Smoker Grill: What It Is and Which Type to Buy
A smoker grill combines smoking and grilling in one cooker or a connected setup. Choose an offset for charcoal smoke, a kamado for one charcoal cooker, or a dual-fuel combo when you want gas grilling too.
On this page (7 sections)
- What is a smoker grill?
- Which type of smoker grill should you buy?
- How much cooking space do you need?
- What should you check before buying a smoker grill?
- What is the best type of smoker grill for a beginner?
- How do you choose between a smoker grill and a smoker?
- Which smoker grill type should you choose?
A smoker grill combines low-and-slow smoking and higher-heat grilling in one cooker or a connected setup. Choose an offset for charcoal smoke, a kamado for one charcoal cooker, or a dual-fuel combo when you want gas grilling too.
The name covers several layouts. Some use one chamber for both cooking methods, while others pair a charcoal smoker with a separate grill area.
Start with the fuel you want to manage, the cooking space you need and the room available in your yard. Our BBQ smoker comparison explains how electric, charcoal and propane smokers differ.
What is a smoker grill?
A smoker grill is a cooker designed for both smoking and grilling. Smoking uses lower heat and smoke over a longer cook, while grilling uses more direct heat for faster cooking.
The setup determines how you switch between those methods. A kamado changes from smoking to grilling through airflow and temperature control; an offset uses a firebox beside its main chamber.
A combo may have separate cooking areas. That can let you grill and smoke at the same time, but it can also mean a wider, more involved cooker.
How does a smoker grill work?
A smoker grill manages heat, airflow and fuel to create the cooking temperature you want. The design controls how heat and smoke move around the food.
In an offset, charcoal burns in a side firebox and heat and smoke travel into the main chamber. A kamado holds charcoal in one enclosed body, with adjustable vents controlling airflow.
A gas and charcoal combo keeps the fuels in distinct areas. The gas section is suited to quicker grilling, while the charcoal section supports smoking and charcoal cooking.
Which type of smoker grill should you buy?
Choose a smoker grill based on how you want to cook most often. Your fuel preference and available space matter as much as the number of cooking areas.
| Type | Best fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Offset charcoal combo | Charcoal smoking with a separate grill chamber | Takes more space and needs fire management |
| Kamado | One charcoal cooker for smoking and high-heat grilling | No separate gas zone or offset firebox |
| Gas and charcoal combo | Gas grilling plus charcoal cooking and smoking | Larger setup with multiple fuel areas |
| Dual-fuel offset combo | Separate propane grill and charcoal smoking | More parts and space to accommodate |
If you mainly want charcoal and a side smoker, the charcoal and offset smoker category covers related cooker styles. For propane and gas options, see our gas and combo smokers guide.
Is an offset smoker grill right for you?
An offset smoker grill suits you if you want charcoal smoke in a dedicated firebox setup. The separate firebox feeds heat and smoke into the main cooking chamber.
The Royal Gourmet CC1830S pairs a charcoal grill with an attached offset smoker. It has 824 sq in of total cooking area, including 197.3 sq in in the offset smoker, plus an adjustable charcoal pan.
The firebox side door gives access for adding charcoal and removing ash. A lid thermometer and adjustable charcoal pan offer ways to monitor and manage heat.
Choose an offset if charcoal smoking is central to your cooking. It asks you to tend a fire and manage airflow, so consider whether you want that kind of cook before buying.
For a larger cooker with a gas grill area too, the Oklahoma Joe's Canyon Combo is one option to compare.
Is a kamado smoker grill a good fit?
A kamado suits you if you want one charcoal cooker for low-and-slow smoking and higher-heat grilling. It uses airflow control to work across a broad cooking range.
The Char-Griller AKORN 20-Inch Kamado has 445 sq in of cooking space and a stated temperature range of 200°F to 700°F. Its triple-wall insulated steel body, adjustable dampers and built-in temperature gauge support control across that range.
The AKORN's enclosed body is a different layout from an offset with a separate firebox. Choose it if you want one charcoal chamber to handle both styles of cooking.
Pick a kamado for a single-cooker charcoal setup. If you want a separate gas area or a firebox for smoking, compare a combo instead.
Should you buy a gas and charcoal combo smoker grill?
A gas and charcoal combo fits you if you want gas grilling and charcoal smoking in one connected cooker. Separate fuel areas offer different ways to cook, though the overall setup can take more room.
The Royal Gourmet ZH3006Y Gas and Charcoal Combo combines a two-burner gas grill, charcoal grill, attached offset smoker and side burner. Its total cooking area is 1,020 sq in, with 197 sq in in the offset smoker.
The two main gas burners provide 12,000 BTU each, and the side burner provides 10,000 BTU. The charcoal pan adjusts to 2 heights, giving you another way to manage the distance between the fuel and food.
Choose this layout when you expect to use both gas and charcoal. If you only want a charcoal grill and offset smoker, the CC1830S has a simpler fuel setup.
When does a dual-fuel offset combo make sense?
A dual-fuel offset combo makes sense if you want a separate propane grill alongside charcoal smoking. It supports faster gas grilling and low-and-slow smoking using charcoal and wood.
The Oklahoma Joe's Canyon Combo Dual Fuel has a 3-burner propane side and a charcoal offset smoker. Its cooking area includes 750 sq in in the main cooking chamber and 281 sq in on the firebox grate.
Adjustable dampers and lid-mounted temperature gauges support heat and smoke management across the cooker. The removable firebox ash pan provides a way to collect ash for cleanup.
Choose it if you expect to use both cooking zones and have space for the full setup. If one charcoal chamber is enough, a kamado may better fit a smaller cooking routine.
How much cooking space do you need?
Choose cooking space according to the biggest cook you regularly plan, not an occasional crowd. Total area can include warming racks or a firebox grate, so compare the main cooking area too.
The examples below show different layouts, not a ranking by capacity.
| Smoker grill | Total area or primary area | Separate cooking areas |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Gourmet ZH3006Y Gas and Charcoal Combo | 1,020 sq in total | 666 sq in primary, 157 sq in warming rack, 197 sq in offset smoker |
| Royal Gourmet CC1830S Grill and Offset Smoker | 824 sq in total | 475.3 sq in main grates, 151 sq in warming rack, 197.3 sq in offset smoker |
| Char-Griller AKORN 20-Inch Kamado | 445 sq in total | One kamado cooker with a removable warming rack |
| Oklahoma Joe's Canyon Combo Dual Fuel | 750 sq in primary | 281 sq in firebox grate |
If you want to cook different foods at once, separate zones can help. If you usually cook a few items, a large multi-section combo may take more space than your routine requires.
What should you check before buying a smoker grill?
Check fuel, footprint and cooking layout before you choose a model. These details tell you whether the cooker fits your routine and your outdoor space.
- Fuel: Decide whether you want to tend charcoal, use gas for grilling, or combine the two.
- Cooking zones: Check whether the smoker and grill areas are separate or share one chamber.
- Main cooking area: Look at the primary grate area, not only a total that includes warming or firebox grates.
- Space: Measure the place where the cooker will sit, including room to move around it.
- Heat control: Look for the controls that match the design, such as dampers, an adjustable charcoal pan or gas burners.
- Cleanup: Consider how you'll remove ash and grease after cooking.
A combo can offer more ways to cook, but it also brings more components to use and maintain. Pick the layout you'll use often rather than buying extra zones for a hypothetical cookout.
What is the best type of smoker grill for a beginner?
The best type for a beginner is the one whose fuel and controls you feel ready to manage. A gas-and-charcoal combo has separate fuel systems, while a kamado focuses on charcoal and an offset asks you to manage a firebox.
For a simpler charcoal setup, read how to use an offset smoker before choosing an offset. It walks through setup and the first cook.
If you want a wider comparison of use cases, see the best smokers by use. It can help narrow the style before you compare individual models.
How do you choose between a smoker grill and a smoker?
Choose a smoker grill if you also want to grill on the same cooker. Choose a smoker if smoking is your main job and you prefer a unit built around that use.
Some smoker grills make the distinction less clear because they include an attached smoker section. Think about which cooking method you'll use most and whether separate zones matter.
The best smoker grill combos for small yards guide compares combo choices for buyers balancing multiple cooking areas with limited space.
Which smoker grill type should you choose?
Pick a kamado if you want one charcoal cooker for smoking and high-heat grilling. Pick an offset if you want a dedicated charcoal firebox, or a dual-fuel combo if gas grilling alongside charcoal smoking is part of your regular routine.
Before you decide, measure the space and compare the main cooking areas. Then use our gas and combo smokers guide to narrow down models in that category.
Frequently asked questions
What is a smoker grill?
A smoker grill is a cooker that can smoke food with indirect heat and wood or charcoal while also grilling over direct heat. Some combine separate fuel areas, such as a charcoal smoker and a gas grill; others, like kamado cookers, use one charcoal chamber for both low-and-slow cooking and high-heat grilling.
Can you grill and smoke on the same cooker?
Yes, many smoker grills support both methods, though the layout varies. An offset combo has a firebox beside the main chamber, while a dual-fuel model may add a separate gas grill area.
Check whether the cooker has distinct zones if you want to grill and smoke at the same time.
Is a kamado grill good for smoking?
A kamado can smoke at low temperatures and grill or sear at higher temperatures by changing airflow and fuel. Its enclosed charcoal body serves both jobs, so it doesn't offer the separate firebox or gas zone found on some combo cookers.
Should I buy a gas and charcoal smoker grill?
Choose a gas and charcoal combo if you want quick gas grilling alongside charcoal smoking and have room for a larger cooker. Choose a single-fuel charcoal model if you prefer a simpler layout or want to focus on charcoal cooking.
Compare the fuel areas, cooking space and footprint before buying.
