cooking needs.

Pros

It’s always exciting to examine the benefits of an item. There are several excellent qualities you’ll find in a gas charcoal combo grill:

• Less money spent: Buying one singular combo grill is more affordable than investing in a charcoal and gas grill individually.
• Two in one: Your gas charcoal combo grill offers both cooking experiences in one.
• Space saver: One grill is smaller than two, so a gas charcoal combo grill will take up less space than investing in two for your porch.

Cons

Of course, where there are good qualities, there also tend to be bad. Let’s look at a few of the worst things you will find in a gas charcoal grill:

• Okay at several things: A combo grill isn’t the master of anything, it’s just decent at a few different cooking styles. 
• Quality versus price: Typically, you get either quality or budget price in a combo grill. The more expensive ones are good quality, while the lower priced ones aren’t as ideal to use.
• Bulky: Thanks to the combination of grills, a combination machine tends to be bulkier than grills that focus on just one cooking method.

What To Look For In A Gas Charcoal Combo Grill

If you decide a gas charcoal combo grill is right for you, there are several things you should keep in mind. These will ensure you get the most out of your investment, accessing the perfect grilling experience every single time.

Let’s dive into a few of the most critical items to search for in a gas charcoal grill. The more you know, the easier it will be to narrow down the best selection for your money.

Warranty

Warranty isn’t something everyone thinks about, but when you need it, you’ll regret it if you don’t have one. The best companies offer an excellent warranty for their customers, ready to step in if things go wrong.

Look for an option with a warranty that covers at least half a decade. The warranty should also cover working parts that are far more likely to break down than other pieces. The more coverage you have in a warranty, the better.

Accessories

Next, consider the accessories that come with the grill or that you want to add to the grill after buying it. After all, determining how well the accessories will function and how long they will last makes the difference between the best and worst grills. If you want a separate side burner, side tables, or shelving, you’ll want to look for grills that have these to start. 

If you want to add lots of add-on accessories, you’ll want to make a list of these and look for a grill that is compatible. If you can’t find one that is compatible with everything you want, we recommend choosing a big-name grill that is compatible with most of what you want–as you’ll have a higher chance of them eventually producing the accessory you want to use. 

Build Materials 

Finally, look at the general build of the gas charcoal combo grill. Cheaper materials won’t last nearly as long as expensive ones, and keep in mind that certain types of steel tend to rust faster than others. 

We also recommend looking for porcelain-covered grill plates and heavy-duty steel construction to ensure that your grill stays in good condition for the next 5-10 years. 

Price

Of course, price is a major concern as you shop for a combo grill, but when buying a combo grill, we recommend having as big of a budget as possible. Unlike other grill types (like pellet grills), there aren’t really any good budget options for combo grills because you truly get what you pay for. Cheap combo grills are difficult to assemble and use, and they tend to break down within a few years. 

Obviously, we don’t want you to overspend but know that a cheap combo grill will only last 3-5 years before it breaks down or begins to rust. So if you don’t have enough for the combo grill that will last, we recommend looking into a different type of grill or putting off your purchase until you can save more. 

Who Should Buy A Gas Charcoal Combo Grill?

Those who want the best of both worlds(charcoal and gas grilling) will enjoy a gas charcoal grill. Though you won’t necessarily get a spectacular gas or charcoal grill in the combo, you’ll be able to switch back and forth between the types depending on what you’re cooking. It’s a great way to cook for someone who loves to experiment with grilling but can’t decide between a charcoal or a gas grill. 

Also, those who want to save space and money will enjoy the combo grill. Some even offer smokers, adding an entirely new layer to the grilling experience. Though it’s a little bulkier, it’s smaller than investing in individual gas and charcoal grills and placing them both on your deck.

Of course, combo grills aren’t for everyone. If you are living in an apartment with a small balcony or can’t have an open flame because of your HOA, this combo grill isn’t for you. Plus, there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to cooking over charcoal, and not everyone has the patience to learn. 

Overall, if you love to experiment with grilling and don’t mind working with charcoal (and have space in your yard), then a gas and charcoal combo grill is probably for you.