Best Hybrid Grills 2022: Reviews and Buying Guide
FaveGrills is reader-supported. If you purchase by clicking a link on this page, we may earn an Affiliate Commission at no extra cost. Learn more
The decision to use gas or charcoal might be tricky among so many grills. Although we enjoy the smoky flavor of charcoal but its difficult to maintain the temperature in a charcoal hybrid grill. Most people choose propane regardless of its less smokey taste because you can manage temperature easily, and there will be no sudden rise in heat, just like a charcoal grill.
Fortunately, hybrid grills do exist to provide the goodness of smoke with desired fuel option. In this review, we discovered reasonably priced, very effective fuel choices. Hybrid grills have two fuel sources. Although gas and charcoal are the most popular, there are also options for infrared and gas.
Regardless of your price limit, we’ve found some of the best hybrid grills, from simple grilling to expert smoking. Read our guide carefully, which will walk you through selecting the ideal grill, or skip to our top recommendations to have an idea.
Top Picks
Hybrid grills come in two different varieties. You must connect the dedicated connection to the gas line already installed in your home. Small and portable propane tank gas grills are also available.
So, if you’re searching for the most significant hybrid grill models, you’re in for a surprise, and there is no secret about cooking with hybrid grills. You may discover both budget-friendly and luxurious hybrid units here.
Best Overall
Recommended Hybrid Grill
Best Charcoal
Best Charcoal
Best Gas
Premier Combo
Best Budget
Do You Know?
The best feature of hybrid grills is that you can cook the steak to perfection every time by searing it with charcoal and then finishing it off with gas.
7 Best Hybrid Grills Reviews
Modern grills with the ability to use charcoal and propane include hybrid grills. However, keep in mind that smokers with both conventional and infrared burners are hybrid grills as well.
To help you in selecting the best hybrid grill, we’ve reviewed 7 top-notch models and highlighted the important variables to consider when buying.
1. Best Overall: Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal
Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal Grill has three different cooking chambers that can cook, smoke, and grill using direct and indirect heat. It’s an all-in-one hybrid combo grill and occupies less space compared to other devices of the same sort.
We observed its tool-keeping place, which is quite convenient with a cabinet. The Longhorn Combo’s design makes it possible to multitask exceptionally effectively.
You can cook whatever you want in a shorter time. You will love the cooking outcome and can maintain the temperature to evaluate your cooking. With this enormous grilling apparatus, you can prepare significant portions.
When buying this grill, we recommend checking the smoker box because it’s sometimes not airtight. So, you should purchase sealant in advance to prevent any heat loss.
Its grate comprises porcelain-coated material and provides extra care toward cooking food. We observed that this material is heat resistant and has anti-stick properties.
Although heavy, you can move this unit easily because of its wagon-sized wheels. You can use gas and charcoal simultaneously, but switching between two fuels is also a function. Remember to use an adequate quantity of charcoal to function properly otherwise; you may need to refill the fuel in between cooking.
Keep in mind it is compatible with both LP and natural gas units and functions appropriately with each specified fuel.
What do we like most?
- Versatile: It has ample cooking space and performs as a gas, charcoal grill, and smoker. You can cook varieties of food by using direct and indirect cooking methods.
- Durable: Cast iron grates are durable with a porcelain coating for heat resistance and anti-stick properties. It’s incredible having stainless steel burners, shelves, and legs.
- Built-in thermometer: A built-in thermometer can adjust the temperature automatically, and you don’t need to flip the lid frequently to check your food.
- Portable: It’s heavy, but you can move this device easily because of its sturdy wagon-sized wheels.
What do we dislike?
- Needs maintenance: You should use this grill carefully because switching between gas and charcoal may cause damage to the firebox or heating unit. So, maintain your grill after every cooking task and lubricate the grills with oils.
- Required seasoning: After each usage, you should season the cook boxes. Like seasoning a cast iron pan, brushing vegetable oil on your grill will act as a barrier between the metal and any food particles or other components, preventing damage.
Who can use this product?
It’s the best overall product with all enhanced features to satisfy users. If you have a restaurant or have a lot of family members, this device is just for you with a larger smoking area and variable cooking methods.
2. Recommended Grill: Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill
Grilling get-togethers are fun, but not when people have to wait a long time for their food. You need a grill that can hold more food at once so that everyone can eat simultaneously. The BLOSSOMZ Dual Fuel Grill comes with a variety of tools and seasoning.
You can directly prepare meals on the side table and grill them nearby. Hence, a simple tool holder is used to accommodate brushes and tongs. There is no need to set up an additional table on the bottom shelf for other items, such as seasonings.
It has a height-adjustable charcoal tray with a charcoal side. This function allows for flexible heat control. If you want more heat, move the grilling grid and charcoal closer to each other.
We observed a front door for charcoal. Charcoal is somewhat intrusive. In most charcoal grills you have to remove the grates to refill the fuel but in this case, you can open the front door to refill the fuel box.
You can test its stainless steel heat gauge for better control. So, monitor your food more closely and never compromise on taste.
What do we like most?
- Large cooking area: The grill has a large cooking space, and you can manage to make the food of your choice. Grilling and baking are no more trouble. You can also use the side burner to smoke quickly.
- Durable: It’s durable and has a heat-resistant, weather-resistant body. Additionally, side tables and tools will let you cook easily, and you don’t need any extra equipment nearby.
- Temperature gauge: A significant temperature gauge allows you to switch between two fuels. Thus, never worry about switching fuel because it adjusts the fuel option automatically.
- Effortless cleaning: The grill has a removable ashtray. You can clean this part quickly by removing and dumping the ashes.
What do we dislike?
- Assembly is troublesome: Its assembly can cause trouble because there are a lot of tools and parts. So, you may need help to assemble this product. There is a manual guide for this grill. You can read that to assemble the product properly.
- Need a deep cleaning: You cannot leave this grill after cooking. It needs cleaning because food may stick on the grates and may stink for the next cooking session.
Who can use this product?
If you want to buy inexpensive and space-saving options. You must consider this product because of its ease of use and variable cooking options.
3. Best Charcoal: Blackstone 1819 Griddle and Charcoal Combo
You can cook meat and other foods with the Blackstone 1819 griddle and charcoal set. It has powder coated frame and durable wheels to let you enjoy your meal anywhere and anytime.
You can choose the charcoal or burner grill according to your feasibility. We suggest preparing your regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to grilling meat.
We observed a broad griddle side and a dependable BTU from the charcoal grilling. It provides you with more alternatives for what you can cook. You can choose a burner or grill according to the type of food.
The griddle set also has a powder coating. Before seeing any corrosion or rust, you can anticipate it will survive very long. Its top is made of cold-rolled steel and has a rugged surface finish to keep it looking excellent. If you care for it properly, it will serve you for a very long time before showing any aging symptoms.
However, you ought to have no trouble navigating it. It should only take a few minutes to put this grill together, and since two of its legs have roller wheels, you can easily move it across any surface.
What do we like most?
- Versatile: The average griddle size for charcoal and a single burner is 17 inches. The Combo grill has enough cooking surface to accommodate a family supper.
- Durable: The surface is powder-coated, and there will be no rust in the long run.
- Ease of use: It will take a few minutes to put this grill together, and since two of its legs are with roller wheels, you can move it across any surface easily.
- Simple cleaning: Grill grates are adjustable. You can remove them for scrubbing or wipe the grill with a damp cloth.
What do we dislike?
- Legs are not foldable: You can not fold the legs, and once you assemble this device, there is no option to fold and store it.
- Paint may chip off: You should rest the grill for the next cooking task. Otherwise, its paint may chip off with high heat.
Who can use this product?
If you love the natural smokey flavor and want to prepare your meal easily, you can buy this product because of its best charcoal fuel settings.
4. Best Charcoal: Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill
Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill is the most favorable option for cooking outdoors. Its touch-and-go gas system allows you to handle the grill without any trouble. You can set your food in grates, and an adjustable temperature knob will allow you to regulate the heat.
We observed its automatic heat regulation system while grilling pizzas or burgers. Hence, you can flip the grate at the bottom of the chimney so the peak at the center sits lower which brings the charcoal closer to the gas flame.
However, it’s durable and has a porcelain-enameled bowl with grates. It won’t rust, and its shine will remain intact for several years. According to our research, its quality is super when switching between charcoal and gas. The automatic internal temperature regulation will not affect the frequent switching because it retains heat for several hours.
It’s portable and has a sturdy frame to put all your cooking essentials. We observed that its cooking time is less because it runs on gas and charcoal. You can initially use gas and, later on, charcoal fuel to get the smokey flavor.
You can install its BILT app on your smartphone, allowing you to assemble the product easily. The aluminum ashtray is removable, and you can easily clean the sawdust outside.
What do we like most?
- Sturdy construction: It’s porcelain-enameled, and the grates are durable and never rust during cleaning or contact with water.
- Inexpensive: It’s affordable and has all the quality features of a premium hybrid grill.
- Premium features: Its premium includes automatic temperature regulation, a BILT app for easy assembly, and a larger cooking area for less money. If you are a beginner, you can watch our guide on the best smoker grill combo to kick-start your smoking sessions with ease.
- Touch and go ignition: You just have to fill the fuel and touch the panel to start your grill.
What do we dislike?
- Paint may chip off: Its paint may chip off if exposed to sunlight and water for a long time.
- Constant monitoring: You should monitor the food when cooking with charcoal because it will adjust the high temperature initially, and later you can slow down the heat.
Who can use this product?
If you plan a get-together, you can consider this product. It will be a space-saving, energy-efficient device to accomplish your cooking tasks without trouble.
5. Best Gas: Char-Broil Standard 1010 3-Burner Hybrid Grill
Who doesn’t like the smoky flavor of charcoal but also likes the speed, convenience, and even cooking of propane, the Char-Broil Standard 1010 3-Burner is a fantastic option for those people.
The gas grill chamber has a 36,000 BTU, 3-burner grill on the left side and a 12,000 BTU, covered side burner on the right side. Both are ready to light at your command and are excellent for warming sauces and excess marinade and keeping side dishes warm while the meat smokes inside.
You’ll love using it for family dinners on the deck. It’s great for substantial backyard gatherings and family reunions.
Other features include a simple, secure electric start button, a full front panel for optimal temperature management, and a temperature gauge mounted to the lid on either side. So, you can check the grill’s interior temperature or the pre-heat level.
On the other end of the grill is an additional side shelf that gives you even more prep space. You can place your ready-to-smoke items there.
Cleaning is quick and easy because the cast iron cooking grates with porcelain coating are detachable. You can move it easily due to the smooth caster wheels and the strong bottom basket shelf that provides lots of storage space.
What do we like most?
- Large cooking area: it’s suitable for backyard parties because it has a large cooking area to cook more significant portions at once. You can bake, grill, and cook at one time.
- Durable grilling grates: Porcelain-coated grates and side shelves are durable and can withstand any weather condition. So it won’t rust if exposed to water.
- Better control: You can control the temperature by using an inside gauge. So, switching between gas and charcoal is just a breeze.
- Easy ash removal: There is a side pan to remove ashes effortlessly.
What do we dislike?
- The charcoal side may cause trouble: You can raise or lower the fragile metal basket containing the coals, but it rarely remains at the level.
- Heat may leak: Its upper part comes assembled, and you must make the remaining parts. So poor handling may cause heat leakage during cooking.
Who can use this product?
If you are in a hurry and want a quick delicious meal. It works best on gas and will help you get a quick and delicious meal within a few hours.
6. Premium Combo: Weber Genesis E-325S Liquid Propane Gas Grill
The Weber Spirit II E-310 performed admirably in providing deeply seared and evenly cooked food. The grill’s generally small size makes it suitable for any deck or patio. It is spacious and can use to roast whole chickens and barbecue poultry. However, its ample cooking surface is enough to prepare a meal for a big family.
We observed that assembling the grill without the side tables can compromise its performance and safety. Hence we never recommend doing so. Only natural gas can be used with this grill because this model performs better with natural gas than propane gas. The same grill is available for use with propane in another model.
You will observe the sear zone while grilling the food. However, that is the specialty of this product. You can use two gas burners or another to make noticeable changes to your meal. Weber keeps changing its product with advanced options. So, this product is upgraded with enhanced cooking zones and burners.
This grill comprises a thick, rust-resistant cast aluminum firebox to survive many years. The Spirit II grill is incredibly easy to operate, maintain, and put together. We observed that it has stainless steel grates instead of porcelain-coated material. So, there is no chance of any mishap.
What do we like most?
- Matchless performance: Its remarkable performance, usage, durability, and value are unmatched by any other grill. Since Weber grills aren’t prone to rust, there’s no need to season any of them.
- Stainless steel racks: It has stainless steel racks and durable, sturdy construction to let you experience high-quality searing, baking, and smoking.
- A better outcome for money: It’s ideal with variable cooking options and is the best outcome for your money. You can cook directly or indirectly, depending on your needs.
- Spacious cooking chamber: It has a large cooking surface and chamber to manage the more significant food portions.
What do we dislike?
- May occupy more space: It may occupy more space because of its side safety gates. But we don’t recommend removing safety gates to adjust the grill. If budget is not an issue and you want to buy a space-saving smoker with a comprehensive outcome. You should read our guide on the best vertical smokers to choose a smart device.
- Must monitor the cooking food: you must monitor the cooking food and adjust the temperature in between to avoid burning.
Who can use this product?
You can buy that product if space and money are not an issue. It’s spacious and comprehensive and lets you cook a variety of food options.
7. Best Budget: Royal Gourmet US-SG6002R 6 BBQ Liquid Propane Grill
The benefit of this model is its spacious cooking zone. You can cook various food at one time. This Royal Gourmet’s overall cooking area is 795 square inches, with a primary cooking area of 603 square inches and a warming rack measuring 199 square inches. So, a lot of space is available to cook a variety of food at once.
The Royal Gourmet grill’s cooking racks comprise porcelain-enameled cast iron, which is excellent for holding heat while you cook. Porcelain-enameled cast iron is one of the finest options for grates since it provides good cooking performance and is relatively easy to maintain.
Because it enables you to adjust the heat at lower settings, the grate’s capacity to hold heat means that you may cook delicate items that need low temperatures, including vegetables.
The grill is stylish and simple to clean compared to other varieties, especially charcoal grills, because it is made of lightweight stainless steel. It is simple to open the cabinet doors to offer more workspace and room for food preparation. Additionally, all four legs of this model include lockable wheels to make moving the grill a little simpler than other models with wheels on two legs.
Cleaning after each grilling session is simple because of stainless-steel tube burners. Even though a thorough cleaning is not required after each use, a quick wipe-down will keep this grill functioning and looking brand-new.
What do we like most?
- Premium look: The Royal Gourmet is a stunning grill to flaunt thanks to its stainless-steel construction! Each component is well-assembled and leaves a premium-looking exterior.
- Inexpensive: Since this is one of the least costly grills you’ll discover with so much utility, keeping the grill’s great aesthetic improves its value and lifespan.
- Spacious: The cabinet shelves help keep prepared food or kitchen tools organized. You can easily open the door and have enough storage space.
- Easy to use: Thanks to the readily available electric ignition, starting the burners is simple.
What do we dislike?
- Partially open from behind: It’s partly open from the bottom. The lower half has a steel cover.
- May get rust: The doors and back are made with thin stainless steel. Over time, those parts are not protected and are vulnerable to rust.
Who can use this product?
If you have a large family or frequently host visitors. One such appliance that enables you to prepare food in more significant amounts than the typical 3-burner gas grill is the Royal Gourmet SG6002R 6-burner gas grill.
Top Tip by FaveGrills
Never light your grill using gasoline, white spirit, paraffin, or other flammable liquid. Use just enough charcoal to cover the BBQ’s base completely.
Why Hybrid Comprises of Gas and Charcoal Combo Grill?
Hybrid grills run on gas and charcoal, and choosing a model compatible with both fuel types is difficult. You need a grill with variable food options if you want a dependable performance. You can adjust the temperature and the heat with a digital temperature controller.
It might be a little trickier than you think. Some models that run flawlessly on gas may fall short when using charcoal. On the other hand, some models produce top-notch results while grilling over charcoal but may perform average when using gas.
Hybrid grills run on gas and charcoal, choosing a model compatible with both fuel types is important. If you don’t know much about contemporary smokers and want to be an expert in grilling, you can read our guide on best smokers for beginners to get hand on experience on simple yet advanced smoking devices.
How does a Hybrid Grill Work?
A grill with both charcoal and gas has its benefits. You can cook various foods on a single grill, depending on what you’re preparing and how long you want to cook food. You’ll turn on the gas if you need to cook it quickly. However, if you prefer to cook slowly, you’ll choose the charcoal option.
Because it’s a hybrid BBQ grill doesn’t mean you have to use gas or charcoal for cooking your food. So if using gas to cook seems more comfortable, you can do so constantly. The same goes for charcoal. A combination grill doesn’t have any preferences. On the other hand, you’ll always have a backup option if you don’t have any charcoal or gas available.
You’ll be able to manage the temperature better with a hybrid grill. The more control you have over the cooking temperature, the less you need to worry when you’re cooking. So, you should care about danger zone that ranges from 40–140°F (4–60°C). At this temperature, bacteria grow and thrive, and you should smoke your food above this temperature.
Are hybrid grills worth it?
Hybrid grills are versatile that let you smoke with gas and charcoal. You can use its gas burners for instant grilling and its inner cooking chamber for charcoal smoking. So, you will be getting the essence of both fuels. Additionally, hybrid grills are portable and come with sturdy wheels. Their cabinet-like style and durable exterior make them favorable for outdoor cooking.
You can use the grill on the gas setting if you want quicker and simpler cooking techniques. Additionally, you may use the second grill with charcoal on the hybrid to get the smoky flavor. So, this hybrid combination is worth the money and effort you put into smoking delicious meals.
What Are the Benefits of Hybrid Grills?
You can cook either on gas or charcoal, depending on your choice. Both options are feasible and let you cook with variable fuels that could enhance your cooking skills.
This method works well if you’re roasting a larger piece of meat. Turn off the outer grills to add more charcoal with ease. As an alternative, prepare a single tray of charcoal to sear steaks over fire while the rest of your BBQ is kept nice and under control with gas.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Hybrid Grills
What features in the gas charcoal combo grills would attract you? A push-button ignition? Heating racks storage room, adjustable charcoal trays to better manage the temperature? Rotating racks? Vents that can be adjusted to control smoke. Before shopping for the best hybrid grills, keep these factors in mind along with your budget.
You should check our list if you’re looking for a reasonable hybrid grill. Each has a sturdy design, reliable performance, and a compact build. You can’t go wrong with any of them, regardless of your budget, and we are confident that one of the products will be your ideal decision!
What Power Level Do You Need?
Every time you cook, choose between gas and charcoal! You can fill the fuel quickly. Simply you have to lift the grill and place the charcoal underneath. After that, turn off the burners to enjoy an authentic charcoal BBQ.
One advantage of hybrid barbecues is that they have the ideal mechanism for lighting charcoal into the grill. You can easily adapt to the changes with charcoal fuel. When it turns white, it’s ready to burn, and you can place your food on the grill. It means that you don’t need lighter fluid or paraffin cubes, which is fantastic news because they can taint the flavor of anything you cook over the coals.
Size of Cooking Chamber
Space savings is one of the key justifications for purchasing a hybrid grill rather than separate charcoal and gas smokers, but you still don’t want something with limited cooking space.
While some hybrid grills only feature one chamber, allowing one fuel type, others have separate chambers for gas and charcoal. More cooking area is possible with individual sections, which is fantastic if you cook for the whole family.
You can cook food on a hybrid grill with at least 500 square inches of cooking space, which is more than enough for a big family. This figure can be used as a guide to help you decide whether you need anything bigger or smaller.
However, a model with a larger cooking surface will help you get more food verities in a single go. You can manage your cooking options and concentrate on other things while your food is cooking.
Temperature Control
Most gas grills have built-in temperature sensors, although some dual grills also have them. Using the grill’s built-in vents alone may not be sufficient to control grill temperatures; temperature gauges are helpful. Find a hybrid grill that lets you adjust the temperature for the different things you want to cook.
Easy Cleaning
The Hybrid pans keep the briquette ash together for a considerable time after they have cooled enough to tip the ash away.
An average charcoal grill might be challenging to clean because of the liquified fats, but you can use a vacuum to clean the grill without any worry.
The Hybrid grill works best with high-quality briquettes because they burn for a long time without overheating. Lumpwood, on the other hand, produces heat that is quite powerful for a short period and requires much more concentration. You should learn how to manage this heat and maintain the temperature spikes.
Built-in Features
You can build a hybrid with two or more burners for 2-zone cooking and indirect grilling. Grilling and smoking go side by side.
You may prepare meals for pots and pans on grills with side burners. It would be ideal if you could locate a hybrid that also included side trays for cooking and built-in storage. The most excellent, expensive hybrid versions have additional cooking features.
Maintenance
When making your purchase, you should pay special attention to the grill’s construction. To test the grill’s stability, shake it from various angles. Examine the burner, lid, rollers, and cart. Stainless steel carts with welded joints and seamless structures typically last longer.
Even though cleaning the grates and burners of a charcoal grill is simple, standalone gas grills are typically cleaner. However, many charcoal grills need a lot of maintenance. Knowing how to clean and maintain a dual grill is crucial before you purchase one. You should remember that combination grills take much more care than individual grills. So, a gas grill is easier to clean than a charcoal grill because, in a charcoal grill, coals sit at the bottom, and you have to use a vacuum to draw them out.
Price
You will agree that you always get what you pay in most cases. You should be looking for the best option.
When creating a budget, be honest about how far your money will go and what you can expect to obtain in return. Then, make an effort to stay within that budget. Overspending can be simple but useless if you don’t get the right thing!
Final Thoughts
Hybrid grills are challenging. They appear to be the ideal fusion of the convenience of gas and the added flavor of charcoal. It’s not simple, as with most things, including temperature settings and fuel efficiencies.
It would help if you routinely cooked with both fuels to get the most out of these grills; otherwise, investing money in these devices is useless.
However, if you are dedicated to hybrid grills, you’ll discover that your new grill will enable you to prepare meals quickly with both the deep smoky flavor of charcoal and the hassle-free quickness of gas.
Your Opinion is Valuable to Us
We researched and shared the best techniques and settings to achieve the required temperature for your hybrid grill. Now, it’s up to you to choose the suitable option that works for you. Make sure to share your experiences in the comment section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can regular charcoal be used on a hybrid grill?
Yes, you can use regular charcoal or sawdust on a hybrid grill. Traditional charcoal will burn efficiently, and you must wait 15 minutes for a better outcome.
What is the lifespan of hybrid briquettes?
Arrange the briquettes within the charcoal basket and light them with gas. They will continue to provide that genuine charcoal flavor for some hours.
Is the food cooked over gasoline safe to eat?
You should avoid using and storing gasoline near the hybrid grill. It may catch fire, so you must be careful.
