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Beginner's Guide to Combo Grilling: Gas & Charcoal

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published July 24, 2024

If you’re a beginner then you must have found yourself struggling with the griller's dilemma. So, what do you go with for your barbecue needs: a gas grill or a charcoal grill? If you face the same confusion, here’s a beginner's guide to grilling with a gas and charcoal combo grill.

Grilling for Beginners: Understanding the Difference Between Gas and Charcoal Grills

Before planning your barbecue party, you might want to clear up the basics of grilling. So, here we are to make it simple for you to understand. Using a gas and charcoal grill is more than just building a fire and smoking meat. To master the basics, you need to know the difference between the two most popular types of grills i.e. gas and charcoal. While both produce great food, your choice should depend on convenience and time.

The Beginner’s Gas Grill Guide

A gas grill is widely admired by people who love outdoor barbecues more. This type of grill works on either propane or natural gas. The propane is often stored in tanks while the natural gas is sourced directly from your gas line. Gas grills include these 3 components:

Here are some advantages that make gas grills a smart option: 

  • Instant ignition: You do not need to build up a flame on a gas grill. It ignites instantly simply by turning a knob or by the push of a button.
  • High heat: A gas grill has the potential to produce heat up to 700°F. There are some models which can even heat up further to 1000°F
  • Quick preheating: The gas grill reaches its desired temperature from the moment it's lit.
  • Temperature control gauge: While in the process, you might need to adjust the temperature or heat. For that, use its control knob that lets you adjust the heat as required.
  • Versatility: You can use indirect heat, high heat or even enjoy low and slow smoking.
  • Easy to use: The quick response time of the burners makes the gas grill easy to use.

The Beginner’s Charcoal Grill Guide

A charcoal grill is often praised for providing a smoky flavor. It uses charcoal to cook food on high heat. A few adjustments can allow you to smoke, grill, bake and sear the meat at any temperature. This type of grill also lets you cook seared vegetables. With a charcoal grill, you can opt for:

  • Indirect Heat Cooking: Here, you can slow cook your meat to preserve moisture. It can also help prevent charring on the outside.
  • Direct Heat Cooking: Here, the drippings from your cooking fall on the coals. This adds flavor and aroma to the smoked food.
  • Dual-Zone Cooking: You can place meat over the coals for direct heating and other foods away for indirect heat.

In addition to enhancing taste, here are several other benefits of charcoal grills:

  • Cost-Efficiency: A charcoal grill is among the most affordable options available. Both charcoal and wood chips used in this grill are relatively affordable.
  • Customizable: It allows customizable cooking, with options like direct, indirect and dual-zone cooking.
  • High Heat: Cooking requires a lot of skill which comes with experiments. Now, charcoal grills give you the freedom to experiment with your cooking styles at different temperatures. These are designed without any limit on temperature.
  • Moisture Retention: The charcoal grill releases infrared heat. It helps in retaining moisture, resulting in juicier meat compared to gas grills.

The Ultimate Combo: The Benefits of Gas and Charcoal Grills in One

Gas grills excel at quick and even cooking, while charcoal grills deliver the most authentic barbecue flavor. When you are left to make one choice, you might end up feeling as if you're missing out on the other. So, if you want the best of both worlds,​ a combo grill is what you should choose. On one hand, you can enjoy the convenience of a gas grill and on the other hand, you can get that smoky flavor of charcoal grilling, all in one appliance. Combo grills have a gas grill on one side and a charcoal grill on the other. Here are a few benefits of investing in a combo grill:

What is combo grill

  • Versatility: What makes your combo grill truly unique is that it offers the versatility of both, gas and charcoal grills. It offers you an easy temperature control on the gas grill. It also helps infuse a smoky flavor from the charcoal.
  • Efficient Cooking: You can quickly cook vegetables on the gas side. You can use the charcoal side to slow-cook the meat. You can also do both simultaneously.
  • Control and Convenience: You can adjust the temperature with a temperature gauge on the gas side. At the same time, you can savor the smoky flavor on the charcoal part.

Grilling Guide for Beginners: Learn How to Cook Using a Combo Grill

The best thing about owning a combo grill is having the benefit of choosing your cooking style without worrying about the cooking method, appliance availability or flavor. Cooking with a gas and charcoal combo grill can be categorized into three cooking methods: direct, indirect and combo.

Direct Cooking Method

The direct cooking method is suitable for searing and cooking foods like shrimp, hamburgers, chops and most vegetables in under 20 minutes. Simply place your food directly over the heat source and flip it halfway through to cook both sides evenly. This method works on any grill but is most effective with the lid closed during cooking.

Indirect Cooking Method

When you have larger cuts of foods, especially meats, it will take a​ longer time and lower temperature to cook. In those situations, you can opt for the indirect cooking method on your combo grill. It is a perfect choice for cooking foods like whole turkey, chicken pieces, ribs and roasts. This method cooks food with radiant heat, similar to an indoor oven, resulting in juicier meats without needing to turn them. It needs a covered grill, with the food placed between the heat source and it, not directly above it.

Tip
To maintain even cooking temperatures try to avoid opening the lid.

Combo Grill Cooking Guide

The combo cooking method prevents hassle by allowing you to use both direct and indirect cooking. This technique is ideal for chops, steaks and tenderloins, creating a caramelized exterior and juicy interior. To make the most of it, first, sear the food over high heat for a few minutes. Once done, move it to indirect heat to finish cooking slowly.