Best Charcoal Grill Smoker Combos That Step Up Your Grill Game
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Throwing a party is not a piece of cake, especially when you are trying hard to impress your guests with a complicated menu. If you have enough classic BBQ dishes and want to cook some new dishes, a grill smoker combo is a perfect choice to go.
Charcoal grill smoker combos are arguably the most popular thanks to its ability to give the food the smoky, mouth-watering, scrumptious flavors. That’s why we have listed for you 5 best charcoal grill smoker combos that can step up your grill game for your party this summer.
Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-DBest Overall
Pros
- Extremely spacious cooking space
- Sturdy heavy-gauge construction that lasts longer
- Fairly easy to assemble and seal
- Large wheel for greater mobility
- Easy to control temperatures
- Good for beginners
Cons
- Hard to remove the ash
- Not easy to clean
- Quiet heavy
Okay let’s forget about the 1,382 square inch cooking space this Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D offer that can accommodate a large crowd for a moment. It is made of heavy-gauge steel that makes it last much longer.
Its stainless analog temp gauge features special “Grill Zone” and “Smoke Zone” that indicate the best temperatures that can produce the perfect smoky flavor to your food. A whole chicken, turkey or pork tenderloin will never be too big for this spacious grill smoker combo.
It also comes with sausage hooks, cool-touch spring lid, and wheels for better mobility. What else can you ask for?
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Accommodate | A crowd |
| Cooking Space (sq.in.) | 1,382 |
| Cooking Grate Material | Chrome-Plated |
| Dimensions | 58" H x 45.5" W x 24.9" D |
| Weight (lbs) | 124.3 |
| Highlight Features | Huge cooking space, Analog temperature gauge with 'Grill Zone' and 'Smoke Zone' indicators, Sausage hooks |
Wow your guests with smoky decious BBQ meat from this Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D. The best bang for your buck.
Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American GourmetBudget-Friendly Option
Pros
- Affordable
- Perfect size for small families
- Offset smoker for the most authentic barbecue taste
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to control heat and smoke
Cons
- Small ash catcher
- Smoke leaks around the firebox lid
- Flimsy temperature gauge
If you don’t wanna spend much on a smoker grill combo but still wanna cook for your family smoky full of flavor meat, Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet is more than ideal.
290 square inch cooking space in the main chamber and another 140 square inch in the fire box can accommodate a family of up to 4 members. Everyone will have their share without waiting. It is well built so you can rest assured that you don’t have to spend more money on smoker and grill every summer.
The porcelain grates are super easy to clean, the wheels provide greater mobility and the side shelf gives place for food prep and condiments. On top of that, it is among the most lightweight and compact smoker grill combos in the market. No more fuss moving and storing your smoker.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Accommodate | 2-4 people |
| Cooking Space (sq.in.) | 430 |
| Cooking Grate Material | Porcelain-Coated Wire |
| Dimensions | 17.5” x 46.2” x 44.8” |
| Weight (lbs) | 46.5 |
| Highlight Features | Offset smoker, Multiple dampers, Lid-mounted temperature gauge, Side shelf, 2 large wheels |
I highly recommend Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Offset Smoker to those who are on a budget but still want to taste the best smoky barbeque ever.
Char-Griller E1224 Smokin ProBest For Texas Style Barbecue
Pros
- The one and the only way to real Texas BBQ
- Can cook for 10-15 people
- Sturdy, long-lasting construction
- Plenty of storage
- Removable charcoal drawers
- Excellent heat control with adjustable fire grate
- Affordable
Cons
- The temp gauge doesn’t work well in cold weather
- May take time to learn how to control the temperature
- Pretty heavy
Who doesn’t love Texas style luscious, sticky ribs, juicy steaks or tender, fall-of-the-bone briskets? That’s why Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro Grill Smoker Combo is made.
If you get a group of friends who share the same passion with you, the 830 square inch cooking space will make you all happy. The heavy-gauge steel construction makes sure that no heat is wasted and gives it a longer life. Grate height also may be adjusted for different dishes.
Slide-out coal drawers allow you to add charcoal without removing the grates and dump ashes easily. This grill also provides adequate storage space with a rack below and a side shelf.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Accommodate | 8-10 people |
| Cooking Space (sq.in.) | 830 |
| Cooking Grate Material | Cast Iron |
| Dimensions | 62" x 29" x 50" |
| Weight (lbs) | 118 |
| Highlight Features | Heavy-gauge steel construction, Removable charcoal drawers, Adjustable fire grate, Double bottom |
All of the Texas style barbeque fans out there, please don’t miss out this awesome yet affordable Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro Grill that can make you live in your dreams.
PK Grills Original PKO-SCAX-XRetro-Style
Pros
- Stunning retro design
- The food tastes heavenly
- Most lightweight and compact
- Rustless and sturdy construction
- Temperature is easy to control and maintain
- Good for direct and indirect cooking
- Easy to assemble
- Can be disassembled in a minute for transport or cleaning
Cons
- A thermometer and an ash catcher are not included
- A bit pricey
- Expensive replacements
If you wanna know how people from the Golden Age 1950s spent their summers, this PK Grills Original PKO-SCAX-X can help you. This retro charcoal grill, inspired by a 1950s capsule shaped design, not only has the look but also grills and smokes meats, seafood, and vegetables like a charm.
It features a decent cooking space of 300 square inches that are ideal for a family of four or a romantic date night (why not?). Briskets, pork ribs from this grill are to die for.
Both indirect and direct cooking are possible thanks to the 4-point venting system that is easy to adjust. Whether you want to grill hot and fast or low and slow, this PK grill will never disappoint you.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Accommodate | 2-4 people |
| Cooking Space (sq.in.) | 300 |
| Cooking Grate Material | Chrome-Plated |
| Dimensions | 16” x 35” x 35.5” |
| Weight (lbs) | 45 |
| Highlight Features | Unique capsule shape, 4-point venting system, Dual shelves, Rust proof |
We owe a lot of thanks to PK Grills Original PKO-SCAX-X Grill Smoker Combo for bringing classics back to life.
Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal GrillPremium Hybrid Grill
Pros
- Versatile and convenient with dual fuel design
- Huge cooking space
- Side burner
- Allow both direct and indirect cooking with adjustable charcoal grate height
- Electronic ignition for easy start up
- Precise and constant temperature
Cons
- Heavy
- Pricey
- Not the easiest to clean
Sometimes deciding whether to buy a charcoal or a gas grill/ smoker can bring you a few sleepless nights. If you have been in this case, consider this Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal Grill. It provides you the best of both worlds, the authentic taste of a charcoal grill and the convenience of a gas grill.
Dual cooking chambers, each of them featuring one kind of fuel, along with a warming rack count for a total of 1,260 square inches of grilling and smoking space. Frankly speaking, you can cook the whole cow on this grill if you want. And throwing a huge party will be easier than ever.
Beside the spacious cooking area, it also comes with a side burner, yes you heard me right! Honestly, I don’t think that I have ever used all of the space it gives, it’s just too big. Electronic ignition starts the gas grilling and the burner with just a push of a button.
The adjustable charcoal grate height provides precise heat control, whether for hot searing or low and slow cooking, this grill can handle all. Moreover, it is easy to transport and to add more charcoal thanks to a grate lifter.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Accommodate | A crowd |
| Cooking Space (sq.in.) | 1260 |
| Cooking Grate Material | Porcelain-Coated Cast-Iron |
| Dimensions | 61" x 28" x 50" |
| Weight (lbs) | 144 |
| Highlight Features | Duel fuel, Side burner, Electronic ignition, Grate lifter, Adjustable charcoal grate height, Plenty of storage |
Why spend time deciding whether to buy a charcoal or a gas grill when you can have both? Make your neighbors envious with this Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal Grill.
How To Choose The Best Charcoal Grill Smoker Combo (Buying Guide)
If you have troubles choosing among the 6 models above, take a look at these factors to help you with your decisions
Cooking space
If you only need a small grill smoker combo to cook meals for 2-4 people, models like Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet or PK Grills Original PKO-SCAX-X will do the magic.
If you are a Good Time Charlie who plans a lot of parties this summer, a grill smoker combo with over 1000 square inches is what you should look for.
Weight
Most of the models in the market today have wheels so no matter how heavy they are, moving will never be a problem. However, I personally prefer a more lightweight grill smoker combo since it will be easier for me to take it in and out of the storage without my husband’s help.
Storage space
Skip this if you like preparing your food in your kitchen and have a separate table for condiments. I tend to prepare my last-minute food right on the grill so a side table will be a life-saver to me.
If you are like me, opt for a model with plenty of storage space such as side shelves, bottom shelves, or condiment baskets to make things easier.
FAQs
This is a tricky question to answer. Most people may think that charcoal grills offer the best taste while gas counterparts bring convenience. We do think that their advantages are more than that, as well as the disadvantages.
Charcoal grills
Absolutely nothing can beat the smoky luscious flavor, especially with thick steaks, turkey, chicken, or thick cuts of meat that require low and slow cooking. The smoke from wood chips combined with the combustion gas from the charcoal creates an authentic Southern barbecue taste. Propane grills will give the food milder flavor which is bacon-like.
Another advantage that makes charcoal grills a strong competitor is that they can burn hotter than gas grills without infrared burners, which is perfect for searing steaks. Moreover, they are much cheaper and more portable than gas grills.
However, I know that some of us don’t like charcoal grills because they are hard to light up and too messy to clean up, and you cannot use them in an apartment. Sometimes there may be flare-ups that can burn the food. And it is harder to read and lower the temperature. If you want to slow cook, you need to babysit the grill to add more charcoal to it.
But we can’t deny the pleasure and joy when playing with fire. But make sure when you use a charcoal grill, use tongs and gloves to reduce the risks.
Gas grills
What do gas grills give us? Well, convenience and control. This is all some of you need to win the argument. Gas grills start without a hitch, heat up within 10-15 minutes, maintain the desired temperature pretty well, can crack up and cool down in a blink of an eye.
Cheaper models feature a max temp of 500-550°F. High-end gas grills with double layered hoods and sear burners can shoot up to 900°F.
Gas grills are perfect for a week-day going home late from work with some frozen burgers. And it is a piece of cake to clean up afterwards.
Gas grills, for most of the time, come with a wide range of accessories. Side burners, side tables, nightlights, storage space, some even have rotisserie kits.
However, due to the complicated constructions, gas grills are much more expensive than charcoal grills. And the temp tends to be affected by the weather. You may set your grill at 275°F on a 70°F day, but it can be 300°F on a sunny day or 225°F when there is rain and wind.
When smoking, generally, you should intersperse charcoals with wood chunks. It is the burning of wood/ wood products that creates the smoky flavor for the barbeque.
Charcoal is created by slow pyrolysis, a process of burning hardwood in the absence of oxygen. This makes charcoal able to burn at high temperature and give off less smoke. That’s why you don’t get the bold smoky flavor when you smoke meat with charcoal only.
Adding chunks to the charcoal will leave a sweet bold smoky flavor on your meat that can make your neighborhood envy.
Remember this: Open lid is for searing and closed lid is meant for over ¾ inch slices of meat.
225°F is a magic number when it comes to smoking meats. It is the temperature that creates crispy outside and tender inside for the most juicy luscious barbeque ever. We will show you how to maintain your charcoal grill/ smoker at a perfect 225°F.
Invest in a high-quality meat probe
As most of the grills or smokers come with flimsy thermometers, it is always better to buy a good probe to keep an eye on the temperature. A meat probe can cut out the guesswork and give your meat the perfect temperature.
Rule of thumb: Place the thermometer near where the food is located, but not on direct heat. (see step 4)
Use lit charcoal for fuel
Forget about using a long lighter to light charcoal, a chimney starter is a much better and safer choice. After about 15 minutes, place burned charcoal briquettes in the grill.
Set up 2-zone grill
As it is not easy to cool down the temperature of a charcoal grill, a 2-zone cooking area can save your barbecue. Pile the lit coals on one side of the grill to make an indirect cooking area for slow cooking and place a meat probe.
Adjust the vent
After 5 minutes of putting the lit charcoals into the grill, take a look at the meat probe. If the temp is over 225°F, you should slightly close the intake damper to reduce the amount of oxygen and bring down the temp.
Then after every 5 minutes, check the temperature. If it is too low, open the intake damper a bit and close it if the temp is high. Do that once and the next time you grill, you will know how much you should adjust the damper.
Add more fuel
Coals will burn down after a few hours and the temperature will drop below the sweet spot 225°F. It is time you refuel your grill and open up the intake damper. You can either put lit or unlit 8-10 lump charcoal or charcoal briquettes to the lit coals in the grill.
It takes (on each side) 3 to 5 minutes for medium-rare (135°F), 5 to 7 minutes for medium (140°F) or 8 to 10 minutes for medium-well (150°F).
Conclusion
As I am writing this article, I’m planning a barbeque this weekend in my backyard with my little family. How about you? What are you up to this weekend? If you don’t have any plan yet, get yourself the best charcoal grill combo and throw a small party. It will be so much fun!
Thank you for reading and have fun grilling!