Charcoal Grill Smoker Combo Reviews

With warm weather arriving, finding the right charcoal grill smoker combo makes all the difference. Our reviews evaluate design, temperature regulation, cooking space, rack configuration, fuel source, and price to help you choose. Featured models include the Smoke Hollow 4-in-1 LP Gas Charcoal Smoker Searing BBQ Grill Model PS9900 and the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker.

The Akorn Kamado Kooker offers 314 square inches of cooking space, a 22-gauge steel body, adjustable dampers, and a built-in temperature gauge — a solid kamado-style option for serious backyard cooks.

Real barbecue rewards patience and the right equipment.

Browse our full Reviews section for in-depth coverage of pellet smokers, vertical smokers, electric smokers, and Kamado grills.

Top Ten Tips for Vertical Smoking

Smoking is as much craft as cooking. Smoke compounds are both fat- and water-soluble, so they absorb best when meat is raw. Start early and cook low and slow — that's where genuine barbecue flavor lives. If you're new to vertical smoking, don't be intimidated; a few fundamentals go a long way.

Our Tips guide walks through everything from wood selection to temperature control, helping beginners and seasoned pitmasters alike get consistent results from vertical smokers.

Low and slow: the heart of real barbecue.

Famous Dave's Online Store

Famous Dave's has earned over 200 National, Regional, and Local awards for barbecue, including Best BBQ Sauce at the prestigious American Royal competition in Kansas City. That same award-winning heritage carries through every product in the store.

Shop categories include BBQ Sauce, Seasoning, Marinade, Jerky, Pickles, Bloody Mary Mix, Apparel, CDs & DVDs, and Gift Sets. Gluten-free options are available across pickles and sauces. Highlights include the Signature Spicy Pickle Variety Pack, the Server T-shirt ("We Serve No Swine Before It's Time") at $16.99, and the "Legend of the Blues" CD at $14.99.

Visit the Shop to browse all categories, or jump straight to Jerky — beef, pork, and teriyaki pork varieties at $5.49 per 3.5 oz bag or 6 for $31.00. Gift Sets & Cookbooks offer BBQ Variety Packs starting at $24.99, plus cookbooks and DVDs like "BBQ Pitmaster Secrets Revealed."

The heart of any backyard setup is the charcoal grill smoker combo, a versatile unit that lets you sear steaks over direct heat and slow-smoke ribs in one piece of equipment. Learning to manage airflow with adjustable dampers and a reliable temperature gauge is the first skill every pitmaster should develop. Once you understand how your fuel bed behaves, you can hold steady low temperatures for hours or push the flames high for a perfect char. This dual capability makes combo units especially appealing for cooks who want to experiment without crowding the patio with multiple devices.

Temperature regulation separates a frustrating cook from a rewarding one. Charcoal and kamado-style grills rely on precise vent control to dial in heat, while pellet and gas models use electronic or dial-based systems for set-and-forget consistency. The key is matching the fuel type to your cooking style. If you enjoy hands-on fire management, charcoal and wood give you that ritual. If you prefer pressing a button and walking away, electric and pellet smokers offer remarkable ease without sacrificing the deep smoke flavor that defines great barbecue.

Cooking space and rack configuration deserve careful attention before any purchase. A unit with three hundred-plus square inches of primary grilling area can handle a whole spatchcocked chicken or several racks of ribs, while additional warming racks let you toast buns or hold finished meat. Look for porcelain-coated cast iron grates that retain heat and leave clean sear marks, and consider how the layout works when you are cooking for a crowd. Well-designed space means fewer batches and more time enjoying the company around the fire.

The material and build quality of a smoker grill directly influence heat retention and longevity. Steel bodies with ceramic or powder-coated finishes resist rust and hold warmth on windy days, while kamado-style ceramic shells excel at locking in moisture and temperature. A well-insulated unit uses less fuel over a long smoke session, which matters when you are running a brisket for ten hours or more. Pay attention to lid fit, gasket quality, and overall weight, as these details indicate how the grill will perform season after season.

Fuel choice shapes flavor more than almost any other variable. Charcoal and hardwood lump provide that classic smoky profile with a beautiful bark on brisket and pork shoulder. Pellets offer clean, consistent smoke with a wide range of wood varieties from hickory to apple. Gas and electric models prioritize convenience and are perfectly capable of producing tender smoked meals when paired with a quality wood chip tray. Many experienced cooks keep more than one fuel type on hand, switching between them based on the cut of meat and the time available.

Cleanup and maintenance are part of the rhythm of outdoor cooking. Models with removable ash pans and accessible grease management systems save considerable effort after a long smoke. A quick brush of the grates while the unit is still warm prevents buildup, and periodic deep cleaning of the firebox and chimney keeps airflow unobstructed. Stainless steel and porcelain-coated surfaces resist corrosion and wipe down easily. Investing a few minutes in care after each cook extends the life of the equipment and ensures that every meal tastes fresh.

Versatility extends beyond the main cooking chamber. Many combo grills include side burners for warming sauces, searing stations for finishing steaks at high heat, or offset fireboxes that let you burn pure wood alongside charcoal. These extra features turn a simple grill into an outdoor kitchen capable of handling everything from smoked seafood to cast-iron skillet cornbread. When evaluating a model, think about the full range of meals you want to prepare and whether the unit supports those ambitions without requiring additional standalone appliances.

The right smoker grill fits your space, your cooking frequency, and your flavor goals. Compact vertical models make sense for small patios and occasional weekend cooks, while larger offset or kamado units reward those who host gatherings and enjoy tending a fire. Reading thoughtful reviews that weigh design, temperature control, grate material, and ease of cleaning helps narrow the field. Ultimately, the best grill is the one that gets used often, turning ordinary afternoons into memorable meals shared with family and friends around the warmth of live fire.

About Famous Dave's

There are no shortcuts to honest barbecue. Famous Dave's is dedicated to making the world's best barbecue — bar none. That commitment has earned the brand over 200 awards across national, regional, and local competitions.

Questions? Reach customer service at customerservice@famousbbqstore.com, call 952-746-8800 (7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST), or write to PO Box 44487, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for details on ordering and data practices.