7 Best Smoker Grill Combos of 2023

Photo: Char-Griller

Smoking and grilling always go hand in hand when it comes to the old-fashioned backyard barbecue, and with a smoker grill combo, you can do both on one multi-purpose grill.

In a perfect world, every griller would want to have a separate dedicated grill and smoker, but financial and space constraints mean that this might not be possible. Hence, getting the best smoker grill combo is the best way to ensure you enjoy the best of both worlds.

A smoker grill combo is simply a grill that is designed for use as both a traditional grill and smoker and is what is also often referred to as an offset grill or horizontal smoker.

In this guide, we aim to ensure that you make a more informed choice when it comes to choosing a smoker grill combo with reviews of 7 top-rated smoker grill combos and a detailed buying guide.

7 Best Smoker Grill Combos – Review

IMAGE	PRODUCT	FEATURES
	1. Char-Griller 5050 (Best Overall)	1260 sq.in. cooking surface Adjustable grate height Durable porcelain-coated cast-iron grates Heavy-duty steel construction
	2. Char-Broil 15202029 (Excellent Quality & Service)	1,060 sq.in. cooking surface Durable porcelain-coated cast-iron grates Cool touch handles Precise smoke and heat control
	3. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24 (Best Performing Wood Pellet Grill)	570 sq.in, cooking surface Efficient ash management system Convenient shutdown mode Quick automatic ignition
	4. PK Grills PK360-STBX-D (Highly Portable for Use on the Go)	360 sq.in. cooking surface Lightweight cast aluminum body Highly accurate thermometer Efficient 4-poimt venting system
	5. Cam Chef PG24WWSS (Premium Quality Combo Worth the Extra Cost)	570 sq.in. cooking surface Precise digital temperature control Handy automatic pellet feeder Convenient ash cleanout system
	6. Traeger TFB65LZBC (Most Versatile)	646 sq.in. cooking surface Versatile 6-in-1 design Durable steel construction with powder-coated finish Highly precise temperature control
	7. Smoke Hollow PS9900 (Versatile & Powerful)	1,100 sq.in. cooking surface Adjustable charcoal pan Infrared searing side burner included Cast iron cooking grid with porcelain coating

1. Char-Griller 5050 – Best Overall

Photo: Char-Griller

• Cooking Surface: 1,260 square inches
• Fuel Source: Gas and Charcoal
• Material: Steel
• Weight: 160 pounds

Char-Griller 5050 is designed to offer more flexibility than most other grills out there as it not only works as both a smoker and grill but will also use both charcoal and gas.

This smoker grill combo model has the largest cooking surface in our smoker grill combo review. With a total of 1,260 square inches of cooking space, it will be ideal when cooking for large groups and for smoking larger meat cuts.

Also, it is a highly durable grill that features heavy steel construction and porcelain-coated cast iron grates that retain more heat.

The three burners on this smoker grill use electronic ignition for fast and reliable ignition and will produce an amazing 48,000 BTUs.

When using charcoal, this will also be a highly efficient device thanks to the adjustable grate tray that makes temperature control easy and easy-dump ash pan that will make cleanups easy.

Although it seems still quite prone to rusting, this smoker grill combo should still last long enough if you give it adequate care.

Pros:

• Durable heavy steel construction
• Convenient dual fuel design
• Simple temperature control
• Fast and reliable electronic ignition
• Larger cooking surface

Cons:

• Still quite prone to rusting
• Side burner blows out a little too easily

2. Char-Broil 15202029 – Excellent Quality & Service

Photo: Char-Broil

• Cooking Surface: 1,060 square inches
• Fuel Source: Gas and charcoal
• Material: Steel
• Weight: 205 pounds

If you are shopping for the best gas smoker grill combo, this one by Char-Broil will be an even better option as it also uses charcoal for increased versatility and cooking flexibility. And so you can always be confident of excellent service for the lifetime of this grill.

The grill has two separate chambers with one being for grilling and the other for smoking and also comes with a 12,000 BTU side burner and offset firebox.

With this Char-Broil smoker grill combo, you will get up to 1,060 square inches of cooking space which is enough room for cooking large volumes of food.

Controlling the temperature and smoke is also made easy by multiple dampers and the lid-mounted temperature gauge will make it easy to monitor the temperature inside the smoking and grilling chambers.

The heavy gauge steel construction ensures that this grill will give you great service for a long time. There are also firm and cool to touch handles and a convenient storage shelf for your smoking/grilling essentials.

There is almost no shortcoming on this smoker grill combo besides the side burner feeling a little flimsy and it being relatively heavier. However, both will not affect its overall performance significantly, and they will be non-issues for most grillers.

Pros:

• Heavy-gauge steel construction
• Larger cooking surface
• Easy smoke and heat control
• Convenient storage shelf included
• Firm and cool touch handles

Cons:

• Relatively heavier
• Side burner is a little flimsy

3. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24 – Best Performing Wood Pellet Smoker Grill

Photo: Camp Chef

• Cooking Surface: 570 square inches
• Fuel Source: Wood pellet
• Weight: 140 pounds

If you are looking for a smoker grill combo that will always give your meats a nice and rich flavor, the SmokePro by Camp Chef is a great choice.

It is a wood pellet powered grill that will ensure you always get great tasting food, and it is also designed to be highly convenient to use thanks to the auto-igniter and meat temperature probe.

There is a built-in shutdown mode that is designed to prevent burning or overcooking your meat. With the efficient ash clean out and grease management system, this is also easy to clean and maintain smoker grill.

This smoker grill includes a side shelf that will provide extra space for storage and preparing food, and it is also quick and easy to assemble.

Although the 570 square inches of cooking space is smaller than what you get from many others on our list, it is still large enough for a typical family and small groups.

Pros:

• Built-in shutdown mode
• Automatic ignition
• Highly efficient ash clean out system
• Includes side shelf for extra work/storage space
• Easy to assemble

Cons:

• Smaller cooking space

4. PK Grills PK360-STBX-D – Highly Portable for Use on the Go

Photo: PK Grills

• Cooking Surface: 360 square inches
• Fuel Source: Charcoal
• Material: Cast aluminum
• Weight: 37.1 pounds

PK360-STBX-D is a top-rated smoker grill combo that will be a great buy for a griller looking for something for use on the go thanks to its lightweight and highly portable design.

The smoker grill is designed to offer many years of top-notch service thanks to its highly durable aluminum construction and marine grade stainless steel components.

Another element that makes this one of the best charcoal smoker grill combos out there includes the innovative temperature and air control system. This system makes it easy to get the perfect temperature for both direct and indirect cooking.

There is also a highly accurate tel-tru thermometer to make temperature monitoring an effortless task and a unique ash management system to ensure quick and easy cleanup.

The 360 square inches of cooking surface is the smallest in our list, but it should still be more than enough for small families.

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable
• Durable aluminum construction
• Highly accurate thermometer
• Handy and easy to clean side shelves
• Unique and efficient ash management system

Cons:

• Relatively smaller cooking surface
• Cleaning grease can be a pain

5. Cam Chef PG24WWSS – Premium Quality Smoker Grill Combo Worth the Extra Cost

Photo: Cam Chef

• Cooking Surface: 570 square inches
• Fuel Source: Wood pellet
• Weight: 35 pounds

The smart smoke technology is one of the key highlights of this Camp Chef grill and one of the main features that make it one of the best combination smoker grills out there.

This amazing technology combines a digital temperature control with automatic pellet feeder system to ensure that you always get the optimal smoke to make this an easy-to-use and convenient smoker.

Also, it is also designed to be highly versatile as you can use it for a variety of other application besides smoking and grilling such as roasting and barbecuing.

This top-notch quality smoker grill has a patented ash cleanout system that makes cleanups easier. With the included sear box that can reach temperatures of up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, you can always be confident of getting a perfect seared finish.

Despite this being our priciest smoker grill model and the 570 square inches being relatively smaller, this is still a great smoker grill combo that will be a great buy for any griller.

Pros:

• Highly versatile
• Easy cleanup
• Smart smoke technology
• Sear box included
• Lightweight and easy to move around

Cons:

• A little pricier
• Smaller cooking surface

6. Traeger TFB65LZBC – The Most Versatile Grill

Photo: Traeger

• Cooking Surface: 646 square inches
• Fuel Source: Wood pellet
• Material: Steel
• Weight: 150 pounds

This 6-in-1 wood pellet powered smoker grill combo is designed to make grilling, barbecuing, smoking, roasting, braising and baking faster and easier.

It comes with an integrated digital elite controller that helps to maintain the perfect temperature and also makes it quick and easy to set the desired temperature.

The smoker grill combo provides a cooking surface of 646 square inches, and it uses an electronic auto-start ignition for fast and easy startups.

Also, this is a highly durable grill thanks to the powerful steel construction and it uses some easy to clean porcelain grills. It is easy to move grill thanks to the easy gliding and locking casters.

Despite this being the second priciest item in our list, its performance and long service life will ensure that you get great value for your money.

Pros:

• Highly versatile
• Quick and easy temperature setting
• Consistent and easy to setup
• Convenient electronic auto-start ignition
• Durable steel construction

Cons:

• Relatively pricier
• No trap for draining pellets

7. Smoke Hollow PS9900 – Versatile & Powerful

Photo: Smoke Hollow

• Cooking Surface: 1,100 square inches
• Fuel Source: Gas and Charcoal
• Material: Porcelain
• Weight: 218 pounds

Smoke Hollow PS9900 is one of the best propane smoker grill combos out there thanks to the large 1,100 square inches of cooking surface and powerful burners.

However, this is a 4-in-1 grill that also uses charcoal, and it will be ideal for a variety of cooking styles.

This grill uses some porcelain-coated cast iron grates that will retain heat longer and also help to ensure a more efficient heat distribution.

Also, it uses 4 durable stainless steel burners with a quick and reliable push-button ignition and an infrared side burner that will be perfect for searing steaks.

Cooking with charcoal will be a lot easy thanks to the adjustable lift tray that makes temperature control easy. There are also some commercial grade temperature gauges to make it easy to monitor the temperature inside.

However, this is quite a heavy grill and hence a little hectic to move around but the good news is that it comes with some smooth rolling casters. The lengthy assembly will also not be a dealbreaker because it comes with some simple and easy to follow instructions.

Pros:

• Large cooking surface
• Fast push button ignition
• Versatile for multiple styles of cooking
• Adjustable lift tray for easy  temperature control

Cons:

• Heavy and a little tedious to move around
• Lengthy assembly process

How to Buy the Best Smoker Grill Combo

Photo: Camp Chef

To ensure that whatever smoker grill combo you choose will work well for you, it is important to always consider the points below when shopping.

1. Size and Shape

As you shop for the best combination smoker grill, the size and shape are one of the key elements to consider. And this is because one of the key reasons for buying a combo instead of a separate grill and smoker is to save space as sometimes you might only have a few square feet to spare in your backyard.

However, this does not mean that the best ones are the compact models that take up little space. Instead, a good model is one that does not have a large footprint but still provides an adequate cooking surface like the Char-Broil 15202029 that is under 75 inches wide.

When it comes to the size and shape, the right smoker grill combo for you depends on your budget, cooking surface that you want and also your preferences.

Also, it is important to always make sure that whatever you buy has enough space for both grilling and smoking.

2. Fuel Source

Fuel source is another important factor that you will need to take into account when deciding on the best smoker grill combo to buy.

When it comes to the fuel source the most common options are charcoal, gas, pellet and electric. Before you decide on what to buy it is important to know what each has to offer and its main pros and cons.

Electric: The electric models are easy to use and safer but they are non-conventional and the taste will not be as rich as what you get from others like charcoal. 

Charcoal: Charcoal ones, on the other hand, will provide some of the best flavors when both grilling and smoking but maintaining the flame and cooking in winter can be hectic.

Gas: With a gas smoker grill, you get high-portability and ease of use but most seem to use a lot of fuel. 

Pellet: The other fuel source option is pellet which will offer you better control over temperature and smoke production. But, these smokers can be pricey and they have a built-in ventilator that is quite noisy.

3. Material

The material used to make the smoker grill combo will determine its durability and whether it will give you value for money or not.

Most of these grills will have several components but when it comes to the material, one of the most important parts to consider is the frame as it is what holds everything else.

Aluminum, carbon coated steel and stainless steel are some of the most common frame materials for smoker grill combos. While all are tough and quite durable, some like stainless steel and coated carbon steel will not be ideal for use in very humid places.

Also, consider the material used to make the grates and ensure you go for something like stainless steel or porcelain coated cast iron as they will hold and distribute heat well.

4. Ease of Use

Even if you get the best quality smoker grill combo, it will still not serve you well if it is not easy to use. The best models are those that will allow you to switch easily from grilling to smoking and vice versa.

There are many things that will determine how easy the smoker grill will be to use, and they include how frequently you will have to load the wood chips and other flavoring agents when smoking.

The ease of cleaning and maintenance determine the overall ease of use. Also, a good model should be quick and easy to assemble and take apart for transportation.

How to Use a Smoker Grill Combo

Photo: Char-Griller

Finding the best BBQ smoker combo is one thing and using it to produce tender and great tasting smoked or grilled food is another.

Luckily, using a smoker grill does not have to be rocket science whether you have prior experience with similar equipment or not, and all you need to do is to follow the simple steps below.

Step 1: Prepare the Smoker Grill

The first step is to prepare your smoker grill by first placing it in a hard, flat surface and away from buildings, trees and brush. You should then fill the firebox with some charcoal pieces and light them.

Also, soak some wood chippings is water for about 30 minutes and make sure you only use ones that do not have any chemicals. Once the chips are well soaked you should add them to the lighted coals.

Step 2: Preheat Grill

After adding the chips you need to allow the grill to preheat to around 400 °F, which should take at least 5 minutes, and once the smoker grill is ready to cook, you can reduce the temperature to at least 225°F.

Preheating not only gets the smoker grill to the right cooking temperature but also allows it to be uncontaminated before use.

Step 3: Create Moisture and Extra Flavoring

Although the wood chips will give your meat some nice and rich flavor, it is also important to create some extra moisture and flavorings. A simple way to do this is by adding water to a hard foil bowl and adding some herbs and spices to it.

The bowl should be placed under the grates to create moisture for the meat and aid the smoke and spices to sit in.

Step 4: Place the Meat

Now you can place the meat on the grates and over the bowl with the water and spices. Depending on the level of doneness that you prefer and the size of the meat, you will mostly need to have the temperature at between 225 and 250 °F.

Also, keep the lid closed as the meat is cooking to maintain a consistent cooking temperature and prevent heat loss. Cooking time depends on the size and type of meat, but you will generally need to cook for at least 1 hour per pound.

Step 5: Controlling the Temperature

As you are smoking the meat you might need to adjust the temperature. To do this wen using the charcoal smoker grill combo, you should open the upper dampers to release air from the grill and reduce the temperature or open the lower damper to allow more air in and increase the heat or temperature.

Step 6: Give it Time

Because smoking takes quite some time, you need to be patient. But, as the meat is cooking you need to check it at least once every hour with a thermometer. Also, check the fuel and add more fuel to the smoker box and refill the water bowl if necessary.

Step 7: Clean and Serve

Once the meat gets to your desired doneness, you should remove it from the grill and give it some time to cool. You should clean the grates when still warm and wipe down the rest of the smoker grill. And by the time you finish the cleanup, the meat will likely be cool enough and ready to serve.

Note: The steps above are for a charcoal smoker grill combo, but the process is still more or less the same when using gas and electric models except a few things such as the temperature control whereby these other two fuel sources will have more precise temperature control knobs.

Conclusion

Smoker grill combos will allow you to grill and smoke food conveniently without having to buy a separate dedicated grill or smoker. This, in turn, saves you a lot of cash and space.

Our top 7 smoker grill combo review also provide great model and brand recommendations such as the Char-Griller 5050 that is a great all-round smoker grill and the highly portable PK Grills PK360-STBX-D for use on the go.