Erin Porteous
When it comes to grilling and outdoor cooking, many will argue that a charcoal grill is the king, considering the flavor it gives your steaks or food. We won’t argue that. Charcoal grills bring out that smoky flavor that we all love and the meat tends to look crispier with a nice brown color touch. But there’s a problem. These grills can’t maintain stable temperatures, and sometimes can’t work during the cold months. We can’t also forget the mess that you have to deal with after you do your grilling. A gas grill solves all these problems. Besides providing you with a clean working surface, these grills allow you to have better control over the temperature, and you can use them all year round. Better yet, lighting them takes a flip of a switch or a push of a button.
Now, what if you want to enjoy the best of both worlds? Do you have to buy both grills and set them up in your backyard? The answer is a resounding no! Manufacturers got an answer to this problem, solving the debate on which one rules. They are now making HYBRID GRILLS! This kind of grill incorporates both fuel options, giving you better convenience over your cooking.
Want to get one for your home already? Good. We saved you hours of research, narrowing down the best hybrid grills to suit your needs. Read on and find out some great options as well as some tips to help you make a more informed buying decision.
Top 8 Hybrid Combo Grills of 2020 Reviewed
1. Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal/LP Gas/Smoker Combo
- Features solid construction
- Features 3 gas burners and a side burner as well
- Easy to handle
- Flimsy wheels
- Very difficult to move up and down
- The side burner is weak
Best Hybrid Grill Overall
Oklahoma Joe’s Combo grill combines charcoal, LP gas, and also a smoker to bring you a complete yet convenient all in one set. The appliance features electric ignition for use with the gas option. You can also expect an offset firebox for the smoker, which assumes a rugged design.
This grill comes with two cooking chambers designed to serve you separately. One for smoking your delicacies and the other for gas grilling. The gas grill features three burners, each delivering 12000 BTU. The gas unit covers 310 square inches. The side burner delivers 12000 BTUs. This appliance boasts of 1,060 square inches of cooking surface area. For ultimate heat and smoke control, dampers are built-in all across the firebox and the smoking chamber. Storage shelves, which are located beneath the cooking chamber, come in handy with this package, which allows you to store multiple accessories, including cooking fuel, utensils, and more.
Moreover, this device comes with a lid-mounted temperature gauge, which helps you keep track of the temperatures inside the gas grill and smoking chamber. The firebox has a door that allows access to the interior for stocking firewood during smoking. The appliance is very easy to handle thanks to the cool touch handles. These handles also protect your tender hands from the heat. When assembled, this grill measures 31.5 x 74 x 50.6 inches and weighs just about 205 pounds.
2. Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill
- Easy to handle
- Features temperature gaugesFeatures temperature gaugesFeatures temperature gauges
- Electronic ignition system
- Could be of greater quality
- Difficult to assemble
- Could use better customer service
Best Commercial Grade Hybrdi Grill
Dyna-Glo, a Dual Fuel Grill was designed to last thanks to its commercial grade stainless steel construction. The burners on this appliance are also crafted from the same metal, which enhances their performance and durability as well.
Dyna-Glo comes features both a gas and charcoal grill, which offer more versatility. The entire cooking surface area amounts to 952 square inches. The gas grill comprises of two tuber burners with each delivering about 12000 BTUs. Two heating tents protect these burners as they also allow for an equal distribution of heat. An electronic ignition system will enable you to light the two burners with ease with the two dials giving you more control over the heat temperatures inside the grill.
The adjustment crank allows you more temperature control in the firebox while the access door enables you to load more fuel while you smoke the steak. The cast-iron grates, which happens to be porcelain-enameled, are not only very easy to clean but also retain heat immaculately, making them very useful when it comes to searing food. The device also features collapsible side tables, towel bars, double door cabinet with a propane gas seat, tool hooks, and even a removable ashtray.
3. Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate 4-in-1 LP Gas, Charcoal, Smoke
- versatile
- study design
- powerful grill
- Complex assembly process
- Not rust resistant
- Could be more durable
Best Hybrid Grill with Smoker
Pit Boss Memphis Grill comes in a robust, sleek and elegant design with durable construction. This unit comes in a stainless-steel body that features a black and silver finish. The cooking system can be easily moved from one place to another with the aid of the wheel system which offers stability when operating this unit.
This cooking system features three 36000BTUS stainless steel burners that offer 840 square inches of cooking surface. Dial knobs on the control panel control the temperature of these burners with the aid of the temperature gauge integrated on the lid. Together, these two features make it possible for you to achieve optimal temperatures. This cooking system also features an adjustable charcoal grate and dampers. This 4-in-one grill comes with two sides mounted shelves that offer ample space for preparing your steak and placing other items.
Porcelain-coated grilling grate and also warming racks made from Cast iron makes this appliance efficient while cooking. The nature and build of the grate make it very useful in heat distribution as well as heat retention. The easily adjustable vents are allowing the smoke to engulf the charcoal or LP chamber while using cold smoking or offset smoking. The system can be used interchangeably, either LP Gas grill, charcoal grill, infrared searing burner, or even a smoker firebox.
4. The Blackstone Tailgater
- Features adjustable legs
- Easily portable
- No assembly required
- Could be of better quality
- Could use windbreakers
- Poor design
Best Hybrid Grill for Small Family
This grill can be used in any event thanks to its ease of setting up, which requires little assembly. The device features adjustable legs, which play a crucial role in stabilizing this brewing unit.
This cooking system gives you the liberty to enjoy a variety of setting up combinations, including the grill box /the griddle or just the open burners for the pots and pans. The grill and the griddle lift, providing space for you to access the burners, either the grill or griddle can lift or both at the same time, allowing you to use either of them and one burner or two of them at a time.
The cooking system features a heavy-duty grill box that comes with a well-built vent. The system also features cast-iron grates as well as a steel griddle plate. The whole system comes in a powder coat finishing for durability. The two burners, one H tube stainless steel burner which gives of 15000 BTUs and the other cast iron burner which delivers 20000 BTUs, are all controlled independently.
5. Durable Outdoor Barbeque & Burger Gas/charcoal Grill Combo
- Easily portable
- Range of cooking options
- Durable construction
- Temperature gauges would come in handy
- A little bulky
- Could use protective storage for sensitive items
Best Burger and Barbeque Combo Grill
Backyard Grills combo grill, which combines a charcoal grill and gas grill into one single unit, is one of the best cooking systems that boats of durable construction. This cooking unit harbors two groups with each coming with a hood for even heat distribution and circulation.
The gas grill features three burners, each delivering 12000 BTUs (totaling to 36000BTUs) for using with cooking pots and pans. Each of the burners which come in stainless steel can be controlled independently using the temperature control dials on the front of the unit. The unit also features a side-mounted burner, which again delivers 10000 BTUs and also comes with its own temperature control dial knob. The porcelain-coated cooking grids made from cast iron are very useful in heat distribution and retention.
The charcoal unit can be used independently of the gas unit. The heat box door on the front side aids in adding more. A storage rack can be used for placing cooking utensils while the side-mounted shelves can be used for placing steak before grilling. The whole cooking system is powder-coated for durability and comes in an exquisite black matte finish.
6. Royal Gourmet ZH3003S
- Concealed storage for LP gas
- Durable construction
- Ample grilling surface area
- Could be more durable
- Could use extra side burners
- Not easy to assemble
Best Stainless Steel Hybrid Grill
Royal Gourmet ZH3003S comes in an overall 600 square inches, enough surface area for all the grilling you can do. The charcoal section provides you with a total of 300 square inches while the gas grill offers 300 square inches of grilling space. There are an additional 209 square inches on the warming rack, which comes in handy when you want to warm some food. The warming rack is mounted on both sides of the combo grill just above the grilling surface beneath the cooker hood.
The double-layer lids made from stainless steel come integrated with temperature gauges for aiding you to read the temperatures inside the hood. The stainless-steel handles on the lids make it easier operating the lids while at the same time protecting your tender hands from the hot lid. The charcoal firebox features two air vents that enhance combustion within the unit. There’s also the two side shelves or tables which can be used for preparing food.
On the front panels, the gas unit features control knobs, which are used to control the level of temperature inside the gas grill. An electronic igniter sets the three burners ablaze, delivering 9000 BTU, each totaling to 27000 BTUs. On the other hand, the firebox features a door that allows you to add fuel without interrupting the grilling steak. The storage compartments which come with lockable doors make it super easy storing your tools and utensils inside. The fore wheels enhance the portability of this cooking system.
7. Fire Magic Aurora A830i
- Dedicated 26000 burners for lighting charcoal
- Durable construction
- Variety of cooking options
- Very bulky
- No storage compartments
- Requires a stand
Best Bbq Grill With Rotisserie
Fire Magic Aurora A830i combines both charcoal and gas into one unit for an enhanced grilling experience. This cooking system features a sleek style and a versatile design that allows you to exploit its various cooking modes, including grilling, searing, rotisserie, smoking, and charcoal grilling. This cooking system features an all-in-one control panel with stainless-steel temperature control dials that come in an ergonomic design. The extensive horizontal stainless-steel handles on the hoods protect your hands from being burnt.
It Comes With E-Shaped Burners Each burner is rated 25000BTUs totaling to 50000 BTUs. The heat zone separators offer a precise cooking control. You can expect a trapezoid cooking grid, a diamond sear made from heavy gauge stainless steel, and also flavor grids, which are not only durable but also enhance heat distribution. The rear rotisserie burner made of stainless-steel offers 16000BTU of cooking power and comes with a heavy-duty kit.
This unit also features a unique 26000 BTU burner, which is dedicated to lighting the charcoal. The charcoal unit comes with a charcoal pan that can be adjusted for ease of heat control. On both sides, a warming rack comes as an added advantage, which allows for cooking flexibility. The unit provides a total of 828square inches of cooking surface area and measures about 22 x 52.5 x 27 inches with a total weight of just 300 pounds.
8. Char-Broil Gas2Coal
- Compact design for ease of storage
- Concealable storage space for accessories
- Ample grilling surface area
- Could be more efficient
- Could be more durable
- Not rust resistant
Best Portable Hybrid Grill
This cooking system features three primary area burners with a total of 40000 BTUs and hosting 420 square inches of cooking surface. This surface can easily be converted into a cooking surface in under a minute without any tools involved. The side-mounted secondary burner, which delivers 12000BTU, converts easily into a table or shelves. Each of the stainless-steel burners is controlled by a temperature dial on the front panel, which adjusts easily for a quick temperature configuration.
Gas2Coal unit boats of cast iron grates, which are porcelain-coated, which do well to distribute heat evenly while still maintaining a great level of heat retention for even cooking of steak. The charcoal tray is designed in such a manner as to minimize instances of flare-ups while using charcoal to grill. The system also comes with a storage space that can be used to concealed stored items such as the propane tank.
The hood for this grill comes integrated with a temperature gauge, which aids in reading the operating temperatures inside the oven. Gas2 Coal comes with a five-year warranty, which is a good sign of quality assurance. The grill measures 52.5 inches W x 24.6 inches D x 47.5 inches H and also weighs about 115 pounds.
How to Choose The Best Hybrid Combo Grill – The Ultimate Buying Guide
A hybrid grill is one of the most versatile appliances you will have in your home. It allows you to grill your meat and food quicker, maintaining that charcoal flavor. You can also do your grilling all year round thanks to the gas burner options, and lithing it up during the cold months will be easy.
Needless to say, buying a hybrid grill is not one of the easiest of tasks, especially if it’s your first time to the art. Even for those who are probably looking into upgrading to something more versatile, looking for the best hybrid combo grill does not come easy. However, it only becomes much easier when you know exactly what to look for, and that’s where we come in!
We have compiled a list of things to look out for, perhaps the most crucial ones that will help you land a worthwhile deal. Remember, though you may not get everything you are looking for in one device, be sure that the device you settle for scores at least 90% of your bucket list of features.
Let’s delve in deep.
Range Of Options Available
Hybrid combo grills are more versatile than the single fuel ones. This appliance gives you a range of options to choose from, with the most common ones being LP gas grill, charcoal grill, electric smoker, and infrared grill al combined into one. The complexity of the appliance determines its price range with those having all these options available in one unit being on the higher end while the ones with either two or three of these options falling back price-wise.
It is important to know what works for you so that you can find the right appliance for yourself. This is a great option for those who feel they want a grill that will offer them a range of options but can’t seem to make up their mind which one to go with.
How Many Burners Does It Come With?
When it comes to Hybrid combo grills, you can expect a range of options to choose from. However, versatility should not compromise on your standards. Most of these grills will come with either two or more gas burners.
The more the burners, again, the higher the price. For example, if you are on a tight budget, you should focus on the primary cooking area with which you can expect two burners +. The side burners come as an added feature, of which, even though they have a key role to play, they are not a priority.
Look For Appliances With Engineered Charcoal Tray
As you may have come across in the review or perhaps as you browsed for some of the features in Hybrid combo grills, most of these appliances come with an engineered charcoal tray. What this specialized feature does is to convert the charcoal into smoke in a matter of minutes, especially when you are using a smoker. This tray also does come with a whole lot of other advantages like heating the cast iron grill pretty quick and so forth.
When you buy this device, be sure to check the kind of charcoal trays that come with it. The earlier you cross some of these features on your to-do list, the better for you it will be when you unbox the combo grill and put it to the test.
Go For Storage; You Will Need it After All
Storage is a key feature to anticipate in the Hybrid combo grill. With many of these appliances coming with an extra set of tools (cooking tools) and the value pack tools you just bought during the summer, you need a grill that will meet all your storage demands. Luckily for you, there’s a whole lot of brands that come with concealable storage spaces for all your grilling needs.
Be it the propane gas tank, the cooking utensils, or even the food being prepared. Some brands even come with side-mounted working shelves. These can be used to prepare food before being grilled. The best thing to do before you check-out your all-new barbeque companion is to anticipate all your storage needs so that, when you shop, you know what exactly you to look for.
Choose An Appliance With A Good Grilling Grate
This is perhaps one of the most crucial features to consider before investing in these cooking systems. The grates come in a variety of combinations, including cast iron grates and also stainless-steel grates. Cast iron grates are by far one of the best grates thanks to their maximized heat transfer as well as retention. However, steel grate is also not far off from being a better option.
They are unmatched when considering ease of cleaning, and they do live up to the task as well. Enameled grates, on the other hand, are great and do serve well; however, they are as good as just a grilling platform. There’s nothing special about them. At this point, the cast iron grates come highly recommended, but should you land the stainless steel; it’s pretty much still a great deal.
How Portable Is The Combo Grill?
When it comes to portability, combo grills come with a variety of features that define their degree of portability. For the bulky cooking systems, you will find some with two sets of wheels, and another set of immobile leg stands for stability.
Others will probably come with four sets of lockable wheels. These wheels aid in relocating the appliance from one point to another. Remember, these appliances carry a lot of weight, and lifting them off the ground is just not an option to consider. The only way to get them across the yard to the patio is by dragging them or pulling them along; should you be alone, or lifting them by their sturdy steel handles with the help of a second party.
Arguably, the countertop combo grills are the most portable of these appliances. They are heavy, yes! But not as heavy as the others, and they also do come with a grip by which you can hold them as you transfer them from one point to another. They are best suited for outdoor camping as well as other outdoor activities.
Durability And Craftsmanship; Make The Right Decision
One of the best and most common constructions in the industry is stainless steel, which is not only durable but also very easy to maintain. Some brands opt for porcelain enameled metal, which is also very good and durable. Stainless steel is often powder coated to enhance its durability, especially now that these bulky appliances are prone to abrasion, especially while being moved to and fro.
Stainless steel is thought to be rust-free, and that’s why most brands opt for the metal while devising these appliances. The rule of thumb here is, the heavier the lid, the higher the quality of the appliance. Of course, there are other DIY skills that you can devise in assessing the quality of the construction.
Combo grills come in several ways. Some come prebuilt and pre-assembled, others come with few parts disintegrated for ease of packaging and protection from damage. These are meant for you to assemble. We normally find it that those appliances that come preassembled assume a more sturdy and robust build as opposed to those which you have to assemble them yourself. They appear a little flimsy.
Customer Relationship Is Key
When choosing a Hybrid combo grill, it is important to consider customer relations. How well does the brand handle issues raised by its customers? It is unlikely that you will always land a perfect deal. Whether you land a five-year warranty or a lifetime warranty, it becomes pointless if you settle for a brand that will turn a blind eye to your concerns. The best way to go about this is by researching the different brands of your interest.
- How well do the brands respond to the customer’s complaints?
- Do the brands respond promptly?
- Are there channels through which the customers can get through to the customer care or the technical team?
You will be making a huge investment, and these cooking systems don’t come cheap either, at least not the flimsy ones.
You Need To Consider The Energy Efficiency Of The Appliance
When purchasing combo grills, energy use is a key factor to consider. The number of burners will determine how much gas you will need to keep the grill on the entire period. Of course, the more the burners, the more the quantity of gas required. Be keen to consider the energy efficiency of the appliance.
This can be done by simply checking the BTU (British Thermal Unit) of the grill. You might find combo grills with very low BTU. As much as this can be mistaken for high energy efficiency, it could also mean that the appliance has a low energy output, which could translate to a poor cooking system.
Energy efficiency translates to the charcoal units as well as the infrared and the smoker. If you settle for an electric smoker, then you may need to consider its energy rating. How much power does the appliance run on? When it comes to charcoal, how much coal is needed to generate sufficient heat for grilling your steak? Consider an appliance that not only looks good and has high performance but one which will save you some energy costs.
Things To Avoid Or Pay Special Attention To
Whenever you are purchasing a combo grill, you should keep in mind the following points.
- Costs: You will get whatever you’ve paid for, so for this reason, it is probably wise to avoid very cheap combo grills as you will be compromising on the quality of this appliance.
- Vents: Should you settle for a combo grill with a charcoal unit, make sure it comes with vents. These vents are a crucial factor in controlling the heat produced by the firebox. One of the ways around this is by going for appliances with charcoal trays whose height is adjustable
- Power Output and Burners: Make sure you pay attention to the burners and their power output in BTUs.
Conclusion
There’s so much to consider when it comes to Combo grills. These complex appliances combine features from several types of grills to bring you a complete, all in one unit. This means that whenever you go shopping, there’s a lot more at stake.
Apart from the huge investment, you also have to consider the circumstances surrounding various eventualities like flare-ups, breakages, failures and so forth. You cannot afford to go wrong while choosing this appliance. So, go ahead and make the right decision. You can never go wrong with these few points.
