Thread: Hybrid Grill/Smoker

Anyone have recommendations for a Hybrid (gas/wood) combination grill and smoker? I like the ability to cook some burgers quickly on a gas grill. Not very often but I do smoke some meat from time to time. I currently have a Phenix gas grill and a Masterbuilt electric smoker. Anyone have a preference between wood chips vs. pellets?

I don’t know about hybrids but I do like the pellets better. Check out the A-Maz-N smoker tray for pellets. I quit using chips all together. The key is to microwave the pellets to make real sure they are dry before you light them. And the torch is important, too. A fireplace lighter doesn’t get hot enough.

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We got a Pit Boss pellet smoker/grill about 4 years ago. Best grill I’ve ever owned. There is a slide you can open for direct flame to sear your steaks. A 20lb bag of pellets last a long time. No more lugging around the propane tanks. Several sizes to choose from. I think ours is like 800 sq ins. Smoke salmon once a week at least. Heat and smoke is precisely controlled too with easy settings.

I also bought a Pit Boss. It is very easy to use with digital settings for temp control and a fan for convection cooking. Pellets are cheap, 2 twenty pound bags are about $10.00.

Smoke flavor from pellets is light and a tube can be added to help some with smoke, that said it's easy to run 1 , pretty much hands off. have had a PB Austin LX for over 3 years that runs well, pellets are rarely less than $8.88 a 20lbs bag for quality pellets around here, I can run over 500 and can open flame cook a small area. they aint for everybody but they are easy lol

I never heard of a Pit Boss, but, I’ll check them out. Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by Prospector46

We got a Pit Boss pellet smoker/grill about 4 years ago. Best grill I’ve ever owned.

How long does it take your Pit Boss to get up to grilling temp?

I will be in your shoes soon, I've rebuilt my gas grill twice and next time it gets replaced.
But I don't know of any dual fueled units that does both well enough to give my recommendation.
And when I do replace it, it'll be another dedicated gas grill next to my smoker.

What I do know and recommend are Treager and RecTeq pellet grills, they're the best bet for the dual use of smoking/grilling.
That said, they're not the best at both, they tend to be better at one or another, and therefore if you want a really good sear on steaks and such finding a model with a Searing Box/Station is the way to go.
And neither of the brands better models are inexpensive, $1000-$3000.

Pellets aren't all that much more expensive than propane or charcoal.
And there are some great blends for adding that smokey flavor we look for in our meats.
And yes, adding a tray or tube for added smoke can be beneficial at times.

Do your homework, come over to smokingmeatforums.com and chat up the guys using the grills.
Shop holiday sales at the big box stores, shop discontinued models and keep your eyes peeled.