Achieve the perfect balance of grilling and smoking with the best grill smoker combo under 500 dollars. Enhance your outdoor cooking game with these budget-friendly options that offer versatility, flavor, and convenience, all without breaking the bank.
If you want to skip the reviews, we say get the Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado.
Best Grill Smoker Combo Under $500 Reviews
Pit Barrel Cooker Classic Package
- EFFORTLESS: Whether you’re new to outdoor cooking or an expert trying to perfect your craft, cook...
- VERSATILE: The cooking possibilities are endless. For the perfect smoked meat, grill or hang ribs and...
- DURABLE: Each Pit Barrel Cooker is made with a superior-grade porcelain enamel finish that looks great...
- PORTABLE: Our cookers are made to be lightweight and compact to fit in most vans, SUVs, and truck beds....
- THE COMPLETE SMOKER STARTER: Everything you will need to get started: The barrel (33” tall, including...
The Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC) is an ideal entry-level smoker due to its straightforward operation and delicious results with minimal effort required from you.
Like a convection oven, its heat circulates evenly around its drum to maximize dripping potential by hanging meats inside, as well as reduce overall cooking times due to being at lower temperatures than on grill grate grills.
As such, it makes this smoker ideal for beginners looking to experience smoking their own meat but isn’t yet ready for something bigger – making PBC an excellent entry-level choice that offers delicious results with minimal effort on your part.
Pit Barrel’s Classic Package comes complete with everything needed to start smoking right away, including their smoker, two hanging rods and 8 stainless steel hooks, an 8-liter charcoal basket, and a standard grill grate.
You’ll be ready to smoke chicken breasts, brisket, or whole turkeys all within its drum. Taking things a step further? Add their hinged cooking grate for hanging as well as grilling at once!
Add the optional turkey hanger for easy smoking of whole birds in the barrel and enjoy that signature crispy skin that so many enjoy. Plus, the grate makes for excellent smoking of things such as sausages, brats, or quartered chicken – giving a different smoky taste than traditional grilled meats while yielding equally delectable results!
Pit Barrel Cookers are immensely popular due to their easy use.
Simply load up the charcoal basket with coal (we recommend charcoal briquettes as they provide more consistent heat), set your damper, add meat, close the lid, and wait – once smoking starts happening you can find yourself something else to occupy your time for several hours while your meal slowly cooks!
The PBC is also exceptionally durable and will withstand years of abuse without succumbing to damage, making it one of the top choices for those starting out smoking their own meat.
Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
- KAMADO CHARCOAL GRILL - Kamado style BBQ Grill & Smoker perfect for both high heat grilling and low and...
- LARGE COOKING AREA - 20 inch Cooking Diameter with 447 square inch total Cooking Area can cook up to 27...
- BEST IN CLASS FEATURES - Triple-Walled Steel Insulated Design, Cast Iron Grates, Locking Lid, 8" Locking...
- EASY TO USE & CLEAN - Control the heat levels with ease using the indexed adjustable dual dampers and...
- DIMENSIONS - 31”L x 45”W x 47”H, 97 lbs (pairs with the Char-Griller 6755 AKORN Grill Cover and...
If you’re looking to break into kamado-style cooking on a budget, this model is an excellent way to do so. While it might not feature all of the bells and whistles associated with more expensive models, this cooker does a fantastic job at grilling and smoking meat.
Its insulated body retains heat well for extended smoking sessions while reaching high temperatures for grilling steaks – perfect if trying for that perfect char! Additionally, its insulation will protect you if accidental touches occur – and won’t singe your hand if something goes amiss!
The Akorn is simple to set up and comes equipped with an easy user manual that offers clear instructions.
Additionally, there are accessories like the “Smoking Stone,” which fits between coal and grate to diffuse heat for slow cooking, and a cover – even though it weighs over 100 pounds it’s relatively compact enough for one person to move easily.
While its dome-shaped body and upper/lower dampers make it suitable for both grilling and smoking it may take practice to find its optimal temperature as raising it tends to be easier than bringing it down; therefore it’s best advised that temperatures be adjusted on the lower side so as opposed to raising it for better results!
Akorn charcoal smokers are also notable for being less fragile than traditional ceramic kamados, due to their double-wall construction and insulation that allows it to weigh far less while offering similar durability at a fraction of the cost.
While not as lightweight as Big Green Egg, Akorn charcoal grills will do just fine in most scenarios.
This model can cook a wide range of foods, from chicken and ribs to steak, pizza, and pizza toppings – the Akorn is the most versatile charcoal grill available and ideal for anyone looking to expand their grilling skills.
Though there is some initial learning required when operating it properly, its use will remain for many years to come if treated with care and diligence.
Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Offset Smoker
- TYPE: The Longhorn Reverse Flow Offset Smoker provides the best for you outdoor cooking needs. With...
- FUEL: Charcoal fuel allows you to grill with high heat or cook low and slow.
- SIZE: 751-square-inches of primary cooking space; 309-square-inches of secondary cooking space.
- MATERIAL: Heavy-gauge steel construction ensures durability you can trust.
- CONTROLS: Professional temperature gauge for accurate monitoring.
Oklahoma Joe Longhorn reverse flow smoker is an excellent way to elevate your barbecue game, featuring a large cooking area equipped with multiple dampers and temperature gauges for precise smoke control, as well as an accessible charcoal basket and firebox access door to easily add fuel.
Longhorn’s heavy-duty steel construction makes it stand out, ensuring it can withstand even the most intense smoking sessions without warping or bending.
Furthermore, its durable porcelain coating protects grates from damage while being easy to clean. Plus, each surface of each grate boasts anti-stick properties to avoid food sticking to them!
This reverse-flow smoker features comfortable rubber handles with stay-cool tread and large wheels for effortless maneuvering.
Furthermore, its multiple racks can accommodate different meat sizes while its removable baffle plates allow it to quickly switch into traditional offset configuration for greater versatility.
This 751 square inch smoking surface provides enough cooking area to feed a small crowd, with multiple dampers and temperature gauges for optimal smoke control, a removable ash pan and firebox access door for effortless removal of leftover ashes, multiple dampers for precise smoke regulation and multiple dampers for precise temperature regulation ensuring optimal smoke control.
Oklahoma Joe’s reverse-flow smoker is an excellent entry-level option for beginners looking to break into reverse-flow smoking. It features a spacious cooking area, multiple dampers, and an inbuilt temperature gauge, all at an excellent value.
Plus its removable ash pan and firebox access doors make removing extra ash or replacing wood chips simple!
Before purchasing a reverse flow smoker, it’s wise to read reviews and compare prices in order to select the optimal combo smoker for you and your needs. Furthermore, consider your backyard space requirements and budget when making this important decision.
Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
- Material Type: Steel
- The Weber Smokey Mountain charcoal smoker helps you achieve an authentic smokehouse flavor at home
- It can accommodate a whole turkey and an entire ham at the same time. Item weight- 39.1 pounds
- Made of porcelain-enameled steel, this smoker comes with 2 nickel-plated 18-1/2-inch-wide cooking grates
- Includes a water pan, thermometer, individual vents on bowl and lid, and heat-resistant nylon handle
For barbecue lovers who don’t want to invest in two separate units, this unit is an excellent solution. It allows you to smoke meat while grilling at once for consistent taste and precise temperature control.
Crafted from heavy-duty porcelain-enameled steel and featuring a charcoal grate with a water pan that adds moisture for smoking meat without drying it out, you can also add flavoring liquids such as apple cider to add even more tasteful aroma to your food!
The Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker is a top choice, due to its exceptional heat retention and easy temperature control features.
This cooker also comes equipped with a rust-resistant aluminum fuel door for convenient access to its charcoal ring; handy when adding more or adjusting charcoal during smoking sessions.
Furthermore, its air dampers are adjustable while its silicone probe grommet allows you to insert meat thermometers for accurate temperature readings.
Weber smokers produce less smoke, making it easier to cook longer without becoming fatigued or uncomfortable. Unfortunately, they lack WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity which may turn some off.
This smoker may be more costly than some on this list, but its extra expense is well worth its investment. With an extended cooking surface that can hold up to 30 pounds of meat at one time and sturdy materials backed by a limited lifetime warranty – this smoker makes for an excellent value purchase.
Beginners looking to try smoking can benefit from purchasing an easy and user-friendly charcoal smoker, with its use requiring the skills necessary for effective fire management and temperature regulation with vents; but at the same time being user-friendly and cost-effective for those on a tight budget.
A quality smoker should have an extended lifespan and be suitable for use in any climate while being built from durable materials with large cooking space and easy-access air vents in its firebox, a removable ash tray for quick and easy cleanup, and an accurate temperature gauge on its lid.
Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D Charcoal Smoker
- Six height-adjustable cooking grates accommodate various sizes of food, giving 1890 square inches of...
- Porcelain-enameled steel charcoal chamber is designed to keep briquettes stacked tightly for improved...
- Charcoal and ash management system with charcoal chamber, grate and sliding, removable steel ash pan....
- Vertical design lends itself to naturally rising heat, achieving greater efficiency and improved smoke...
- Smoke stack features an adjustable flue for additional flavor and temperature control.
Dyna-Glo’s DGO1890BDC-D Charcoal Smoker offers an exceptional value-for-money traditional charcoal smoking experience.
Featuring an offset vertical design and multiple dampers to optimize heat and smoke distribution for an authentic smoky flavor, its durable steel body will last years while still being easy to use and monitor compared with electric or gas options.
The smoker features a porcelain enameled charcoal chamber designed to keep briquettes tightly packed together for efficient burn efficiency, and an easily removable steel ash pan to handle large amounts of ash for hours of hassle-free cooking.
Furthermore, its adjustable chimney damper and air intake vent provide precise temperature control that lets you customize your smoking experience as you see fit.
Plus it comes equipped with an excellent thermometer complete with smoke zone indicator to make achieving ideal smoking temperatures even simpler!
Dyna-Glo smoker offers 1,890 square inches of cooking surface area that accommodates various food sizes and shapes.
Utilizing indirect heat, its six height-adjustable cooking grates allow users to customize smoking results and add delicious smoky flavors to each bite of food smoked through indirect heating.
The Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D features double doors that keep hot coals and wood chips away from direct contact with meat or fish being smoked, helping prevent overcooking at the bottom racks and creating an even cook overall while minimizing heat and smoke loss.
When adding more coal or wood chips, opening these doors easily is all it takes – its sturdy powder coat finish resists corrosion from harsh weather conditions and high temperatures too!
Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker
- 544 Square inches of cooking space spread across three chrome-plated cooking grates
- Double-wall insulated construction with dual exhaust ports.Wash cooking grate with warm soapy water,...
- Door-mounted temperature gauge, and dual latches to keep door sealed shut
- Front-access water tray, grease cup and wood chip tray
- Measures 20.7 in W x 33.5 in H x 15 in D. 1, 000 watt electric element
This smoker is an outstanding value and would make an outstanding addition to any backyard barbecue area.
With ample space for multiple items and four cooking racks, and its ample wood chip box that allows for long smoking sessions without opening the door – the only drawback is it consumes 1.5kWh per hour of electricity; which should be expected given its price range and size.
This model features an excellent viewing window and insulation to retain heat and smoke that are essential when smoking meats. With its easy analog power controller and temperature probe for beginners who may prefer not having complex digital displays.
A dial lets you easily set and maintain an ideal temperature setting so that you can focus on smoking delicious meats instead of mechanical or digital failures.
The main downside of this smoker is its lack of an integrated meat thermometer; however, you can purchase one separately for a relatively low cost.
Furthermore, its Bluetooth app can sometimes become unreliable, losing connection with the smoker altogether and leaving users trying to adjust its temperature without knowing exactly when this will happen – this can be particularly frustrating if they’re away from home and trying to adjust its settings from an unfamiliar location.
However, due to being double-walled insulated this smoker still delivers great performance at its price point.
Much cheaper than comparable Masterbuilt digital models available at big box stores and providing you with great-tasting smoked meals – making this an excellent way to get into smoking but on a limited budget.
Be mindful that without a temperature gauge or timer, you may need to monitor food more frequently while also adding water and wood chips more frequently so a quality dual probe thermometer setup would definitely come in handy for this option.
Char-Broil Vertical Liquid Propane Gas Smoker
- 595 square inch cooking surface with 3 chrome-plated cooking grates
- 7,566 cubic inches of cooking space
- Warming rack on top of smoker chamber
- Gas feature allows consistent heat for better smoke experience
- Porcelain wood chip and water pan
Char-Broil’s vertical gas smoker offers ample cooking space at an extremely reasonable cost, featuring three smoking racks to accommodate large cuts of meat like brisket or ribs.
Plus, there’s even an easily refillable water pan to steam your meals – perfect for use either with propane or charcoal for ultimate flexibility! It even comes equipped with its own temperature gauge to monitor its operation!
Best used when used to warm food up on its removable warming rack! Plus there’s even an adjustable door-mounted temperature gauge! It comes equipped with three smoking racks designed for large cuts like brisket or ribs smoking space!
Plus you get door door-mounted temperature gauge to monitor its operation – perfect for warming! Plus this vertical gas smoker from Char-Broil offers ample cooking space at a fairly reasonable price point making this vertical gas smoker ideal for large cuts of meat like brisket or ribs smoking applications!
Best for those wanting large cuts like brisket or ribs smoking large cuts like brisket or ribs when smoking large cuts like brisket or ribs when smoking larger cuts like brisket or ribs are wanted.
It works great either on propane or charcoal to provide maximum versatility, ideal when smoking large cuts like brisket or ribs when smoking large cuts like brisket or ribs, or when smoking large cuts like brisket or ribs like bris.
If you’re on the search for an efficient and versatile smoker, this one should top your list. Boasting an impressive combination of high-quality features at an outstanding value, it makes an excellent introduction to smoking for newcomers.
The digital controller makes setting and monitoring cooking temperature easy while its built-in thermometer ensures accurate results. Plus, its user-friendly design will offer years of reliable service!
The Masterbuilt is another top-tier product with impressive functionality at a very reasonable price point.
Using its powerful electric heating system, this smoking chamber can handle large cuts of meat while keeping temperatures consistent throughout its use – easy to operate and clean up after long cooks! Plus, its size makes it suitable for smoking in large crowds!
This cabinet-style smoker features a double-walled body that is both energy efficient and durable, featuring cast-aluminum Roto-Draft dampers to regulate temperature.
Equipped with four adjustable stainless steel cooking racks and 770 square inches of total cooking space – enough for several racks of ribs or an entire cut of meat! Additionally, its two-way entry point makes reloading wood chips or changing out the water pan easy without opening the main chamber door.
This stainless-steel smoker can withstand even heavy use and will last for years. It features a dual-path air intake to prevent hot spots while its water pan can be pulled out without disturbing its water level in the combo pan. Furthermore, this unit makes an excellent addition for those without ample patio space as it can easily fit into a garage or basement for storage purposes.
Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Wood Pellet Grill
- NEVER USE GAS OR CHARCOAL AGAIN: Traeger created the original wood-pellet grill as the ultimate way to...
- PRECISION TEMPERATURE CONTROL: The Digital Arc Controller maintains a plus/minus 15 degree F temperature...
- Take your grill and your wood-fired BBQ wherever you go. Whether it’s your truck tailgate, the parking...
- EZ fold legs, a grill capacity of 300 sq inches, and capacity for 12 burgers, 3 racks of ribs or 2 whole...
- 6-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, braise, roast, bake, or BBQ
This portable smoker gives you the power to create delicious food with wood-fired flavor wherever your adventures may lead you. The Digital Pro Controller maintains precise temperatures while its large cooking capacity makes it suitable for smoking lots of meat at once.
Furthermore, WiFIRE technology enables remote control from anywhere with internet access – but regardless of its hefty price tag, this grill is worth every cent in terms of food produced!
The Tailgater 20 pellet grill is one of the most sought-after on the market. Known for its compact footprint and easy folding legs, its convenient size makes it suitable for tailgating or storage in the back of any truck, SUV, or car.
Constructed of durable powder-coated steel body material and porcelain grates which are easy to polish and clean; plus there is even an included heat baffle to disperse flames and prevent overheating!
This portable grill’s only downside is its size – too small for those aiming to cook for more than four people at the same time. But for everyday users looking for an efficient way to grill and smoke on the go, this model offers ideal portability.
Green Mountain Davy Crockett offers another portable pellet grill option with a slightly larger cooking space and is approximately $120 less expensive than Traeger; however, it lacks some features of Traeger that may make cooking easier.
This portable smoker does require power; simply plug it into either an AC outlet or a 12-volt car lighter plug to use it. At startup, 300 watts are required; after reaching optimal temperatures this drops significantly to 50 watts.
Notable for its easy setup and use. Noteworthy is its fold-up legs which may present difficulty for those of short stature, although this grill still remains an ideal upgrade from gas or charcoal alternatives due to using more environmentally friendly fuel sources that emit lower levels of carcinogens into the atmosphere.
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