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The short answer
For most backyards, the best combo grill smoker is the Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo: a three-burner propane grill and a charcoal grill on one cart, with about 1,031 square inches of cooking space and an offset-style layout that lets you smoke low and slow on the charcoal side. If you want the most room for the money, the Char-Griller Texas Trio adds a side firebox and a side burner for roughly 1,390 square inches total. If you want charcoal flavor without babysitting a fire, a gravity-fed unit like the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 is the smarter “combo”.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Model | Fuel / layout | Key specs | Best for | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo | Propane + charcoal, side by side | 3 burners, ~1,031 sq in | Grilling and smoking on one cart | Amazon |
| Most cooking space | Char-Griller Texas Trio 3070 | Propane + charcoal + side firebox | 3 burners, side burner, ~1,390 sq in | Big cookouts, offset smoking | Amazon |
| Best value classic | Char-Griller 5050 Duo | Propane + charcoal | Gas side and charcoal side; optional side firebox | Budget dual-fuel grilling | Amazon |
| Best cabinet-style | Royal Gourmet ZH3002SN | Propane + charcoal | 3 burners, 25,500 BTU, storage cabinet | Tidy patios, weeknight gas use | Amazon |
| Most versatile | Char-Griller Flex Fuel Plus | Propane + charcoal + griddle insert | 30,000 BTU, flat-top insert | Grill, smoke and griddle in one | Amazon |
| Best set-and-forget charcoal | Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 | Gravity-fed charcoal, digital control | 560 sq in, app connectivity | Smoking without fire management | Amazon |
| Best small-space combo | Ninja Woodfire OG701 | Electric with wood pellets for smoke | 7-in-1 (grill, smoke, air fry, more) | Balconies and small patios | Amazon |
What counts as a combo grill smoker?
The term covers three different designs, and picking the right one matters more than picking the right brand.
- Dual-fuel (gas + charcoal) combos put a propane grill and a charcoal barrel on the same cart. Gas handles quick weeknight cooks; the charcoal side handles searing and smoking. Many add an offset side firebox for true indirect smoking.
- Gravity-fed charcoal grills use a tall hopper that feeds charcoal down to the fire while a digital fan holds temperature. They grill hot and smoke low, all on charcoal.
- Electric multi-cookers like the Ninja Woodfire use an electric element plus a small dose of wood pellets for smoke flavor. They are compact and simple but much smaller than a full-size grill.
We compared specs, owner reviews and published reviews to judge which of each type hold temperature, survive a few seasons outdoors and deliver real smoke flavor.
Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo: best overall
The Canyon Combo is Oklahoma Joe’s current dual-fuel cart: a three-burner propane grill on one side and a charcoal grill and smoker on the other, with roughly 1,031 square inches of total cooking area. Oklahoma Joe’s built its reputation on heavy offset smokers, and that shows in the charcoal side’s adjustable charcoal tray and dampers, which let you run a lower fire for ribs or pork shoulder.
Who it’s for: households that grill on gas most nights but want to smoke on weekends without buying a second cooker.
Good to know: like most combo carts, the charcoal chamber is thinner steel than a dedicated offset, so temperatures swing more in wind and cold. A cover and fresh gaskets help. It is heavy and big; measure your patio first.
Check the Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo on Amazon
Char-Griller Texas Trio: most cooking space
The Texas Trio (model 3070) is the “three cookers in one” option: a three-burner gas grill, a charcoal grill, and an attached side firebox that turns the charcoal barrel into an offset smoker. Char-Griller lists about 1,390 square inches of total cooking space, plus a side burner, push-button ignition and dual temperature gauges.
Who it’s for: people who feed a crowd and want a classic offset-smoker workflow for brisket and ribs, plus gas for burgers.
Good to know: owners often seal the lid and firebox joints with high-temp gasket and add a probe thermometer at grate level, because the dome gauges read the top of the chamber. Assembly takes a couple of hours.
Check the Char-Griller Texas Trio on Amazon
Char-Griller 5050 Duo: best value classic
The Duo has been one of the best-known gas-and-charcoal combos for years. It is a straightforward design: a gas barrel and a charcoal barrel on one frame, with a height-adjustable charcoal pan on the charcoal side. Char-Griller also sells a side firebox accessory if you want to run it as an offset later.
Who it’s for: buyers who want a proven, simple dual-fuel grill at a lower price tier than the Canyon or Trio.
Good to know: without the side firebox, smoking happens by banking coals to one side, which works but needs more attention. The painted steel needs a cover to avoid rust.
Check the Char-Griller 5050 Duo on Amazon
Royal Gourmet ZH3002SN: best cabinet-style combo
Royal Gourmet’s ZH3002SN puts a three-burner, 25,500 BTU propane grill and a charcoal grill over an enclosed cabinet, which keeps the tank and tools out of sight. The silver finish looks more like a conventional gas grill than a barrel smoker.
Who it’s for: patios where looks and storage matter, and owners who will use charcoal mainly for grilling and occasional indirect smoking.
Good to know: this is a budget-tier build. It is better at grilling than at long, steady smokes, and the lighter steel loses heat faster than an Oklahoma Joe’s.
Check the Royal Gourmet ZH3002SN on Amazon
Char-Griller Flex Fuel Plus: most versatile
The Flex Fuel Plus (CG30281224) is listed as a 3-in-1 gas and charcoal grill, griddle and smoker, with 30,000 BTUs on the gas side and a flat-top griddle insert. If you want smash burgers and breakfast on the flat top plus charcoal smoke on the weekend, this covers all three without three separate cookers.
Who it’s for: families that cook a bit of everything and want one footprint on the patio.
Good to know: doing everything means none of the zones is as large as a dedicated unit. Check the cooking area against how many people you usually feed.
Check the Char-Griller Flex Fuel Plus on Amazon
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560: best set-and-forget charcoal combo
The Gravity Series 560 is a different kind of combo: a charcoal grill and smoker in one, with a hopper that feeds charcoal to the firebox and a digital fan controller with app connectivity that holds your set temperature. It offers about 560 square inches of cooking area. You get real charcoal flavor for low-and-slow smoking, and you can crank it up for searing.
Who it’s for: anyone who wants charcoal flavor with pellet-grill convenience.
Good to know: owner reviews mention that the hopper and firebox need regular ash cleanout and that some parts wear over time; keep it covered and dry, since the controller and fan are electronic.
Check the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 on Amazon
Ninja Woodfire OG701: best small-space combo
The Ninja Woodfire is an electric outdoor grill that burns a small scoop of wood pellets for smoke flavor. It is a 7-in-1 unit: grill, smoke, air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate and broil. Because it is electric, it can work on balconies and patios where open flame is restricted, but check your building rules first.
Who it’s for: couples, apartment dwellers and anyone who wants smoky flavor without a big cart.
Good to know: capacity is small, enough for a rack of ribs cut in half or a few chicken pieces, not a full brisket. It needs an outdoor-rated outlet.
Check the Ninja Woodfire OG701 on Amazon
Combo grill smoker vs. separate grill and smoker
| Factor | Combo unit | Separate grill + smoker |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | One cart, though often 5+ feet wide | Two cookers, more patio space |
| Upfront cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
| Smoking performance | Good, with more temperature swings | Better heat retention in a dedicated smoker |
| Flexibility | Gas for speed, charcoal for flavor | Each tool optimized for its job |
| Maintenance | One cover, more parts in one place | Two units to clean and cover |
If you smoke once or twice a month, a combo makes sense. If you smoke every weekend, a dedicated smoker such as a Weber Smokey Mountain or a pellet grill alongside a simple gas grill will give steadier results.
Buying checklist
- Total vs. primary cooking area: advertised totals include warming racks and fireboxes. Compare primary grate space.
- Steel thickness and build: heavier steel holds temperature better for smoking.
- Adjustable charcoal tray: lets you raise coals for searing and lower them for smoking.
- Side firebox option: the easiest path to true offset smoking.
- Dampers and seals: plan on adding high-temp gasket if the lid leaks smoke.
- Grease and ash management: removable ash pans save a lot of cleanup.
- Fuel safety: leak-test propane connections with soapy water, keep the cooker away from siding and overhangs, and never use charcoal or propane indoors or in a garage.
FAQ
Are gas and charcoal combo grills worth it?
Yes, if you want weeknight gas convenience and weekend charcoal or smoke flavor but only have room or budget for one cooker. Dedicated smokers hold temperature better, so serious smokers may still prefer separate units.
Can you smoke on a gas and charcoal combo grill?
Yes. Use the charcoal side with coals banked to one side, or add a side firebox for true offset smoking. Keep the meat away from direct heat and use a probe thermometer at grate level.
What is the best combo grill smoker for a beginner?
The Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo is a solid all-round pick. If you want the least fire management, a gravity-fed charcoal grill like the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 holds temperature automatically.
Can you use the gas and charcoal sides at the same time?
On most dual-fuel combos, yes. The two sides have separate fireboxes, so you can grill on gas while smoking on charcoal. Check the manual for your model’s guidance.
How long do combo grill smokers last?
With a cover, regular ash cleanout and touch-up paint on rust spots, a mid-range combo typically lasts several seasons. Budget models with thin steel wear out faster, especially fireboxes.