Before you decide which one will work best for you, and your outdoor cooking needs, you should consider whether or not this type of grill is right for you at all. This combo grill from Char Broil sits at the smaller end of the scale, offering 540 square inches of cooking space. It streamlines its charcoal and gas capabilities into just one grill, which is why it’s far smaller than size than other types of combo grill. Features including propane gas burners and charcoal pits, electric ignition, and generous cooking space, all within one unit. Like most combo grills, the Coyote Centaur has side by side gas and charcoal grill boxes with a huge total cooking area of 1200 square inches. Gas & charcoal combo grills offer the speed and convenience of gas with the option to switch to the rich smoky flavor of charcoal.
This grill boasts quite a bit of cooking and storage space and warming plates as an added benefit. A good number is between 75 and 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking space. This will ensure that your grill can heat up quickly, while also maintaining good cooking power. Most charcoal grill chambers have two, with one (the intake damper) located towards the bottom of the chamber, and the other (the exhaust damper) located near the top.
The charcoal hopper needs to be refilled periodically during long cooking sessions, but this is a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits of cooking with charcoal. Some users have reported issues with the temperature control system, but these seem to be isolated incidents. One of the standout features of this grill/smoker combo is its ability to reach high temperatures quickly. With the ability to reach 225 F in 8 minutes, 450 F in 10 minutes, or 700 degrees Fahrenheit in 14 minutes, you can start cooking in no time. Additionally, the grill/smoker combo comes with a flat top griddle insert and cast iron grill grates, providing a total cooking area of 800 square inches.
This is an important point that many gas and coal equipment do not take into account. A good combi grill should have an adjustable charcoal pan that you can adjust to suit your needs. The more air there is, the faster the charcoal will burn (higher temperature). Likewise, less air means the charcoal burns less intensely and for longer (lower temperature). If you’re going to have to use the charcoal side, I like to use the side burner in conjunction with Oklahoma Joe’s halftime starter to get the charcoal lit. So all you have to do is load the charcoal starter with charcoal, place it on the side burner, light the gas and in ten minutes or so you’re completely ready to dump it in the firebox.
Keeping that in mind, we leaned toward models that offer even more ways to cook by including such additional features as smoker boxes and side burners. Finally, we also considered build quality by leaning Expert Grill Combo Grills toward grills that use heavier-gauge steel construction offered by reputable brands. The Oklahoma Joe’s charcoal LP gas grill is the real combo grill because it’s a gas charcoal combo grill and smoker.
On the charcoal side of the grill, an adjustable fuel tray and adjustable dampers allow for precise heating and airflow control as well as an additional 600 square inches of cooking space. This base grill can also be upgraded with a variety of products and accessories custom built for this grill model (sold separately). Since many hybrid grills are larger than standard grills and include multiple cook boxes to handle their dual cooking functions, they can take 3 hours or more to assemble.
It’s not just about power though, this is a brilliantly efficient grill too. It features porcelain enamel grates, which help distribute heat evenly. The Coyote Centaur also supports wood chip cooking on the charcoal side.
The grill boasts 742 square inches of cooking surface for either grilling or smoking but doesn’t take up much space at just 25.3 inches long by 59 inches wide. Flanking the grill is a large 20-pound-capacity pellet hopper that has a dropout for easy removal of leftover pellets. Coyote Stainless Steel Freestanding Gas & Charcoal Combo Grill, 50-Inch (C1HY50-CT) provides a premium hybrid grill for your outdoor kitchen space. On the gas half of this grill, two high-performance Coyote I-Burners offer heating capabilities up to 40,000 BTU of heat output across 600 square inches of cooking space. In addition, integrated interior lighting makes low-light grilling easier.
While there are many great benefits to being able to cook with both gas and charcoal, combo grills are not without their drawbacks. Both sides combine to give you 1,260 square inches of cooking space, Grills Portable Grills including warming racks, and the grill itself is made of sturdy and corrosion-resistant stainless steel. The largest factor that determines how long any grill will last is its build quality.
Temperatures above 650 degrees Fahrenheit are reached without problems. However, one thing you should take into account during the cooking phase is a slight temperature difference in the various areas of the grill. You may notice a higher temperature in the back that decreases as you get to the front. The gas portion makes it easy for those weeknight Grills Portable Grills cooks who just want to get outside, grill something, and get it done quickly. It has an easy light electric ignition, making it easy to preheat and a nice quality cook. If your welding skills are up to scratch, you may want to take on the DIY challenge yourself by taking an existing offset smoker and the pellet burner/hopper assembly above.