We’ve evaluated many of fantastic grills and lots of terrific smokers, but what about a grill that can do both?
If having a separate smoker and grill isn’t an option for you, we’ve identified the finest smoker grill combinations that excel at both chores.
While you can transform practically any grill into a smoker with appropriate tweaks, we’ve concentrated on models that can perform both duties effectively without requiring too much fooling around.
In a rush? We believe the Kamado Joe Classic II performs excellent at both grilling and smoking, while the Weber SmokeFire Gen 2 is one of the few pellet barbecues that can manage both grilling and smoking.
Read on to find out what your greatest alternatives are at a number of different pricing points.
Editor’s Choices For The Best Grill Smoker Combos in 2023
These are the finest options if you want the flexibility to barbecue or smoke without having to purchase numerous items.
Since each fuel type has its own set of pros and cons, we’ve included alternatives for charcoal, pellets, and propane.
1. Best Overall Grill Smoker Combo – Kamado Joe Classic II Ceramic Charcoal Grill
In our view, Kamado ceramic grills are arguably of the most adaptable grills on the globe.
They are fantastic for both grilling and smoking (they hold their own as a pizza or bread ovens as well) however you may need to acquire a heat deflector device for smoking.
Kamado grills, which are powered by charcoal, are exceptionally well insulated, allowing you to leave them alone for long periods of time while maintaining a constant temperature.
While you can’t go wrong with a Big Green Egg, for the money we favor the Kamado Joe Classic II.
See our Best Kamado Joe Accessories in 2023 )
You may select from a few different sizes. The 18″ is the sweet spot for most folks while you may go for the Big Joe if you need more grilling surface.
The 18″ model provides you 406 square inches of grilling space and is capable of smoking temperatures at 225°F all the way up to searing at 750°F
Kamado Joe has added some great improvements like the divide and conquer cooking method which enables you grill various items at different heights.
There’s also the airlift hinge which decreases the weight of the dome by 96 percent . A nice thing to have with a grill this sturdy.
What we like:
- Versatility and simplicity of usage: The Kamado Joe checks all the boxes for a multipurpose grill smoker combination. The two-tier grill rack design is incredibly handy and makes it simple to cook multiple sorts of food at once. With the heat deflector, you may effortlessly smoke low and leisurely all day long without any hassle.
- Low fuss charcoal: Some people are turned off charcoal because they believe it’s a lot of labor to handle and clean up. While it is a bit more hands on, the Kamado Joe is so well insulated it doesn’t need a lot of modifications to keep a temperature for smoking low and leisurely, and the ash clean mechanism makes cleaning easy.
What we don’t like:
- On the pricey side: You obviously pay for the build quality and if you need to cook for a big gathering you’ll need to go for the more costly larger model.
It’s worth mentioning that Kamado Joe produced a slightly modified Joe Classic III version in 2019 with a few modifications to the divide & conquer mechanism and a new function that boosts smoke circulation for reportedly superior barbecue flavor.
If you need to have the newest and greatest it’s technically the best choice, but most people won’t notice the difference and thus you can save a few hundred dollars with the Classic II.
2. Best Pellet Grill for Smoking & Grilling – Weber SmokeFire Gen 2 Wood Fired Pellet Grill
Wood pellet grills are your best choice if you need a flexible cooker and don’t care about heritage but yet want modern conveniences like WiFi connection.
Although they are marketed as grills, most pellet grills have trouble producing the high temperatures necessary for searing because of their poor construction.
With the release of the SmokeFire, Weber has introduced a solution to this issue by entering the pellet grill industry.
You may choose between the EX4, which has 672 square inches, and the EX6, which has a massive 1,008.
In contrast to typical pellet grills, which can only reach temperatures of 450°F to 500°F, this one can reach up to 600°F. Moreover, Weber has added its trademark stainless steel flavorizer bars to better channel heat from the fire bowl to the grill grates, resulting in better searing.
While there were problems with the first release, Weber has fixed most of them in the newer Gen 2 version.
What we like:
- The hopper and auger for feeding wood pellets have been upgraded: Moving the 22-pound hopper to the rear of the grill is a radical departure from the norm for pellet grills, and it was a bold move by Weber. Because of this, a shorter, slanted auger may be used, one that is less likely to encounter those bothersome pellet jams.
- Cooking Over Open Flames: Searing is usually a problem with pellet grills. The SmokeFire is a fantastic grill/smoker hybrid because to its novel open design, which allows for more direct heat.
- Optical sensor for pellet hopper: Set a reminder on your phone to let you know when you’re becoming low on pellets. Nothing ruins a meal quite like having to stop cooking because you’re out of pellets.
What we don’t like:
- Sludge removal and recycling apparatus: Unfortunately, this innovation from Weber falls short of the performance of similarly priced competitors. Placing aluminum catch pans under the grates is a simple solution.
- Weak capacity for storing things: Unless you shell out extra cash for the side and front shelves, all you get is a single little shelf for meal prep and storage of tools.
You may learn more about our time spent cooking on the bigger 2nd Gen EX6 by reading our comprehensive SmokeFire review.
3. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22″ Charcoal Grill
The traditional Kettle grill is a high-quality, low-cost option that, with little practice, makes great use of smoke flavor.
The Weber Kettle’s reputation as a grilling appliance precedes it. There are now millions of these traditional grills all throughout the globe, despite the fact that they didn’t appear until 1952.
You may not be aware that a regular Weber Kettle can be converted into a high-quality smoker by simply shifting the position of the charcoal inside.
The Weber Kettle can hold its own with a little ingenuity. In particular, when compared to certain gas or electric smokers that cost the same or less.
The Kettle is available in a range of sizes, allowing you to choose the optimal model for your needs. Going too tiny may make it impossible to use as a smoker, therefore we don’t advocate it.
Read on for our rationale.
The original, 22-inch classic is a fantastic value. The 26-inch model is particularly fantastic if you anticipate need a lot of storage space.
If money is tight, this is the greatest grill smoker combination you can buy.
What we like:
- Consists of materials that will last: The kettle’s body is made of pressed steel sheets covered with porcelain enamel. This offers a long-lasting product that shouldn’t rust; nevertheless, if you want to keep your grill outdoors, you should still protect it with a cover.
- Airtight and perfectly sealed: With this low-cost alternative, you can keep the temperature constant for an extended period of time while reducing your fuel use.
- Super-light and transportable: This grill may be easily taken camping thanks to the two wheels connected to the base of the legs.
The Kettle may be prepared for smoking in two distinct ways. Both are helpful for grilling, but one is free and the other requires payment to the developer.
4. Best Budget Grill Smoker Combo – Char-Griller Akorn Kamado
Benefits of a Kamado grill at a reasonable cost
The Char-Griller Kamado Kooker is a nice low-cost option to consider if you like the sound of the Kamado Joe but can’t quite afford the price.
The outside of this grill is quite similar to that of a ceramic model, however the inside is constructed of porcelain-coated steel and the body is built of 22 gauge steel.
This has been done to reduce the price, but it means you can’t enjoy all the features of a genuine Kamado grill. The steel will corrode if you don’t maintain it properly.
In all, you’ll get 314 square inches of main cooking space and 133 square inches of warming space. Cast iron is used to make the grill grates.
What we like:
- The price is quite reasonable: You can still sear steaks and roast beef for overnight smokes on this very inexpensive choice if you’re interested in trying out Kamado cooking.
- Quick and easy ash removal: The ash can be easily emptied after cooking thanks to the detachable pan.It’s not good enough to have
What we don’t like:
- Cheaper construction: Given the reduced price, it’s hard to hold Char-Griller responsible for this. Compared to the Kamado Joe, this unit is less reliable and has a lower temperature holding capacity, making it less suitable for long, low, and slow cooking.
- Needs more focus: For low and slow meals you’ll need to keep a closer watch on this grill, particularly while smoking in harsh conditions.
This may not be the grill you end up passing down to your grandson, but if you want a cheap Kamado that can grill and smoke it’s a great option.
5. Camp Chef SmokePro SG 24 Deluxe Pellet Grill with optional Sear Box
If the Weber SmokeFire is out of your price range, the Camp Chef SmokePro SG 24 is a fantastic substitute.
It’s a high-quality pellet grill that can be upgraded with a searing area.
The SmokePro SG 24 Deluxe has a temperature range of 175. In addition to “High,” “LO Smoke,” and “HI Smoke,” it has a number of additional programmable options. Maintaining an appropriate smoking temperature of 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit for long periods of time is simple.
We think you’ll agree that the quality-to-price ratio of this midsize grill is excellent. Whether you’re using it for grilling or smoking, the temperature control is very user-friendly and allows you a wide range of possibilities.
A total of 429 square inches of grill space means you may barbecue a large number of racks of ribs simultaneously. A pellet-style cooker’s speedy startup time is only one of its many advantages. In less than ten minutes, you’ll have everything you need to start preparing meals.
What we like:
- Location of smoke chimney: is ingeniously hidden behind the unit, allowing you additional room to the right.
- Effective and soundproof: If you’re not using it under harsh circumstances, this grill will not go through pellets as quickly as others.
What we don’t like:
- Longer than a year’s worth of guarantees: Under par for the competition. This smoker is so well constructed that it should last you for many years, but it’s too bad Camp Chef didn’t give you a warranty for three or more.
A specialized grill will always be superior for searing, but the Camp Chef has no trouble maintaining the optimum smoking temperature and can go as hot as 500°F (hot enough to create crispy skin on a bird).
Because of this, the optional Sear Box is highly recommended if you want to use it as your primary grill and smoker.
The Sear Box is an attachment for a smoker that raises the maximum grilling temperature to 900 degrees. Having this added feature makes the Camp Chef the most costly of our three choices, but its usefulness and adaptability more than make up for the additional expense.
6. Weber Genesis ll E-310 Propane Grill
A gas grill/smoker combination is ideal if you want to do mostly cooking and smoking once in a while.
The Genesis ll E-310 is advertised as a barbecue, as its name suggests. And the Genesis grill is the finest buy in its pricing range.
The E-310 is a great choice for a dedicated grill due to its 507 square inches of cooking area and three burners that can produce 38,000 BTUs.
More on how the grill’s three burners and high-quality insulation make it ideal for low-and-slow cooking later on.
Putting together a grill of this size is a very simple process that shouldn’t take more than 30 to 45 minutes.
What we like:
- Superb craftsmanship: The Genesis ll’s BTUs per square inch may be smaller than those of competing grills, but the grill’s efficient construction keeps the heat it generates from escaping too quickly. Weber has clearly put a lot of care into the design and performance of each and every section of the grill, as all the parts are well crafted and strong.
- A uniform temperature distribution: The Genesis ll uniformly distributes heat, so there are no hot patches or flare-ups, unlike other inexpensive grills that need constant monitoring.
- Prolonged guarantee: You receive the peace of mind of a 10-year guarantee, even though you probably won’t need to use it (given the excellent construction quality we just praised).
What we don’t like:
- Lack of closet doors: Although most people won’t notice, if you have pests on your home, not being able to seal up the grease tray might be an annoyance.
What makes a smoker different from a grill?
A grill is designed to cook at high temperatures, up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas a smoker is made for low and slow cooking, at temperatures between 225 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
When you want authentic barbecue, the way to do it is to cook it low and slow in a smoker. Dishes like jerked pork or smoked brisket come to mind.
In contrast, grills are fantastic for high-temperature, rapid cooking. To get the greatest flavor out of steak, seafood, veggies, chops, and other foods, a grill is the way to go.
The factors to consider when selecting a smoker grill combination
To begin, know that many of the features that make a grill great also make it less than ideal for smoking (and vice versa).
For this reason, most people would advise you to invest in a dual-purpose grill and smoker.
Having just so much room or money to spend on a single thing is no reason to stop up on your dream home.
Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a bundle:
The smoking device’s fuel source
There is a huge disparity between various fuel types. Smokers powered by propane or electricity, for instance, would be ineffective as grills because of the low temperatures and lack of direct heat they provide.
Charcoal, where you can regulate the airflow and quantity of charcoal to cook quickly or slowly, and pellet grills are your best bets.
While electric pellet grills can provide a searing risk, various versions have been developed to mitigate this.
Insulation and build quality
A lack of proper insulation is of little concern when using 37,500 BTU burners to sear a steak.
Insulation is crucial if you need to keep the lid closed and smoke produced over low temperatures for 12 hours straight.
That’s why Kamado grills are so important to us; they can do double duty as smokers and barbecues.
Modern tools and conveniences
A pellet grill is the perfect option if you care about having access to WiFi and the most cutting-edge features.
Ingenious is the ability to operate one’s barbecue from one’s mobile device (especially if you live somewhere that gets extra cold).
Some folks just don’t give a hoot, and they like the more authentic, rustic flavor that charcoal cooking provides.
Ignore any old curmudgeon who tells you otherwise; the decision is entirely up to you.
When the time comes to invest in a true smoker, I hope you’ve found our overview of the top smoker grill combinations to be informative and helpful.
We recommend reviewing your alternatives if you anticipate smoking often or if you just like flexibility.
In order to assist you choose the finest smoker for your needs and budget, we have created the following buyer’s guides.
You can generally get a good price by selling your old smoker on Amazon if you wish to upgrade to a dedicated smoker.
Once you’ve caught the barbecue bug, however, expanding your collection to include other types of smokers and grills is half the fun.
