Backyard cooking gets complicated fast when you’re juggling a grill for burgers, a smoker for ribs, and a griddle for breakfast. A solid 3 in 1 grill cuts that chaos down to a single footprint, freeing up patio space and saving you from hauling out three separate appliances. This roundup walks through ten versatile options, from full outdoor kitchen modules to compact countertop presses, so you can match the right combo to your cooking style and space.
The Leading Options At A Glance
Tytus 2-in-1 Gas Grill 4-Burner with Pellet Smoker
Tytus 14″ Tabletop Rotating Propane Gas Pizza Oven
Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Portable Charcoal Grill
Royal Gourmet PD1305H 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill and Griddle Combo
Novalife Panini Press Grill 1000W Sandwich Maker
Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Flow Offset Smoker
Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo Dual Fuel Smoker and Grill
Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Offset Charcoal Smoker and Grill
Tytus Fresno 66″ 5-Burner Propane or NG Grill
MFSTUDIO Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Side Burner
More Details On Our Top Picks
The Tytus 2-in-1 setup treats your backyard like a blank canvas, letting you link a grill, pellet smoker, and prep cart into a single island-style station. The 4-burner gas head delivers 721 square inches of porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking surface, which covers roughly enough space to feed a dozen guests at once.
What makes this one stand apart from the Royal Gourmet PD1305H below is the modular mindset: the grill is built to connect with companion pieces, so you can scale up over time instead of replacing the whole unit. For patio cooks ready to commit to an outdoor kitchen layout, this is the foundation piece.
The Helpful Details
- No-tool assembly gets you grilling in minutes rather than hours
- Enclosed storage compartment (8.2 cu. ft.) keeps propane tanks and tools out of sight
- Side burner adds 12,000 BTU of prep heat for sauces or sautéed sides
- Removable cutting boards and tool hooks on the prep cart extend usable workspace
- Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates hold and distribute heat evenly
Things To Consider
- The full modular build requires enough patio space to accommodate the linked components side by side
- Pellet smoker fuel adds an ongoing consumable cost beyond propane
- Steel components benefit from a cover in wet climates to prevent surface rust
Who It Suits Best
Entertainers with a dedicated patio zone who want a permanent outdoor kitchen they can expand piece by piece.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
The Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo is a better match for shoppers who prioritize dual-fuel smoking and grilling in a single self-contained cabinet without committing to a modular layout.
Few countertop appliances get close to the 900°F ceiling this Tytus pizza oven reaches, and the rotating deck sets it apart from static stone designs. The 14-inch cordierite stone (cordierite is a heat-resistant ceramic that handles rapid temperature swings without cracking) produces a crisp, leopard-spotted crust in under five minutes once preheated.
Where the previous Tytus entry built a whole outdoor kitchen, this one stays portable and focused. Propane fuel and a 304 stainless steel interior keep the unit manageable for apartment balconies or small patios, assuming you have a flat surface to set it on.
A Few Strong Suits
- Hits 600°F within roughly 10 minutes, cutting wait time for weeknight pizza
- Rotating stone cooks the crust evenly without manual turning
- 304 stainless steel interior holds up to repeated high-heat sessions
- Tabletop footprint means you can store it in a closet between uses
Worth Noting
- Limited to 14-inch pizzas, so family-sized 16-inch pies won’t fit
- Propane tank is sold separately and adds bulk to what looks like a small package
Quick Facts
Right Fit For
Home pizzaiolos who want Neapolitan-style results without dedicating a permanent outdoor build to a wood-fired oven.
Look Elsewhere When
The Novalife Panini Press is the smarter pick for indoor cooks who want a fast lunch appliance rather than a pizza-focused deck.
The Rambler earns its name by collapsing into a compact footprint that you can toss in a trunk for a tailgate or campsite. At 218 square inches, the cooking area handles roughly six to eight burgers per round, which is plenty for a small group.
Compared to the Tytus pizza oven above, this is pure charcoal simplicity with no propane or electricity required. The height-adjustable charcoal tray is the standout feature, letting you raise the coals for high-heat searing or drop them low for slower indirect cooking.
Positive Takeaways
- Tabletop design travels easily to picnics, campsites, and tailgates
- Adjustable charcoal tray gives meaningful control over cooking temperature
- Authentic charcoal flavor without gas or electric components
Trade Offs
- 218 sq. in. is tight for feeding more than a handful of people
- No lid means wind affects temperature consistency in exposed settings
- Charcoal ignition and ash cleanup add prep time versus gas options
Made For
Campers and tailgaters who want real charcoal flavor in a package that doesn’t need a truck bed to transport.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The Royal Gourmet PD1305H is worth considering when you cook at home more often than you travel, since its griddle side covers breakfast duty the Rambler can’t handle.
The PD1305H flips the script by pairing a flat-top griddle with traditional grill grates on the same propane frame. You get a 364-square-inch cooking area split between the two surfaces, plus a side burner for warming tortillas or boiling a pot of corn.
Where the Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler stays locked into charcoal flavor, this Royal Gourmet runs on propane for fast ignition and steady temperature control. The included lid covers both zones, which protects the griddle seasoning when the unit sits outside.
Useful Highlights
- Side burner adds flexibility for sauces, sides, and warming tasks
- Stainless steel burners respond quickly when you adjust the flame
- Lid design protects both cooking zones from weather between sessions
- Combined grill-griddle surface suits full breakfast-to-dinner menus
Honest Caveats
- Griddle surface requires seasoning and careful cleaning to prevent rust spots
- Propane tank is not included, which adds a separate purchase
- 364 sq. in. is modest for cooking for a large crowd simultaneously
Key Product Details
Who Should Grab It
Home cooks who flip between pancakes at 8 a.m. and steaks at 7 p.m. and want one appliance for both.
Swap It Out When
The Tytus Fresno makes more sense for large gatherings where you need the raw square footage to feed a crowd without batching everything.
Stepping away from the patio, the Novalife panini press brings the 3-in-1 concept indoors to a kitchen counter. The hinge opens flat to 180 degrees, turning one appliance into a contact press, a full flat-top grill, or a dual-surface griddle depending on what you’re cooking.
At 1000 watts, it preheats in two to three minutes, which matters on busy mornings when nobody wants to wait around. The non-stick coated plates (roughly 8.8 by 5.5 inches each) handle sandwiches, vegetables, and thin cuts of meat without sticking.
Real-World Strengths
- Opens 180° to expand the cooking surface for larger items
- Removable drip tray catches grease and simplifies cleanup
- Non-stick coating reduces the need for added oils or butter
- Compact enough to store in a cabinet when not in use
Less Ideal Details
- 1000W draws meaningful counter-top power, so avoid sharing the outlet with other heavy-draw appliances
- Non-stick coating degrades over years of regular use and eventually needs replacement consideration
Best Suited To
Apartment dwellers and office-break-room cooks who want grilled sandwiches and quick proteins without firing up an outdoor setup.
Reach For A Different Pick When
The Tytus pizza oven pulls ahead for anyone whose main cooking interest is pizza night rather than daily sandwich duty.
The Highland steps into offset smoker territory with a reverse flow system that routes heat and smoke along baffles before it reaches the meat. Removable baffles let you switch between reverse flow and traditional offset configurations, which is unusual at this price tier.
Spanning 1093 square inches across primary and secondary chambers, it outclasses the Royal Gourmet PD1305H’s total cooking real estate. The trade-off is footprint: this is a full-size cabinet smoker, not a patio-saver.
What Helps Most
- Reverse flow baffles distribute heat more evenly across the cook chamber
- Adjustable smokestack dampers let you fine-tune airflow mid-cook
- Large-capacity charcoal basket supports extended brisket and pork shoulder sessions
- Switchable baffle design covers both reverse flow and classic offset styles
Possible Compromises
- Charcoal and hardwood fuel require separate storage and restocking
- Full-size cabinet demands significant backyard or garage space
- Offset smokers carry a learning curve for temperature management
Feature Snapshot
Who Will Love This
Pitmasters running long, low-and-slow cooks who want consistent heat across a wide chamber without rotating meat every hour.
Not Your Match When
The Tytus 2-in-1 modular grill is a better entry point for newcomers who want gas convenience and room to grow rather than dedicated offset performance.
The Canyon Combo splits its 1031-square-inch cook chamber into a charcoal smoker side and a propane grill side, letting you run ribs low-and-slow while searing burgers over gas flames. The propane section delivers 36,000 BTU across three burners, which gives it the heat muscle to compete with the Tytus Fresno.
Compared to the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland above, the Canyon trades pure offset focus for fuel flexibility. That’s the real appeal: one cabinet covers both cooking styles without needing a second appliance.
Real Benefits
- Two independent cooking zones run simultaneously without flavor crossover
- 750 sq. in. primary chamber smokes up to two pork shoulders at once
- Propane side heats fast, which helps when guests are already hungry
- Combined design saves patio space versus owning separate smoker and grill
Points To Note
- Propane tank is sold separately, adding to the total cost
- Combined weight makes it a two-person move rather than a casual reposition
Perfect Match For
Hosts running mixed menus at large gatherings, where some guests want smoked brisket and others want grilled chicken.
Consider Something Else When
The Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn is the right call for purists who want a traditional offset feel without the propane side complicating the airflow.
The Longhorn sticks to a traditional offset layout: a firebox on the side feeds smoke and heat into the main chamber, with 751 square inches of primary cooking space and 309 square inches of secondary rack above. There’s something honest about the design, no propane, no pellet hopper, just charcoal and wood.
Where the Canyon Combo splits its personality between fuels, the Longhorn commits to one approach. For smokers who learned on classic offset pits and want that same hands-on feel, this unit delivers.
A Favorable Mix
- 1060 sq. in. across two racks handles multiple large cuts simultaneously
- Hardwood splits and chunks produce rich smoke without pellet dependency
- Classic offset layout suits traditional barbecue technique
Small Caveats
- No gas assist means longer startup and recovery times between batches
- Offset design requires periodic firebox tending to maintain even chamber temperature
- Charcoal and hardwood fuel storage is a separate consideration for smaller yards
Built With In Mind
Traditional pitmasters who want a familiar offset smoking experience with enough space to feed extended family gatherings.
Skip It When
The Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo covers more ground for shoppers who want the flexibility to run gas and charcoal at the same time.
The Fresno is the flagship of the Tytus lineup, sized for serious entertaining with 864 square inches of cooking surface, a 510-square-inch main grill, and a 209-square-inch warming rack. Heavy-duty 304 stainless steel burners and 7mm porcelain-enameled cast iron grates signal that this grill is meant to stay outside year-round.
The included pizza stone and hood light push it well beyond standard propane grills in the same tier. It’s also convertible between propane and natural gas, which matters if your home already has a gas line stub-out on the patio.
Good Reasons To Consider
- Double-walled hood holds consistent heat across long cook sessions
- Pizza stone accessory expands the menu beyond standard grilling
- Propane-to-natural gas conversion adds installation flexibility
- Warming rack keeps finished food hot while the main grill keeps producing
Where It May Fall Short
- Full-size 66-inch cabinet requires ample patio or deck space
- Premium build materials come with a heavier unit that’s tough to reposition
Feature Rundown
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Entertainers hosting large backyard parties who cook for groups of ten or more on a regular basis.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
The Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo is the better pick for shoppers who want charcoal flavor alongside gas convenience in a smaller footprint.
The MFSTUDIO combo rounds out the list with a true dual-fuel setup: an independent charcoal chamber on one side, a gas grilling area on the other, and a side burner for sauces or boiling sides. Three stainless steel burners deliver 37,000 BTU of gas heat, which puts it in the same conversation as the Tytus Fresno in raw output.
Two double-layered lids let you close off each zone independently, sealing in heat for both charcoal and gas. For multi-course cooking where mains and sides finish at different times, that control matters.
The Practical Payoff
- Each cooking zone operates separately, so timing isn’t a bottleneck
- Side burner handles side dishes while the main grill works
- Dual lids lock in heat and smoke for both fuel types
A Few Limitations
- Total footprint is larger than single-zone grills in the same tier
- 690 sq. in. is modest for the dual-zone design
The Right Fit
Multi-course backyard cooks who want to sear steaks over gas while smoking ribs low-and-slow on the charcoal side.
Not Your Match When
The Tytus 2-in-1 modular setup suits shoppers who want to start smaller and expand later rather than buying a full dual-fuel cabinet now.
What To Weigh Before Picking A 3 In 1 Grill
Fuel Type And Flavor Priorities
The biggest fork in the road is fuel. Charcoal gives you that open-fire taste and the option to add hardwood chunks for deeper smoke, but it demands more attention during the cook. Propane lights fast, recovers temperature quickly, and lets you walk away without worrying about ash. Pellet systems add convenience through automated feed systems but trade some of the hands-on feel. For weeknight dinners, propane wins on speed. For weekend sessions where you want to settle into the cook, charcoal and pellet setups earn their keep.
Cooking Area And Capacity
Square inch ratings can mislead you if you only consider raw numbers. A 700-square-inch grill feels roomy until you try to fit two large cuts, a tray of vegetables, and a warming zone all at once. Layout matters: secondary racks, warming shelves, and side burners expand usable space without inflating the headline number. For couples, 200 to 400 square inches usually suffices. Families and regular entertainers want 700+ square inches to avoid cooking in batches.
Modular Versus All-In-One
Modular systems like the Tytus 2-in-1 grow with your ambitions. You start with the grill head and add a pellet smoker or side components later, building an outdoor kitchen over time. All-in-one units like the Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo pack multiple functions into a single cabinet, which saves space but limits future expansion. Beginners who aren’t sure how often they’ll cook often appreciate modularity. Confident cooks who already know their menu may prefer the consolidated footprint.
Build Materials And Weather Resistance
304 stainless steel stands up to rain and humidity better than painted steel, though it costs more upfront. Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates hold heat well and resist rust when seasoned properly. Look for double-walled hoods if you cook in cooler weather, since they retain heat and reduce the fuel needed to maintain temperature. A fitted cover extends the life of any outdoor unit, regardless of the materials used.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Common Shopping Slip Ups
The most frequent mistake is buying more grill than your space allows. A full-size cabinet smoker like the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland looks manageable in photos but eats up serious patio real estate. Measure your available area, including clearance for opening lids and hoods, before settling on a footprint. Another misstep is overlooking fuel storage: charcoal bags, propane tanks, and hardwood chunks all need dry, accessible space that often gets forgotten in the planning stage.
What The Higher Tier Buys
Premium 3 in 1 grills earn their higher cost through better materials, larger cooking areas, and longer service lives. The Tytus Fresno’s 304 stainless steel burners and 7mm grates outlast thinner steel found in entry-level units, especially in coastal or humid climates. Higher-tier models also tend to include thoughtful touches like hood lights, included covers, and convertible fuel options that save you from buying accessories separately. When you cook outdoors more than twice a month, the upgrade typically pays back through durability and reduced replacement cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “3 in 1 grill” actually mean?
It refers to a grill that combines three cooking functions in one unit, usually grill grates, a griddle or flat-top, and a side heat source like a burner or smoker box.
Can a 3 in 1 grill replace separate appliances?
For most home cooks, yes. A quality combo covers grilling, griddle work, and side-dish prep in one footprint, which is enough to replace a standalone grill and griddle for typical meals.
Is propane or charcoal better for a combo grill?
Propane wins for speed and convenience, while charcoal delivers deeper smoke flavor. Dual-fuel combos give you both, but cost more and take up more space.
How much cooking space do most families need?
A family of four usually finds 400 to 700 square inches sufficient. Larger households or frequent entertainers benefit from 800+ square inches to avoid batching food.
Do 3 in 1 grills require special maintenance?
Yes. Griddles need seasoning, charcoal units need ash cleanup, and propane models benefit from annual burner inspections. A fitted cover between uses extends service life noticeably across all types.
The Takeaway
A 3 in 1 grill earns its place by replacing two or three separate appliances without sacrificing performance in any single category. Match the fuel type and footprint to your cooking style, and you’ll get years of versatile meals from a single station. Start with the option that fits your space today, knowing that the right pick grows with how often you actually fire it up.