7 Best Gas and Charcoal Combo Grills of 2024

Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Combo Grill integrates gas grilling, charcoal grilling and smoking into one robust unit. With its barrel-style charcoal grill and three-burner gas grill positioned side by side, this hybrid appliance offers 1,060 square inches of cooking space, including a smoker box attached to the charcoal chamber.

Thoughtful features like temperature gauges on the lids, cool-touch handles, a convenient 12,000 BTU side burner and a wire shelf for storage cater to the needs of aspiring pitmasters and seasoned cooks alike. There’s also a damper on the charcoal lid to help control temperature while smoking.

“We tested the brand’s portable charcoal grill in our Lab, and it performed well due to its build and ease of use,” says Nicole Papantoniou, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. Our experts appreciated that the grill was made of a solid steel with oversized handles that stayed cool during testing.

We expect this Longhorn model to be similarly intuitive to use. “The gas tank is accessible from the front, which is a feature that scores high in our tests,” says Papantoniou. One downside: It doesn’t have much storage space, which lowers its score. We’d also like sturdier wheels on the cart, especially considering its six-foot-wide footprint and 224-pound weight. Customer reviews indicate it’s not easy to move the grill around.

The Char-Griller Duo 5050 Grill has three stainless steel burners on the gas side, delivering an impressive total output of 40,800 BTUs. A fold-away side burner provides added versatility for keeping dishes warm or preparing sauces. On the charcoal side, the adjustable charcoal pan can be positioned closer or farther away from the food. "This function helps with temperature control by letting the user set it to low, medium and high heat," says Papantoniou. It also features a double-insulated base designed to retain heat so you can use less charcoal.

Including the warming racks, this grill boasts a total cooking area of 1,260 square inches. It’s made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel for durability and longevity and includes porcelain grates for easy cleaning. Cooks will appreciate thoughtful features like a condiment and utensil rack and a grate lifter for charcoal replenishment.

In our Lab tests, Char-Griller grills are consistently simple to assemble, and our experts like the brand’s ease-of-use features, such as oversized handles and accessible gas tanks. Customers give this grill glowing reviews and recommend it for its price, versatility and reasonable footprint. Char-Griller also offers the Texas Trio Gas and Charcoal Grill, which comes with a smoker, if you want that added option.

The Coyote Centaur Dual Fuel Grill offers a sleek design and premium construction for those seeking a high-end built-in grill. Crafted from continuously welded stainless steel with seamless, polished edges, this grill exudes durability and elegance, making it a stunning centerpiece for any outdoor kitchen or grilling area.

It has two gas burners generating 40,000 BTUs, an adjustable-height charcoal tray and dampers for controlling airflow. "Dampers let you control the flame," says Papantoniou. "The more the damper is open, the more oxygen is let through and the higher the flame and vice versa." The charcoal side also supports wood chip cooking.

The Centaur is meant to be built into your existing infrastructure, but you can also purchase a Coyote hybrid grill cart if you want a standard carted grill.

Pit Boss is well known for its affordable pellet smokers and flat-top grills, and its Memphis combo grill offers a four-in-one cooking solution within one sturdy build. It combines gas and charcoal capabilities with the added bonus of an electric smoker that heats up to 250˚F to 300˚F. It has an astonishing total cooking area of 2,167 square inches, including 1,327 square inches for grilling and 840 square inches for smoking.

Thoughtful design features include adjustable vents that enable versatile smoke infusion, plenty of workspace and ample tool storage, including two side shelves and three drawers.

Despite its size, customer reviews indicate that the grill remains manageable and easy to move, thanks to the cart’s four wheels. Some customers complain of deteriorating rubber grip handles and complex assembly, but the overall satisfaction with this grill remains high.

The Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill offers a unique solution for those who desire the versatility of both gas and charcoal cooking. Though it does not allow simultaneous cooking with gas and charcoal due to its hybrid design, its compact size and efficient operation make it a practical choice for people with tight outdoor spaces, including apartment dwellers or those grilling on balconies.

Unlike traditional combo grills with side-by-side cooking surfaces, this model features a single cooking surface that can easily switch from gas to charcoal mode in about a minute. To convert from gas to charcoal, remove the grates, add the charcoal tray (specifically designed to reduce flare-ups) and use the gas ignition system to light the coals.

The grill has three main burners for a total of 40,000 BTUs and 420 square inches of porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates. One side includes a warming rack and side burner for efficient and convenient cooking. This model has temperature gauges, a single-push ignition system and ample storage shelves. It’s also easy to use and clean.

Blackstone is famous for its range of outdoor griddles, and this combo grill stands out for its innovative design that offers a 12,000 BTU gas griddle on one side and a charcoal grill on the other.

While it lacks a lid for roasting or slow cooking, this grill would be great for hot and fast grilling, like searing steaks or patties over charcoal while simultaneously toasting buns or sauteéing mushrooms and onions on the griddle side. You can also sear over charcoal for flavor and move to the griddle side to finish or use the griddle to fry eggs, bacon or rice.

The charcoal side features an adjustable height grate that can quickly move up or down so you can control the heat during cooking. The removable sliding ashtray and removable grease tray make cleanup a breeze. It also has a side shelf to support a 1-pound propane tank and an automatic igniter for the griddle top.

“Blackstone griddles heat up really well and offer consistent cooking results,” says Papantoniou. “The brand's products are typically lightweight, which might not offer a super sturdy build but the tradeoff is portability.” While its non-folding legs may pose challenges for transportation (you’ll need a spacious vehicle to take it tailgating or camping), sturdy wheels and a removable griddle top enhance its convenience.

The Royal Gourmet ZH Series offers the versatility of a combo grill with a streamlined cabinet space that keeps grilling tools, charcoal and propane tanks tidy and out of sight for a sleek and integrated look.

The grill offers 592 square inches of cooking grates and 169 square inches of stainless steel warming racks. The gas side has 25,500 BTUs of power. The charcoal firebox features lid-mounted dampers to promote air circulation and maintain heat, making it easy to operate as a smoker. A height-adjustable charcoal pan allows for easy temperature control via a crank.

A grease tray funnels grease and residue into a cup, and an ashtray collects the ashes; both can be removed for hassle-free cleanup. The wagon-style cart includes casters for movability and side tables for workspace. Customers like the grill's quality, saying it's a decent product, even though some comment that the assembly instructions are terrible.