A lot of people debate over which form of grilling is better gas or charcoal. I remember always having a charcoal grill at home when I was growing up. You cannot beat the flavor of hamburgers on a charcoal grill!
Best Hybrid BBQ Grills
If you want the best of both worlds, however, you are now in luck! Many companies provide hybrid grills that allow you to grill with gas and with charcoal. There are many options available and we’ve picked our top 8 favorites to share with you!
1. Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro Gas Grill, Black
The Char-Griller 3001 gas grill has a durable steel exterior for longevity in outdoor environments. It packs a lot of power in a compact size. This grill has 438-square inches of grilling space on the main grill and an additional 192-square inches available on the warming rack.
With an electronic starter for quick ignition, you can have this grill up and running in just a matter of seconds! This grill has a side burner which lets you grill additional veggies for your meal. A small shelf on the other side of the grill provides handy workspace to place utensils and spices.
This compact grill will fit perfectly on any small deck or patio. You will fall in love with the Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro the first time you use it!
Pros:
- Stainless steel integrated thermometer
- Stay Cool hood handle
- Includes a cooking grill, warming rack and side burner
- Weighs less than 100-pounds
Cons:
- Burner covers may need replaced every 2-3 years
2. Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner Liquid Propane and Charcoal Hybrid Grill
This hybrid grill easily converts from a gas grill to a charcoal grill without tools! When you’re in a hurry, you can enjoy the convenience of grilling with gas and on days where you have more time, enjoy the classic flavors of cooking over charcoal.
The grill has over 400-square inches of primary cooking area with a 120-square inch warming rack. A side burner can be used for cooking other veggies and other foods. The gas burners automatically light the charcoal eliminating the need for lighter fluid!
You will love the results and classic charcoal flavors you get from this hybrid grill. With a 5-year warranty, you can have peace of mind that this grill will last you a lifetime without any hassles.
Pros:
- Converts from a gas grill to a charcoal grill
- Includes a cooking grill, warming rack and side burner
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Pan under the burners is aluminum and rusts easily
3. Smoke Hollow 4-In-1 LP Gas Charcoal Smoker Searing BBQ Grill
This grill from Smoke Hollow is a 4-in-1 product that gives you options for grilling with gas or charcoal. It even has an integrated smoker firebox for indirect heated cooking and an infrared searing burner to sear your meats!
This grill has a 3-burner gas grill with enough space to cook 20 hamburgers at a time. When using this as a charcoal grill, the adjustable charcoal pan gives you the ability to control the temperature.
If you are looking for that ideal gift for the culinary expert in your family, consider this versatile 4-in-1 grill from Smoke Hollow. You will end up with endless hours of use and a variety of different grilling flavors to satisfy the needs of every food lover!
Pros:
- Can be used as a gas grill, charcoal grill, or a smoker
- Includes an infrared searing burner
- Adjustable charcoal pan
- Side smoker box
Cons:
- Weighs over 200-pounds
- Time-consuming to assemble
4. Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual-Fuel Grill
This Dyna-Glo grill is a durable, high-performing cooking system that will make you the envy of all your neighbors. It is a dual-fuel grill which provides the convenience of gas and the flavor of charcoal all in a single unit.
The gas grill features 2 stainless steel burners with heat tents to distribute heat evenly throughout the cooking surface. The charcoal side of this grill features an adjustment crank for customized temperature control.
The cooking grates are easy to clean and provides 730-square inches of primary cooking space. It includes a warming rack, collapsible side tables, integrated tool bars and tool hooks.
This Dyna-Glo grill will make you never want to return to cooking at your stove again! You will enjoy this grill for years to come and fall in love with the low maintenance and exquisite flavors it produces.
Pros:
- Dual-fuel gas and charcoal grill
- Offers 952-square inches of cooking space
- Includes a charcoal adjustment crank
- Stainless steel accents
- Collapsing side tables
Cons:
- Assembly is time-consuming
5. Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D Dual Zone Premium Charcoal Grill, X-Large, Stainless
This premium charcoal grill from Dyna-Glo has a removable firebox divider to create a single or dual cooking zone. It has a total cooking area of over 800-square inches separated into a primary cooking area and a warming rack.
Dual charcoal tray adjustment cranks allow you to raise and lower the charcoal for fine-tuning the cooking temperature while you are grilling. This grill has dual steel doors which provides you easy access for stoking the coals or adding more briquettes during grilling. The cooking grates slide above from side to side for additional access to the charcoals.
Go back to the basics of charcoal grilling with this amazing state-of-the-art grill from Dyna-Glo. You will love the ease-of-use, the temperature controls and the flavor this grill produces.
Pros:
- Single or dual cooking zones
- Dual charcoal tray adjustment cranks
- Removable large-capacity ash and grease collection pans
- Stainless steel smoke stack with adjustable flue
Cons:
- Back of grill is not stainless steel and may rust if exposed to the elements
6. Dyna-Glo DGN576DNC-D Premium Charcoal Grill, Extra Large, Black
You will love cookouts at your home once this Dyna-Glo charcoal grill is in your backyard. It has a single charcoal access door to help you maintain the charcoal fuel source during cooking and stoke the coals. The cooking grates slide side to side for easier access to the charcoal.
When it’s time for clean-up, the removable pan makes the clean-up of the charcoal ashes a breeze. There is a stainless steel smoke stack on the top with an adjustable flue. This gives you more control over the flavor and temperature while cooking.
Don’t let the summer get away from you without putting your charcoal skills to the test. This Dyna-Glo premium charcoal grill will turn your hum-drum cookouts into lively parties!
Pros:
- Charcoal tray adjustment crank
- Removable ash and grease collection pan
- Mounted temperature gauge
- Stainless steel smoke stack with adjustable flue
Cons:
- Difficult to assemble
7. Char-Broil Deluxe 1010 3-Burner Liquid Propane And Charcoal Combo Grill
The Char-Broil Deluxe 1010 is a combination charcoal and gas grill. The gas chamber has 3 burners and there is a side burner with a lid for additional cooking space when needed.
The charcoal chamber features a crank adjustable-height charcoal great to raise and lower the charcoal to control the cooking temperature. The charcoal access door provides you access to a slide-out ash pan for easy charcoal ash disposal.
If you don’t have much time, you can use the gas side of the grill and quickly cook your meats and vegetables. When you have more time, the charcoal side can be used to provide you with that more classic grilled flavor we all love.
Pros:
- Gas chamber has 3 burners
- Features a side gas burner with a lid
- Charcoal chamber has an adjustable-height crank to control temperature
Cons:
- Removable ash pan is too large to dispose of ashes in a standard kitchen trash can
8. Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas And Charcoal Grill
The Char-Griller 5050 is an amazing combo grill with a total of 1260-square inches of cooking space. Imagine all the food you can cook with that amount of room!
It has a gas grill with 3 burners and a side burner for additional cooking space. Porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates provide superior heat retention and an easy-to-clean surface. The charcoal ash pan is easy to remove so the charcoal ashes can be disposed of with little effort.
With all this cooking space, and the option to grill with gas or charcoal, you will fall in love with this combo grill. It has many other features including a condiment basket, underneath shelf storage, wheels for easy mobility and more. You will be surprised to find that with a price under $500, this grill is easy on the wallet, too!
Pros:
- Offers gas grilling and charcoal grilling
- 1260-square inches of total cooking space
- Condiment basket
- Underneath shelf storage
- Less than $500
Cons:
- Difficult to assemble
Features To Consider In A Hybrid Grill
Before you purchase a hybrid grill, you need to be aware of specific features to look for in a hybrid.
Charcoal Ventilation
A good hybrid grill will provide proper ventilation and have air vents located below the charcoal area in order to let the air in. It should also have vents on the top of the grill for air to escape. This is what allows the charcoal flavor to seep through the food as it cooks.
Charcoal Temperature Control
In order to help with temperature control on the charcoal side of a hybrid grill, you should have a charcoal adjustment crank. This allows you to raise or lower the charcoal bed in order to increase or reduce the temperature without touching the charcoals.
Gas Burners
At a minimum, you should have 2 gas burners on the hybrid grill. If the cooking surface area is quite large, you may want to ensure there are at least 3 burners available. You should also be able to control the temperature setting for each burner individually so you can better control how hot the food gets within the gas grill chamber.
Conclusion
If you want the best of both worlds, then consider getting a hybrid gas and charcoal BBQ grill. You will love the flexibility that it gives you to be able to grill with gas when you are short on time. When you have more time available, you can sit back and allow your food to cook over charcoal grills for a more flavorful experience.