If you’re a barbecue enthusiast, you know nothing beats the taste of meat cooked over charcoal. But why limit yourself to just grilling? You can also smoke your favorite meats with a charcoal grill smoker combo, giving them an even deeper flavor and tenderness.

A charcoal grill smoker combo is a versatile outdoor cooking appliance that combines the functionality of both a charcoal grill and a smoker. It allows you to sear, grill, smoke, and slow-cook your food in one place.

In this article, we’ll discuss the factors to consider when choosing the best charcoal grill smoker combo and the top features to look for in one. We’ll also provide our top picks for today’s best charcoal grill smoker combos. So whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a beginner, read on to find out how to choose the perfect charcoal grill smoker combo for your needs.

Factors to Consider

Size and Capacity

When selecting a charcoal grill smoker combo, it’s important to consider the size and capacity of the appliance; This will depend on your cooking needs and the space you have available. If you’re cooking for a large family or hosting frequent gatherings, you’ll want to choose a larger grill with a spacious cooking area. On the other hand, if you have limited outdoor space, a smaller grill might be a better fit.

Material and Durability:

The material and durability of the grill are important factors to consider. Look for a grill made with high-quality materials that can withstand exposure to the elements and high temperatures. Stainless steel and cast iron are popular for their durability and resistance to rust and corrosion.

Cooking Grates and Accessories:

The cooking grates and accessories that come with the grill are also important factors to consider. Look for grates that are easy to clean and maintain, and consider accessories like a rotisserie or griddle that can expand your cooking options.

Temperature Control and Ventilation:

Temperature control and ventilation are critical to achieving consistent results when grilling and smoking. Look for a grill with adjustable dampers that allow you to control the airflow and temperature inside the grill; This will help you achieve the perfect smoke and prevent your food from overcooking or undercooking.

Portability and Storage:

If you plan to take your grill with you on camping trips or to tailgating events, you’ll want to choose a grill that is easy to transport and store. Look for a grill with wheels and folding shelves that can easily collapse and store when not in use.

Top features of the best charcoal grill smoker combo

Versatility in cooking options:

The best charcoal grill smoker combo should be versatile enough to allow you to smoke, grill, sear, roast, and bake your food. Look for a grill with adjustable cooking grates, a built-in smoker box, and additional cooking accessories like a rotisserie and griddle.

Ease of use and maintenance:

The grill should be easy to use and maintain. Look for a grill with easy-to-clean cooking grates and ash pans, a removable firebox, and an intuitive control panel.

Heat retention and distribution:

The grill should be able to retain heat and distribute it evenly across the cooking surface. Look for a grill with thick, heavy-duty construction and a design that promotes even airflow and heat distribution.

Design and aesthetics:

The design and aesthetics of the grill are also important factors to consider. Look for a sleek and modern grill that complements your outdoor space. Also, consider the color and finish options and the overall build quality.

Warranty and customer support

Finally, the best charcoal grill smoker combo should have a solid warranty and reliable customer support. Look for a grill with a manufacturer’s warranty of at least 1-3 years and a customer support team that is responsive and helpful.

Our best charcoal grill smoker picks

Weber original kettle premium charcoal grill and smoker $219 on Amazon

The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill and Smoker is a high-quality outdoor cooking appliance with exceptional grilling and smoking results. The grill features a 22-inch diameter porcelain-enameled bowl and lid, providing ample space to cook for many people. The lid also features a built-in thermometer for precise cooking temperature control.

The grill has a hinged cooking grate made of plated steel, making it easy to add more charcoal while cooking. The One-Touch cleaning system with an ash catcher makes cleanup a breeze. The grill also features a rust-resistant aluminum damper for efficient heat control.

The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill and Smoker also have a built-in lid holder, allowing for easy access and storage of the lid while grilling. The grill also has a Tuck-Away lid holder that conveniently allows you to hang the lid on the side of the grill, saving you valuable counter space.

Product Features:

• 363 square inch cooking surface: The grill has a large cooking surface that can accommodate food for a family or small group of friends.
• Adjustable dampers for temperature control: The dampers allow you to control the airflow and temperature to achieve the perfect cooking temperature for your food.
• Built-in thermometer: The thermometer is built into the grill’s lid, allowing you to monitor the temperature without lifting the lid.
• One-touch cleaning system: The grill has a removable ash catcher that makes cleaning up a breeze.
• Porcelain-enameled cooking grates: The grates are made of high-quality materials designed to resist rust and corrosion.
• Lid hook: The lid hook allows you to hang the lid on the side of the grill, so you don’t have to set it on the ground.
• Ash catcher: The ash catcher collects the ash and makes it easy to dispose of.

Pros:

• Versatile cooking options: The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill and Smoker is a versatile grill that allows you to smoke, grill, and sear your food perfectly.
• Easy to use and maintain: The grill is easy to use and maintain, with features like adjustable dampers and a one-touch cleaning system.
• Durable and long-lasting: The grill is made of high-quality materials designed to last years, even with frequent use.
• Classic design: The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill and Smoker have a classic and timeless design that looks great in any outdoor space.
• Great value: The grill offers great value, with a range of features typically found on more expensive models.

Cons:

• Smaller cooking surface: The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill and Smoker has a smaller cooking surface than other charcoal grill smoker combos on the market.
• Limited accessories: While the grill has a built-in thermometer and ash catcher, it doesn’t include additional accessories like a smoker box or rotisserie.
• Temperature control may take practice: As with any charcoal grill, it may take some practice to master temperature control and achieve perfect cooking results.

Royal gourmet CC1830SC charcoal grill offset smoker $149.99 on Amazon

The Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker is a versatile outdoor cooking appliance that combines a charcoal grill and offsets a smoker in one unit. The grill features a 438 square inch primary cooking area, with an additional 179 square inch warming rack. The offset smoker box has a 183 square-inch cooking area, allowing you to smoke meat, fish, and vegetables perfectly.

The grill and smoker are constructed with heavy-duty materials, including a porcelain-coated cooking grate, which ensures even heat distribution and prevents food from sticking. The charcoal pan is adjustable, allowing you to control the temperature of the grill and smoker. The offset smoker box also has a convenient side door for adding wood chips or charcoal while cooking.

The Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker also features a removable ash pan for easy cleaning and a built-in temperature gauge on the lid for precise temperature control. The grill has a built-in bottle opener and a side table for convenient food prep.

Product Features:

• 438 square inch cooking surface: The grill has a large cooking surface that can accommodate food for a family or small group of friends.
• Adjustable height charcoal pan: The charcoal pan can be adjusted to three heights, allowing you to control the cooking temperature and achieve the perfect sear.
• Porcelain-coated cooking grates: The grates are made of high-quality materials designed to resist rust and corrosion.
• Easy-to-read thermometer: The thermometer is built into the grill lid, allowing you to monitor the temperature without lifting the lid.
• Front table and bottom shelf: The grill has a front and bottom shelf for convenient storage of utensils, plates, and food.
• Easy-to-empty ash pan: The ash pan collects the ash and makes it easy to dispose of.
• Offset smoker: The offset smoker allows you to smoke your food, adding delicious smoky flavor perfectly.

Pros:

• Versatile cooking options: The Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker offers a range of cooking options, including smoking, grilling, and searing.
• Large cooking surface: The grill has a large cooking surface that can accommodate food for a family or small group of friends.
• Durable and long-lasting: The grill is made of high-quality materials designed to withstand frequent use and last for years.
• Excellent heat retention and distribution: The grill provides excellent heat retention and distribution for consistent and even cooking.
• Offset smoker: The offset smoker allows you to smoke your food, adding delicious smoky flavor perfectly.

Cons:

• Assembly can be challenging: The grill requires some assembly, which can be challenging for some users.
• May require additional sealing: Some users have reported that the grill may require additional sealing to prevent smoke from escaping.
• Cleaning can be time-consuming: The grill requires regular cleaning, which can be time-consuming.

Char-griller 2137 outlaw charcoal grill $ 275 on Amazon

The Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw Charcoal Grill is a heavy-duty outdoor cooking appliance that provides a large cooking space and exceptional heat distribution. The grill features a 725 square inch primary cooking area, with an additional 338 square inch warming rack. This large cooking space makes cooking easy for a large group of people.

The grill is constructed with heavy-duty steel, providing durability and strength. The cooking grates are made of cast iron, which helps distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface and retain heat for longer.

The Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw Charcoal Grill also has a built-in temperature gauge on the lid, allowing you to easily monitor the grill’s temperature. The charcoal pan is adjustable, allowing you to control the grill’s temperature and perfectly smoke your food.

The grill also features a removable ash pan for easy cleaning and maintenance. The large front and side shelves provide ample food preparation and storage space.

Product Features:

• Large cooking space: The grill offers 950 square inches of cooking space to cook food for large groups of people.
• Heavy-duty steel construction: The grill is made of high-quality materials and features a heavy-duty steel construction built to last.
• Side smoker: The grill has a side smoker that allows you to smoke your food for that delicious, smoky flavor.
• Adjustable charcoal tray: The charcoal tray can be adjusted to three levels, allowing you to control the temperature and cook your food perfectly.
• Removable ash pan: The ash pan is removable, making it easy to clean and maintain.
• Built-in temperature gauge: The built-in temperature gauge allows you to monitor the grill’s temperature and ensure your food is perfectly cooked.
• Large wheels: The grill has large wheels that make moving around your yard or patio easy.

Pros:

• Large cooking space: The grill offers 950 square inches of cooking space, perfect for large families and gatherings.
• Heavy-duty steel construction: The grill is made of high-quality materials and features a heavy-duty steel construction built to last.
• Side smoker: The side smoker allows you to smoke your food for that delicious, smoky flavor.
• Adjustable charcoal tray: The charcoal tray can be adjusted to three levels, allowing you to control the temperature and cook your food perfectly.
• Built-in temperature gauge: The built-in temperature gauge allows you to monitor the grill’s temperature and ensure your food is perfectly cooked.

Cons:

• Assembly can be challenging: Some users have reported that the assembly process can be challenging and time-consuming.
• Heavy and bulky: The grill is large and heavy, making it difficult to move around.
• Cleaning can be time-consuming: The grill requires regular cleaning, which can be time-consuming.

TAINO Hero XL BBQ smoker barbecue trolley charcoal grill $186.57

The TAINO Hero XL BBQ smoker barbecue trolley charcoal grill is a versatile, high-quality outdoor cooking appliance that offers grilling and smoking capabilities. The grill features a 67 x 46 cm primary cooking area, with an additional warming rack that provides an extra 60 x 24 cm of space. This ample cooking space makes cooking easy for a large group of people.

The grill is constructed with durable materials, including a heavy-duty steel body, porcelain-coated cooking grates, and a cast iron charcoal grid, ensuring even heat distribution and preventing food from sticking.

The TAINO Hero XL BBQ smoker has an adjustable charcoal pan, allowing you to control the temperature and smoke your food to perfection. The built-in temperature gauge on the lid helps you easily monitor the grill’s temperature.

The grill also has a removable ash pan for easy cleaning and maintenance, a built-in bottle opener, and four wheels for easy mobility. The grill also has two side shelves, providing ample food preparation and storage space.

Product Features:

• Spacious cooking area: The grill features a spacious cooking area that provides plenty of room for cooking multiple dishes at once.
• Durable construction: The grill is made of high-quality materials and features a sturdy trolley design that’s built to last.
• Accessories included: The grill includes a range of accessories, such as a cast iron griddle, that allow you to cook various dishes perfectly.
• Easy to use: The grill is easy to use and features adjustable air vents that allow you to control the temperature for perfect cooking.
• Versatile cooking options: The grill is versatile and can be used for grilling, smoking, and roasting various foods.

Pros:

• Spacious cooking area: The grill’s spacious cooking area provides plenty of room for cooking multiple dishes at once.
• Durable construction: The grill’s sturdy trolley design and high-quality materials make it built to last.
• Accessories included: The grill includes a range of accessories, such as a cast iron griddle, that allow you to cook various dishes perfectly.
• Easy to use: The grill is easy to use and features adjustable air vents that allow you to control the temperature for perfect cooking.
• Versatile cooking options: The grill’s versatile design allows you to grill, smoke, and roast various foods.

Cons:

• Assembly can be challenging: Some users have reported that the assembly process can be challenging and time-consuming.
• Heavy: The grill is heavy and difficult to move around once assembled.
• Smoker box is small: The smoker box on the grill may not provide enough smoke for larger cuts of meat.

Z GRILLS ZPG-450A upgrade wood pellet grill & smoker $377.23 on Amazon

The Z GRILLS ZPG-450A upgrade wood pellet grill & smoker is a high-tech outdoor cooking appliance that uses wood pellets to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and barbecue food. The grill features a large cooking area of 450 square inches and ample space for a group of people.

The grill is constructed with heavy-duty stainless steel, ensuring durability and strength. The cooking grates are made of porcelain-coated cast iron, which helps to distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface and prevent food from sticking.

The Z GRILLS ZPG-450A upgrade wood pellet grill & smoker also has a digital temperature control system, allowing you to set and maintain the desired temperature easily. The grill features advanced wood fire technology that automatically adds wood pellets to maintain the desired temperature and smoke flavor.

The grill also has a built-in temperature gauge on the lid, allowing you to easily monitor the grill’s temperature. The removable waste oil collector makes cleaning and maintenance a breeze.

The Z GRILLS ZPG-450A upgrade wood pellet grill & smoker also features a large hopper that can hold up to 15 pounds of wood pellets, providing hours of uninterrupted cooking time. The grill also has a side shelf for food preparation and storage.

Product Features:

• Automatic temperature control: The grill’s automatic temperature control system allows you to set and maintain the desired temperature throughout the cooking process.
• Large cooking area: The grill has a large cooking area of 450 square inches, providing plenty of room for cooking various foods.
• 6-in-1 cooking options: The grill can be used for grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, braising, and BBQ, providing versatile cooking options for any occasion.
• Easy to use: The grill has a digital control panel that allows you to adjust the temperature and cooking time easily.
• Durable construction: The grill is made of high-quality materials, including a stainless steel exterior, that ensure its durability and longevity.
• Easy to clean: The grill has a removable grease tray that makes it easy to clean after use.

Pros:

• Automatic temperature control: The grill’s automatic temperature control system ensures that the desired temperature is maintained throughout cooking.
• Large cooking area: The grill’s large cooking area provides plenty of room for cooking various foods.
• Versatile cooking options: The grill’s 6-in-1 cooking options allow you to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ various foods.
• Easy to use: The grill’s digital control panel and automatic temperature control system make it easy to use, even for beginners.
• Durable construction: The grill’s high-quality materials ensure its durability and longevity.
• Easy to clean: The grill’s removable grease tray makes it easy to clean after use.

Cons:

• Requires electricity: The grill requires electricity, which may limit its use in remote outdoor settings.
• Pellet hopper capacity: The pellet hopper capacity may not be enough for longer smoking sessions, requiring frequent refilling.

Last thought

In conclusion, choosing the best charcoal grill smoker combo requires considering several factors, such as size and capacity, material and durability, cooking grates and accessories, temperature control and ventilation, and portability and storage. Considering these factors, you can select a unit that best fits your needs and budget.

Based on our research and analysis, some of the market’s top charcoal grill smoker combos include the Weber original kettle premium charcoal grill and smoker, Royal Gourmet CC1830SC charcoal grill offset smoker, Char-griller 2137 outlaw charcoal grill, and TAINO Hero XL BBQ Smoker Barbecue Trolley Charcoal Grill.

When grilling and smoking with charcoal, following proper safety precautions and techniques is important to ensure your food is cooked properly and safely. Additionally, experimenting with different cooking methods and recipes can help you get the most out of your charcoal grill smoker combo and impress your guests with delicious, smoky flavors.