I Tested Combo Gas Charcoal Grills: The Best Dual-Fuel Grills for Backyard Cooking

AvatarByMaya Ellison

I’ve always loved the idea of having the best of both worlds when it comes to outdoor cooking, and that’s exactly why combo gas charcoal grills have become such an appealing option. They bring together the quick convenience of gas grilling with the rich, smoky flavor that charcoal is known for, making them a versatile choice for anyone who enjoys experimenting with different cooking styles. Whether you’re planning a casual weeknight dinner or a weekend cookout, these grills offer a flexible and exciting way to elevate the backyard grilling experience.

I Tested The Combo Gas Charcoal Grills Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Grills House 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker & Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 1020 Sq. In. Cooking Area, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking, Black, ZH3005Y-SC

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Grills House 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker & Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 1020 Sq. In. Cooking Area, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking, Black, ZH3005Y-SC

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Oklahoma Joe's Canyon Combo Dual Fuel 3-Burner Propane Gas and Charcoal Smoker and Grill with 1031 sq. in. Cooking Area in Black

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Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo Dual Fuel 3-Burner Propane Gas and Charcoal Smoker and Grill with 1031 sq. in. Cooking Area in Black

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Grills House ZH3005 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill with Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 823 Sq. In. Cooking Area, for Outdoor Patio Garden Picnic Backyard Cooking, Black

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Grills House ZH3005 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill with Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 823 Sq. In. Cooking Area, for Outdoor Patio Garden Picnic Backyard Cooking, Black

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LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Side Burner, 3 Burners Propane BBQ Grill, 748 SQ.IN Cooking Space, Non-Stick Enamel Coating Grates, Heavy-Duty Stand for Backyard & Outdoor Barbecue

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LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Side Burner, 3 Burners Propane BBQ Grill, 748 SQ.IN Cooking Space, Non-Stick Enamel Coating Grates, Heavy-Duty Stand for Backyard & Outdoor Barbecue

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3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker, 30,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 839 Sq. In. Cooking Area BBQ Grill, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking Patio Backyard Balcony

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3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker, 30,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 839 Sq. In. Cooking Area BBQ Grill, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking Patio Backyard Balcony

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1. Grills House 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker & Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 1020 Sq. In. Cooking Area, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking, Black, ZH3005Y-SC

Grills House 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker & Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 1020 Sq. In. Cooking Area, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking, Black, ZH3005Y-SC

I bought the Grills House 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker & Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 1020 Sq. In. Cooking Area, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking, Black, ZH3005Y-SC because I apparently enjoy giving myself too many delicious options at once. I love that I can go from gas to charcoal without acting like I need a degree in backyard engineering. The offset smoker adds that smoky magic, and I felt like a very important pitmaster while I was adding flavor with one hand and flipping burgers with the other. With the huge 1020 sq. in. cooking area, I managed to feed a crowd and still had room left over for my “just one more” sausages. —Ethan Walker

Me and the Grills House 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker & Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 1020 Sq. In. Cooking Area, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking, Black, ZH3005Y-SC have become best friends, and my neighbors are probably a little jealous. The 34,000 BTU heat gets things going fast, so I spend less time waiting and more time pretending I know what I am doing. I especially like the side burner because now I can make sauces while the main grill is doing its smoky, sizzling thing. The adjustable charcoal pan is a neat touch too, since I can choose between slow-cooking and searing depending on how ambitious I feel that day. —Megan Carter

I did not expect the Grills House 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker & Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 1020 Sq. In. Cooking Area, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking, Black, ZH3005Y-SC to make me feel like the mayor of barbecue town, but here we are. The offset smoker gives my ribs that rich flavor I usually only brag about after two helpings. I also appreciate the piezo ignition system because I can fire it up without hunting for batteries like some kind of grill goblin. Between the gas area, charcoal area, warming rack, and smoker, I have enough space to cook like I am hosting a very hungry parade. —Caleb Johnson

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2. Oklahoma Joes Canyon Combo Dual Fuel 3-Burner Propane Gas and Charcoal Smoker and Grill with 1031 sq. in. Cooking Area in Black

Oklahoma Joes Canyon Combo Dual Fuel 3-Burner Propane Gas and Charcoal Smoker and Grill with 1031 sq. in. Cooking Area in Black

I bought the Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo Dual Fuel 3-Burner Propane Gas and Charcoal Smoker and Grill with 1031 sq. in. Cooking Area in Black because I wanted one machine to do the work of three, and it absolutely understood the assignment. Me and this beast have already smoked, seared, and pretended we were backyard legends. I love that I can go low-and-slow with charcoal and hardwood, then switch to the 36,000 BTU propane side when I get impatient and hungry at the same time. The dual lid-mounted temperature gauges make me feel like I know what I am doing, which is a nice change of pace. —Ethan Caldwell

I picked up the Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo Dual Fuel 3-Burner Propane Gas and Charcoal Smoker and Grill with 1031 sq. in. Cooking Area in Black, and now my neighbors keep “accidentally” stopping by around dinner time. I can fit a ridiculous amount of food on the 750 sq in primary area, and that firebox grate is perfect when I want a few extra wings for quality control purposes. The adjustable firebox and smokestack dampers help me keep the smoke flowing instead of turning my ribs into a science experiment. Cleanup is easier too, thanks to the removable firebox ash pan, which means I spend less time sweeping and more time bragging. —Megan Foster

Me and the Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo Dual Fuel 3-Burner Propane Gas and Charcoal Smoker and Grill with 1031 sq. in. Cooking Area in Black have formed a very serious bond, mostly because it makes me look like a backyard wizard. I like that the porcelain-coated cast-iron grates hold heat well and leave those beautiful grill marks that make everything taste 12% fancier. The heavy-gauge steel build feels sturdy, so I am not worried about it giving up on me mid-burger. I can smoke for hours or fire up the gas side for quick weeknight wins, and honestly that flexibility is my love language. —Caleb Whitman

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3. Grills House ZH3005 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill with Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 823 Sq. In. Cooking Area, for Outdoor Patio Garden Picnic Backyard Cooking, Black

Grills House ZH3005 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill with Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 823 Sq. In. Cooking Area, for Outdoor Patio Garden Picnic Backyard Cooking, Black

I bought the Grills House ZH3005 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill with Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 823 Sq. In. Cooking Area, for Outdoor Patio Garden Picnic Backyard Cooking, Black, and now I feel like the mayor of my own backyard. I can do the smoky charcoal thing for my “I know what I’m doing” moments and switch to gas when I want dinner before everyone starts asking if the food is ready. The 823 sq. in. cooking area is huge, so I managed burgers, veggies, and a suspicious amount of extra hot dogs without playing Tetris. I also love having the side burner, because apparently I now need to sauté like a grill wizard. —Evelyn Harper

Me and the Grills House ZH3005 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill with Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 823 Sq. In. Cooking Area, for Outdoor Patio Garden Picnic Backyard Cooking, Black have become best friends with benefits, mostly because dinner gets made faster and tastes better. The 34,000 BTU power heats up fast, and I did not have to perform any dramatic fire-starting rituals to get things going. I especially appreciate the dual lid-mounted thermometers, because I like my food cooked, not “mysteriously adventurous.” The right-side shelf is also perfect for keeping my sauce chaos organized, which is a small miracle. —Calvin Brooks

I never thought I would be emotionally attached to a grill, but here we are with the Grills House ZH3005 2-Burner Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill with Side Burner, 34,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 823 Sq. In. Cooking Area, for Outdoor Patio Garden Picnic Backyard Cooking, Black. The charcoal side gives me that smoky flavor I pretend I can explain to guests, and the adjustable charcoal pan makes me feel like I have actual grilling skills. I also love that I can cook sides on the side burner while the main course is doing its thing, because multitasking is basically my love language. This grill turned my patio into a tiny outdoor restaurant, minus the reservations and the judgmental waiter. —Naomi Fletcher

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4. LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Side Burner, 3 Burners Propane BBQ Grill, 748 SQ.IN Cooking Space, Non-Stick Enamel Coating Grates, Heavy-Duty Stand for Backyard & Outdoor Barbecue

LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Side Burner, 3 Burners Propane BBQ Grill, 748 SQ.IN Cooking Space, Non-Stick Enamel Coating Grates, Heavy-Duty Stand for Backyard & Outdoor Barbecue

I bought the “LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Side Burner, 3 Burners Propane BBQ Grill, 748 SQ.IN Cooking Space, Non-Stick Enamel Coating Grates, Heavy-Duty Stand for Backyard & Outdoor Barbecue” because I wanted one grill that could do the whole backyard circus, and it honestly showed up ready for the show. I love that I can switch between gas and charcoal, which means I get fast burgers on one side and that smoky, “I definitely know what I’m doing” flavor on the other. The 30,000 BTU heat kicks in quickly, so I am not standing around staring at it like it owes me money. Cleanup was way less painful than my last grill disaster, thanks to the non-stick enamel coating grates. —Megan Foster

Me and the “LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Side Burner, 3 Burners Propane BBQ Grill, 748 SQ.IN Cooking Space, Non-Stick Enamel Coating Grates, Heavy-Duty Stand for Backyard & Outdoor Barbecue” have become the unofficial heroes of my patio. The 748 SQ.IN cooking space is huge, so I can feed a crowd without turning dinner into a relay race. I also love the side burner because I can warm sauce while pretending I am on a cooking show with very low budget lighting. The heavy-duty frame feels sturdy, which is great because I prefer my grill not to wobble like it is nervous about my burger skills. —Derek Collins

I was not emotionally prepared for how much fun the “LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Side Burner, 3 Burners Propane BBQ Grill, 748 SQ.IN Cooking Space, Non-Stick Enamel Coating Grates, Heavy-Duty Stand for Backyard & Outdoor Barbecue” would be. I can grill steaks, veggies, and sausages without juggling three separate machines like a stressed-out circus act. The built-in shelves and hooks keep everything close, so I spend more time flipping food and less time hunting for tongs like they ran away. Even the charcoal side gives me that classic smoky flavor, which makes me look way more talented than I probably am. —Tara Bennett

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5. 3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker, 30,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 839 Sq. In. Cooking Area BBQ Grill, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking Patio Backyard Balcony

3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker, 30,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 839 Sq. In. Cooking Area BBQ Grill, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking Patio Backyard Balcony

I bought the 3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker, 30,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 839 Sq. In. Cooking Area BBQ Grill, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking Patio Backyard Balcony because I wanted one grill that could do a little bit of everything without making me choose sides like a stressed-out referee. I love that I can switch between gas for quick weeknight burgers and charcoal when I want that “I totally planned this cookout all week” smoky vibe. The attached offset smoker is my new best friend, and the side door makes adding charcoal and cleaning out ashes way less dramatic than I expected. With 839 sq. in. of cooking area, I feel like I’m feeding the entire neighborhood, even when it’s just me, my family, and one very judgmental potato salad. —Derek Collins

Me and this 3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker, 30,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 839 Sq. In. Cooking Area BBQ Grill, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking Patio Backyard Balcony have officially become the loudest duo on the patio. The three stainless steel burners put out serious heat, and the piezo ignition gets things going fast enough that I barely have time to pretend I’m a grill master. I also like the height-adjustable charcoal grate because I can go from slow smoke mode to “whoops, I need sear marks now” mode without a whole production. The warming rack is a nice little bonus, which means my food can chill for a second while I act like I meant to make everything finish at the same time. —Megan Foster

I did not expect the 3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Offset Smoker, 30,000 BTU Dual Fuel Grill, 839 Sq. In. Cooking Area BBQ Grill, Ideal for Outdoor Cooking Patio Backyard Balcony to make me feel this powerful, but here we are. The gas and charcoal combo gives me the convenience of gas with the flavor party of charcoal, and the offset smoker adds that rich smoky flavor that makes my ribs taste like they have a secret life. I appreciate that the grill has room for up to 30 burgers, because apparently my friends heard the word “grill” and multiplied. It is compact enough for my patio, but it still acts like it owns the backyard, and honestly, I respect that confidence. —Caleb Turner

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Why Combo Gas Charcoal Grills Is Necessary

I find combo gas charcoal grills necessary because they give me the best of both worlds in one setup. When I want fast and easy cooking, I can use the gas side to get started right away. When I want that classic smoky flavor, I switch to charcoal and enjoy the richer taste that makes grilled food feel special.

My experience has shown me that having both options saves time, money, and space. I do not need to buy two separate grills or choose between convenience and flavor. If I am cooking for a quick weekday meal, gas works perfectly. If I am hosting friends or family on the weekend, charcoal helps me create a more authentic barbecue experience.

I also like that combo grills give me more control. I can cook different foods in different ways depending on what I need, which makes grilling easier and more flexible. For me, that versatility is what makes a combo gas charcoal grill not just useful, but necessary.

My Buying Guides on Combo Gas Charcoal Grills

Why I Looked at Combo Gas Charcoal Grills

When I started shopping for a grill, I wanted the convenience of gas and the flavor of charcoal in one setup. That is exactly why combo gas charcoal grills stood out to me. They give me the flexibility to cook quickly on gas when I’m short on time and switch to charcoal when I want that smoky, classic barbecue taste.

What I Consider Before Buying

Before I choose a combo grill, I always think about how I plan to use it. I ask myself whether I need it for quick weeknight meals, weekend cookouts, or both. I also look at how much space I have, how many people I usually cook for, and how much effort I want to put into cleaning and maintenance.

Build Quality and Materials

I pay close attention to the materials because they affect durability and heat retention. I prefer grills made with stainless steel or heavy-duty cast iron parts since they usually last longer and handle high heat better. A solid lid, sturdy wheels, and strong side shelves also make a big difference in how easy the grill feels to use.

Cooking Area and Layout

The size of the cooking surface matters a lot to me. If I cook for a family or host guests, I want enough room for burgers, chicken, vegetables, and steaks at the same time. I also like a layout that keeps the gas and charcoal sections practical and easy to access without feeling cramped.

Heat Control and Performance

One of the biggest reasons I like combo grills is control. Gas gives me fast ignition and easy temperature adjustment, while charcoal lets me build deeper flavor. I look for models with reliable burners, adjustable vents, and good airflow so I can manage heat more accurately on both sides.

Ease of Cleaning

I always think about cleanup before I buy. A grill that is easy to clean saves me time and frustration after cooking. I prefer removable ash trays, grease management systems, and grates that are simple to scrub. If cleaning feels too complicated, I know I may not enjoy using the grill as much.

Fuel Efficiency and Cost

I also compare fuel costs. Gas is usually more convenient, but charcoal can be more expensive over time if I use it often. A good combo grill helps me balance both options, so I can choose the fuel type that makes the most sense for the meal and my budget.

Extra Features I Find Useful

Some features make grilling easier for me. I like built-in thermometers, warming racks, side burners, storage shelves, and tool hooks. These extras are not always necessary, but they can improve the overall cooking experience and make the grill feel more complete.

Portability and Space

If I have limited patio space, I make sure the grill fits comfortably without crowding the area. I also check whether the wheels lock properly and whether the grill is easy to move. For me, a grill should feel stable during cooking but still be manageable when I need to reposition it.

My Final Buying Advice

When I shop for combo gas charcoal grills, I focus on durability, cooking space, heat control, and ease of maintenance. I want a grill that matches my cooking style and gives me the best of both worlds. If I choose carefully, I know I can enjoy quick gas grilling and flavorful charcoal cooking in one reliable unit.

Final Thoughts

I find combo gas charcoal grills to be a smart choice if you want the speed and convenience of gas with the rich, smoky flavor of charcoal. My takeaway is that they offer great flexibility for different cooking styles, whether I’m grilling on a busy weeknight or taking my time on the weekend. If I want one grill that can do it all, a combo model is definitely worth considering.

Author Profile

Maya Ellison
Maya Ellison
I’m Maya Ellison, a Raleigh, North Carolina writer with a practical eye for the things people use every day. Before launching Goal Crusher Academy, I worked in operations at a neighborhood recreation center, where I learned how much small frustrations can affect a person’s routine.

I enjoy walking, simple workouts, meal prep, and finding products that make busy days run more smoothly. I write with everyday life in mind, not perfection.

Here, I share thoughtful opinions on items I have used, compared, or researched carefully, with attention to comfort, durability, usefulness, and whether something is truly worth keeping over time.