The Grill That Finally Ends the Gas vs. Charcoal Debate
You know the feeling. You’re standing in the backyard, spatula in hand, wishing you had the quick convenience of gas and that smoky charcoal flavor. Most grill owners settle for one or the other. But what if you didn’t have to choose?
The LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo solves exactly that problem. This hybrid unit puts two complete grills side by side—a three-burner propane BBQ grill and a dedicated charcoal chamber—plus a side burner for sauces and sides. No more buying two separate grills. No more clutter on your patio. Just one heavy-duty stand holding everything you need to cook for family, friends, or the whole neighborhood.
I’ve spent time cooking on this gas and charcoal grill combo, and honestly? It’s a game-changer for anyone who loves outdoor cooking but hates compromise. Let me walk you through everything this propane BBQ grill can do, where it shines, and where it falls short—so you can decide if it belongs in your backyard.
Who Actually Needs This Dual Fuel Grill?
Before diving into specs and features, let’s talk about who benefits most from a hybrid grill.
The backyard entertainer throws parties every other weekend. You need to cook burgers and ribs and vegetables without running out of space or waiting for one cooking method to finish.
The flavor chaser loves the smokiness of charcoal but hates waiting 30 minutes for coals to ash over. On weeknights, you want gas speed. On weekends, you want charcoal depth.
The space-conscious homeowner doesn’t have room for two separate grills. Your patio or balcony needs one versatile unit, not two bulky appliances.
The budget-savvy buyer realizes that buying a standalone gas grill plus a charcoal kettle often costs more than this combo unit. One purchase. Two grills. Better value.
The outdoor cooking learner wants to experiment with both fuel types without investing in separate equipment. This dual fuel BBQ lets you find your style.
If any of those descriptions hit home, keep reading. This gas and charcoal grill combo might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
First Impressions: Unboxing and Assembly
The LAUDLIFE arrives in a large but manageable box. Expect some weight—this is a heavy-duty grill stand built with real metal, not flimsy tin. You’ll want a second person to help lift the main body into place.
Assembly took me about 90 minutes working alone. The instructions are mostly illustrated, which is fine, though a few steps could use clearer labeling. Basic tools are required (Phillips head screwdriver and an adjustable wrench). All hardware comes labeled in small bags—thank you for that, LAUDLIFE.
The cart comes partially pre-assembled. You’ll attach the four legs with caster wheels (two locking, two free-rolling), mount the side burner, connect the gas regulator hose, then set the main grill body onto the cart. The charcoal pan slides in separately.
One tip: lay out all parts before starting. The manual lists everything, and verifying you have all pieces saves backtracking later.
Once assembled, this propane BBQ grill feels rock solid. No wobble. No cheap rattling. The wheels roll smoothly across concrete and decking, though soft grass will still require some muscle to reposition.
Anatomy of the LAUDLIFE Hybrid Grill
Let’s break down what you’re actually getting. This isn’t a gas grill with a tiny charcoal “add-on.” Each cooking chamber is fully functional on its own.
Gas Side – Three Burners of Propane Power
The left chamber houses three stainless steel burners. Each burner puts out approximately 10,000 BTUs, giving you 30,000 BTUs total from the gas side. That’s respectable for a grill in this price range—enough heat to sear steaks and maintain consistent temperatures for roasting.
Independent controls let you run one, two, or all three burners. Zone cooking becomes easy: high heat on the left burner for searing, medium on the center for finishing, low on the right for keeping foods warm while other items finish.
Ignition is piezo-electric. Turn a burner knob, push the ignition button, and you get an immediate spark. No lighters, no matches. The push-button ignited on the first try every time during my testing, even on windy afternoons.
Heat distribution across the gas grates is reasonably even. You’ll notice slightly hotter spots directly above each burner tube—standard for budget to mid-range gas grills. Rotating food occasionally solves this.
The gas side preheats to 400°F in about 5-7 minutes. That’s what I love about propane. Tuesday night burgers? Fired up and cooking in less time than it takes to prep toppings.
Charcoal Side – Where Smoke Flavor Lives
The right chamber holds a removable charcoal pan with adjustable height settings. This last part matters more than most people realize.
Why adjustable height matters: Lower the charcoal grate for low-and-slow cooking (think ribs at 250°F for hours). Raise it closer to the cooking grates for high-heat searing (steaks, chops, anything you want crusty).
The charcoal chamber is large enough to hold a standard chimney starter’s worth of coals—about 5-6 pounds. That gives you roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of cook time before needing fresh coals. For longer smokes, you’ll need to add charcoal mid-cook (there’s a side door for this, thankfully).
Airflow control comes from two dampers: one on the charcoal chamber lid and one on the rear. Learn to use these. Wide open gives you blazing heat (think 500°F+). Partially closed drops temperatures for smoking. This isn’t a high-end smoker, but you can absolutely produce decent smoke rings on pork shoulder or brisket with practice.
The learning curve with charcoal is real. Temperature management takes attention. But that’s not a flaw—that’s charcoal grilling. The LAUDLIFE gives you the tools to learn without also buying a separate kettle.
Side Burner – The Underrated Hero
A 12,000 BTU side burner sits on the right side of the unit. At first glance, you might think, “I’ll never use that.” Then you realize how many times you’ve run inside to boil corn on the stove while burgers finished outside.
Side burner uses I actually found valuable:
- Simmering baked beans or barbecue sauce
- Boiling corn on the cob or potatoes
- Sautéing onions and peppers for sausages
- Melting butter for seafood boils
- Keeping gravy or chili warm in a pot
- Frying small batches of onion rings or poppers
The burner is standard propane with a screw-on regulator attachment. It lights with the same push-button system. Wind can affect performance, so position your pots accordingly. A 10-inch saucepan fits comfortably; a 12-inch skillet is about the max before overhang becomes an issue.
Non-Stick Enamel Coating Grates – Easier Cleaning Than You Expect
Here’s where the non-stick enamel grates enter the conversation. Most budget to mid-range grills use bare cast iron or cheap stainless steel rods. Bare cast iron rusts if you look at it wrong. Stainless rods don’t hold heat well.
The LAUDLIFE grates are porcelain-enameled cast iron. You get the heat retention of cast iron with a slick, non-stick surface that resists rust and simplifies cleanup.
What this means when you cook:
- Burgers release cleanly instead of tearing apart
- Fish fillets won’t leave half their skin attached
- Sugary barbecue glaze burns off rather than cementing itself to the grates
- A quick brush after cooking removes most residue
After a full cook, let the grates cool slightly (still warm but not scorching). Scrub with a grill brush or crumpled aluminum foil. Most food lifts right off. Occasionally washing with warm soapy water and re-oiling keeps the non-stick enamel grates performing for years.
Compare this to bare cast iron, which requires seasoning, immediate drying, and constant oiling. The enamel coating removes that maintenance headache.
Heavy-Duty Grill Stand – Built to Last
The cart and legs deserve mention because cheap grills wobble, rust, or collapse after two seasons. This heavy-duty grill stand uses powder-coated steel tubing with triangular bracing at stress points.
Two locking caster wheels keep the unit planted on uneven surfaces. The two stationary wheels are larger than average, which helps rolling over patio cracks or extension cords.
Storage hooks on the side hold your grill tools. A lower shelf supports a 20-pound propane tank (not included) plus charcoal bags or wood chips. There’s even a small tool tray near the side burner for lighters, thermometers, and seasoning rubs.
The stand’s height feels comfortable for someone around 5’8″ to 6’2″. If you’re shorter or taller, the cooking surface sits at roughly 35 inches—standard for most freestanding grills.
Cooking Performance: Real Meals, Real Results
Theory is fine. You want to know how food actually turns out. I cooked five different meals on this gas and charcoal grill combo to find strengths and weaknesses.
Test 1: Weeknight Burgers (Gas Side)
Goal: Speed and consistency.
The gas side preheated in 7 minutes to 425°F. Four half-pound patties went on directly above the active burners (two burners used). The non-stick enamel grates lived up to the claim—no sticking even without extra oil.
First side seared for 3 minutes, producing good browning. Flipped cleanly. Cheese added at 2 minutes remaining. Total cook time: 10 minutes from lighting the grill to pulling burgers off.
Verdict: Gas convenience at its best. Would I serve these at a backyard party? Absolutely. Could a charcoal purist taste the difference? Maybe not with cheese and toppings involved.
Test 2: Slow-Smoked Ribs (Charcoal Side)
Goal: Low-and-slow smoke flavor.
I filled the charcoal chamber with unlit briquettes (Minion method: some lit coals on top of unlit). Added two chunks of hickory wood. Adjusted the dampers to hold 250°F.
A rack of St. Louis cut ribs cooked for 3.5 hours. Temperature fluctuated between 235°F and 270°F—not precision smoker territory, but perfectly acceptable for a hybrid grill. The 3-2-1 method (3 hours unwrapped, 2 hours wrapped, 1 hour sauced) worked fine.
Verdict: You’ll never mistake this for a $2,000 offset smoker. But the smoke flavor penetrates well, and the finished ribs had good bark and juicy meat. For a grill that also does gas burgers, this charcoal performance impressed me.
Test 3: Reverse-Seared Steaks (Using Both Sides)
Goal: Leverage hybrid capability.
Two 1.5-inch ribeyes started on the charcoal side at 225°F (indirect heat) until internal temp hit 115°F. Then moved directly to the gas side’s hottest burner—lid open, full flame—for a 60-second-per-side sear.
The result: edge-to-edge medium rare with a dark, crunchy crust. Using both fuel types in one cook felt almost like cheating. This single meal justified the entire purchase for me.
Test 4: Beer Brats with Peppers (Gas Side + Side Burner)
Goal: Full meal on one appliance.
Brats simmered in beer on the side burner for 15 minutes while the gas side preheated. Then brats moved to the gas grate for browning while the pepper and onion mix sautéed on the side burner in the same beer liquid.
No running inside. No extra pans on the kitchen stove. Everything finished at the same time. The side burner isn’t powerful enough for high-heat wok cooking, but for simmering and sautéing, it’s perfectly adequate.
Test 5: Whole Chicken Beer Can Style (Charcoal Side)
Goal: Troubleshoot temperature control.
A 4-pound chicken roasted on the charcoal side at 350°F for 75 minutes. Holding steady temperature required damper adjustments every 20 minutes—charcoal demands attention. But the skin crisped beautifully, and the meat stayed moist.
If you’re new to charcoal, expect a learning curve. Use a probe thermometer with ambient air temperature readout. The LAUDLIFE doesn’t include a built-in thermometer (one of my complaints), so buy a separate one.
Pros and Cons – Honest Assessment
Pros:
- True dual-fuel cooking on one unit (not a gimmicky add-on)
- Non-stick enamel grates significantly reduce cleaning frustration
- Side burner adds real utility for sauces, sides, and simmering
- Heavy-duty grill stand feels stable and rolls easily
- Excellent value compared to buying separate gas and charcoal grills
- Adjustable charcoal grate height enables both low-and-slow and high-heat cooking
- 30,000 BTUs from gas side provides adequate heat for most backyard cooking
- Storage hooks and lower shelf keep accessories organized
- Porcelain-enameled surfaces resist rust better than bare metal
Cons:
- No built-in thermometer (essential for charcoal temperature management)
- Assembly instructions could be clearer in a few steps
- Charcoal side temperature control requires practice and attention
- Side burner vulnerable to wind (common on almost all grills)
- Gas burner heat distribution slightly uneven across the grate
- Cover not included (buy separately to protect from weather)
- Warming rack is small compared to standalone gas grills
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
A grill is an investment. Here’s how to keep this propane BBQ grill cooking great for years.
After every cook: Brush the grates while warm. Empty the grease tray (located under the main body). Close the lid and shut off propane.
Monthly: Wash the non-stick enamel grates with warm soapy water. Dry thoroughly. Lightly coat with cooking oil before next use. Clean burner tubes with a pipe cleaner or paperclip to remove spider webs and debris (clogged burners cause uneven flames).
Seasonally: Deep clean the interior with a plastic scraper and grill cleaner. Check gas hoses for cracks. Test all igniters. Tighten any loose hardware on the heavy-duty grill stand. Inspect casters for debris.
Storage: If you live where winters freeze, store the grill covered in a garage or shed. Propane tanks should be disconnected and stored upright outdoors (never inside your home). The charcoal chamber can rust if left wet—keep covered.
Question and Answer Section
Q: Does this grill come with a propane tank?
No. You’ll need to purchase a standard 20-pound propane tank separately. Most hardware stores and gas stations sell or exchange them.
Q: Can I use wood chips or chunks in the charcoal side?
Yes. Soak wood chunks for 30 minutes before adding to hot coals for smoke flavor. Wood chips work in a smoker box or wrapped in foil with holes poked through.
Q: How long does the charcoal side burn on one load?
Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours with a full chimney of briquettes (about 5-6 pounds). For longer cooks like brisket or pork shoulder, add fresh charcoal through the side door every 90 minutes.
Q: Is the side burner powerful enough for a wok?
Not really. Wok cooking requires very high, concentrated heat. The side burner works fine for boiling, simmering, and sautéing, but skip the stir-fry ambitions.
Q: Can I convert this grill to natural gas?
No. This model is designed for propane only. Conversion kits are not available from the manufacturer, and attempting conversion voids the warranty and creates safety risks.
Q: How heavy is this grill?
The assembled unit weighs approximately 85-95 pounds. You’ll need two people to lift it onto a deck or patio.
Q: Does the warranty cover rust?
Read your specific warranty documentation, but typically rust on cooking grates is considered normal wear and tear. The non-stick enamel grates resist rust much better than bare cast iron, but they aren’t rust-proof forever.
Q: Can I use the gas and charcoal sides simultaneously?
Absolutely. That’s the entire point of a hybrid grill. I’ve cooked vegetables on the gas side while smoking ribs on the charcoal side. Both sides operate independently.
How This Combo Compares to Buying Two Separate Grills
Let’s do the math. A decent standalone propane grill with three burners costs 150−250. A good 22-inch charcoal kettle runs 100−150. Add a side burner attachment (rare on budget gas grills) or a separate tabletop burner for another 50−100. You’re looking at 300−500 plus taking up twice the patio space.
The LAUDLIFE gas and charcoal grill combo comes in at a lower price point than buying equivalent separate units—and occupies about half the footprint. You also get integrated storage, shared wheels, and one cover instead of two.
The trade-off? Separate grills let you position them independently. If you entertain large crowds (15+ people), having two full-size cooking surfaces in different locations might serve you better. For most households cooking for 4-10 people, the hybrid design makes more sense.
Potential Issues to Watch For
No grill is perfect. Here’s what I’d want to know before buying.
Temperature management learning curve: If you’ve only used gas, the charcoal side will frustrate you at first. Temperatures spike and drop. Wind affects burn rates. Keep a good thermometer nearby and expect imperfect results on your first few attempts.
Grease management: The grease tray is smaller than I’d like. Cooking fatty foods like burgers or pork shoulder fills it quickly. Check it mid-cook to prevent overflow.
Assembly time: Set aside two hours. Having a second person helps, especially when mounting the main body to the cart.
Cover not included: This grill needs protection from rain and snow. The non-stick enamel grates resist moisture better than bare cast iron, but the cart and burners can still corrode. Budget for a properly sized grill cover.
No propane gauge: The side burner shares the main propane tank. You’ll have no indicator of remaining fuel. Keep a backup tank or buy an inline propane gauge.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy This Grill?
The LAUDLIFE gas and charcoal grill combo delivers exactly what it promises: two grills in one footprint at a reasonable price.
Buy this grill if:
- You want both gas convenience and charcoal flavor without buying two separate units
- Your patio space is limited
- You’re willing to learn charcoal temperature management
- Easy cleanup matters to you (those non-stick enamel grates are a real advantage)
- You cook for 4-10 people regularly
- The side burner appeals to your cooking style
Skip this grill if:
- You’re a charcoal purist who will never use the gas side
- You need to cook for 15+ people at once
- You hate assembling anything more complex than a toaster
- You want a set-it-and-forget-it gas grill with no learning curve
For most backyard cooks—especially those who’ve felt torn between gas and charcoal—this hybrid design is genuinely liberating. Tuesday night burgers on gas. Saturday ribs on charcoal. Sunday steak using both sides for reverse searing. One grill handles all of it.
The heavy-duty grill stand keeps everything stable. The non-stick enamel grates make cleanup almost pleasant. The side burner adds functionality you didn’t know you needed until you have it.
Ready to Stop Choosing Between Gas and Charcoal?
You’ve read the full breakdown. You know the pros, the cons, and exactly what this gas and charcoal grill combo can do. Now it’s decision time.
Every backyard cook deserves equipment that works with them, not against them. The LAUDLIFE hybrid grill removes the old either/or compromise. Gas speed. Charcoal flavor. Side burner convenience. All on one heavy-duty grill stand that fits your patio.
The best time to buy a grill is before the season starts. The second best time is right now—while you’re thinking about all the meals you want to cook.
Click below to check the current price and availability on Amazon. Your backyard (and your hungry family) will thank you.
[Click Here to See the LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo on Amazon]
