So much hype surrounds outdoor grilling, and for good reasons. It’s so much fun once you get the hang of it, it’s a star at social events, and it makes the best mouth-watering dishes. That said, there are various ways to grill food.
Charcoal grilling, one of the more old-fashioned ways to cook, has an associated “homey,” simple feel to the food. Meanwhile, the trendier method of gas grilling, which uses either natural gas or liquid propane as fuel, is contrived to make outdoor cooking effortless.
There is another type of grilling that incorporates the positive aspects of the two techniques above: hybrid grilling. We will review some of the freshest and best hybrid grills you can get in the market!
What to Know about a Hybrid Grill?
First let’s discuss what is a hybrid grill? A hybrid grill, also called a combo grill, is a mix between a charcoal grill and a gas grill. It gives you an option for either. Hybrid grills are useful when you prefer to keep only one grill around but still want flexibility.
These hybrid grills value quality over quantity; that way, you don’t have to get a separate unit for simple gas grilling if you mainly cook over charcoal but you want to try gas grilling for a change.
Types of Hybrid Grills You’ll Find in the Market
Get to know the different hybrid grills out there!
1. Gas charcoal combo grills
These hybrid grills have multiple fuel options: the user can choose to operate the gas charcoal combo grill as a gas grill or a charcoal grill.
Hybrid gas charcoal grills provide both the convenience that comes from a gas grill and the flavorful cooking from a charcoal grill. You can get both without the mild annoyance of two massive objects occupying your real estate.
2. Hybrid infrared grills
The hybrid infrared grill can only use gas as fuel. But, its hybrid nature comes from its two different burners: the convection burner and the infrared burner.
The convection burner is your typical burner that heats the surrounding air, which causes the food in contact to cook.
The infrared burner uses gas as a fuel. The energy, produced by the gas-burning, heats a ceramic tile. That emits infrared radiation that cooks the food. The most common use for this type of grill is quick searing at very high temperatures.
3. Pellet Grills
Lots of outdoor cooking folks also use pellet grills. A pellet grill is a combination of gas grills, charcoal smokers, and kitchen ovens. You can even go as far as use it as an outdoor pizza oven! It’s such a multi-functional equipment.
Wood pellets are its primary source of fuel. The system works by using an electronic control panel to send these pellets to the fire. These wood pellets sustain the fire, control the airflow, and keep the temperature consistent.
Is It Possible to Use Gas and Charcoal at the Same Time?
Some dual fuel combination charcoal and gas hybrid grills have two independent sections – one for gas, and one for charcoal grilling. You can use these two chambers separately or simultaneously. What’s great about gas-charcoal hybrid grills is you can assign different temperatures to your food, too.
Meanwhile, some hybrid grills only have one chamber so you can’t use gas and charcoal at the same time. However, it’s still great to have the option on what fuel to use whenever you want to cook.
10 Recommended Dual Fuel Hybrid Grills
The following table contains info on the best hybrid grills that would be worth having as your staple in every outdoor cooking setup.
| Product name | BTUs of the burners | Cooking area | Combo | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Char-Griller 5050 Duo | Main: 40.8k Side: 12k | 1,260 sq in | Charcoal, gas | 5 years |
| Char-Broil Gas2Coal | Main: 40k Side: 12k | 540 sq in | Charcoal, gas | 5 years |
| Outdoor Barbeque & Burger Combo by Backyard Grill | Main: 30k Side: 12k | 557 sq in | Charcoal, gas | 1 year |
| Oklahoma Joe's Charcoal LP Gas Smoker Combo | Main: 36k Side: 12k | 1,060 sq inches | Charcoal, LP gas, smoker | 5 years |
| Royal Gourmet ZH3003S | 27,000 | 600 sq in | Charcoal, gas | 1 year |
| Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel | 24,000 | 952 sq inches | Charcoal, gas | 1 year |
| Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate 4-in-1 | 30,000 | 2,100 sq inches | Gas, charcoal, smoker | 5 years |
| Smoke Hollow 4-in-1 PS9900 | 42,000 | 860 sq inches | Gas, charcoal, smoker | 1 year |
| Profire Professional Deluxe Infrared Hybrid Natural Gas | 54,000 | 525 sq in | Infrared propane gas | Lifetime |
| Fire Magic Aurora A830s | Main: 50k Rear: 16k Gas: 26k | 828 sq in | Charcoal, propane gas | Lifetime |
1. Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal – Best Overall
Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal Grill is what it says in its name: it is a gas charcoal combo grill with three main burners. Said burners output 48,000 BTUs of heating power that traverses all over 1,260 square inches of cooking area. Char-Griller 5050 has a 12,000 BTU side burner too for additional capacity.
It flaunts durability since it’s powered by electronic ignition and heavy duty steel constructed. An adjustable fire grate, stainless steel heat gauges, and warming rack are also added for more user control.
Proper waste disposal is also a thing of importance for this gas charcoal grill, and the easy dump ash pan is one such proof of that.
Lastly, porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates are the key to retain heat- as much as possible.
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy
- User-friendly
- Large grilling surface
- Electronic ignition
- Side burner is easily affected by wind
- Drip pan needs more security; it is loose
- Prone to rust if not taken care of
Many customers expressed great satisfaction for Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal Grill. They liked that it is easy to assemble and it cooks very well.
Critical reviews revealed that this charcoal grill combo, unfortunately, rusts pretty easily. That’s true especially in areas with high humidity. To be fair, it is normal for almost all gas charcoal combo grills to be pretty prone to rust!
2. Char-Broil Gas2Coal – Hybrid Interchangeable Grill
With Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner Liquid Propane and Charcoal Hybrid Grill, you can have the best of both worlds. No matter what you desire – if it is the distinctive flavor that only the charcoal function can give, or the convenience of gas grill. This 40,000 BTU gas and charcoal grill can fulfill that. Let the specs speak for themselves.
Quick switching from gas to coal is one of its many capabilities. With a cooking space measuring 420 square inches, it provides enough space for a decent amount of food. This Char-Broil grill can use propane or charcoal to get it started on the cooking.
This three-burner gas grill can also use its gas burners to light any amount of charcoal, throwing aside the need for lighter fluid.
Also, its stainless steel burners evenly distribute heat, while its cast iron grates are non-stick to ensure less food wastage.
To monitor the heat, the lid-mounted temperature gauge that covers a wide temperature range lets the user avoid overcooking.
Ultimately, you can never go wrong with an electric ignition that allows for the easiest start-up.
- Parts are made of sturdy material
- Heat is distributed well
- Convenience made possible by the gas lighting up the charcoal
- The burners are distanced properly from the grill surface
- Easy to switch between gas and charcoal grilling
- Some assembly required
- Scraps of food and grease buildup under the burners because of a lack of removable tray
The shining complaint is of Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill not meeting the satisfaction of charcoal fans. That is due to the grates’ extreme proximity to the charcoal, which is uncontrollable.
The main benefit of this charcoal grill is even heat distribution. You need to tweak a little bit and learn how to use the charcoal grill function to your advantage, and all will be perfect.
3. Backyard Gril – Best Budget Combo Fuel Grill
Outdoor Barbeque & Burger Gas Charcoal Grill Combo by Backyard Grill, with its three 8,000 BTU stainless steel tube burners (totaling 24,000 BTUs), features 577 square inches of surface with 188 square inches of warming rack space.
Aside from the three main burners, it also includes a stainless steel side burner with 12,000 BTUs of heat output. The height of the charcoal side of the grill is adjustable to allow you to change the heat accordingly.
The cooking area of this dual gas charcoal grill can accommodate up to 32 burgers, which can feed either your entire extended family or a very hungry man.
Integrated ignition is a nice feature that it has, not to mention a chrome-plated warming rack, porcelain heat plate, and tool holders.
- Stainless steel makes it easy to clean
- High-performance grill
- The gas grill provides exceptional heat
- Some assembly required; most people found the directions confusing
- Its wheels are lacking in strength
The majority of negative reviews for Backyard Grill Outdoor Barbeque & Burger Gas Charcoal Grill Combo focus on its time-consuming assembly. The “millions of parts” that it has, coupled with the seemingly complicated user manual, did not make it easy for the DIY types.
However, its positive qualities, like its ease of maintenance and great heat output, still managed to shine through.
4. Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal-LP Gas-Smoker Combo – Great 3-Burner Combo
Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal LP Gas Smoker Combo is a three-in-one combo grill and smoker with three burners. The burners produce a combined output of 36,000 BTUs. Meanwhile, its side burner can generate 12,000 BTUs of heat and puts up a charcoal chimney starter.
These work together to meet the heating needs of its 1,060 square inches of cooking space. That breaks down to the following: 750 square inches of primary cooking space in the main chamber over six porcelain coated cast iron grates, and 310 square inches in the firebox chamber.
There are two separate cooking chambers: one for gas grilling and the other for smoking. Additionally, a rugged offset firebox and a gas side burner are within reach.
A storage shelf for kitchen utensils is right under the cooking area. You can achieve smoke and heat control thanks to the dampers across the smoking chamber and firebox.
Lid-mounted temperature gauges add an accurate reading inside the smoke chamber and gas grill chamber.
- Resistant to rust
- Heavy-duty
- Construction is easy
- Electronic ignition
- The wheels are wobbly and hard to use
- The door could fit better
Overall, people admire the easy assembly and durability of the major components of Oklahoma Joe’s combo. However, they are concerned about the frailty of the smaller parts (the wheels, access door, side burner, and temperature gauge) that worsens over time.
It might not seem like a big deal. But when you add up every tiny element, the minor constituents of this hybrid grill are as easily just as important as the core functions in determining its quality.
5. Royal Gourmet ZH3003S – Good Value for its Price
Royal Gourmet ZH3003S 3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill contains both charcoal and gas grill portion.
This BBQ grill features a total cooking space of 600 square inches. Three hundred square inches were allotted for the charcoal section, and an equal size is allocated for the gas section.
The power of the gas section can generate 27,000 BTUs. Three gas burners are doing the work, each contributing 9,000 BTUs. On the control panel, three knobs make heat adjustment easy.
Porcelain-coated cast iron grates for the main grilling space and a porcelain wiring warming rack are other features that it has. These materials are easy to clean, not prone to rust, and provides excellent heat retention.
Two air vents are situated on the charcoal firebox and another slide-away air vent is set on the control panel. They allow trouble-free adjustment of heat and temperature. Additionally, the control panel has a spring handle for height tuning.
As with other gas and charcoal grills, it also has side tables for extra food prep space. Meanwhile, the enclosed cabinet area works as a storage of gas tanks or kitchen tools.
For grease management and cleanup, it has a grease cup and a draw-out ashtray. The two stainless steel lids of this combo grill each have their thermometer.
- Automatic ignition system
- Easy temperature control
- Simple assembly
- Easy to clean
- The charcoal area is not weather-proof
We liked the complete control we had over the cooking temperature, durability, and ease of use that Royal Gourmet ZH3003S provides.
6. Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel
Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill delivers a significantly large cooking expanse, with its 952 square inches of glorious space for 38 hamburgers. If you regularly serve that much food to your guests, stop reading, stop looking. This is exactly what you’re looking for.
Its commercial grade stainless steel burners generate 24,000 BTUs of heating power. Thanks to the heavy-duty steel, you can guarantee durability.
Another plus point to durability: porcelain coated enameled cast iron grates are excellent at retaining heat for searing food and soaking in the juiciness.
The adjustable charcoal tray allows for user-friendly heat control. For quick and easy ignition, it has the electronic pulse ignition system.
- Sturdy product
- Easy assembly
- Grills perfectly
- Sleek design
- Easy to clean
- The charcoal side is too small for some
Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill seems promising: it is made from only the best sturdy material, it is easy to maintain, and it has the ideal cooking space.
But, despite people liking its spacious grilling area, they wished the charcoal side can satisfy in that regard too.
7. Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate 4-in-1 – the Most Spacious Combo Grill
Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate 4-in-1 LP Gas, Charcoal, Smoker is a gas or charcoal grill plus a glass-doored electric smoker all in one. With an astounding 2,100 square inches of cooking space, it looks like I was wrong about the previous item. This right here is the real winner.
Three stainless steel burner gas grills produce 36,000 BTUs of heat perfect for grilling hamburgers. If you want smoked cheese, the 2.7 feet, 3-rack analog electric smoker is up for it. If you are in the mood for even more added smoke flavor, you are allowed to direct the smoke from the smoker into either grill side.
For added convenience, this grill, like most of the combo grills mentioned above, includes two-drawer storage, side shelf, tool hooks, and locking caster wheels.
- Large cooking space
- It is made of durable material – heavy duty steel
- Good customer service
- Some assembly required
The enormous cooking space and durability of Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate 4-in-1 LP Gas, Charcoal, Smoker cannot be beaten.
The huge size comes with a downside that is a more complicated assembly. Aside from that, some people did not like the deterioration of the heat gauge’s accuracy.
8. Smoke Hollow 4-in-1 PS9900
With Smoke Hollow 4-in-1 LP Gas Charcoal Smoker Searing BBQ Grill Model PS9900, you can cook however you want. It gives you the options of liquid propane gas grilling, charcoal grilling, smoke firebox, and infrared searing all in one unit.
This fuel hybrid grill is made to last because of heavy duty steel construction. Not only that, its 860 square inches of cooking space sufficient for 20 hamburgers is surely worth the money. Furthermore, 100 square inches of warming rack on the gas grill is a nice addition.
The infrared searing burner is made of cast iron grates that aid in heat retention and keep you from overcooking your food. It heats up very quickly too thanks to the powers of infrared with a heating power of 12,000 BTUs.
Three cylindrical steel burners are in charge of producing 30,000 BTUs per hour. This might be different from your typical cast-iron circular burners, but it does its job, albeit a little bit slower. Cast iron grates on the gas grill are highly conductive, so it becomes the redeemer.
As for the charcoal grill, there are multiple dampers for slow cooking and a six-position charcoal tray. Like the two previous grill areas, the grates are made of cast iron.
The unit has a porcelain enamel coating to allow for easy cleanup.
The Smoker is its Achilles’ heel, but the rest of this hybrid grill performs well enough, fortunately. To be fair, it is pretty hard for anything to present itself as an all-in-one, jack-of-all-trades type without having a weak spot or two. You cannot have everything.
- Made of long-lasting material
- Each cooking section does its job well
- It heats up quickly
- Cleaning it is easy
- Four grilling options
- The smoker needs a little more effort during operation due to an ash buildup problem
- The switch from Natural Gas to LP is not quick
The cast iron grates are somehow proof of the high quality of Smoke Hollow PS9900. However, the Smoker disappointed some people due to its buildup of ash that requires excessive cleaning. It also had an airflow problem, but it can be solved by placing bricks to change the height of the grates.
9. Profire Professional Deluxe Infrared Hybrid Natural Gas Grill
Profire Professional Deluxe Series Infrared Hybrid Natural Gas Grill showcases two grilling sectors. Two 11,000 BTU stainless steel burners and one 32,000 BTU ceramic infrared searing zone adds up to 54,000 BTUs of heating power. An 11,500 BTU Infra-Roast rotisserie burner incorporates as well.
Even heat distribution over the 525 square inches of cooking area is made possible by the 16-gauge, commercial-grade stainless steel, self-cleaning flavor plates. Twenty-three burgers can fit in that amount of space.
The grill is made of commercial-grade stainless steel with a smoothly curved and double-lined hood and polished reflective finish.
There are plenty of side features too! A warming rack, stainless steel smoker tray, thermometer, are super nice. Other than that, you’ll find an electronic multiple-spark igniter, stainless steel cart, side shelf, and propane tank slide tray in this setup too. These are all excellent additions that lessen the hassle of the process.
- The cooking grates are tightly spaced to prevent tiny objects from falling
- The ceramic infrared searing burner ensures high heat
- Controllable grilling zones
- Long-lasting stainless steel burners
- For the cart, there is some assembly required
The specs of Profire Professional Deluxe Series Infrared Hybrid Natural Gas Grill gives you the idea that it is a decent hybrid grill. The only con to be nitpicked is its assembly which may take some time.
10. Fire Magic Aurora A830s – with the Highest Heating Power
Of all the prior items in this shortlist, Fire Magic Aurora A830s Dual Propane Gas And Charcoal Combo BBQ Grill offers the most possibilities for outdoor cooking. With this singular unit, you’d never expect it to be capable of grilling, searing, smoking, rotis, and charcoal grilling all the same. Fire Magic calls it their Five Ways To Cook system.
The stainless steel build of the hybrid gas or charcoal combo grill, with the seamless control panel, double-walled teardrop hood, and 828 square inches of cooking surface prove its exquisite style coexisting with function.
This dual fuel grill’s two stainless steel E burners produce 50,000 BTUs of heat. These have heat zone separators for precision in cooking control. Aside from the main burners, a 16,000 BTU recessed rear rotisserie burner, also stainless steel, is also included with the heavy duty rotisserie kit with light.
The story of the burners does not stop there. A 26,000 BTU gas tube burner for charcoal or wood destroys the need for hazardous lighter fluid.
Heavy gauge stainless steel cooking grids and 16-gauge flavor grids are also a part of this extravagant whole. They contribute to proper heat distribution, a critical aspect of every grill.
Other nice minor additions to this dual 2 burner charcoal gas combo grill are warming racks, grid lifter, analog thermometer with polished bezel, and disposable drip pan grease collection system.
- Charcoal pan height is adjustable
- Five cooking options to choose from
- Lifetime warranty
- Advanced Hot Surface Ignition
- Includes interior halogen lights and hot surface ignition
- Expensive
Fire Magic Aurora A830s is admittedly very easy to fall in love with because it’s just complete. The downside is its extravagant price, but it truly is one of the best hybrid grills for sale.
Things to Consider When Buying a Dual Fuel Grills
If you want the most bang for your buck hybrid grill, you have to look for these qualities:
The gas side of the hybrid grill relies on a decent ignition system. It’s best to look for an ignition system that starts instantly – you don’t want something that tests your patience everytime you want to start cooking.
British Thermal Units (BTU) are a measure of the heat supplied by the grill. Your judgment on a grill’s heating power should not only depend on BTU, though, you should consider the cooking space too. What good is a high BTU if the grill has a large cooking area that would need higher grilling temperatures to cook properly?
You should always consider the BTU per square inch of a hybrid grill, since this measurement would give you a more accurate information on the heating power you’re going to get.
If you intend to grill regularly, you should get something spacious. For scale, a 400 square inch cooking area can fit ten 4-inch burgers. Use this guide to compare the sizes of the hybrid grills you like.
For a small family, a small hybrid grill would be enough, but if you run a business or you regularly prepare food for a large group of people, it’s better to splurge on something with a spacious cooking area. Larger hybrid grills let you cook food for a lot of people much faster, which is an absolute requirement for busy gatherings.
A huge hybrid grill should not only boast a substantial cooking area, but also room for more useful components: storage shelves, warming rack, and side trays. Some hybrid grills even come with rotisserie attachments and pizza ovens. Together, these would give you a smoother cooking experience.
The cost of high quality hybrid grills might be shocking upfront, but it will be worth it in the long run if you love cooking and hate something that breaks down frequently.
You don’t want to waste time, money, and energy to replace massive cooking equipment every year.
Height-adjustable cooking grates are a necessity for the charcoal side of the grill. It’s what lets you control how much heat touches your food so that it doesn’t burn or under-cook.
They are even better if you want them to last a while. Porcelain-coated or stainless steel grates are a good option if you’re looking for longevity.
The material used for the grates will determine how well your grill will hold up to years of cooking.
Stainless steel is the most common material that hybrid grill manufacturers like due to its durability and resistance to high temperature. However, the primary downside of stainless steel grates is their tendency to stick to food.
Cast iron grates in hybrid grills let you enjoy slow cooking because they retain heat extremely well.
Another very important consideration is how well the grill spreads the heat throughout the entire cooking surface. If you have hot and cold spots, you’ll have a problem if you don’t like to flip food every couple of minutes.
Hybrid grill manufacturers are anticipated to release products that not only get the job done, but also provide every little thing they can for a smooth overall cooking experience.
Some useful features include side shelves, storage cabinets, grill covers, and tool holders. Storage cabinets provide protection for the propane tank from flame or hot burning coal. On the other hand, a free grill cover is nice to have so you don’t have to worry about getting one.
Charcoal grilling produces a lot of ash and leftover grease. For fat removal, a grease drip tray is necessary. It also ensures that your floor would be free of oil spills. To see if the included grease drip pan is sufficient for the size of the grill, make sure that it is deep and wide enough to catch all the oil that one grilling session accumulates.
A hybrid grill’s ease of cleaning depends on the accessibility of the charcoal chamber. If your unit isn’t easy to clean, you’ll grow tired of it and your love of cooking will now be converted to hate.
Hybrid grills, due to their excellent versatility, are beefy flame grilling devices. These grills need to consume a lot of backyard real estate to do their job pretty well. Having said that, a common problem encountered with hybrid grills is their sheer bulk and lack of mobility. But not to worry, since hybrid grills come with at least two wheels for a smoother transportation on your patio.
Hybrid grills that offer mobility are great to have, and not only for when you’re cooking BBQs. You will also need easy assembly and disassembly so you can keep your grill safe when you’re not using it.
A long warranty will give you peace of mind, especially if you spent lots of money on your hybrid grill. The customer service has got your back in case any problems occur when you use your gas-charcoal hybrid grill.
Wrapping Up
For all BBQ nuts out there, a lot of good grill options exist in the market, but the ones on the list you just read are chosen not for their fame but their game.
For a great entry-level hybrid grill, Char-Broil Gas2Coal is a trustworthy choice. It’s affordable and it’s easy to use. Most hybrid grill users prefer to switch up their fuel sources rather than making use of them at the same time. It’s in this way that Char-Broil Gas2Coal is ideal for basic use.
A more premium option is Fire Magic Aurora A830s. This hybrid grill is great in so many ways: it has a lot of heating power, it gives you Five Ways To Cook, and we loved its lifetime warranty.
I spent most of my life fascinated by food, and the outdoors. I can’t think of a more fitting combo that leads to mastering the art of BBQ one day. I ended up decent enough to grill the perfect burger and choose the best equipment after years of improvement. I create this website for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, who are fueled by interest but lacking in help, feel educated when they leave because I see my past clueless self in them.
