Pulling double duty at a backyard cookout means juggling a grill and a smoker at the same time, and most folks don’t have space for two full setups. The right combo unit handles seared burgers on Saturday and low-and-slow ribs on Sunday without forcing you to babysit two separate fires. The picks below span portable kettles, full-size pellet rigs, and a flat-top griddle that earns its spot for breakfast-and-burger weekends.
Your Options, Compared
Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill, 18-Inch
Old Smokey Charcoal Grill #18 (Medium)
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch
Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Pit Boss 150 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Pit Boss 4-Burner Propane Deluxe Fold & Go Griddle
A Breakdown Of The Leading Choices
The Weber Jumbo Joe lands in that sweet spot where the cooking surface outgrows a basic portable kettle, but the whole unit still collapses small enough to toss in a trunk. The plated steel grate spans roughly 240 square inches, enough room for six to eight burgers or a couple of chicken halves without crowding. Toss in rust-resistant aluminum dampers and a porcelain-enameled finish, and you’ve got a grill that handles weekend tailgates and quiet park evenings with the same ease.
For apartment dwellers with a tiny balcony or anyone who treats cookouts as an event rather than a fixture, the carry-handle design and lightweight build remove most of the friction. Compared to the Old Smokey #18 below, the Jumbo Joe feels more refined, though it costs a little more for that polish.
Strong Points
- 240 square inches of cooking area handles family-sized batches without forcing you to cook in shifts.
- Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid hold up to weather and clean down with a quick wipe.
- Aluminum dampers resist rust and give you reliable airflow control during longer cooks.
- Lightweight build with a tuck-away handle makes transport between car and campsite painless.
Worth Noting
- Stability on uneven picnic tables can feel wobbly; a flat surface helps.
- Lacks the ash-catch sophistication of Weber’s full-size One-Touch system.
Who It Suits Best
Tailgaters, campers, and small-space cooks who want a step up from a basic portable kettle.
Look Elsewhere When
Low-and-slow smoking is the priority, where the Pit Boss 500 FB2 offers true pellet control.
The Old Smokey #18 strips charcoal grilling back to its essentials: a barrel-shaped body, a grate, a lid, and not much else. Aluminized steel construction keeps the weight down to a level most people can carry one-handed, and the assembled form feels honest rather than flimsy. For first-time grill owners or anyone tired of features they never use, the simplicity is the selling point.
Where the Weber Jumbo Joe leans into portability and polish, the Old Smokey leans into no-nonsense backyard work. You won’t get a hinged grate or a fancy ash system, but the basic charcoal ritual works exactly as expected, and parts tend to be widely available if anything ever needs replacing.
A Favorable Mix
- Aluminized steel body shrugs off rust through multiple seasons of regular use.
- Lightweight design makes repositioning around the patio simple, even when full of charcoal.
- Assembly requires minimal effort, so you’re cooking within minutes of unboxing.
- Honest price-to-size ratio appeals to anyone outfitting a starter setup.
Trade Offs
- No hinged grate means lifting the whole cooking surface to add more charcoal mid-cook.
- Heat retention trails heavier kettles during long, steady smoking sessions.
- Basic finish may show wear sooner than porcelain-enameled alternatives.
Made For
Charcoal purists and beginners who want a straightforward backyard grill without the extras.
Consider Something Else When
You want a hinged grate and easier ash cleanup, where the Weber Original Kettle Premium delivers both.
The 22-inch Weber Kettle is the design that defined backyard charcoal cooking, and the Premium trim adds upgrades that matter in daily use. A hinged cooking grate lets you add fresh charcoal without lifting the whole grid off, and the high-capacity ash catcher pairs with a One-Touch cleaning system that empties spent coals in seconds. The copper finish is purely cosmetic, but the angled lid hook and the larger wheels feel like thoughtful touches rather than afterthoughts.
For shoppers who want a charcoal grill that doubles as a basic smoker with indirect-heat setups, the kettle shape handles both jobs well. It anchors the list because it bridges portability, capacity, and longevity better than any other charcoal option here, and the parts ecosystem is mature enough that replacements stay accessible.
Where It Delivers
- Hinged grate removes the most annoying step of mid-cook charcoal refills.
- One-Touch cleaning with a larger ash catcher shortens end-of-cook cleanup noticeably.
- 22-inch diameter covers family meals plus indirect-heat smoking sessions for ribs or whole chickens.
- Angled lid hook and improved wheels make the kettle easier to maneuver around a patio.
Points To Note
- Heavier than portable picks like the Jumbo Joe, so it stays put once positioned.
- True low-and-slow smoking needs a separate ring or careful vent babysitting.
Key Product Details
Who Will Love This
Backyard cooks who want a long-serving charcoal centerpiece with the option to slow-smoke on weekends.
Skip It When
Set-and-forget pellet smoking is the goal, where the Pit Boss 500 FB2 automates temperature control.
The Pit Boss 500 FB2 arrives as a true do-everything rig, and the spec sheet backs that up. Wood pellets feed the fire automatically while an LCD controller holds the cooking chamber anywhere from 180 to 500 degrees, then a removable flame broiler slides open for direct-heat searing. A built-in meat probe tracks internal temperatures without forcing you to crack the lid, and the 5-pound hopper keeps the fire fed through most weekend cooks.
Versatility is the headline: smoke, bake, braise, roast, grill, barbecue, char-grill, and sear all in one unit. Compared to the Weber Kettle above, you’re trading the ritual of charcoal for consistency, and the 518 square inches of porcelain-coated steel surface handles full family dinners with room to spare.
Bright Spots
- Eight cooking modes consolidate grill, smoker, and oven duties into a single footprint.
- Flame broiler adds direct-flame sear capability that pure pellet grills usually lack.
- LCD controller with a 180 to 500 degree range covers low-and-slow ribs and high-heat burgers.
- Included meat probe takes the guesswork out of long smoking sessions.
Room For Improvement
- Requires a power outlet for the controller, so placement near an outdoor receptacle matters.
- Pellet fuel adds an ongoing supply cost beyond the initial purchase.
- Heavier and bulkier than any charcoal option in this roundup.
Quick Facts
Right Fit For
Cooks who want grill, smoker, and oven in one automated unit and don’t mind fueling with pellets.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Portability tops the list, where the Pit Boss 150 cuts weight and size for tailgates and campsites.
The Pit Boss 150 brings pellet convenience to a portable format, and the latch-lock lid plus twin carry handles make that promise real. Automatic start-up and cool-down cycles handle the fiddly ignition and shutdown steps, so a pregame smoke session doesn’t require a steep learning curve. A 7-pound hopper out-feeds the smaller 500-series cousin, and the same 180 to 500 degree range keeps cooking modes consistent across the lineup.
For tailgaters and campers who want real smoke flavor without hauling a full-size rig, the trade-off comes down to surface area. The 256 square inches fit a small pregame spread rather than a full dinner party, and you’ll want a power source nearby for the controller.
The Case For It
- Latch-lock lid and side handles secure the unit for transport in a truck bed or SUV cargo area.
- Automatic start-up and cool-down simplify setup and teardown at events.
- Flame broiler option adds direct-heat searing without swapping grates.
Honest Caveats
- 256 square inches limits batch size, so big parties need cook rotations.
- Still requires an outlet for the pellet feeder, which limits remote parking-lot setups.
- Lighter cooking capacity than the larger Pit Boss 500 FB2 above.
Best Suited To
Tailgaters, campers, and road-trippers who want automated pellet smoking in a carry-friendly package.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Full backyard entertaining, where the Pit Boss 500 FB2 doubles the cooking surface and stands as a permanent fixture.
The Pit Boss 4-Burner Griddle breaks from the charcoal and pellet pack, and earns its spot by solving a different problem. A 753-square-inch flat top (37 inches long by 20 inches wide) handles pancakes for a crowd, smash burgers by the dozen, and a full breakfast spread without rotating batches. Four independently controlled burners put 62,000 BTU under the cooktop, and a hard cover protects the surface during transport or storage.
For weekend breakfasts, family reunions, and tailgates where the menu skews toward griddled food, this unit replaces a skillet lineup with a single hot surface. Where every other pick in this roundup burns charcoal or pellets, the propane griddle trades smoke flavor for speed and a forgiving learning curve.
Everyday Wins
- 753 square inches of flat-top surface cooks for a crowd without batching.
- Four separately controlled burners create distinct heat zones for varied menu items.
- Fold-and-go design with a hard cover simplifies transport and off-season storage.
- Propane ignition skips the charcoal setup, so you cook within minutes of arrival.
A Few Limitations
- No smoke flavor profile; griddled food tastes different from charcoal or pellet cooks.
- Propane tank adds a recurring fuel swap, especially during long events.
- Flat-top seasoning and care differ from grate maintenance on the other picks.
Feature Snapshot
Perfect Match For
Hosts running big breakfasts, family reunions, and tailgates where griddled food is the main event.
Swap It Out When
Smoke flavor matters more than flat-top speed, where the Pit Boss 500 FB2 brings back wood-fired depth.
What To Weigh Before Picking Your Combo
Cooking style leads the decision tree. Backyard cooks who value charcoal ritual and don’t mind tending a fire will find the Weber Original Kettle Premium and the Old Smokey #18 the most natural fit. Pellet smokers like the Pit Boss 500 FB2 and Pit Boss 150 automate temperature control, which suits people juggling guests, kids, or side dishes. The Pit Boss griddle lives in its own lane, and the Jumbo Joe rounds out the portable end for tailgates and camping.
Capacity matters next. A solo cook or a couple can make do with 240 to 256 square inches, but families cooking for four or more typically need 500 square inches or more to avoid rotating batches. The 22-inch Weber Kettle and the Pit Boss 500 both handle that scale with room to spare.
Portability and storage should anchor the final call. Smaller patios, apartment balconies, and frequent travel push the choice toward the Jumbo Joe or the Pit Boss 150, while a dedicated backyard with room to leave a grill in place makes the larger options more practical. Fuel cost and ongoing maintenance, including ash disposal for charcoal, pellet refills for smokers, and propane swaps for griddles, vary enough to affect long-term ownership.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
A common trap is choosing a charcoal grill assuming it doubles as a serious smoker, only to discover that low-and-slow cooking on a kettle demands indirect-heat setups and vent babysitting. Pellet units automate that step. Another mistake is underestimating space needs, and ending up with a 753-square-inch griddle that doesn’t fit the patio. Measure storage and cooking zones before committing, and factor in clearance from siding, fencing, and overhangs.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Higher-tier models like the Pit Boss 500 FB2 and the Weber Original Kettle Premium earn their cost through convenience features. Hinged grates, automated pellet feeding, larger ash catchers, and digital controllers all reduce hands-on time and clean-up friction. For casual weekend cooks, a basic kettle or portable grill covers the essentials, and the upgrade pays off most when you cook frequently or entertain larger groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a charcoal grill really work as a smoker?
Yes, with indirect-heat setups and careful vent control, a kettle grill handles low-and-slow cooks, though it demands more attention than an automated pellet unit. A dedicated smoker or pellet grill reduces babysitting.
How much cooking space do I need for a family of four?
Around 400 to 500 square inches usually covers a family of four without batch-cooking. Smaller households do fine at 240 to 300 square inches, while frequent entertainers benefit from 500 or more.
What’s the difference between a pellet grill and a charcoal grill?
A charcoal grill uses lit briquettes or lump for heat and flavor, while a pellet grill feeds wood pellets through an automated auger controlled by a digital panel. Pellets offer set-and-forget convenience; charcoal offers a more hands-on ritual.
Are portable grills sturdy enough for regular use?
Portable grills like the Weber Jumbo Joe and the Pit Boss 150 hold up well to regular use, though smaller grates limit batch size. Their lighter frames trade stability on uneven surfaces for easier transport.
Do I need propane for a combo grill and smoker?
Only if the unit uses propane, like the Pit Boss griddle. Charcoal kettles and pellet smokers don’t require a propane hookup, though pellet grills still need a power outlet for the controller.
Wrap Up
The right combo depends less on features lists and more on how you actually cook, whether that’s a quiet weeknight burger or a Saturday smoke session. Match the format to your routine, give yourself enough square inches for the meals you cook most, and the rest tends to fall into place.