4 Best Gas and Charcoal Combo Grills, Reviewed by Grilling Experts
Why choose between gas and charcoal?
Reviewed by Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
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When it comes to grilling, gas and charcoal each have their advantages. Charcoal delivers a rich, smoky flavor, while gas offers the convenience of quick, effortless ignition. If you don't have the space or budget for two grills, there's good news: Combo grills (also known as dual-fuel, dual-function, or multi-fuel grills) offer the best of both worlds.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Oklahoma Joe's Canyon Combo Charcoal and Gas Smoker and Grill
- Best value: Char-Griller Double Play Gas and Charcoal Grill
- Best large capacity: Nexgrill Oakford 1150 Pro Propane Gas and Smoker Combo Grill
The grilling experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab have tested standalone gas grills and charcoal grills over the years. To identify the best combo models, we drew on our testing and data from standalone units. We chose models from brands that consistently perform well in our evaluations. Our picks span a range of needs and come from trusted, well-tested brands.
Best Deal
Pros
- Includes a smoker
- Large cooking area
- Gas tank is easy to acess
Cons
- No closed storage cabinet
Oklahoma Joe's Canyon grill combines charcoal and gas grilling, as well as smoking, in one versatile appliance. The combo model features a three-burner gas grill, a barrel-style charcoal grill, and a smoker box positioned side-by-side. In total, this grill has 1,031 square inches of cooking space.
"We tested this brand’s portable charcoal grill in the Lab, and it performed well due to its sturdy build and ease of use,” says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Kitchen Lab. This combo grill model has the same durable construction.
While this grill doesn’t have an enclosed storage cabinet, the lower shelf can come in handy to stash tools or platters until you’re ready to serve. Our analysts also liked the convenient location of the tank: “The gas tank is accessible from the front, which is a feature that scores high in our tests,” says Papantoniou.
| Dimensions | 50.8" x 68.9" x 35.6" |
| Cooking surface | 1,031 sq. in. |
| Cooking grate material | Porcelain-coated cast iron |
| Number of burners | 3 |
Pros
- Includes a side burner
- Large cooking area
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- No smoker
This Char-Griller model features three stainless steel burners on the gas side, delivering up to 40,800 BTUs for high-heat searing. A fold-away side burner adds versatility, keeping cooked food warm or making sauces while you grill. On the charcoal side, the adjustable grate can be moved closer or farther away from the food. "This function helps with temperature control by letting the user set it to low, medium, or high heat," says Papantoniou.
Including the warming racks, this grill has 1,260 square inches of cooking space. While this model doesn't have a dedicated smoker, it offers great value thanks to the side burner, a feature we don't often see on combo grills.
The grill is made of painted corrosion-resistant stainless steel for durability and longevity, and features porcelain grates that are easy to clean. Cooks will appreciate the included grate lifter and the well-designed ash pan, which make it easy to dispose of used ash.
In our Lab tests, Char-Griller grills are consistently easy to assemble, and our experts appreciate the brand's ease-of-use features, such as oversized handles and easily accessible gas tanks. Char-Griller also offers the Texas Trio Gas and Charcoal Grill, which comes with a smoker as an optional add-on.
| Dimensions | 49.2 x 30.5" x 66" |
| Cooking surface | 1,260 sq. in. |
| Cooking grate material | Porcelain-coated cast iron |
| Number of burners | 3 |
Pros
- Large cooking surface area
- Includes a smoker
- Has a self-warmer
Cons
- Bulky design
This three-in-one model from Nexgrill works as a gas grill, a charcoal grill, and a smoker. It has an impressive 1,150 square inches of grilling space between the two gas and charcoal cooktops, plus another 67 square inches on the warming racks.
The gas side of the grill has three burners and 30,000 BTUs of cooking power, while the charcoal side features an adjustable chimney and damper to regulate cooking temperature and smoke output. The smoke box is easy to access on the side of the grill, so you can add wood chips as you go. The lid of the firebox also acts as a warming shelf for sauces or side dishes.
The grill is on the larger side and has a bit of a bulky design. However, it features two wheels and two casters, so you can reposition it or wheel it away for storage.
| Dimensions | 50" x 75" x 24.8" |
| Cooking surface | 1,217 sq. in. |
| Cooking grate material | Porcelain-coated cast iron |
| Number of burners | 3 |
Pros
- Large cabinet storage
- Sleek look
- Easy charcoal temperature control via a crank
Cons
- Instruction manual is difficult to read
The Royal Gourmet ZH combo grill has a sleek exterior and enough interior space to keep everything tidy. The large storage cabinet has plenty of room for all your grilling tools.
Between both grill tops and the warming rack, this model has 759 square inches of cooking space. An exterior crank adjusts the height of the charcoal pan, bringing it closer or farther from your food to regulate temperature. The gas side has two stainless burners that offer 20,000 BTUs.
A grease tray collects grease and juices that accumulate during cooking and directs them into a cup for quick cleaning. The grill also has an easy-to-dump ash bin. Two side tables, along with hooks, offer extra storage for utensils, pans, and cleaning tools like brushes. Note that the assembly manual lacks written instructions, and the images can be hard to follow.
| Dimensions | 64.2" x 64.2" x 45.3" |
| Cooking surface | 759 sq. in. |
| Cooking grate material | Porcelain-coated cast iron |
| Number of burners | 2 |
How we choose the best gas and charcoal grills
Since 2011, the experts in the Kitchen Lab, including Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou, have meticulously tested over 90 outdoor grills in real backyards, including gas, charcoal, kamado, pellet, and portable models. We test each model for ease of use and performance. We've continued using many of the grills at home to gather long-term durability data.
To select new grills to evaluate, we thoroughly research the category and stay up to date on new releases and upgrades from top brands.
We selected gas and charcoal combo grills based on our experience evaluating standalone gas and charcoal grills. We focused on brands that have performed well in both categories in our Lab tests and prioritized models with strong construction and user-friendly features—key factors we consider when assessing any grill.
What to look for when buying a gas and charcoal grill
✔️ Type:
- Side-by-side grill: This is the most common type of dual-fuel grill, with separate compartments for each fuel type that function independently.
- Convertible gas and charcoal grills: These grills can switch between charcoal and gas grilling via removable trays or burner systems that can be swapped in and out.
Both of these styles are available as built-in grills, designed for installation in outdoor kitchen islands for a seamless, integrated look.
All types can also come with a smoker, either as an attachment or the ability to add wood chips to the charcoal bed.
✔️ Materials: Opt for durable materials like heavy-duty stainless steel and porcelain-covered grill plates for durability, easy cleaning, and rust resistance.
✔️ Warranty: Reputable manufacturers stand behind their products with robust warranties. Look for a grill backed by a warranty of at least five years that covers essential components, like gas burners and ignition systems, which are prone to wear and tear.
✔️ Accessories: Enhancements like a one-touch ignition system, warming racks, side burners, fold-out side tables, and ample storage can elevate your grilling experience and make your patio look more put-together.
Is a gas and charcoal grill combo worth it?
While there's certainly an allure to the two-for-one package of a grill that can use both gas and charcoal, these models still come with trade-offs. A combo grill makes sense if you regularly use both cooking methods.
Pros:
- You get the speed of gas and the smoky taste of charcoal in one appliance.
- A combo grill is more economical than purchasing separate gas and charcoal grills.
- You'll conserve space on your porch or patio with one grill instead of two.
Cons:
- Like nearly any multi-mode cooking appliance, combo grills perform averagely across both modes. They don't perform as well as our favorite stand-alone gas or charcoal grills.
- Combo grills are often larger and bulkier than a single grill of either type, which can pose challenges in smaller spaces.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Lizzy Briskin is a contributing writer and analyst for the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She has been testing and writing about the best kitchen appliances and cookware for over a decade. She is also a trained chef and recipe developer, and her favorite thing to grill is pizza.
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she oversees all kitchen appliance content and testing. This is her sixth season testing grills for Good Housekeeping, and she has had her hands on 40 grills and counting. She's a trained cook, recipe developer, and grilling aficionado.
Nicole (she/her) is the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She oversees all content and testing related to kitchen products, food, and recipes. She has worked at GH since 2019, and is a trained cook, published recipe developer, and seasoned product tester with nearly 15 years of experience. She has worked in test kitchens for national magazines and kitchen appliances brands, where she also helped develop products for the home cook. She earned a degree in journalism from SUNY New Paltz, graduated with a Grand Diplome in Classic Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute, and studied culinary nutrition at the Natural Gourmet Institute (both now part of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.)
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