Buying a dedicated grill and a separate smoker eats up patio space and budget fast. A combo unit that genuinely handles both direct-heat searing and low-and-slow smoke changes how often you cook outdoors, because you stop choosing between burgers on Tuesday and brisket on Saturday. The nine picks below cover charcoal purists, propane convenience fans, portable tailgaters, and anyone who wants one cooker that does the work of two without a learning curve that takes a full summer to flatten out.
The Main Contenders
Old Smokey Charcoal Grill #22 (Large)
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 14″ Smoker
PK Grills PK300-SCX Portable Charcoal Grill
EUHOME 4-Burner Propane Gas BBQ Grill
Char-Griller Side Fire Box E82424
ideamaxx 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill
Kendane Barrel Charcoal Grill
ideamaxx 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
ideamaxx 3-Burner Propane Grill Cast Iron
Inside Each Recommended Option
Old Smokey has been around long enough that the #22 feels more like a piece of yard equipment than a trendy purchase. The drum-shaped body is built from aluminized steel (a steel core coated in aluminum to slow rusting), and the wide profile gives you real room for indirect smoking once the coals bank to one side.
Two side handles make it easier to reposition on a hot patio. Setup stays simple, with no electronics or propane tank to wrestle. For someone who wants the charcoal ritual without paying for a tricked-out kamado, the #22 is the kind of grill that quietly outlasts the fancier units in the shed.
Everyday Advantages
- Aluminized steel construction holds up against repeated heating and cooling cycles.
- Generous drum shape fits both direct grilling and indirect smoking with simple coal placement.
- Light enough to relocate around the patio without dragging a heavy cart.
- No propane tank, gas lines, or batteries to manage.
Points To Note
- Lacks the airtight seal of a dedicated kamado or bullet smoker, so temperature swings are common in cold weather.
- Ash cleanup means flipping the drum or scooping from below, which owners commonly describe as a chore.
Who Will Love This
Beginner-to-intermediate charcoal cooks who want a no-nonsense, low-maintenance backyard cooker.
Skip It When
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker suits you better, because its sealed chamber delivers steadier smoke temperatures over long cooks.
The Weber Smokey Mountain has earned its cult following by doing the one thing a true smoker needs to do: hold temperature for hours without babysitting. Two cooking grates let you stack ribs, pork shoulders, or chickens on different levels, and the gasketed lid helps trap smoke and moisture. Dampers on the top and bottom keep airflow in your hands.
This is the pick for anyone who treats Saturday like a smoke-day rather than a grill-day. It isn’t a fast cooker, and that’s the point. Pulled pork, brisket, and whole turkey are where it earns its keep, and the build quality matches Weber’s reputation for grills that survive decades.
Reasons It Performs
- Vertical bullet design uses convection, meaning rising hot air naturally circulates smoke around the food.
- Dual dampers let you fine-tune airflow without opening the chamber.
- Two cooking grates double the capacity for low-and-slow cooks.
- Porcelain-enameled water pan helps stabilize temperature and adds moisture to long cooks.
Honest Caveats
- Ignition is manual, so you light charcoal in a chimney starter before each cook.
- Not designed for high-heat searing, so you’ll still want a separate hot grill for steaks.
Quick Facts
The Right Fit
Pit-curious home cooks who want a dedicated smoker that rewards patience over speed.
Swap It Out When
The PK Grills PK300-SCX suits you better, since its aluminum body and vent system also handle direct grilling when searing matters.
PK Grills built its reputation on cast aluminum cookers, and the PK300-SCX is their portable take. Aluminum conducts heat roughly four times faster than steel, which is why the cook chamber stays even across the grates without the hot-spot dance you get on thinner grills. The capsule shape and four-point venting system let you run low-and-slow or hot-and-fast with a simple vent adjustment.
This is the pick for someone who tailgates one weekend and smokes a brisket at home the next. The whole unit travels in a car trunk without drama. Compare that to the barrel-style Kendane later in this list, and the trade-off is capacity versus heat control.
Noteworthy Benefits
- Cast aluminum body resists rust far better than painted steel alternatives.
- Four vents give more granular control than the two-vent setups on most portables.
- Supports both direct and indirect cooking, so one grill covers grilling and smoking.
- Lightweight enough to load solo for camping trips.
Some Limits To Know
- Smaller cooking area than a full-size backyard unit, so a whole pack of burgers means two batches.
- Sits at the higher end of the charcoal-grill price spectrum.
Made For
Road-tripping food lovers who want grill and smoker performance in a single portable shell.
Look Elsewhere When
The Kendane Barrel Charcoal Grill is a better fit for you, because its larger grate handles a full neighborhood cookout without splitting into rounds.
EUHOME goes after the propane power-user with this 4-burner setup. BTU (British Thermal Unit) measures how much heat a burner puts out per hour, and this grill’s 46,500 total is enough to sear steakhouse-style crusts and still simmer a pot of beans on the side burner. Enameled cast iron grates hold and release heat well, which is what gives food those defined sear marks.
Side tables give you prep space, and the warming rack doubles the usable surface for buns and sides. For someone who grills two or three times a week and wants push-button convenience over charcoal babysitting, this is the kind of unit that replaces a full outdoor kitchen for many households.
The Upside
- Four main burners plus a dedicated side burner handle multiple dishes at once.
- Stainless steel body shrugs off weather better than painted steel alternatives.
- Independent burner controls let you run hot and cool zones on the same cook.
- Side shelves fold down for storage in tighter patios.
Where It May Fall Short
- Propane won’t deliver the same smoke flavor as charcoal or wood setups.
- Heavier and more permanent-feeling than portable propane options.
Feature Snapshot
Best Suited To
Frequent grillers feeding a family or hosting weekend get-togethers on a permanent patio setup.
Consider Something Else When
The ideamaxx 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill fits smaller patios better, since it offers similar burner flexibility in a more compact footprint.
Char-Griller designed the E82424 to pull double duty. On its own, it acts as a 250-square-inch portable charcoal grill, plenty of room for around a dozen burgers at once. Attach it to a compatible Char-Griller barrel grill, and it becomes a side fire box that turns the main chamber into an offset smoker, the kind of setup associated with Texas-style brisket.
The heavy-gauge powder-coated steel (steel coated in baked-on paint for rust protection) holds heat better than thin portable sheet metal. For someone already running a Char-Griller barrel grill, this attachment is a low-cost way to add smoke capability. As a standalone, it leans more toward grill than smoker.
Real Benefits
- Doubles as a standalone grill or a side fire box for offset smoking.
- Cast iron grates hold heat for better sear marks than wire alternatives.
- Includes legs for portable use, which most side fire boxes skip.
- Heavier build than typical portable charcoal grills.
Trade Offs
- Full Texas-style smoking requires a separate barrel grill purchase.
- Smaller cooking surface than a dedicated offset smoker.
Right Fit For
Char-Griller owners who want to add smoking to an existing barrel grill without buying a second unit.
Another Choice May Suit
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker fits dedicated smokers better, since it’s a self-contained unit with no attachment required.
ideamaxx keeps the propane experience simple with this 3-burner, 30,000 BTU setup. Three independent burners cover most weeknight cooking: one for the protein, one for veggies, one for a warming zone. The 322-square-inch main cooking area fits a family dinner without crowding, and the two foldable side shelves give you a spot for plates and tools.
Compared to the EUHOME 4-burner earlier, this one trims size and price without gutting the feature set. For small patios or first-time grill owners, that balance matters more than maximum burner count.
Notable Gains
- Push-button ignition avoids the lighter-fluid stage of charcoal grilling.
- Foldable shelves collapse down for storage against a wall or in a garage.
- Stainless steel exterior cleans up with a quick wipe after cooking.
- Three zones make it easy to keep cooked food warm while finishing the rest.
Practical Considerations
- Lower total BTU output means slightly longer preheat than larger propane units.
- Smaller warming area than the EUHOME 4-burner model.
At A Glance
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
First-time propane grillers and small-yard cooks who want a manageable footprint.
Not Your Match When
The EUHOME 4-Burner Propane Gas BBQ Grill fits larger gatherings better, since it adds a fourth burner and a side burner for bigger cooks.
Kendane leans into capacity with this barrel-style charcoal grill. The porcelain-enameled steel cooking grates (steel coated in a glass-like finish that resists rust and sticking) span nearly 500 square inches, room for a dozen burgers or a full pack of chicken thighs. A chrome-plated warming rack adds a second tier for buns and sides, and the side shelf gives you a flat prep surface.
This is the cooker for someone who cooks for a crowd on weekends and doesn’t want to manage multiple batches. Where the PK300-SCX favors portability, the Kendane favors raw capacity. The trade-off is a larger footprint and more ash to clean out after each cook.
Where It Helps
- Large cooking surface covers full-meal cooks in a single batch.
- Porcelain-enameled grates resist rust and clean up faster than bare steel.
- Warming rack adds cooking flexibility without crowding the main grate.
- Side shelf holds a tray of prepped food or a plate of finished burgers.
Minor Gripes
- Barrel footprint requires a dedicated patio corner.
- Lacks the airtight seal of a kamado or bullet smoker for precise smoking.
Perfect Match For
Hosts running full backyard cookouts who value capacity over compact design.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The Old Smokey Charcoal Grill #22 fits smaller yards better, since its drum profile takes up less patio space while still handling indirect smoking.
The 4-burner ideamaxx is built around portability in a way most 4-burner propane grills aren’t. Foldable side shelves collapse the unit down for transport to tailgates, campsites, or a friend’s driveway party. With 40,000 BTU across four burners and 387 square inches of cooking space, it doesn’t sacrifice much cooking capability to get there.
This is the pick for someone who wants propane convenience without giving up the ability to pack the grill into a trunk. Compared to the larger EUHOME 4-burner, this unit trades a dedicated side burner for easier transport. For most tailgate scenarios, that swap makes sense.
What Pays Off
- Four burners with independent flame control for varied cooking zones.
- Foldable shelves make it one of the more portable 4-burner options available.
- Stainless steel construction handles travel and weather exposure.
- Larger cooking area than the 3-burner ideamaxx in the same line.
What To Weigh
- No dedicated side burner like the EUHOME 4-burner offers.
- Propane tanks are typically sold separately and add bulk to transport.
Feature Rundown
Who Should Grab It
Tailgaters, campers, and renters who need a 4-burner propane grill that travels.
Reach For A Different Pick When
The ideamaxx 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill fits tighter spaces and lighter transport needs better, since it trims a burner and a few pounds without losing core functionality.
Cast iron grates are the headline feature here. Cast iron holds heat longer than porcelain-coated steel, which means thicker steaks get a deeper sear before the meat’s internal temperature climbs past medium-rare. The high-temperature powder-coated steel body adds a layer of weather protection for year-round patio storage.
At 38,200 BTU across three burners and a 302-square-inch main cooking surface, this grill sits in the comfortable middle of the propane lineup. It feeds a small family without dominating the patio, and the foldable shelves keep it trailer-friendly for camping trips. Compared to the EUHOME 4-burner, you give up the side burner but gain easier storage.
What Makes Sense
- Cast iron grates deliver restaurant-style sear marks and even heat retention.
- Foldable shelves reduce the storage footprint for small patios or garage storage.
- Three burners with independent flame control for varied cooking temperatures.
- High-temperature powder coating on the body resists rust and fading.
Things To Consider
- Cast iron grates require occasional oiling to prevent surface rust, a step many owners skip.
- No dedicated side burner for sauces or sides.
Quick Technical Notes
Built With In Mind
Searing-focused home cooks who want cast iron performance without stepping up to a full outdoor kitchen.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
The ideamaxx 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill fits larger gatherings better, since its extra burner and larger cooking area handle a full party menu at once.
What To Match Against Your Cooking Style Before You Choose
Fuel type is the first fork in the road. Charcoal grills like the Old Smokey #22 and the Weber Smokey Mountain give you real smoke flavor, but they ask for chimney starters, ash cleanup, and patience during long cooks. Propane grills like the EUHOME and the ideamaxx lineup trade that smoke character for push-button ignition and tighter temperature control. If you cook mostly weeknight chicken and burgers, propane earns its keep. If Saturday morning means brisket or ribs, charcoal stays the better path.
Capacity matters more than burner count for many households. The Kendane barrel grill fits a crowd without splitting into batches, while the PK300-SCX keeps things compact for two or three people. Measure your patio or storage spot before you commit, because a grill that’s “just a bit too big” usually means it lives in the garage.
Materials tell you how long the unit will last. Cast aluminum (PK Grills) resists rust far better than painted steel, and porcelain-enameled grates clean up faster than bare steel. For coastal climates or year-round patio storage, material quality often matters more than peak BTU.
Portability changes the use case. The ideamaxx 4-burner and the PK300-SCX are the picks for tailgates, camping, or renters who can’t leave a grill behind. Full-size propane units assume a permanent patio spot.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Common Shopping Slip Ups
Going straight to peak BTU without checking grate material is one of the most common mistakes shoppers make. High heat on thin wire grates just scorches food instead of searing it, while lower BTU on cast iron delivers the crust most people actually want. Another common slip is ignoring the warming rack and side shelf setup, because that’s where mid-cook convenience lives. Lastly, underestimating storage space leads to grills that spend their lives under tarps. Foldable shelves on the ideamaxx models exist precisely to address that issue.
What Separates Premium From Basic
The premium end of this category buys three things: thicker materials that hold heat longer, sealed lids that stabilize temperature for smoking, and venting systems that give you airflow control. The Weber Smokey Mountain and the PK Grills PK300-SCX sit at the premium end because their build quality affects cooking results directly. Cheaper units can still cook great food, but they require more attention during the cook to hit the same outcome. If you smoke more than four times a year, the upgrade typically pays for itself in repeatable results.