Yunnan BBQ

  • Home
  • BBQ Accessories
  • Smoker
  • Grill
  • Kitchen

Best Vertical Pellet Smoker Reviews by Consumer Reports 2023

March 17, 2023

The best vertical pellet smoker is a versatile addition to your house. While it is called a smoker, it can offer multiple functionalities, such as grilling. Aside from its versatility, pellet smokers are also popular because of the delicious and distinct flavor that they add to your food.

Clueless about the right vertical pellet smoker to buy? To help you make the right choice, read on and learn from the insights we’ll be sharing.

Best Vertical Pellet Smoker Reviews

Our Top Picks for the Best Vertical Pellet Smoker Reviews by Consumer Reports

Below are some of the top products that should be on your list, as well as the features that make them exceptional.

Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker

Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker

 

The brand name itself can already be a compelling reason to choose this over many of its competitors. Looking at its features, one thing that we like the most about this product is the digital control panel, which makes it user-friendly. From turning it on and off to adjusting the temperature, things will be easy for you.

It comes with an easy chip loading design, which is a patented technology. You will do it from the side. This means that there is no need to open the door of the smoker to replace the wood chips. This will allow you to seal smoke inside the smoker and to make the heat more consistent.

This smoker comes with four chrome-plated grates, which you can customize depending on the size or height of whatever it is you will be cooking. According to the manufacturer, this pellet smoker can fit two turkeys, four pork butts, six chickens, or four rib racks.

Lastly, we also love how it comes with a fully-insulated body. The latter is the one responsible for minimizing the possibility of heat loss.

Pros:

  • User-friendly digital control panel
  • High-quality cooking grates
  • Easy to clean and maintain

Cons:

  • Not for cooking in low temperatures
  • Some might find it to be too narrow

Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker

 

Weber is a brand name that is synonymous with exceptional quality, so you can be confident that this product is top-notch. Despite being from a reputable company, we love how affordable this product is.

The size of this vertical pellet smoker is a double-edged sword. It is small, which means that it is good for tight spaces. On the other hand, if you need to smoke or cook a lot at a time, the size can be an issue. At its size, it is good only for three to four people.

Since it is made by Weber, you can expect exceptional construction. It has plated-steel cooking grates. The handle is glass-reinforced nylon, which is ergonomic and stays cool to the touch. The charcoal grate, on the other hand, is made of heavy-duty steel.

It comes with a built-in thermometer, which makes it easy to monitor the smoker’s temperature. Although, some people complained that the temperature gauge is prone to giving inaccurate readings.

Pros:

  • Space-efficient
  • Affordable
  • Good choice for beginners

Cons:

  • Some people find it to be too small
  • Temperature gauge can be inaccurate

Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker

Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker

 

If you are looking for a large option for the best vertical pellet smoker, then it will be difficult for you to go wrong with this product. It has a total cooking area of 1,176 square inches, so you will not run out of space.

Inside the smoker, you will find six cooking grates with adjustable heights. You can customize the interior cooking space depending on what it is you will be smoking or grilling.

Another good thing about this product is the charcoal chamber, which is made using high-quality material. Plus, it will allow you to stack the pellets tightly. In turn, burn efficiency will be improved.

The stainless steel temperature gauge is also a nice feature of this product. With the latter, you will easily monitor the heat level of the smoker depending on what a specific recipe requires.

As a bonus, you will also get a free cover when you purchase this smoker. This will protect the smoker from external elements that can speed up its wear, such as rain and snow.

Pros:

  • Huge cooking space
  • Easy to move around
  • Comes with a free cover

Cons:

  • Paint can easily flake
  • Material used is a thin steel

Dyna-Glo DGW1235BDP-D Gas Smoker

Dyna-Glo Wide Body LP Gas Smoker

 

From the same manufacturer as the product listed above, this is another great choice for people who are looking for a large vertical pellet smoker. The total cooking space is 1,253 square inches, which is good enough even for a large family.

With a total BTU of 20,000, this is powerful enough for most smoking and grilling needs. It has more than enough heat for most applications.

This product comes with heavy-duty steel construction. With the material that is used in this smoker, you can be confident that it will withstand the test of time. The smoker also comes with a powder-coated finish, which will allow it to resist rust and corrosion.

We also love how it comes with heavy-duty cast iron burners. Plus, there is an electronic ignition system, which will make it effortless to start using this smoker.

Like the product mentioned above, this smoker is also bundled with a premium cover.

Pros:

  • Easy to assemble
  • Durable
  • Large capacity

Cons:

  • Temperature control can be better
  • Thermometer can be inaccurate

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster and Grill

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker

 

This is one of the classics when it comes to a smoker. This model comes with 180 square inches grilling area, which some of you might find to be quite small. For the smoking and roasting basket, on the other hand, it has 1,200 square inches.

One of the highlights of this product is TRU infrared technology. The latter is the one responsible for ensuring consistent heat while cooking your food. This also means that there will be no flare-ups.

Ease of use is another good reason to choose this product. All that you need to do is to connect it to a standard propane tank, turn the knob on, and you can start smoking, roasting, or grilling, among other functions. In front of the unit, you will see two large knobs, which will make it easy to set the desired temperature. With the latter, you can choose the heat level from 9,000 to 18,000 BTU.

Pros:

  • Powerful heating performance
  • Large display
  • Automatic shut-off feature

Cons:

  • Bulky
  • Small capacity

Masterbuilt MB20073519 Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker

Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker

 

This 30-inch digital electric smoker is filled with advanced features that will make it an exceptional product. Among others, one thing that we love the most about this product is its Bluetooth connectivity. This will make it easier to control the different functions of the smoker, such as changing its temperature.

There are four chrome-coated racks, which you can also adjust to fit more. The standard capacity of this smoker is six chickens, two turkeys, and four rib racks.

The smoker comes with a convenient wood chip loader that you can find at the side of the unit. With the latter, it will be easy to refill the wood chips when needed. This means that you do not have to open the door all the time. As a result, it traps smoke for more flavor and it also improves heating consistency.

Speaking of the door, we also like how it is transparent. With the latter, you can easily monitor whatever it is you are smoking or grilling even without the need to open the door.

Pros:

  • Bluetooth technology
  • Comes with a built-in meat probe
  • User-friendly

Cons:

  • Paint can easily peel
  • Temperature may be inconsistent

How to Choose the Best Vertical Pellet Smoker

For the uninitiated, all pellet smokers are the same. However, they are different in many ways. From their construction to performance, take the time to differentiate one from the other. Here are the most important considerations to help you narrow down the possibilities.

Size

Many factors will affect the right size of the vertical pellet smoker to choose. For instance, this will depend on space availability in the patio or anywhere you plan to put the smoker. Also, this will depend on the size of the household or for how many people you will be preparing smoked treats for.

Material

The material used in the vertical pellet smoker is important because it impacts overall performance, including heating efficiency and durability. Steel is the most common material of choice. If you are choosing this material, make sure that it is powder-coated, which will make the material rust-resistant.

Cooking Grates

Look at the quality of the grates as you decide. Like the body of the vertical pellet smoker, the grates should be made using high-quality materials. Also, it should be removable and adjustable, allowing you to customize the height of the cooking space as needed. The grates, along with the other parts of the smoker, should also be easy to clean.

Ease of Use

Find a vertical pellet grill with several features that will make it effortless to use. For instance, it should have controls in strategic positions, which will be easy for you to reach. A built-in temperature gauge is also a must-have, making it effortless to monitor the internal temperature. If you want a smoker that is easy to move around, it will also be good if it comes with wheels. Care and maintenance of the smoker should also be effortless.

Conclusion

With the best vertical pellet smoker, you can enjoy a versatile cooking companion at home. Aside from being a smoker, it also doubles as a grill. Depending on the model that you will choose, it can deliver other cooking functions.

Do not pick a vertical pellet smoker only because it is cheap. From the materials used to ease of cleaning, among other things, consider a variety of factors as you decide. To make things easier, keep an eye on our recommendations above and it will be hard for you to go wrong.

Filed Under: Smoker

Top 5 Best Offset Smoker Reviews by Consumer Reports

March 17, 2023

best offset smokerOffset smokers are designed with a large cooking space so that they can be used at large family functions. So, it is always great to end up with the best offset smoker so that you can enjoy using it during those family functions. That being said, sometimes it is hard to end up with the right model as there are many styles and types of offset smokers available.

We have selected the top 5 units in the market right now so that you have an easier time settling for one. However, we first start by looking at the offset smoker buying guide.

Top 5 Best Offset Smoker Reviews by Consumer Reports

Dyna-Glo DGO117BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker

Dyna-Glo Best Offset Smoker

 

The first thing you will admire about this smoker should be its construction. It comes made of heavy gauge porcelain enameled steel. This type of steel will deliver on the best durability important for a smoker.

The smoker also features a heavy duty cast iron burner delivering an impressive 15,000 BTU. This kind of output should be enough to handle most of your cooking needs. The presence of an electronic pulse ignition system further helps with reliable and quick ignition all the time.

How about the cooking area? This smoker features an impressive 784 square inches of total smoking area. As a result, the space is enough to smoke up to 100 pounds of food at any time. Such a cooking area makes the smoker good for those who need to host a large group of people.

The smoker itself weighs 57lbs. In comparison to other smokers, you should find it being relatively lightweight. Such a weight makes it easy for you to move the smoker to your preferred location.

You will love the dual door design that comes with the unit. This type of design helps to minimize the heat loss on overall when you are adding wood chips to the smoker. The heat is also maintained at the preferred level throughout the smoking process.

As part of improving durability, the heavy duty steel is covered with a powder coat finish. The powder coat finish is able to withstand high temperatures and last for a long time.

The adjustable flue on the unit allows for cooking within the right temperature that you need. Simply adjust the flue to have the right temperature in the smoker.

Pros

  • The smoker has the best durability
  • The model has a large smoking area
  • The unit is powder coated to ensure durability

Cons

  • Poor customer service complaints are common

Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro 830 Square Inch Charcoal Grill

Char-Griller Best Offset Smoker

 

You can never go wrong with this model thanks to its solid construction. The manufacturer uses heavy-duty steel that is also powder coated to ensure the best durability. Even if you use it for years, you will notice minimal wear. As for the grill, it is made out of cast iron. This gives your food a wonderful sear that you will always like, especially when grilling.

The user of this smoker is in total control of the unit’s temperature and heat. This is because it comes with an adjustable heat gage and fire grate. These two help you to turn up or down the heat depending on the needs. You can turn it down when you just want to keep the food warm.

With a cooking surface of 580 square inches, it should be a perfect smoker for a medium family. You never have to worry about finding another suitable smoker for the price and cooking area.

If you were worried about storage, then that should not be a problem anymore. In addition to the large cooking area, you still get 250 square inches of a side firebox. This firebox should be great for you to achieve the Texas smoke flavor. It also comes with adjustable dampers and fire grate so that you can adjust the temperature to a point where it works with your application.

How about cleaning? That is a common question for someone who needs a smoker. Well, this one has an easy dump ash pan. This should make it easy for you to empty the ash from the unit to keep it clean. Also, overall cleaning of the other surfaces is not demanding.

Pros

  • It comes with wheels for better mobility
  • The total 830 square inches of cooking area is large
  • It is easy to adjust the heat and temperature

Cons

  • It is quite heavy

Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker

Char-Broil Best Offset Smoker

 

This unit is versatile since it is a combination of an offset smoker, BBQ, and a charcoal grill. As a result, the unit can be tailored to work based on your needs for a smoker or the other mentioned functions. It is amazing how it can be those three things and remain good for each one of them.

Because it is made out of heavy gauge steel, it should be easy to see why people would want to own it. They know that the unit will last for long without them having to worry about replacing it. Also, the use of square legs in the construction process makes the unit stable and sturdy. It should be something that many people love to see.

To make mobility easier and better, this unit comes with heavy duty wheels. You simply have to pick it up and push it to where you want to host your party.

Another great feature should be the cool-touch handles. Even if the unit has been on for a while, the handles remain cool. This allows you to easily open the grill and inspect the smoking process of your meat.

The cooking area of 290 square inches combined with 140 square inches of a warming rack is really good. You should have enough space to prepare smoked meat for your family. If you opt for the route of burgers, then the unit can comfortable grill up to 18 burgers.

The unit allows for ease of controlling the temperature. This is through the use of the adjustable chimney vent. It should also help keep the smoke under control just as you want.

Pros

  • Impressive steel construction for durability
  • It is easy to adjust the heat and temperature
  • The handles remain cool even after using it for hours

Cons

  • The inner paint tends to peel quickly

Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal/Smoker/LP Gas Combo

Oklahoma Best Offset Smoker

 

If the other units above did not have the best cooking space you need, then go for this one. The unit has a total cooking space of 1060 square inches. This is enough to give you the right amount of room to cook anything that you want.

The best part is that with all that cooking area, the unit is still a combination of a smoker, charcoal grill, and an LP Gas unit. Such versatility helps the user to switch from one function to another with ease. You never have to worry about buying a separate unit just to achieve certain functions.

The burners deliver an impressive output of 36,000 BTUs in total. This should be enough to handle all your cooking needs that you might be having. In addition, the electronic ignition should make it easy to turn on the burners whenever they are needed.

Another good thing you will love about the unit should be its smoke and heat control. This is because the unit comes with multiple dampers in the smoking chamber and firebox. You can now play around with these dampers to end up with the perfect mix of smoke and heat for your application.

The storage shelf comes in handy for you to store any cooking utensils that you need close all the time. It can still be used to store extra fuel depending on the method of cooking you prefer.

Pros

  • It is a highly versatile unit to use
  • It allows for the best smoke and heat control
  • The unit comes with cool touch handles

Cons

  • It is too heavy

Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker

Oklahoma Joe's Best Offset Smoker

The model is known for its reverse flow technology. This technology will simply force the smoke to pass over your meat that you need to smoke and then back again before it exits through the chimney. This is one feature that helps to provide you with even heating and smoking of the meat.

The chimney is also adjustable. This is thanks to having dampers in it. You can now adjust the dampers depending on your temperature needs. The dampers help regulate the temperature by adjusting the airflow. Also, the baffles located under the grate will direct smoke and heat under the meat and additionally over the top of the meat. As you can see, this leads to even cooking.

When it comes to construction, you will love the steel material used to make the smoker. It is worth noting that the whole unit is made of steel even the wheels. For such a construction, you are looking at a heavy smoker. It is total weight is around 200 pounds. For such a weight, it is better the wheels are made of steel too. Even for its weight, it should be easy to move the unit thanks to having these wheels.

As for the cooking space, the unit comes with a total of 619 square inches of space. Well, it might not be the largest cooking area, but it is still enough to smoke enough amount of meat and other foods.

With the presence of a thermometer in the unit, it will be easy to know which spot is the hottest and the current temperature. The manufacturer also left a spot on the unit where you can insert a second thermometer.

Pros

  • High quality steel construction
  • It comes fixed with a thermometer
  • The unit has durable wheels to support its weight

Cons

  • It might be too heavy for some users

How to Choose the Best Offset Smoker

Heavy metal construction

The construction of any smoker is supposed to be tailored towards durability. The last thing you want is to end up with a model that breaks down in a short time. The metal is also supposed to withstand the heat generated from the firebox. This makes it work great for years without having to replace it. In most cases, offset smokers are made of steel metal.

Ventilation

Ventilation is important for proper distribution of heat and smoke. It is the reason you have to consider getting yourself the best smoker that delivers good ventilation. The smoker should also offer you the option of adjusting heat and smoke. This will be done mostly through the use of dampers and a heat grate.

The paint job

The paint should also be great to withstand the heat. In this case, you need to use heat resistant paint. When the paint cannot hold up to the heat, then it will start to chip off. You will soon end up exposing the metal that might rust considering you will mostly keep the smoker outdoors.

Thermometer

The temperature of an offset smoker is really important. This is because it helps you determine if the meat is ready or not. It will be great if the unit that you buy comes with the thermometer installed with the option of even adding a second one.

Cooking space

This might be the most important feature for most people. It is expected that models will have varying sizes of cooking space. It is the reason you have to consider your needs first. If the unit will majorly be used by a small family, then buying a small unit will be perfect and vice versa.

Versatility

A good unit is supposed to give you versatility. This is where it can be used as a BBQ grill or a smoker or any other function. With such versatility, you would not have to buy different units to achieve different capabilities when just one will do fine.

Conclusion

Even if you are a newbie to offset smokers, right now you have an idea of what would be the best smoker for you. It is always great if you take your time to check out several models first before picking the best offset smoker. At least this way you know what you are buying is the best option available.

Filed Under: Smoker

Best Gas Charcoal Smoker Grill Combo Reviews by Consumer Reports 2023

March 16, 2023

Best Gas Charcoal Smoker Grill ComboIf you’re wondering what the best equipment option for getting your BBQ  game on is, then you should know that splurging on a right grill is necessary. To be specific, a unit combining gas and charcoal is the most efficient and advanced option to offer impressive grilling results without stress.

These units are a mere merger of both charcoal and gas grill but with a lot of excellent cooking features and functions. While charcoal or gas grill provides amazing benefits individually, a combo will offer perfection.

Gas Charcoal Grill Smoker Grill Combo is specially designed to provide you with that flare when grilling and sports modern technology to make sure a seamless cooking experience. We’ve expertly handpicked five of the best gas charcoal smoker grills from hundreds of brands out there.

Top 5 Best Gas Charcoal Smoker Grill Combo Reviews by Consumer Reports

Smoke Hollow 4-in-1 LP Gas Charcoal Smoker Searing BBQ Grill

Smoke Hollow Gas Charcoal Smoker Grill combo

This is one of the highest-priced combo grill features on this list, but that’s not why it’s our top choice. This device comes with four cooking sections – a charcoal grill, a gas grill, an offset woodbox for searing, and a 10,000 BTU side burner. This offers you a wide range of cooking options and enough space to make a delicious meal for a large group.

Also, it comes with an impressive build construction that makes it easier to switch between the grilling options for everyone. Plus, it compact construction makes it ideal for places with limited space. However, it weighs about 218 lbs, which is a bit heavy. But the manufacturer included four locking casters to support stability and mobility.

With 860 sq in of grilling surface area, this hybrid grid will cook a decent amount of food enough to feed a medium-sized get-together or party. Also, the charcoal grill compartment includes an adjustable charcoal pan to help regulate your cooking temperature without compromising that excellent smoky flavor.

Besides, this unit allows you to use the side smoker firebox with charcoal and flavored wood chunks for authentic barbecue smoke flavor and indirect cooking.

Pros:

  • Offer great value
  • Easy to assemble
  • Impressive heat control
  • Easy mobility thanks to the in-built casters

Cons:

  • Inferior sheet materials susceptible to rusting

Read more:

Best 9 Rotisseries For Grills

Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal Grill

Char-Griller Charcoal Grill smoker combo

There are no infrared or smoking features in this grill, which makes it basically a simple and easy-to-use device. But, don’t be fooled; this device comes with exceptional charcoal and propane capabilities. This equipment deserves a spot on this list with fantastic functionality of both worlds.

This is a heavy and large grill, without compromising any essential features. As a matter of fact, the size allows this equipment to be more versatile because you can use both cooking options without having to do a crossover.

The propane and charcoal areas have an ample 1260 sq in of cooking space for a lot of room to prepare your meals. Within that desirable huge space is an incredible cooking power of 40 000 BTUs. Besides, it comes with a side burner to offer another whopping 12 000 BTUs. Without a doubt, this beast packs a real punch.

This model is a perfect choice for families or people who love to have people over and showing off their cooking with a piece of remarkable home equipment. The cast-iron grates provide additional assurance of durability and make cleaning a breeze.

Pros:

  • Easy and simple use
  • Easy to assemble
  • Produce excellent BBQ results
  • Includes a smoking function

Cons:

  • The unit requires a lot of maintenance to avoid rusting away

Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner Liquid Propane and Charcoal Hybrid Grill

Gas2Coal gas charcoal smoker grill combo

This is a hybrid grill by Char-Broil with a compact size and a cooking surface area of 540 square inches. It combines charcoal and gas features in only a single piece and more reasons why this unit works better than most similar combo grills.

Coming with a small size does not mean you should expect poor performance, because this little beast will surprise you with its notable charcoal and gas grilling capabilities.

The gas element offers a whopping 40 000 BTUs of cooking power distributed among three burners. These burners are placed under the cast-iron grates to ensure minimal power wastage and more efficiency.

The grill charcoal’s element is placed in tray form where you put the coals and then slide back under those grill grates. Doing this may sound stressful and challenging, but it’s not.

This should only take a couple of seconds – quick and easy. But if you are not using the tray, you should place the tray in the side compartment of the grill.

Further, the side burner offers another 12 000 BTUs, which is a common feature in most top combo grills. Here’s my favorite thing about this unit, Char-Broil made the gas and charcoal element separate which allows you to sear on the side burner and slow cook over charcoal.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Inexpensive
  • Easily convertible
  • Stainless steel and porcelain-coated make

Cons

  • Works better as a gas grill

Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal/LP Gas/Smoker Combo

 

Oklahoma Joe's gas charcoal Smoker grill Combo

Unlike most devices on this list, this beast is a triple fueling grill – wood chips, charcoal, and propane, which makes it ahead of its competitors on the market.

The Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal/LP Gas/Smoker Combo produces over 30 burgers on its huge 1,060 sq in of grilling surface area. Each fueling unit can be used separately and simultaneously, which makes it suitable for feeding a medium to large-sized party.

Talking about construction, this model features six porcelain-coated wire cooking grate, a thermometer, and a metal bottom shelf with a lot of space to hold all your utensils.

What’s more: the grill grates are dishwasher-safe and removable making it easy and effortless to clean. Even better, this model comes with an affordable price tag, which makes it a budget option. Besides, the manufacturer includes a 2-year warranty to protect customers from defects.

Pros

  • Wide cooking area
  • Triple fueling options
  • Easy to clean
  • Good price with generous warranty

Cons

  • Customer support could be better

Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill

 

Dyna-Glo Gas Charcoal Grill Smoker Grill Combo

When it comes to buying a duo or triple fuel grill, most buyers are skeptical, which is understandable. The Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill is one of the best hybrid combo grills on the market with lightweight and elegant designs. This 92.6-pound unit is exceptional light, unlike most combos weighing up to 150 pounds.

To start with, assembling this grill is hassle-free, even for a first-timer. The manufacturer included a detailed, self-explanatory manual. Even better, this model from Dyna-Glo offers a fantastic aroma and flavor that would make your guests and family begging for a bite.

Coming with two compartments; the gas grill is placed on the left side, while the charcoal grill is on the right. Both compartments offer a vast cooking surface area to prepare a meal for larger parties. On top of that, this beast features cast-iron grates to help hold and distribute heat evenly.

Truth be told; the charcoal side functions much better than the gas grill compartment. The grates’ quality offers some assurance that your food will be evenly cooked and infused with a unique, smoky flavor. Unfortunately, the gas grill could be better. The heat distribution could be more even to reduce your chances of messing up your meals.

Speaking about space, this Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill is an ideal choice for those looking for a combo that won’t take up a lot of space. This grill size should be enough to hold more than 38 medium-sized burgers.

Pros:

  • Portable and lightweight
  • Excellent charcoal grill
  • Two fuel options
  • 952 sq in cooking space

Cons:

  • The uneven temperature in the gas grill compartment

Why You Purchase a Gas-Charcoal Grill Smoker Combo

Versatility

This device offers the best of both worlds in a single piece. You get to enjoy the upside of both worlds: the gas grill is ideal for cold weather and easy to use, and the charcoal grill infuses your meat with delicious smoky flavors – a perfect option for warm climates.

Further, there’s no need to be bothered about space for storing both charcoal and gas grills or obtaining great cooking results, all in the name of dual or more options. This machine is a solution to both problems at once.

With this combo, there’s no need to purchase pieces of equipment separately which offer a single function. Here’s what a gas-charcoal combo offers: great value for money, saves time in the long run, and increase your flavor options.

This equipment allows you to enjoy both options, and some model even allows you to roast, sear, and smoke your food – just on one device! This unit is the trendiest solution to most grill lover’s problems and, more importantly, should be on top of your list for stress-free grilling experience.

Maximize Space

Having a spacious backyard can feel like the best thing in the world. Aside from making your house look welcoming, it’s also healthy for your soul.

Filling your backyard with several kinds of cooking equipment takes away the good looks; therefore, all you have left will be a jam-packed, no-space backyard.

This is where a gas charcoal smoker grill comes in handy. It packs lots of cooking/grilling options in one without eating up all your backyard space but also adds a fresh and modern look.

Cooks More

Investing in these combos is one of the wisest decisions you can make. They offer a lot of space to cook enough food to serve a large group, even big parties. At some point in life, you’ll need to celebrate a milestone; then, you’ll feel blessed to have one of these combos to handle all your cooking.

They will help you cook mouthlickering meals in larger quantities compared to the outputs of single purposed units.

Save More

Splurging on the wrong cooking device will result in mighty wastage. Stay away from fleshy craving to help save more money.

This dual-option machine may seem like a huge investment at first, but practically, you’ll be saving more instead of purchasing a separate gas grill and charcoal grill.

Criteria To Consider When Purchasing The Best Combo

Even though in this post, we’ve carefully handpicked the best gas charcoal smoker grill combo on the market, it’s important to know the factors to look for when shopping for one. To avoid getting ripped off, you should learn how to identify the right combo grill that works for you. More importantly, if you want a high-quality grill, then you should consider reading these criteria below.

Build Quality

Before considering the price and features of a grill, ensure you examine the build construction. You have to make sure that the unit is made from high-quality materials that would last for many years.

On top of that, ensure that these materials are resistant to harsh weather conditions. Some grills will include a finish for additional protection from corrosion and rust.

Temperature Control

The next thing to check out is whether the combo offers easy temperature control. Definitely, the gas grill compartment features temperature regulators, but the trouble is, using a charcoal grill, maybe it may be challenging to control the temperature.

Further, you should consider if the unit comes with air vent or other features for easy temperature regulation.

Features

If you are satisfied with the grill, meeting the above factors, then you consider what features the unit offers. With lots of products and a wide range of features available such as a built-in thermometer, side burners, and hooks to hang your tools, you should opt for a unit with most features you need.

Space

The next factor to consider is the amount of space a grill offers. While some model provides a larger surface area, others come with small cooking surfaces.

However, it comes down to your personal preference which should be based on your family size and where you want to have the combo grill placed

Ease of Cleaning

Before you include any equipment to your cart, make sure that the unit is easy to clean. The grilling area needs to be clean after each cooking session, which means you should consider buying a grill that makes cleaning a lot easier.

Besides, ensure that the charcoal grill compartment comes with a tray to collect the ashes.

Filed Under: Grill, Smoker

Best Smoker Grill Combo Reviews by Consumer Reports 2023

March 16, 2023

 Best Smoker Grill ComboThe best smoker grill combos reviews might sound to many as a facade, but we must say, this unit is a beast and an all in one blessing.

It’s a multifunctional and incredibly effective equipment designed to help get rid of grilling and smoking different on separate units. These combos feature both methods of cooking on a single unit to serve both purposes efficiently.

Even better, smoker grill combo allows you to do more than a grill and smoke your foods — baking and roasting is also possible. Therefore, this equipment becomes a budget-saving and stress-free option for anyone looking to have a great cooking experience.

Top 10 Best Smoker Grill Combo Reviews by Consumer Reports

Just like other products on the market, there are a lot of options to choose from, which is often confusing and challenging if you know little about these units. Thus, our list of the best smoker grill combos and a detailed buying guide will help you make the best choice.

Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

This smoker grill combo is our top choice for durability, performance, features, and price. This unit sports a one-touch cleaning system; allowing users to clean up the debris and charcoal ash into the included rust-free ash catcher.

That’s not all: Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill comes with another impressive feature that allows cookers to control the grilling temperature by adjusting the dampers without the need to lift the unit’s lid.

This high-quality equipment can withstand high cooking temperatures. Plus, you can choose whichever way you want to grill — indirect or direct grilling — by arranging the charcoal on the grate.

Also, for even and consistent grilling, the cooking grates retain more heat without any hassle clean or worries about serving you for a long time. More so, it includes a heat shield to ensure that the handle of the lid doesn’t get super hot.

While the lid and porcelain-coated bowl help provide even and consistent temperature, they also help prevent rusting, peeling, and cracking at high temperature. More importantly, this unit comes with sturdy and durable wheels for easier transportation around the yard.

Pros:

  • Holds about 13 burgers
  • Sturdy build construction
  • Heatshield
  • Lid hook
  • Even and consistent grilling
  • Sturdy and durable wheels

Cons:

  • Some body parts may get damaged over time.

Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24B Pellet Grill (Bronze) with Sear Box

Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24B Pellet Grill

 

While this unit isn’t exactly a combination of smoker and gas grill, it comes with a propane tank. The included sear box runs on the tank to char your favorite pieces of meat. This smoker grill is a perfect choice for people looking to have their steak with a charred crust.

Besides, this model allows you to make use of wood pellets as fuel for both the Smoker and the grill portion. This unit offers a high temperature of about 500 degrees.

Above all, Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24B Pellet Grill comes with a digital temperature display to ensure you are cooking at the right temperature.

Pros:

  • Large cooking area
  • High cooking temperature
  • Autoignition system
  • Easy to clean
  • Built-in shut-down mode

Cons

  • Difficult to move around due to massive weight

Read more:-

Camp Chef Woodind Pellet Grill With Sear Box

Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Barbecue Grill and Smoker

Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker Grill and Smoker

Are you in the market looking for a unit for charcoal grilling? Then this unit from a top brand, Char-Griller should be on top of your list. Unlike most pellet grills, this beast runs on coal and designed to offer an appealing, traditional charcoal grill look.

Aside from that, this unit’s design allies it to achieve temperature as high as 700 degrees.

While it is more compact than most Smoker grill combos reviewed in this list, this unit has two small-sized side shelves for holding your supplies and tools. Also, you will find the bottom shelf handy.

With an ample cooking space, this baby should be able to cook a meal for your family. Besides, it comes with a built-in temperature gauge to ensure your food isn’t over- or undercooked.

Pros:

  • Built to last
  • Easy to clean
  • 200-700 degrees cooking temperature
  • Durable wheel for easy movement
  • Easy temperature control

Cons:

  • This unit may need some parts replaced with a couple of months

Traeger Grills TFB65LZBC Texas Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

Traeger Grills Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

This unit is a highly rated Smoker grill combo in the high-end category. One of the most appealing features of this unit is its impressive design offering great space without compromising the great look.

Traeger offers the widest cooking surface area from our list. It is definitely the right choice for big parties. This model works well for people looking to explore the grilling or smoking world.

This unit is designed to run on both wood pellet and electricity for effortless and smooth operations. It has a maximum temperature of 450°F giving just enough room to avoid high temperatures, which is very important for anyone that isn’t familiar with how temperatures work.

It is also well built with porcelain and powdered coated cold rolled steel which secures its durability for long-lasting usage.

The Traeger Company offers up to 3 years warranty when purchasing this combo.

Pros:

  • Easily cleaned
  • Wide cooking surface area
  • Includes four wheels for easy mobility
  • Great for an entry-level user

Cons

  • Heavy for quick mobility

Pit Boss Grills 72700S PB72700S, Pellet, Electric Grill, BBQ Smoker

Pit Boss Grills, Pellet, Electric Grill, BBQ Smoker

The Pit Boss Grills 72700S offers a vast cooking area of 700 sq. in. and looks like a semi-traditional smoker grill combo which will be a great investment over time.

This beast offers a vast range of features and control, making it possible to have an easy and hassle-free operation without having to stand all day in front of it.

Speaking about handy features, the Pit Boss 72700S comes with an auto-feed and a respectfully-sized hopper to ensure that enough pellets are supplied without having to worry about a refill. Thus, it easily becomes any one choice even for hardcore smokers.

Also, it comes with a handy rack for storing pans, trays, extra grates, and pots. This model has very sturdy wheels to ensure fair, easy movement of this smoker grill combo into your garage during harsh weather.

All in all, this equipment is a top pick for outdoor cooking entertainment without breaking the bank. Despite coming with a traditional look, the Pit Boss 72700S comes with all handy features and excellent control for perfectly cooked cuisine.

Pros:

  • Simple, yet automated
  • Traditional looks
  • Auto feed system
  • Large cooking space

Cons:

  • The warranty could be better

Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

For die-hard fans of barbecue or love to the “set and forget” feature, this model should be your go-to. The Pellet grill & smoker features an automated electric feed system for regulating the temperature from 180 to 450 degree F.

What’s more: this unit from Z Grill comes with a smart digital controller for the comfortable setting of this pellet grill and ensuring the temperature stays within range – +/- 20 degrees F.

Further, the Z Grill Wood Pellet Griller has a considerable grilling area and a hopper capacity that should be enough for tailgating, home, and party. The 20lbs hopper can hold about five whole chicken, six rib racks, or 20 burgers.

Pros:

  • Sturdy construction
  • Smart digital controller
  • Huge cooking area
  • Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

  • The smoke production could be better

Smoke Hollow 4-in-1 LP Gas Charcoal Smoker Searing BBQ Grill Model PS9900

Smoke Hollow Gas Charcoal Smoker Searing BBQ Grill

This Smoke Hollow PS9900 is one of the best hybrid efforts coming with a lot of combos – charcoal, gas, and infra-red operations. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect this model to the same with other traditional-like models on our list. As a matter of fact, a lot of users will be baffled when trying to assemble this unit, as there are a lot of reviews about physical and mental stress during the process.

Featuring heavy-duty cast iron grates and generous porcelain-enameled, this build construction helps ensure that this appliance is easily cleaned. Also, it comes with a pack of controls and options, which you have to invest your time to learn.

Bottom Line, if you are gadget-loving individual, you will find Smoke Hollow PS9900 a great buy and find it worth every penny.

Pros:

  • Numerous cooking and fuel options
  • Huge cooking space
  • Impressive grates
  • Lots of controls

Cons:

  • Not designed for outdoor cooking
  • Maybe a little bit complicated for some users

Read more:-

Best 9 Rotisseries for Grills

Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Flow Smoker

Oklahoma Joe's Highland Reverse Flow Smoker

Want to have your steaks evenly cooked, right? The Highland Reverse Flow Smoker by Oklahoma Joe is designed to help with just that.

This appliance ensures that the smoke is properly-distributed throughout the grilling area. The cover sports a thermometer to show the current cooking temperature, so you don’t over or undercook your meat.

Basically, this model is a smoker; however, it can be used as a grill too; thanks to the included grilling grates in the charcoal firebox. Whether you will be grilling or smoking, there’s a narrow shelf and a large rack at the bottom to hold your cooking tools and supplies.

Pros:

  • 900 sq in cooking space
  • Even cooking temperature
  • Customizable setup
  • Heavy gauge all-steel construction

Cons:

  • Best used as a smoker than a grill

Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill

Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill

The Dyna-Glo Signature DGSS1382VCS cooks anything thrown at it from brisket to ribs slow ‘n’ low adding that classic smoke flavor.

This appliance is one of the most sought after – and for good reasons! It is stacked with incredible features to ensure you have excellent cooking experience and a delicious meal.

To start with: this model offers a safe way to access your food using its cool-touch spring grip. Further, its pre installed sausage hooks offer additional cooking flexibility. On top of that, it comes with charcoal great giving you quick and easy access to the fuel and immediate ash disposal using the ash pan.

Pros:

  • Five chrome-coated cooking grates
  • Cool-touch spring for safe access
  • Analog temperature gauge
  • Heavy gauge steel body control

Cons:

  • Cleaning this unit might take a while

Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill

 Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill

Looking for a unit that makes grilling a lot easier? This SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill from Camp Chef comes with an automatic pellet auger ensuring that the unit offers fuel when needs and stop when done.

This model makes cleaning after cooking your meat a lot easier without draining the last energy left in you; thanks to its clean-out ash system. Its huge pellet hopper holds more; meaning you don’t have to worry about filling and not enough smoke produced.

Pros:

  • Reasonable cooking area
  • Easy to clean
  • Steady smoke and even temperature
  • Durable

Cons:

  • Best for people looking to grill more than smoke

What to Look For When Purchasing a Smoker Grill Combo

Fuel Source

For smoker grills to offer that flavourful, tender meat, a lot of smoke must be produced. Some smoker grill combos run on charcoal. Thus, you should use the best quality charcoal. Other models rely on wood chunks or pellets. Cherry, oak, hickory, apple are popular wood options for a perfect smoking experience.

So choose a unit based on the type of readily available fuel.

Smoking or Grilling?

While some smoker and grill combos are touted to be able to do both jobs incredibly, some appliances are better at one than the other. For instance, if you will be grilling more than smoking, then you should go for a model with a large grill grate over the firebox.

Temperature Regulation

Smoking meat requires a consistent and even temperature. Therefore, your unit must come with a thermometer to achieve uniform temperature. They are all sort of analog, and digital probes help accomplish this task. But they’re not totally easy to attach to your system.

Space

Smoker grill combo comes in various sizes. If you love to cook a large amount of food at once, then you should consider purchasing a product that offers an ample of space. However, going for an appliance with a large area means you have to create more rooms for storage. Plus it becomes challenging to load up such a unit in your vehicle for a picnic or camping.

Filed Under: Smoker

Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill With Sear Box Reviews by Consumer Reports

March 16, 2023

In the market today, pellet grill is one of the best varieties to prepare any favourite food of your choice. This unit ensures that your chickens, ribs, steaks and other foods are cooked to perfection without the need for you to make a phone call to the local takeaway for a delivery. One of the best models of a pellet grill is the woodwind pellet grill with sear box. This product from Camp Chef is an excellent grill to make both indoor and outdoor cooking for your family.

About The Product

Woodwind pellet grill with a sear box is a versatile product that can be used to cook meat, poultry, fish, ribs, vegetables and other various kinds of foods for a family reunion or a music festival. It is a quality smoker and super searing grill wrapped up in one.

Being the latest grill, Camp Chef produces a smoker that comes standard with the sear box at a price that is considered lower than the SmokePro grills with the optional Sear Box.

This grill has heavier legs, which are most of the time challenging to move around from one particular part of the home to another.

Woodwind pellet grill has a lower storage shelf when compared to the other SmokePro grill but is made with a stainless steel lid and firepot that does not only make it durable but also prevents it from fading or rusting quickly.

Main Structure – An Overview

camp chef woodwind pellet grillMoving on, this model has its integrated meat probe located at the upper smoke chamber which does not allow it to get too hot, thereby, making it to last for years. 

Although this smoker has numerous components that come with it, the major part is the pellet hopper, main grill, and a searing box which is fueled by propane. Woodwind pellet grill helps you to cook enough meats with traditional infused flavours within a short period. 

Likewise, you would have little or no difficulties controlling this unit as it has controls which make it easier to control temperatures of the grill and which gives you time-to-time information on the time of what you are cooking than standard wood smoke grills.

Woodwind pellet grill with a sear box is a perfect match and an ideal one for grillers with BBQ and who love to offer their guests food which has a real smoky taste and flavour.

Features of Camp Chef Woodwind Grill

Camp Chef Woodwind Classic Pellet Grill with Sear Box

This pellet smoker from Camp Chef comes with some features that are not unique but also attractive, which would entice you to go for one today. Some of these features are:

Castor Wheels

Although Woodwind pellet grill has heavier legs that make it sometimes difficult to move this unit from one place to another, it comes with wheels which help you to reduce this stress. These wheels allow you to move your unit without much difficulty quickly.

The wheels are castor type wheels are unfixed, therefore, making it easier to manoeuvre and steer the grill into position and make few turns and bends easily with it.

Digital Temperature Control

Another unique feature that you would love about this product is that it comes with digital temperature control. With it, you can control your smoker within 160 F to 500 F when cooking any food.

Likewise, this digital control helps you to set your smoker to a temperature level that perfectly suits the food you are grilling, thereby, preventing your food from getting burnt or uncooked.

Cooking Space Area

This unit has its cooking space area of about 570 square inches and a removable upper warming rack that gives you enough room to cook for a large number of people at a friend’s birthday. With this cooking surface area, you would be able to cook a whole chicken, brisket, jerky and more at the same time within a limited time.

Patented Ash Cleanout

Woodwind pellet grill with sear box comes with a patented ash cleanout that helps you to keep your unit clean always. This ash cleanout serves a place where waste and grease from the smoker are kept and dispose of at any convenient time.

With this cleanout, you would have less time wrestling with the vacuum and more time enjoying heavenly food.

Electronic Control Panel

 This unit has an electronic control panel that helps you to regulate the cooking temperatures so that the food is cooked at just the right speed.

There is also a meat temperature probe that gives you full knowledge of the level of temperature of the meat on the grill and also features an LED readout which allows you to take an occasional look at your meat anytime you want.

Installation Procedure

You don’t get a lot of stress putting this unit into action. It has installation procedures that are relatively easy to known and does not require a lot of time either does it require a lot of stress.

The first thing to do after getting the delivery is to insert the four legs of the unit and tighten the securing bolts afterwards, you place the bottom shelf in position between the four legs and tighten the bolts for it.

Then, you only need to install the grill lid handle, which is secured to the top of the lid with two simple screws with the use of hardware.

Lastly, you make a simple installation for the other parts of the smoker such as cooking grate, the warming rack, the defector and the drip tray all inside the main grill.

Pros
Made with porcelain-coated steel which should prevent any corrosion
Has a large cooking space area
Versatile
Has castor wheel for easy mobility
Easy to clean and to maintain

Cons
The temperature sensor could be better

Filed Under: Smoker

PEOPLE ARE READING MORE

Is There Any Difference Between Pastrami vs Corned Beef?

What to choose: St Louis ribs vs. baby back ribs

What’s The Difference Between Pork Steak and Pork Chop

Pork Butt vs. Pork Shoulder: Which one is better?

Spare Ribs vs. Baby Back Ribs – Know the difference

Smoked Chuck Roast vs Brisket – Which cut is better

Skirt vs Flank Steak: Which is better?

Is New York Strip or Ribeye a Better Cut?

Disclaimer

www.yunnanbbq.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

About

Copyright © 2023