Gas and Pellet Grill Combos: How to Choose
A pellet grill and gas grill combo gives you wood-fired smoking and quick gas grilling in one setup. Compare separate fuel systems, total cooking space and the care each side needs before choosing a hybrid or two separate grills.
On this page (7 sections)
- What does a pellet grill and gas grill combo do?
- Should you choose a combo or separate grills?
- How should you compare cooking space?
- Which fuel and setup details should you check?
- Which products help you compare the options?
- How do you keep a hybrid grill easier to use?
- What should you decide before choosing a combo?
A pellet grill and gas grill combo pairs wood-fired smoking with direct gas heat in one setup. Compare the fuel systems, cooking space and care each side needs before choosing a hybrid or two separate grills.
Some combos put both fuels in one body, while others pair two distinct cookers. The layout affects how much space you need and whether both sides can run at once.
What does a pellet grill and gas grill combo do?
A pellet grill and gas grill combo brings smoke cooking and direct gas heat together for different meals. Pellet grills burn wood pellets, while gas grills use burners for heat.
That difference matters more than the word “combo.” The pellet side may suit low and slow cooking, while the gas side can handle a quick cook when you don't want to wait for smoke.
To compare backyard layouts, see our Best Grill Smoker Combo guide. For a closer look at one setup, read Best Grill Smoker Combo For Backyard Grilling.
Pellet grill gas grill combo or gas grill and pellet smoker combo?
The names can describe similar setups, but check the layout and controls instead of relying on the label. A gas grill and pellet smoker combo may pair a standard gas grill with a dedicated smoker chamber, while a hybrid may put both cooking systems in one unit.
Look for separate fuel controls and cooking zones, and clear instructions on simultaneous use. If the manual doesn't explain whether both sides can run together, confirm before you buy.
A single unit may take less room than two grills, but it can limit your choices for cooking area and placement. Two separate grills give you more flexibility to place or replace each cooker independently.
Should you choose a combo or separate grills?
Choose a combo if you want both cooking methods close together and have room for its full footprint. Choose separate grills if you want more control over each grill's size, placement and replacement.
A combo may simplify your patio layout, but it still contains two fuel systems to manage. Think about pellet storage and ash cleanup as well as the gas supply and burner care.
| Setup | Fits best when | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| One hybrid unit | You want both cooking styles in one footprint | Whether both sides work independently or at the same time |
| Two separate grills | You want freedom to choose different sizes and locations | Total footprint, walking space and storage |
| Pellet grill only | Smoke flavor and low-and-slow cooking matter most | Whether its direct grilling range fits your meals |
| Gas grill only | Quick, direct heat is your main need | Whether you'll miss pellet-style smoke cooking |
The gas grill vs pellet grill comparison can help you decide which side deserves more space. If you need portability, compare a portable grill and smoker instead of assuming a full-size hybrid will suit your trips.
How should you compare cooking space?
Compare the cooking area on each side with the food you cook most often. A combo's total area can be misleading if one side is too small for the meals you plan to make there.
Write down your usual batch, such as the number of burgers, racks of ribs or whole chickens you expect to cook together. Then compare those needs with the published cooking area for each chamber.
What matters beyond the total square inches?
Check whether the grill has enough room for food that benefits from smoke and enough direct heat area for quick grilling. A large pellet chamber does not make up for a cramped gas side if you often grill several items at once.
Consider where the food will sit and how you'll manage a mixed meal. You may want smoke cooking for a roast and faster heat for vegetables, but that plan only works if the layout gives each task useful space.
Look at the outside dimensions too. Leave the required clearance around the whole unit, and make sure the lid, doors and grease or ash access points can open without hitting a wall or railing.
When does a compact grill make sense?
A compact grill can suit a balcony, small deck or occasional cookout, but it may not replace a full-size backyard grill. The Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL has 180 sq in of cooking space and uses electricity with real wood pellets for flavor.
The Ninja combines grilling, smoking and other cooking functions in one outdoor appliance. It isn't a gas grill, so consider it if you want a compact smoke-and-grill option rather than a true gas and pellet pairing.
For an electric alternative, see our guide to electric smoker grill combos. A smaller setup may be easier to place, but confirm its dimensions, power needs and operating clearances for your location.
Which fuel and setup details should you check?
Check how each side gets fuel and what it needs to operate. Pellet grills generally need an electrical connection to run their controls and feed pellets, while gas grills need a compatible gas supply.
Confirm whether the combo uses a propane tank or a natural gas connection. Don't assume the gas side can use either fuel; follow the specific model's instructions.
Pellets need dry storage, and the pellet system needs a way to handle ash and grease. Check where the hopper, cleanout and grease tray sit, and whether you can reach them after installation.
A pellet grill may also require electricity even though its heat comes from burning pellets. Compare it with electric units in our guide to pellet vs electric smokers.
Plan for an outdoor-rated power source and follow the grill's instructions for cords and weather exposure.
Which products help you compare the options?
These three products show different ways to cover smoking, charcoal grilling and compact outdoor cooking. None is a gas and pellet combo, so use them to compare cooking styles and space needs rather than as direct replacements.
Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill
The Traeger Pro 22 is a dedicated pellet grill and smoker with 572 sq in of cooking space. If you are planning a fixed outdoor-kitchen setup, compare built-in pellet grills.
Its listed functions include grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, braising and BBQ, so it can cover several cooking styles without a gas side.
It has an 18 lb hopper and a built-in meat probe. Its temperature range is 180°F to 450°F, with a stated control range of plus or minus 15 degrees.
Consider it if smoke cooking is your priority and you have room for a dedicated cooker. Add a gas grill separately if you want direct gas heat.
Char-Griller AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill
The Char-Griller AKORN Jr. uses charcoal, not pellets or gas. Its 155 sq in cooking area and portable frame make it a small-scale example of a separate cooker for grilling and smoking.
It cooks across a 200°F to 700°F range, with adjustable dampers for airflow and a built-in temperature gauge. Its 33 lb weight and locking lid make it suitable for taking to a campsite or tailgate.
Consider it if portability and charcoal flavor matter more than a gas connection. It offers a different fuel choice, so it won't create the convenience of a gas and pellet pairing.
Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL Outdoor Grill
The Ninja is an electric outdoor grill and smoker that gets wood flavor from pellets. Its 180 sq in cooking area, built-in thermometer and app connection distinguish it from a full-size pellet grill.
It includes grill, BBQ smoke, air fry, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate functions. It uses electricity and real wood-burning pellets for flavor, so it does not provide a gas grilling zone.
Consider it for a compact all-in-one appliance when the cooking area suits your meals. It can fit a small outdoor setup, but it isn't a substitute for a separate gas burner.
How do you keep a hybrid grill easier to use?
Choose a layout with reachable cleanout points and clear controls for both fuel systems. Regular cleanup can help prevent old grease and ash from interfering with the next cook.
Before buying, check how the pellet side handles ash and grease, and how the gas side gives you access to burners and drip areas. A design that is hard to clean may be a poor fit if you cook often.
Keep pellets dry and follow the owner's instructions for storage and shutdown. For gas, inspect hoses and connections as directed, and use the grill only in the approved location.
Don't place a hybrid grill in an enclosed area unless the manufacturer permits it. Follow the clearance and ventilation instructions for each fuel system, since a combo produces heat, smoke and combustion gases.
What should you decide before choosing a combo?
Decide which cooking method you will use most, how much food you cook at once and where the unit will sit. Those answers narrow the choice more reliably than a feature count.
Pick a gas and pellet combo if both fuel types matter and the layout gives each one enough space. Choose a pellet grill alone if smoke cooking leads your routine, or separate grills if you need more freedom in size and placement.
For a backyard setup, start with Best Grill Smoker Combo For Backyard Grilling and compare each cooking zone with your typical meal. Check dimensions, fuel requirements, electrical access and cleaning access before settling on a model.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pellet grill and gas grill combo?
A pellet grill and gas grill combo is a cooking setup with a pellet side for wood-fired smoking and a gas side for direct heat. Some units combine both in one body, while others pair separate grills.
Check whether each fuel system can run independently and whether both sides have enough room for your usual meals.
Is a gas and pellet grill combo better than two separate grills?
A combined unit can save space and keep both cooking methods together, while separate grills give you more choice in how each side is sized and placed. Compare the footprint, cooking area, controls, cleaning access and the cost of maintaining two fuel systems before deciding.
Can you use the gas side while the pellet side is smoking?
That depends on the design. Check the instructions for the exact combo to see whether each side has separate controls, whether both can run at once and what clearances are required.
Don't assume that two fuel types mean two independent cooking zones.
Does a pellet grill replace a smoker?
A pellet grill can smoke food as well as grill it, so it may cover both jobs for many cooks. The cooking style still differs from a gas grill, which heats food directly.
See how pellet grills work as smokers before deciding whether you need another smoking method.
How much space should a grill combo have?
Start with the amount of food you cook at once, then compare the cooking area on each side rather than adding the numbers alone. You may need room to keep raw food separate from cooked food, and the grill also needs safe operating clearance around it.
