Why an Outdoor Gas Grill with Smoker is the Ultimate Backyard Upgrade
An outdoor gas grill with smoker combines the convenience of gas grilling with authentic wood-smoked flavor in one versatile unit. Here’s what makes them stand out:
Top Features to Look For:
- Integrated smoker box or drawer for wood chips
- Multiple burners (3-4+) for indirect heat zones
- 600+ square inches of cooking space for large meals
- Built-in thermometer for precise temperature control
- Stainless steel construction for durability
Best For:
- Families who want both quick weeknight grilling and slow-smoked weekend feasts
- Outdoor cooking enthusiasts seeking authentic BBQ flavor without charcoal hassle
- Anyone with limited space who needs one grill to do it all
The U.S. market for outdoor grills and smokers is projected to reach $5.1 billion by 2027, with combo grills leading the growth. Gas grills account for over 60% of market share, and the demand for combination units that grill and smoke keeps climbing. That’s because modern outdoor cooks want the sizzle of high-heat grilling and the aroma of low-and-slow smoking—without buying two separate units.
These hybrid grills heat up fast with push-button ignition, maintain steady temperatures for smoking (usually 225-275°F), and clean up easier than charcoal alternatives. Most models feature dedicated smoker boxes where you add wood chips—hickory, apple, mesquite—to infuse your food with authentic BBQ flavor. Prices range from around $200 for basic models to over $1,500 for premium units with smart technology and extra features.
The helpful team at Lowcountry Ace has guided countless Charleston-area homeowners and outdoor cooking enthusiasts toward the perfect outdoor gas grill with smoker for their backyard setup. Whether you’re grilling burgers for the family or smoking ribs for a James Island cookout, we’ll help you find the right combination grill that delivers both convenience and authentic flavor.
To get the most out of your new appliance, it helps to understand the related vocabulary, from the different types of outdoor wood cooking grills and the specific function of an outdoor wood smoker, to choosing the right wood chips for smokers to achieve that perfect flavor.
The Best of Both Worlds: Why Choose a Gas Grill with a Smoker?
Choosing an outdoor gas grill with smoker is like having your cake and eating it too – or, more appropriately, having your perfectly seared steak and your fall-off-the-bone ribs from the same amazing appliance! This combination unit offers a suite of benefits that make it an increasingly popular choice for backyard chefs across James Island, Folly Beach, and the greater Charleston area.
Convenience at Your Fingertips
One of the most compelling reasons to opt for a gas grill with a smoker is unparalleled convenience. Gas grills are renowned for their quick heat-up times. No more waiting for charcoal to ash over or carefully building a fire. With a simple push-button ignition, you’re ready to grill in minutes. This makes weeknight dinners a breeze, allowing you to get delicious food on the table faster.
Beyond speed, gas grills offer precise temperature control. You can easily adjust the flame with a turn of a knob, maintaining consistent heat for grilling or dialing it down for low-and-slow smoking. This eliminates much of the guesswork associated with other cooking methods, providing a more reliable and enjoyable cooking experience.
Best Versatility
An outdoor gas grill with smoker truly acts as an all-in-one outdoor kitchen. It allows you to:
- Grill: Achieve those perfect sear marks on steaks, burgers, and vegetables with direct, high heat.
- Sear: Some models offer specialized searing zones or infrared burners to lock in juices and flavor.
- Smoke: Transform tough cuts of meat into tender, flavorful masterpieces with indirect, low heat and wood smoke.
Instead of needing a separate grill for quick weeknight meals and a dedicated smoker for weekend projects, you get both functionalities in a single footprint. This versatility is a game-changer, whether you’re hosting a big backyard bash or just cooking for your family.
Infused Flavor That Wows
While gas grills are known for convenience, some might wonder about the flavor. Rest assured, an outdoor gas grill with smoker is designed to deliver authentic smoky taste. By utilizing an integrated smoker box, you can add wood chips (like hickory, apple, or mesquite) that smolder and release rich, aromatic smoke directly into your cooking chamber. This infuses your food with that unmistakable, delicious BBQ flavor that charcoal enthusiasts crave. The variety of wood chips available means you can experiment with different flavor profiles to match your culinary creations.
Space & Cost Efficiency
Think about it: instead of buying and storing two large outdoor appliances – a grill and a smoker – you invest in one unit that does both jobs exceptionally well. This not only saves valuable patio space, which is always a premium, but also represents a significant cost saving. The average price for a combo grill with smoker functionality can range from $200 for entry-level models to over $1,500 for feature-rich, high-performance units. This wide range means there’s a versatile solution for nearly every budget.
When we compare an outdoor gas grill with smoker to a standalone smoker or a charcoal grill with a smoker attachment, the advantages become even clearer. Standalone smokers, while excellent at their primary function, typically lack the high-heat grilling capabilities needed for a quick sear. Charcoal grills, while offering great flavor, require more effort for temperature management and cleanup, as they produce ash. Gas grills, especially natural gas options, produce less smoke and leave no ashes, making maintenance significantly easier and quicker. They also heat up very quickly and provide consistent high heat, leading to quicker, more even cooking for grilling tasks. Our customers in Charleston appreciate the balance of convenience, versatility, and authentic flavor that these combo units provide.
Essential Features for the Ultimate Outdoor Gas Grill with Smoker
When you’re ready to invest in an outdoor gas grill with smoker, understanding the key features will help you make the best choice for your outdoor cooking needs in South Carolina. We want you to feel confident that your new grill will perform brilliantly for years to come.
Smoker Box Design
The heart of the smoking function on a gas grill is its smoker box. Look for:
- Integrated Smoker Drawer: Many premium models feature a dedicated, often stainless steel, drawer or tray built into the grill, typically above a burner. This allows you to easily add wood chips or even a small amount of wood pellets (though chips are generally better for gas grills) without opening the main cooking lid, helping maintain consistent internal temperatures.
- Add-on Smoker Box: For some gas grills, you might use a separate cast iron or stainless steel box that sits directly on the grates or flavorizer bars. While effective, it might require opening the lid more frequently to refill, affecting temperature stability.
- Capacity and Access: Consider the size of the smoker box. A larger capacity means less frequent refilling during long smoking sessions. Easy access is also crucial for convenience.
Construction & Durability
Your grill is an outdoor appliance, exposed to the Lowcountry elements. Quality construction is paramount for longevity.
- Stainless Steel: Look for high-grade stainless steel in the construction of the lid, firebox, and control panel. This material offers excellent corrosion resistance and durability.
- Cast Iron Grates: Cast iron cooking grates are prized for their ability to retain and distribute heat evenly, creating beautiful sear marks and holding onto flavor. They are a sign of a quality grill.
- Rust Resistance: Given our coastal climate, rust resistance is a critical factor. Good quality materials and finishes will protect your investment.
- Warranty: A strong manufacturer’s warranty speaks volumes about the product’s quality and the brand’s confidence in its durability. Always check the warranty details for different components.
Cooking Power & Size
The raw power and cooking area define how much and how quickly you can cook.
- BTU Output: British Thermal Units (BTUs) measure the heat output. For effective grilling and searing, you’ll want sufficient BTU per main burner.
- Number of Burners: Multiple burners (typically 3-5 for a combo unit) are essential for creating different heat zones, allowing you to grill directly on high heat while simultaneously smoking indirectly on low heat.
- Primary Cooking Area: This is measured in square inches and tells you how much food you can cook at once. Sizes like 600+ sq. in. are great for entertaining, while smaller units around 400 sq. in. might suit smaller families.
- Warming Racks: These are invaluable for keeping cooked food warm without overcooking, or for gently toasting buns.
Heat Control & Distribution
Precise heat management is crucial for both grilling and smoking.
- Flame Tamers/Flavorizer Bars: These metal plates sit above the burners, protecting them from dripping grease and vaporizing juices to create flavorful smoke. They also help distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface.
- Built-in Thermometers: A reliable thermometer integrated into the lid is essential for monitoring the grill’s internal temperature. More advanced models might include multiple probe ports for monitoring food temperatures directly.
Smart Technology
The world of grilling is getting smarter, and these advancements improve convenience and precision.
- Electric Ignition: A reliable electric ignition system means you can light your burners quickly and safely with the push of a button, eliminating the need for matches or lighters.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity & App Control: Many modern grills, including some outdoor gas grill with smoker models, now feature Wi-Fi connectivity. This allows you to monitor and control your grill’s temperature, set timers, and even receive real-time notifications on your smartphone from anywhere in your home or even when you’re out and about in Charleston. This is particularly useful for long smoking sessions, eliminating the need to constantly check on your grill.
- Integrated Meat Probes: Smart grills often come with integrated meat probes that plug directly into the grill’s system, allowing you to monitor the internal temperature of your food with extreme accuracy, often viewable on the grill’s display or via the app.
- Digital Controls: Digital control boards with LED readouts offer precise temperature settings, making it easier to maintain the ideal smoking or grilling temperature.
These smart features take the guesswork out of grilling and smoking, making the process more enjoyable and the results more consistent.
Our Top Grill & Smoker Combo Picks for 2025
The market for outdoor gas grill with smoker units is vibrant and diverse, with options to suit every type of backyard chef. To find your perfect match, it’s helpful to look at the different categories of grills available in 2025. By considering your cooking style, budget, and available space, you can narrow down the features and functionalities that matter most to you.
The Tech-Lover’s Dream: Smart Grills
- Features: These grills boast Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing seamless app control from your smartphone. You can monitor and adjust temperatures, set timers, and receive real-time notifications whether you’re mingling with guests or running a quick errand. Many include multiple integrated meat probes, so you can track the internal temperature of different cuts of meat simultaneously. Some even offer guided cooking programs and access to extensive recipe libraries through their apps, turning anyone into a pitmaster. Digital control boards with clear LED readouts are standard, making precise temperature adjustments easy.
- Best for: Smart grills are ideal for precision cooking, especially for long, low-and-slow smoking sessions where consistent temperature is key. They’re perfect for busy individuals or tech-savvy users who appreciate the ability to monitor their cook remotely, freeing them up to enjoy other activities in their James Island backyard.
The Entertainer: Large Capacity Grills
- Features: These beasts typically offer 600+ square inches of primary cooking area, often paired with additional warming racks, bringing the total cooking space well over 1000 square inches. With 4 or more main burners, you have ample power and flexibility to create multiple heat zones. Many include a powerful side burner for preparing sauces or sides, and some even come with a rotisserie kit for succulent roasted chickens or roasts. Ample side shelves and storage cabinets are common, providing space for prep and tools.
- Best for: Large capacity grills are essential for big families, frequent entertainers, or anyone who enjoys cooking multiple types of food at once. Imagine grilling burgers and hot dogs on one side while slow-smoking a pork shoulder on the other – all on the same unit!
The Versatile Performer
- Features: These grills are built for the chef who wants it all. They offer true versatility by combining a powerful gas grill with an efficient smoking system, often including an integrated smoker box. Many feature multiple cooking zones, powerful side burners for preparing sauces, and even rotisserie kits. This allows you to grill, sear, smoke, and roast simultaneously, handling almost any outdoor cooking challenge on a single unit.
- Best for: This category suits culinary experimenters, those who enjoy trying different cooking techniques, and anyone seeking an all-around performer that can handle almost any outdoor cooking challenge. From a quick weeknight steak to a weekend-long brisket, these grills are up to the task.
The Budget-Friendly Starter
- Features: These models are typically more compact, featuring 2-3 main burners, which is perfect for smaller families or couples. While they might not have a built-in smoker drawer, they are usually compatible with add-on smoker boxes that sit directly on the grates. They offer solid basic performance for both grilling and adding smoke flavor, often with reliable electric ignition and built-in thermometers. You might find them constructed with durable coated steel or a combination of materials that keep the price accessible.
- Best for: Budget-friendly starters are ideal for small patios or balconies, apartment dwellers, beginners who are new to smoking, or anyone who wants to experience the benefits of an outdoor gas grill with smoker without a significant investment. They prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy delicious smoked and grilled food.
Mastering Your Combo Grill: From Setup to Cleanup
Getting the most out of your outdoor gas grill with smoker means understanding how to use both functions effectively and keep your unit in top shape. Don’t worry, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds! We’ll walk you through it.
Using the Smoker Function
The beauty of a gas grill with a smoker is its ease of use. Here’s how to get that delicious smoky flavor:
- Prepare Your Wood Chips: Most gas grills use wood chips rather than large chunks or pellets (pellets burn too quickly in a gas grill’s smoker box). For a more sustained smoke, you might want to soak your wood chips in water for about 30 minutes before use. This helps them smolder rather than burn too quickly.
- Preheat and Set Up for Indirect Heat: Turn one or two burners on to a medium-low setting, aiming for an internal grill temperature between 225-275°F. If your grill has an integrated smoker box, place your pre-soaked wood chips in it directly over one of the lit burners. If you’re using an add-on smoker box, place it on the grates over a lit burner. You want the chips to smolder, not ignite in a flame.
- Temperature Management: This is key for smoking. Use your grill’s built-in thermometer or a separate probe to monitor the internal temperature. For true low-and-slow smoking, aim for that 225-275°F range. Adjust the gas burners as needed to maintain this consistent temperature.
- Add Your Food: Place your food on the unlit side of the grill, away from the direct heat, to allow for indirect cooking. Close the lid and let the magic happen!
- Monitor Smoke: You’re looking for a thin, wispy blue smoke. Thick, white smoke often indicates incomplete combustion and can impart a bitter flavor. If you see thick white smoke, adjust your wood chips or airflow.
For crucial information on cooking safety, especially with smoked meats, always refer to reliable sources like the USDA: Food Safety for Smoking Meats.
Ensuring Even Smoke & Heat
Achieving perfect results requires a little finesse in managing smoke and heat:
- Two-Zone Fire: This is your best friend for smoking on a gas grill. By lighting only some of your burners, you create a “hot zone” (over the lit burners, where your smoker box sits) and a “cool zone” (over the unlit burners, where your food cooks). This indirect heat is vital for tender, slow-cooked meats.
- Using Dampers (if available): Some gas grills have adjustable vents or dampers. If yours does, you can use them to control airflow, which affects both temperature and smoke intensity. More airflow can lead to higher temperatures and faster wood chip burn, while less airflow can lower temps and prolong smoke.
- Water Pan for Moisture: For longer smoking sessions, placing a disposable aluminum pan filled with water directly under your food (in the indirect heat zone) can help maintain moisture in the cooking chamber. This is especially beneficial for larger cuts of meat like briskets and pork shoulders, preventing them from drying out and helping to create a beautiful bark.
Best Foods for Smoking
The possibilities are endless once you’ve mastered your combo grill! Here are some classic favorites that shine when slow-smoked:
- Ribs: Pork spare ribs or baby back ribs are a smoking staple. Low and slow cooking makes them incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Pulled Pork: A pork shoulder (Boston butt) transformed into juicy, shredded perfection is a crowd-pleaser.
- Brisket: The king of BBQ, brisket requires patience but yields incredible results.
- Chicken: Whole chickens or chicken pieces benefit from a smoky bath, emerging moist and delicious.
- Salmon: Smoked salmon is a delicate treat, perfect for appetizers or a light meal.
- Vegetables: Don’t forget your veggies! Bell peppers, onions, corn on the cob, and even potatoes take on wonderful depth when smoked.
Maintenance Tips
Keeping your outdoor gas grill with smoker clean ensures optimal performance and extends its lifespan.
- Cleaning the Smoker Box: After each use, empty any ash and spent wood chips from the smoker box. A stiff brush or scraper can help remove residue.
- Scraping Grates: While the grill is still warm, use a good grill brush to scrape off any food particles from the cooking grates. This prevents buildup and ensures even cooking next time.
- Emptying Grease Trap: Regularly check and empty the grease trap or drip pan. This is crucial for safety to prevent grease fires.
- Deep Cleaning Schedule: Periodically (depending on how often you use it), perform a more thorough cleaning. This includes cleaning burner covers, the inside of the firebox, and the exterior. For stainless steel, use a specialized cleaner to maintain its shine. A clean grill is a happy grill, and it’ll serve you well for many James Island cookouts to come!
Frequently Asked Questions about Gas Grills with Smokers
We hear a lot of great questions from our customers in Charleston about getting the most out of their outdoor gas grill with smoker. Here are some of the most common ones we encounter:
Can you get a good smoke ring with a gas grill?
Yes, you absolutely can get a smoke ring with a gas grill! The smoke ring is a pinkish-red band just beneath the surface of smoked meat, often mistakenly thought to indicate flavor or tenderness. In reality, it’s a chemical reaction between nitric oxide and carbon monoxide (gases produced by burning wood) and the myoglobin in the meat. While it’s a visual hallmark of good BBQ, it’s not the only indicator of deliciousness. You can achieve a great smoke ring on a gas grill by ensuring a consistent, low temperature and continuous smoke production from your wood chips. Focus on taste and texture – that’s where the true pitmaster magic lies!
What kind of wood should I use in my gas grill’s smoker box?
For a gas grill’s smoker box, we strongly recommend using wood chips or small wood chunks. Wood pellets, while great for pellet grills, tend to burn too quickly and in a gas grill’s smoker box, making it hard to maintain a steady smoke.
The type of wood you choose will impart different flavors:
- Hickory: A classic, strong smoky flavor, excellent for pork (especially pulled pork and ribs) and beef.
- Apple: Milder and sweeter, perfect for poultry, pork, and even fish.
- Mesquite: Very strong and distinct, best for beef (like brisket) and some game meats. Use sparingly as it can be overpowering.
- Cherry: A mild, fruity smoke that gives a beautiful reddish hue to poultry and pork.
- Oak: A medium, versatile smoke that pairs well with almost anything.
Experiment to find your favorite pairings!
How often do I need to add more wood chips when smoking?
Generally, you’ll need to add more wood chips to your smoker box every 45-60 minutes during a smoking session. This can vary depending on the temperature you’re maintaining, the size and type of your smoker box, and how much smoke flavor you desire. The key is to watch for the smoke. When the thin, blue smoke starts to dissipate or becomes very faint, it’s time to replenish your chips. You don’t need a continuous billow of smoke for the entire cook; the meat absorbs most of its smoke flavor in the first few hours. Adding fresh chips periodically ensures a consistent, clean smoke profile without over-smoking your food.
Find Your Perfect Grill at Lowcountry Ace
We’ve explored the incredible versatility and convenience that an outdoor gas grill with smoker brings to your backyard. From fast weeknight grilling to low-and-slow smoking, these combination units are a game-changer for anyone in James Island, Folly Beach, or Charleston who loves outdoor cooking. Remember to consider essential features like the smoker box design, durable construction, cooking power, precise heat control, and the exciting possibilities of smart technology when making your choice.
At Lowcountry Ace, we understand that finding the right grill is about more than just features – it’s about enhancing your outdoor living and creating delicious memories. Our helpful team is always ready to provide expert advice, guiding you through the options and helping you select the perfect outdoor gas grill with smoker that fits your lifestyle and budget. Come visit us and let us help you find the right grill to release your inner pitmaster!
Explore our full range of grills and smokers
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