Comparison of best smoker and grill combo
One of the most effortless and enjoyable food preparation processes is grilling. If you want to receive a real fire flavor, choose a charcoal or wood pellets grill. Cooking on a charcoal grill takes more time; heating the grill to the desired temperature can take up to 30 minutes; also the cleaning process takes a lot of effort, but you receive an unbelievable smoky taste of food instead. The second grill type with comparable flavor is the pellet grill.
Their construction is more complicated; the wood pellets are filled into a hopper, from where they are moved to a burn pot by an auger. In this grill, the food has a hardwood smoky flavor. Nevertheless, wood pellet grills require less maintenance, which is why this type has become very popular. Moreover, please remember that gas grills do not produce smoke, but some models can be used with wooden chips.
In this article, you can read a comparison of the top eight grill and smoker combos; the comparison table is presented for the best three. We hope this review helps you choose between a pellet and charcoal grill and find the best model.
Comparison table of the best smoker and grill combo
If you do not have time to read the whole article, please check our comparison table with the three best smoker and grill combos. For a more detailed view, our detailed description of these models is below. Also, other best-sellers from grill and smoker combo are presented.
Review of the best smoker and grill combo on the market
The grill’s main parameters are the working temperature range, the size of a cooking grate, and fuel type. For each of the best eight combo models (including the top three best models from the table), we will briefly review the pros and cons and the requirements for cooking and cleaning.
Captiva Designs Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker – the cheapest
Captiva charcoal grill is the cheapest combo from our review. Nevertheless, it is a fully functional charcoal grill with an offset smoker box on the right side. The main cooking chamber has a chimney with a lid on the left side used for air vent control. You can also control heat and smoke circulation with a perforated door on the smoker. This door is also used for cleaning from ashes and changing charcoal. The main chamber and a smoker are connected; grooved lids hold all smoke and heat inside and provide an unbelievable food taste. In addition, the lid has a built-in thermometer with a display showing temperatures from 100 to 500 F.
This grill has a large cooking area (366 sq inches) that is presented with a removable grate consisting of three parts. The offset smoker also has a cooking area (a cooking grate of 146 sq inches) that can be used for small grill dishes. All grates are made from enamel material and resistant to acids and high temperatures.
You can cook in a main chamber or smoke in a separate smoker. In each chamber, the fuel is downloaded separately on a special grate. The grill works from charcoal; the smoker is from wooden chips and charcoal. To fill the charcoal or wood chips, you need to take out the top grates. The Captiva is made from black alloy steel to last for years.
Two steel wheels are installed for easy moving on two legs, and with a side handle, you can move the grill on the patio effortlessly. The removable front and bottom shelves are designed to keep grilling accessories and food within arm’s reach. To simplify grease removal, it is collected into the bucket (the bucket is not included), located on the hook below the hole in the bottom of the main grilling chamber.
- Large cooking area (512 sq inches)
- Built-in bottle opener
- Built-in thermometer
- Superior air flow
- Offset smoker box
- Enameled black cooking grates
- Removable front and bottom storage shelves
- Cheap
- Construction is not firm
- Shelves are not designed for storage heavy items
- Before smoking, you need to preheat grill for 15-20 minutes
- Grease bucket is not included into the package
Ninja OG751 Woodfire Pro Outdoor Grill & Smoker – the most portable
This small electric outdoor grill is surprisingly versatile. You can bake, grill, dehydrate, smoke, air fry, roast, and broil outdoors with Ninja OG571. Its small size is 26.6×18.5x13x.3 and allows you to bring it everywhere you need – on balconies, rooftops, backyards, patios, and camps. The desired wood flavor can be added to all modes. For wood pellets, a small container for one cooking session is provided on the right side of the lid. An electric heater heats the container, and the pellets are ignited automatically. Ninja strongly recommends using half a cup of Ninja pellets only.
Ninja OG751 requires only a connection to the electric power and half a cup of wooden pellets. You can use the extension cord if the cable length is insufficient. You can choose several cooking modes using the knob; the LED display shows the perfect temperature and the mode even on a sunny day. In addition, you can set the timer and use a temperature probe for precise internal temperature monitoring.
The cooking area is presented by a 141 sq inches flat non-sticking cooking grate. It can fit 6 burgers, 30 hot dogs, 2 rob racks, or 6 steaks. Under the enameled cooking grate, the electric heater is located; on the top, the convection fan and another heater are located. The hot air and smoke go out from the ventilation on the back of the lid. All grease drips from the cooking grate into the hole and into a drip tray. A drip tray can be extracted easily for cleaning. For cleaning the wooden pellet container, ashes can also be easily extracted.
You can also purchase the grill stand and cover to protect from water and sun. The crisper basket is already included in the package.
- Possibility to use wood pellets for authentic wood flavor
- A meat probe is included into package
- Portable
- Versatile (7-in-1 grill)
- Easy cleaning of grease tray and wood pellets container
- Convection fan for even heat and smoke distribution
- Wood pellets are included in a package
- Crisper basket is included into package
- Only Ninja wood pellets are recommended for use
- Small cooking area (141 sq inches)
- No warm rack
- Grill stand and grill cover are not included
- Produced in China
Char-Griller E56720 AKORN Kamado Charcoal Grill & Smoker – the most round
Char-Griller is a heavy-duty grill made of steel for long service. It has a unique bullet shape with two folded wooden side tables. The special sapphire blue color makes this grill hard to forget. The cooking surface is round; 314 sq inches of cast iron cooking grates distribute heat evenly. The triple-walled insulation ensures a constant temperature within the 200-700 F range. The temperature can be adjusted through top and bottom dumpers. More airflow means more heat. To shut the grill, you need to close both dumpers. The temperature range allows you to smoke, grill, bake, and sear in one Kamado grill. In any mode, you will receive juice and moist meat.
The grill is made from 22-gauge steel. The internal surface of the cooking chamber is porcelain-coated steel. If required, you can install a removable warming rack (it adds 133 sq inches to the total cooking surface) made from stainless steel and lock the lid. An easy dump ash pan is located on the bottom of the cooking chamber for trouble-free cleaning. In the lid, a thermometer is mounted. The side tables have the possibility to install up to three hooks on each table for grilling tools. The grill is mobile with two rubber locking casters and a bottom shelf for storage of charcoal and heavy grill accessories.
For fuel, the Manufacturer recommends using lump charcoal for more effective burning, and it contains no additives or fillers compared to briquettes. For one cooking cycle, 1.5-2 lbs of charcoal are sufficient; for lighting, the fire starters or chimney starters should be used, with no lighter fluids. Before the first usage, please do not forget to perform grill seasoning.
A wide range of accessories for additional purchase is available: a poultry roaster (separate models for turkey and chicken), a remote thermometer, a u-rack (for ribs and roasting), a wok Kooker, pizza, and smoking stone.
- Direct and indirect cooking is possible
- Heat adjustment through two dumpers
- Folding side tables
- Durable steel cooking grate
- Wide temperature range (200-700 F)
- Easy to move with two rubber wheels
- Triple-insulated walls for even heat distribution
- Removable stainless steel warming rack
- The built-in thermometer is not precise
- No possibility of easily adding fuel during cooking
- The warming rack is made from stainless steel, not porcelain coated
- All accessories should be purchased additionally
PIT BOSS PB1230SP Wood Pellet and Gas Combo Grill – the largest
Among the article reviews, PIT BOSS PB1230SP is the largest combo grill and also the most expensive. This black outdoor grill is the biggest among the Sportsmen series. This model is the most versatile (8-in-1), combining two chambers for different fuel–gas, and wood pellets. The temperature range is from 180 to 500 F. You can roast, bake, sear, BBQ, char-grill, grill, smoke, and roast on PIT BOSS PB1230SP. You can load up to 21 lbs of wood pellets in the grill. The gas grill works from a propane cylinder attached to the right side. The grill has adjustable smoke stuck for a perfectly smoked flavor.
The total cooking area is presented with two porcelain coated even cooking grates – 630.5 sq inches each. On both sides, there are two racks – lower cast iron rack and upper steel rack. You can cook with direct and indirect heat using Flame Broiler Level technology. On the gas side, three independent burners (30.000 BTU) are controlled with knobs; on the pellet side, the digital display with the temperature control knob on the hopper is provided. In addition, two meat probes for the wood pellets side are provided to ensure precise temperature control without opening the lid.
There is an adjustable front shelf for convenient cooking, one side table on the left, and a large bottom shelf. Additionally, there is a built-in spice rack and a bottle opener. The side shelf is two in one; it can also be used as a serving tray. All grease from two parts is collected into a grease bucket hanging on the bottom in the connection point of two chambers. For easy cleaning, replaceable foil liners are recommended. The grill is heavy for moving, so it has two inline-style wheels and two locking casters.
High-quality grill materials are proven by a best-in-class five years warranty from Pit Boss.
- Two separate chambers for cooking – gas and wood pellets
- Large cooking area 1261 sq inches
- Separate control of two chambers
- Three independent steel gas burners
- Spacious hopper with digital tracking of fuel left
- Digital control with two meat probes for wood pellet chamber
- Temperature range 180-500 F
- Front, side and bottom shelves for convenient cooking
- Heavy (204 lbs)
- Two chambers are not connected to distribute smoke evenly
- Expensive
- Manufactured in China
- Digital control only for wood pellets part
- No thermometer for the gas part
Z GRILLS ZPG-550B 2022 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 8 in 1 – The best for beginners
Z Grills also manufactures a versatile model (8-in-1) as Pit Boss. In this model, you can BBQ, roast, bake, sear, char-grill, braise, grill, and smoke. This grill is a standard pellet grill with a hopper on the left side (15 lbs). 100% hardwood pellets should be filled into the hopper, where they automatically, by an auger, are transferred into a burning pot. The built-in induction fan stokes the fire, while the hot rod auto in the pot ignites the pellets. All ashes and grease from the fire are collected into a drip tray and further into an outside grease bucket to minimize the possibility of flare-ups.
Z Grills has easy control even for beginners; you need only to set the temperature using the knob, which will be automatically further maintained by a digital controller and advanced pellet system. The temperature always stays within 10 degrees from the set value in any weather condition. You can cook slow or fast, hot or smoke; the controller perfectly maintains the temperature. This system works from electric power, so please set the grill near the socket. The heat from the fire is evenly distributed by convection and venture-style chamber design and prepares food with a perfect hardwood taste and minimal waste.
The grill has two racks for cooking – main (399 sq inches) and second (139 sq inches) porcelain-coated cast iron cooking racks. You can remove the upper rack to prepare big pieces of meat or poultry (up to 7 inches in height). The grill is enough to prepare 22 burgers, 4 rib racks, or 3 chickens. You can give your food a unique taste by using different pellets, 20 lbs of pellets is enough to cook for 20 hours. The grill is black with a powder-coated steel lid with a large steel ergonomic handle to open the lid while cooking. The grill also has 2 heavy-duty all-terrain wheels for transportation over snow, sand, or dirt. To assemble the grill, you need only 30-60 minutes.
- Versatile grill (8-in-1)
- Large cooking space 538 sq inches
- Removable upper rack
- 3 years warranty
- Wide temperature range – 180-450 F
- Bottom shelf for storage
- Cost-effective fuel
- PID temperature controller
- Digital controller and auger require electricity for work
- Small hopper capacity (15 lbs)
- No built-in thermometer
- No side shelves
Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker – the most famous
Traeger grills are the most famous wood pellet grills. Pro Series includes two models, different only in sizes of grill and cooking grates. Traeger recently has presented new Pro models with similar cooking surfaces on the market, but with WiFire digital controllers allowing control of the grill from a smartphone application. Traeger Pro Series 34 has a digital pro controller with advanced logic, maintaining the set temperature with an accuracy of +/- 15 degrees. The controller controls the delivery of wood pellets to the auger too. In the box, two meat probes are also packed to precisely control internal meat temperature without opening the lid. The maximum temperature is 450 F.
The cooking surface is presented with two porcelain-coated cooking grates – the main is 646 sq inches in size, extra is 238 sq inches. They can accommodate 40 burgers, 7 ribs, or 8 chickens. With a Traeger grill, you can BBQ, roast, braise, bake, smoke, and grill (6-in-1). The hopper capacity is 18 lbs. The grease system is standard for wood pellets. All grease from food falls from a cooking grate to a drip tray installed with an angle to a grease bucket size. You can purchase separate aluminum disposable foils for grease buckets to speed up the cleaning process. A heat baffle protects the burning pot from grease and distributes the heat evenly.
The outer grill material is alloy steel with a durable coat finish. The grill is black with a bronze lid and a black chimney with a cap. It has four legs, and on two of them, there are two all-terrain wheels for transportation. The Traeger grill has two steel handles – to open the lid and to move it. The grill is delivered in the cartoon box, which kids can use for games after the assembly process. For assembling, you need two people and not more than one hour. All assembling tools and detailed manuals are included in the package.
- Easy cleaning and control
- 2 meat probes
- Digital temperature controller
- Porcelain coated cooking grates (884 sq inches)
- Versatile grill (6 in 1)
- Hopper has inside a hopper grate
- 3 years’ warranty
- All-terrain wheels
- No side or bottom shelf
- Cover and shelf can be purchased separately additionally
- No built-in thermometer on the lid
- Expensive
Royal Gourmet CC2036F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker Burch BBQ Barrel Grill and Smoker Combo – the most budget-friendly
Royal Gourmet is famous for budget grills with all functions as more expensive models. This compact grill has two chambers – main and an offset smoker. The smoker is seamlessly attached to the main chamber to circulate smoke and heat. You can cook simultaneously in both chambers or separately, depending on the number of dishes. Both are equipped with porcelain enameled cooking grates made from heavy gauge steel; the main chamber also has a warming rack made from steel wire. In the main chamber, there are two grates – 668 and 260 sq inches, and in the smoker – 272 sq inches.
The charcoal in the main chamber is put on a charcoal pan with three height levels for better energy efficiency and heat control. You can change the distance between the food and charcoal for better searing marks or slow grilling. It can hold up to 7.7 lb, while an offset smoker, a charcoal pan, can handle 2.6 lb at one height. To start up the fire, it is recommended to use charcoal chimney starters (purchased sedately). The smoker has a side door with a handle to add charcoal during cooking without removing the grates. The heat is controlled with an adjustable damper on the smoker and a lid on the chimney of the main chamber.
The charcoal pan is also used to collect ash, grease, and residues. Grease also flows to the removable grease drip cup installed under the main chamber near the smoker. You can pull the handle on the side barrel to remove the charcoal tray, add charcoal or wood chips, or remove ashes. There are two shelves for storage and food preparation. You can also use integrated S hooks on the Royal Gourmet body for accessories storage. For easy moving of the grill, it has two plastic wheels.
- The offset smoker can be used separately
- Main cooking grates are made from gauge 14 steel
- 1188 sq inches total cooking area
- Side trap door for charcoal addition during cooking
- Three levels of the charcoal pan
- Side and bottom shelves
- The built-in temperature gauge in the lid
- Heat control with damper and chimney lid
- The body material (alloy steel) is not durable
- The warming rack is made from steel wire
- Plastic wheels
- A chimney starter and a cover are not included in the package
Masterbuilt MB20040221 Gravity Series 800 Digital Charcoal Griddle – the widest choice of cooking grates
The last grill in this review is the most compact. This Master-built black grill with silver elements works from charcoal and is made from iron. Despite the compact size, this grill is heavy (204.2 pounds). It also has a unique design different from other charcoal grills. On the right side of the main chamber is a gravity-fed hopper for 10 lbs of lump charcoal or 16 lbs of briquettes. If some charcoal is left in the hopper, you do not need to remove it after each cooking process. A digital controller is mounted to a side table on the left side. You can set a desired temperature and cooking time there. The controller can be connected to your smartphone or Bluetooth. The controller has four meat probe ports, including one meat probe in the package.
The cooking area is 800 sq inches and enough to prepare 36 burgers, 6 ribs, or 12 chickens. Cooking grates have two sides, each aimed at a specific cooking mode. You need to flip the grate to the desired cooking mode. In addition to cast iron cooking grates, a flat griddle is included in the package. You can even purchase a rotisserie kit additionally. The grill has one of the broadest temperature ranges among the reviews – it reaches 700 F in 14 minutes. And all heat is distributed evenly inside the cooking chamber thanks to the digital fan control. To start the fire, you need to use paper or a starter. If you want to add flavor or smoke, you need to place some wood chunks on charcoal or mix with it before turning on the grill.
During the installation process, the package included an installation kit with screws, nuts, and lock washers. Following the manual with pictures, you can assemble the grill within one hour. Before using the grill, you need to season at 400 F for 30 minutes. The hipper lid and door are protected from unauthorized use by latches. They should be appropriately sealed to prevent smoke leakage.
- Works on lump charcoal or briquettes
- Possibility to control the grill via a smartphone app
- Three racks and one flat griddle for cooking
- Wide temperature range from 150 to 700 F
- Four wheels for transportation
- Folded front shelf
- A meat probe is included
- Safety latches on the hopper
- Side table and bottom shelf for storage
- Heavy 204.2 pounds
- Only 1-year warranty
- Electricity required for digital control
- Fast, light charcoal or lighting fluid are not recommended for use
- No grease bucket
Buying Guide: How to choose the best combo grill and smoker?
The market proposes many types of grill and smoker combos; this part of the article contains the essential parameters to be defined to choose the best one for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smoking temperature and time?
What is the difference between Masterbuilt 800 and 1050?
Does Royal Gourmet have a service center in the USA?
What is the more accurate thermometer for the Pit Boss grill for measuring internal temperature?
Can I use the Ninja OG751 model for indoor grilling?
Conclusion
If you are searching for a good combo, you probably already appreciate the taste of grilled food. You already like the process of cooking on a fire and enjoy it. Smokers provide great flavor for the food, making the meat tender and juicy. You can prepare enormous amounts of food for the big companies at once.
Wood pellet smokers allow using different pellet flavors to receive exceptional tastes. Modern smokers are easy to use, and you can quickly learn how to handle them. Grill and smoke combo are versatile; some models are even 8-in-1. We hope this article becomes the perfect navigation among the best combos and you know how to choose your best model.
