Thanks to its stellar reviews, incredible cooking performance and industry-leading features, the Traeger Pro Series 780 Smoker Grill is this year’s smoker grill combo of choice.
Do you love the smoky flavor of the tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs at your favorite barbecue joint? Have you ever wished that you could recreate that taste at home? With the best smoker grill combo, you can! In fact, you can use a dual-purpose grill like this to cook burgers, steaks, chicken, brisket and all of your favorite picnic foods.
Smoker grill combos are a great option for those looking for the versatility of both a smoker and a grill combined into one appliance. Not only will this save you money by avoiding two appliances, but it was also save valuable space on your patio. If you’re looking for a high quality smoker grill combo, you can expect to pay a premium, but it is money well spent.
In this post, we’ll explore what a smoker grill combo is, how to choose a smoker grill combo, and our best smoker grill combos of 2021. Let’s get started!
What Is a Smoker Grill Combo?
A smoker is a device that cooks meat at low temperatures while imparting smoky flavors to it. A pellet smoker grill combo can do that job, and it can also be used for traditional grilling.
In fact, many of these units can smoke, barbecue and grill.
- Smoking requires temperatures between 68 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be a weeks-long process.
- Barbecuing happens at temperatures between 190 and 300 degrees. This is the type of cooking that you probably have in mind when you think about smoking ribs or brisket.
- Grilling cooks food at 400 to 550 degrees. It takes much less time than smoking or grilling.
Many smoker grills can also be called “offset grills” or “horizontal smokers.” However, there are a few smoker grill setups that don’t fit those other monikers.
Quick Comparison – Best Smoker Grill Combos of 2021
- Most Versatile: Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
- Best Value: Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill
- Best Quality: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Reviews of the Best Smoker Grill Combos
Below are my favorite smoker grill combos of 2021. These grills were rated based on a multitude of factors including: versatility, price, quality, ease of use, design, capacity, features, and more.
1. Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Cooks who want a smoker from the top name in wood-burning grills know that a Traeger is the brand to buy. With this machine, you select your desired temperature, and it will stay within 20 degrees of that level at all times. It also heats evenly so your food be evenly cooked.
This large unit has 780 inches of cooking space – one of the largest on the market. You can grill 24 burgers or smoke nine racks of ribs. You can also roast six whole chickens at a time on this versatile smoker grill.
This smoker grill features an electric auto start making it easy to get going instead of having to manually light the pellets like other smokers.
If you want a smoker grill combo you won’t have to replace in a couple of years, this is your best bet. It has a strong durable steel construction that is water resistant with a powder coat finish. It contains easy-to-clean porcelain grates for perfect cooking.
What I Liked
- Top-quality product built to last
- Water resistant for outdoor settings
- Large grilling area
- Electric auto start
What I Didn't Like
- Priced higher – but for good reasons
- Heavy
- Warranty info is unclear
Specs:
- Dimensions: 48.7 x 26.7 x 54.4 inches
- Weight: 173 pounds
My Thoughts:
Are you a serious smoker or griller? If so – you’ve likely heard of the Traeger brand before. This is the highest quality griller & smoker you can buy. While it is more expensive than other options, the quality speaks for itself. It features a heavy duty large grilling area with easy temperature control. This grill is worth every penny.
Still not sure about this smoker? Check out this video for a complete review!
2. Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
If you want to set it and forget it, the Z Grills smoker can make that happen. Its 20-pound hopper holds plenty of wood pellets, and an auger feeds them into the burner as needed. You select your desired temperature, and this smoker grill will maintain it. For grilling, barbecuing and more, this grill can go from 180 to 450 degrees.
This smoker griller weighs 84 pounds, making it slightly heavy but still maneuverable and portable with the attached wheels. The stainless steel construction, US built, and 3-year warranty speaks quality – something I loved.
This Z Grills unit has plenty of storage space. There is a large cabinet under the grill with doors to protect the contents. As a bonus, this grill comes with a free cover to protect your grill in under every condition.
What I Liked
- Large grilling area
- Stainless steel construction & US built
- 3 year warranty
- Transportable with wheels
What I Didn't Like
- Slightly heavier at 84 pounds
- No Wifi compatibility
Specs:
- Dimensions: 22 x 48 x 51″
- Weight: 84 pounds
My Thoughts:
The Z Grills Smoker Grill is my favorite smoker grill for a variety of reasons. While this isn’t the highest quality smoker on the list, this one is very affordable and perfect for beginners just getting started with their smoking adventures. If you’re looking for a smoker grill that is versatile, easy to operate, has a diverse feature set, and affordable – this is the best option for you.
3. Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill
Because it’s portable, the Green Mountain grill is the best offset grill option for people who love camping. This wood-fueled smoker grill weighs just 57 pounds, so you can fold up the legs and load it into your vehicle for on-the-go adventures. Although it doesn’t have wheels to move the grill easily, I do like the folding aspect making it simple to take on camping trips or to your next cookout.
This grill has a digital screen that shows you the current temperature – which I love. It makes managing your meats easy to ensure you don’t overcook.
Another great feature is that it has WiFi capabilities. Using an app, you can view the smoker’s status or adjust its temperature from near or far – perfect for smoking meats because of how long it can take.
When compared to other smoker grills on the list – this is one of the more affordable options and perfect for beginners.
What I Liked
- Digital thermometer to measure temperature of meats
- WiFi capabilities with the ability to adjust temperature via an app
- Multiple power options for any scenario
- Easily transportable
- Very reasonably priced
What I Didn't Like
- Not visually attractive
- Can be slightly difficult to manage temperature
- A 2 year warranty – not bad, but not the best
Specs:
- Dimensions: 29.92 x 14.96 x 21.65 inches
- Weight: 57.32 pounds
My Thoughts:
The Green Mountain Grill is a great option for those looking for affordability and easily transportable. This is the best value smoker grill that you can get – although it does lack some features that might be necessary for some. While it is lightweight and easily transportable – it doesn’t have wheels. This one is great for camping, tailgating, or other events where the grill needs to be easily stored for transportation. This grill smoker is simple to use and another great options for beginners.
4. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24S Pellet Grill With Sear Box
Although it’s not exactly a smoker and gas grill combination, the Camp Chef SmokePro does hook up to a propane tank. The gas powers the attached sear box, with which you can char your favorite cuts of meat. If you believe that a steak just isn’t a steak without a charred crust, then this is the smoker grill combo for you. This smoker weighs 127 pounds and has attached wheels to move it around. It has a heavy and durable construction built with stainless steel.
The grill and smoker portion of the unit is fueled by wood pellets and has a capacity of 18 pounds. It can go up to 500 degrees and has a dual digital temperature display for easy temperature measurement of both your meats and the smoker. This smoker also has an easy cleanout system making cleanup it a breeze.
One of my favorite features of this smoker is the ability to add attachments like a Searbox or Sidekick to grill and sear meats.
Pros
- Attractive design and durable build
- Easy customization and temperature management
- Ability to add attachments
- Moderately priced
Cons
- Heavy – weighing 127 pounds
- Pellet Hopper Capacity of 18 pounds
5. Dyna-Glo Signature Series Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill
For cooks who are passionate about charcoal smoking, this vertical unit from Dyna-Glo is the way to go. It has a vertical smoking chamber with five removable racks to hold all of your favorite meats. A built-in thermometer shows the temperature.
The vertical design doesn’t prevent you from using this smoker as a grill. There are grates that go over the firebox for 284 square inches of grilling space. This part of the unit also has an ash collector that aids with cleanup.
This smoker grill weighs 124 pounds making it on the heavier side and is less portable than other options.
If you’re looking for a more traditional smoker that uses charcoal and is moderately priced, this is a great option for you.
Pros
- Great Value
- Traditional charcoal taste
- Heavy construction
- Large smoking and grilling space
Cons
- Not as versatile or portable
- Harder to maintain temperatures
- No WiFi connectivity
6. Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
No, this isn’t exactly a built in smoker grill combo. Rather, it’s a dedicated charcoal grill. However, if you’re a Weber fan who’s looking for a Weber smoker grill combo, this classic kettle is the setup that you need. With this charcoal grill, you get 363 square inches of grilling space, an ash-release system, and a small storage rack.
When you learn how to arrange your coals for the job, you can also use this kettle as a smoker. You can even purchase add-on accessories that are designed for adapting kettles for smoking purposes.
7. Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill
If you want countless cooking options from one device, check out this pellet grill from Pit Boss. It can not only be used for grilling and smoking, but it can also handle baking, roasting, braising and multiple other cooking functions. There’s even a sliding plate at the bottom of the grill that you can move in order to broil steaks over a direct flame. A digital control board allows you to select your cook setting.
The smoke in this offset grill is produced by burning wood pellets. It can generate temperatures between 180 and 500 degrees.
8. Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker
If you’re a die-hard fan of charcoal grilling, consider this kamado-style grill from Char-Griller. Unlike pellet grills, this unit runs on coal and has a shape that’s similar to that of traditional charcoal grills. Thanks to its design, this grill can achieve temperatures between 200 and 700 degrees.
This unit is more compact than many smoker grill combos, but it does have two small side shelves to hold your tools and supplies. There is also a small shelf at the bottom.
9. Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Flow Smoker
Evenly cooked meats are important to you, right? The reverse flow feature on the Oklahoma Joe’s charcoal smoker can help ensure that that’s how your food will turn out. This system makes sure that the smoke is well-distributed throughout the cooking area. A thermometer on the cover shows the current temperature.
This unit is primarily designed as a smoker, but you can grill on it too. The charcoal firebox chamber has grilling grates. Whether you’re smoking or grilling, your cooking tools can rest on the narrow shelf along the length of the smoker or the large rack underneath it.
10. Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
This steel made charcoal smoker is built to last by a quality brand – Weber.
It weighs just over 39 pounds and includes plated steel cooking grates and rust resistant metal legs.
This smoker is one of the more affordable on the list, but there is a reason for that. It is hard to gauge and control the temperature in this smoker and it’s grilling area is relatively small.
If you’re looking for a smoker that is lower priced but is built to last, this might be right for you.
Pros
- Built by a reputable brand
- More affordable
Cons
- Hard to control temperature
- Small grilling area
11. Smoke Hollow 4-in-1
For those who want a unit that’s truly a smoker gas grill combo, the Smoke Hollow grill is a top consideration. It grills foods with either charcoal and propane as the fuel, and it smokes meats using charcoal or wood. The grill even has a side burner for cooking sauces and other stovetop favorites.
Because of its many functions, this is a long unit. It boasts a number of shelves, including specialty condiment racks.
Offset Grill Buying Tips
1. Consider Your Fuel Source
Smoker grills produce a lot of smoke. That’s how they produce tender, flavorful meat. Therefore, you don’t too often come across a smoker gas grill combo.
Some smoker grill combos are designed to work with charcoal. For those, you should use the best quality of charcoal that you can find; the kind that is loaded with lighter fluid won’t produce the pure flavor that you’re looking for.
Other smoker grills rely on wood pellets or chunks. Popular wood varieties to use for smoking include apple, cherry, hickory and oak.
Some barbecuing experts use charcoal as their main fuel and supplement with a little bit of wood to lend an additional flavor element to their food.
2. Determine What’s More Important: Grilling or Smoking
Although grill and smoker combos can do both jobs, some devices do one job better than the other. 
For example, a smoker that has a small grill grate over the firebox will allow you to grill just a few items at a time. If you want more space for grilling, you may need to look at a different model instead.
Of course, there are some models that do both jobs quite well. If both tasks are of high importance to you, you may want to look for a smoker grill that is equally capable of producing quality food by either means.
3. Think About Temperature Regulation
When you’re smoking meat, it is vital that the smoker maintains a consistent temperature. To make sure that you’re achieving that, you need some sort of thermometer. There are all sorts of digital and analog probes that you can use for this job, but some are easier to hook up to your system than others.
If you don’t want to fiddle with a separate device, look for a smoker that has a built-in temperature gauge. With these, the current temperature reading is always displayed on the front of the grill so that you can stay apprised of the heat level with just a glance.
4. More Space Means More Food
Smoker grills can vary widely in size. If you want to smoke a large amount of food at once or are known for hosting backyard parties, it’s important to have plenty of space.
More space is not always better, however. A larger smoker grill combo requires more room to store. Plus, it’s harder to load a large unit up in your vehicle to take it camping or on a picnic.
5. Racks and Shelves Are Handy
Although not essential to cooking food, the best smoker grills have handy accessories that can make the cooking process easier. These include racks and shelves. Racks under the body of the grill give you a place to store extra fuel and other important supplies. Shelves provide a space to set seasonings, prepare sauces and store serving platters.
6. Portability
While this isn’t necessarily high up on my list of importance, some buyers might want their grill to be more portable and easily movable. Finding a smoker grill combo that is lightweight and comes with wheels might be more important for these buyers.
Related: Top Infrared Grills
Smoker Grill Combo FAQs
What Is the Best Temperature for Barbecuing?
The barbecue zone ranges from 190 to 300 degrees, but there’s a sweet spot in there for which most pitmasters aim. Ideally, your smoker will be at 220 degrees. For the best results, you should never let it go above 250 degrees.
If you don’t have a built-in temperature gauge, a laser heat gun can tell you the current level. You can also perform the “hand test.” Place your hand above the coals. If the temperature is correct, you’ll be able to keep it there for a full 2 seconds but no more than that.
Keep in mind that barbecuing meats takes much longer than grilling. You should expect most cuts to cook for several hours or most of the day. To achieve true barbecue tenderness, your meat needs to achieve an internal temperature of at least 180 degrees.
What’s the Best Way to Care for a Smoker Grill?
To help your smoker grill last for a long time, you must clean and care for it regularly. Ash should be removed often because it can rust the unit if left inside for too long. If your grill doesn’t have a removable ash box, you may have to vacuum the ash out of it.
You should also clean off old food and make sure grease doesn’t build up. However, the grill doesn’t need to look as clean as the day you bought it. The smoke that accumulates on the surface actually helps protect against wear and tear.
Some smokers must be seasoned with oil to help them become water-resistant. To further protect the unit, it can be a good idea to store it indoors or use a cover.
How to Choose the Best Smoker Grill Combo?
There are a variety of factors to consider before purchasing a smoker grill combo. Are you looking for a luxury smoker grill combo that lasts, or something more affordable that will last a few summers? Below are some other questions you should consider before making your purchase:
- What aspects are important to my smoker grill?
- Do looks matter for my smoker grill?
- What meats am I looking to smoke or grill?
- How often will I be using my smoker grill?
- What size of a smoker grill do I need?
- How important is the taste of the meats I smoke or grill?
By answering these questions, you can make a better decision with the best smoker grill combos listed above. You’ll notice each has it’s own benefits and drawbacks that should be analyzed.
Related: 17 Cold Weather Smoking & Grilling Meat Tips
Best Smoker Grill Combo for Your Barbecue
Can you taste that delicious barbecue yet? If you want to learn to cook ribs that are as mouthwatering as those from your local barbecue joint, you’re going to need one of the best smoker grill combos of 2021. In addition to ribs, there will soon be pork butts, briskets and whole chickens making their way onto your grill racks.
Overall, the best smoker grill combo is the Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker. It is a well-balanced smoker grill that offers complex flavors paired with high quality materials.
