Why a Dual Fuel Grill Changes Everything
If you love the smoky, rich flavor of charcoal but can’t resist the push-button ease of gas, you’ve probably spent years juggling two grills, twice the space, and double the cleaning. The gas and charcoal grill combo category has exploded because it solves exactly that problem. Today, I’m taking an honest, all-weather look at the LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo with Side Burner – a heavy-duty backyard grill that promises to let you sear steaks over flames while simultaneously smoking ribs low and slow. Is it the outdoor cooking station you need, or just another shiny gadget? I’ll break down every detail, from the non-stick enamel grates and triple propane burners to the stability of that wide steel stand.
I’ve spent weeks testing this propane grill with non-stick grates and its charcoal neighbor, cooking for family gatherings, quick weeknight dinners, and a lazy Sunday barbecue. This review covers what really matters: assembly time, heat performance, smoking capability, clean-up, and what surprises you only discover after the fifth cookout. Whether you’re replacing an old rusted grill or building a new outdoor kitchen, I’ll help you decide if the LAUDLIFE deserves a place on your deck.
Unboxing and First Impressions: Heavy-Duty Reality
The box arrives freight-sized, and yes, you’ll want a second person. Inside, the components are wrapped in protective cardboard and foam, with the main firebox, side burner housing, legs, wheels, and grates separated. My first thought: this is a heavy-duty backyard grill, with thick gauge steel that feels substantial. The matt black enamel firebox and lid resist fingerprints, and the stainless steel handle stays cool.
What’s in the Box
- Main dual-compartment barbecue body (charcoal tray on left, gas burner chamber on right)
- 3 stainless steel tube burners (for propane side)
- Heavy wire cooking grates with non-stick enamel coating
- Side burner assembly with integrated lid
- Cart legs, bottom shelf, and two large wheels
- Gas hose, regulator, and electronic ignition module
- Hardware pack, instructions, and a charcoal pan with adjustable height
Putting it together took me about 1.5 hours with a cordless screwdriver. The instructions are pictorial and not perfect, but all holes aligned. Key tip: don’t fully tighten the frame bolts until the firebox sits securely; that removes any last-millimeter wiggle. Once assembled, the cart feels planted. The bottom shelf can hold a propane tank and charcoal bag, keeping everything tidy.
Design and Build: Two Grills, One Cohesive Cart
The LAUDLIFE combo doesn’t feel like two separate grills welded together. The cooking area spans 557 square inches across the main chamber, plus a 140-square-inch warming rack, while the side burner adds roughly 13,000 BTU of extra cooking power. You get a unified lid with a heat-resistant handle, a single side table (which folds down), and tool hooks.
Key Build Highlights
- Materials: Porcelain-enamel lid and firebox, powder-coated steel cart frame, stainless steel gas burners.
- Wheels: Two 6-inch casters that lock, making it easy to roll across pavers but solid when stationary.
- Storage: Wide bottom shelf rated to hold a standard 20 lb propane tank safely away from the hot side.
- Side shelf: Foldable padded table with three tool hooks – perfect for resting a sheet pan or barbecue tongs.
- Side burner cover: Doubles as a windscreen and protects the burner when you’re only using the main grills.
The left charcoal chamber has a multi-level charcoal pan you can adjust with a simple lifting mechanism, allowing you to bring the coals closer to the grate for searing or lower for indirect heat. The right gas side houses three individually controllable burners. Temperature gauges sit on each lid, so you always know when you’re at smoke-zone or broil-zone heat.
H3: Non-Stick Enamel Coating – Hype or Helper?
The cooking grates are steel wire coated with a glossy, food-grade non-stick enamel. In my experience, this is a meaningful upgrade over bare cast iron, especially on the gas side. The coating prevents aggressive sticking and makes cleaning far easier – a damp cloth and a grill brush restore them quickly. However, like any enamel coating, they’ll chip if you use sharp metal scrapers with heavy force. I recommend nylon or wood scrapers and a soft bristle brush.
Performance: Gas, Charcoal, and Side Burner in Action
I tested the LAUDLIFE gas and charcoal grill combo across four cooking scenarios: high-heat searing on gas, low-and-slow smoking with charcoal, simultaneous dual-fuel cooking, and boiling a crawfish pot on the side burner. Here’s how each performed.
Gas Side: Three Burner Controlled Power
The three propane burners deliver a combined 24,000 BTU across the gas side’s 347 square inches of primary grate. Ignite with a single push of the electric ignition; I found it lights reliably on the first or second click. Each burner control adjusts independently, so you can create genuine two-zone cooking – hot zone for direct searing, cooler zone for finishing or keeping food warm.
- Heat-up time: From cold to 500°F in about 8 minutes with the lid closed.
- Evenness: I toasted bread across the entire grate and saw only minor hotter spots near the rear; rotating food eliminates this completely.
- Sear marks: Using the preheated enamel grates, steaks came off with deep grill marks and a beautiful crust.
- Wind resistance: The lid and burner hoods shield well, but on an extremely blustery day, the flames flickered slightly; I’d recommend a wind guard if your yard is exposed.
Charcoal Side: Smoky Temptation
The charcoal pan holds enough briquettes or lump charcoal for a solid 2-hour cook at 250-275°F. Using the adjustable pan, I set it low for a whole chicken indirect cook, and later raised it to high for reverse-seared ribeyes. The airflow vent on the charcoal side lets you fine-tune oxygen, and the double-walled lid retains heat impressively.
My smoked chicken achieved a deep smoke ring and crisp skin, something a pure gas grill could never replicate. Ash falls through the perforated pan into a removable ash tray, simplifying post-cook cleanup.
Dual-Fuel Cooking: The Real Magic
The true strength of this outdoor barbecue grill with side burner is running both fuels simultaneously. I loaded the charcoal side with applewood chunks and a small pile of briquettes to smoke pork shoulder, while the gas side grilled corn on the cob and asparagus at medium heat. The separate chambers prevent ash from migrating to the gas burners, and the temperature on each side stayed independent. For tailgate-style feasts or large family reunions, this parallel workflow saves an hour of cook time.
Side Burner: Beyond Boiling Water
It’s rated at 13,000 BTU and shielded well. I boiled a large stockpot for a low-country boil in about 15 minutes, then simmered a spicy homemade BBQ sauce in a skillet. The side burner really shines for deep-frying outdoors, keeping the heavy smells out of the kitchen. A word of caution: the wind can influence the flame, so position the grill with the side burner leeward if possible.
Daily Use: Cooking Onions to Brisket
Over the month, I cooked everything from breakfast pancakes on a griddle placed across the gas side to a 10-pound brisket on the charcoal. That variety taught me some real-world lessons.
- Pancake griddle test: A cast iron griddle sat securely across two gas burners; I achieved uniform golden-brown pancakes without hot spots.
- Whole fish on charcoal: Cedar-planked trout picked up subtle smokiness without sticking to the oiled grates.
- Pizza night: I cranked all gas burners to max, put a pizza stone on the grate, and pulled out blistered Neapolitan-style pizza in 6 minutes. The 557-square-inch area comfortably fits a 14-inch pizza stone.
- Breakfast on the side burner: Perfectly scrambled eggs in a skillet while bacon crisped on the gas side. The versatility genuinely replaces an outdoor burner stand.
My biggest takeaway – you need to manage two fuel types, so a small extra effort. Charcoal requires lighting about 20 minutes before cook, while gas is instant. Plan your timing around that. The enamel grates on both sides survived metal tongs and fork prongs with no visible chips, but I never deliberately abused them.
Cleaning and Maintenance: Not a Chore
A common grill complaint is sticky, greasy cleanup. The LAUDLIFE’s design simplified this. Both charcoal ash and gas drippings fall into separate, removable trays located below the burners. After each cook:
- Turn gas burners on high for a few minutes to carbonize food residue, then brush.
- Once the charcoal ash cools (I wait overnight), slide out the ash tray, dump, and wipe.
- Check the side burner’s drip pan, wipe with a damp cloth.
- Use a nylon brush on the enamel grates while they’re still warm; a gentle scrub does the trick.
The gas burner tubes should be checked periodically for spider webs or debris; a thin pipe cleaner works. The exterior paint cleans easily with mild soapy water, no fading after a month in full sun.
What Could Be Better: Honest Nitpicks
No grill is perfect. I list both the strengths and the quirks so you can weigh them honestly.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- True dual fuel design – no cross-contamination, separate temperature zones
- Non-stick enamel grates – excellent food release, easy to clean
- Solid heat output – 24,000 BTU gas plus intense charcoal heat
- Versatile side burner – 13,000 BTU covers pots, deep frying, sauces
- Heavy-duty cart – stable, lockable wheels, ample shelf storage
- Adjustable charcoal pan – genuine high/low heat control on charcoal side
- Affordable compared to buying two standalone grills of same quality
Cons
- Assembly takes patience – two-person recommended, instructions could be clearer
- Side shelf is modest – fold-down works, but a larger prep space would be welcome
- Enamel grates require care – avoid metal scrapers to preserve coating
- No integrated smoker box on gas side – you can use a smoker tube, but not built-in
- Cover not included – essential for protecting the grill; plan to buy a separate heavy-duty cover
Who Is This Grill For?
- Entertainers: If you host gatherings where people want both burgers (gas speed) and true smoked ribs (charcoal flavor), this unit handles everything.
- Flavor explorers: Those who like to experiment with different woods and searing techniques without swapping grills.
- Small-space griddlers: The combo replaces a standalone gas grill, charcoal grill, and outdoor burner, saving patio real estate.
- Weeknight warriors and weekend smokers: Instant gas heat Monday to Friday, luxurious charcoal smoke on Saturday.
If you only ever grill quick hot dogs and never crave smoke, a dedicated gas grill might suffice. But for home cooks who see grilling as a hobby, this combo brings joy.
Questions and Answers (Real Curiosities)
Q: Can both the gas and charcoal sides cook at the same time without affecting each other?
A: Absolutely. Each chamber is separated by a metal divider that prevents ash transfer and heat bleed. I regularly smoke at 250°F on charcoal while grilling at 450°F on gas without issue.
Q: How does the height-adjustable charcoal pan work, and is it sturdy?
A: The pan hangs on a lever system with three height positions. Lift the pan, slide the lever into the desired notch. It’s sturdy enough to hold a full bed of briquettes and sustain dropped wood chunks.
Q: Is the non-stick coating really durable, or will it flake off after a few months?
A: After several high-heat grills and gentle cleaning, I see no flaking. The coating is factory-baked enamel, not a spray-on film. Abusive scraping can chip it, so treat it like you would a non-stick baking pan.
Q: Can I connect the grill to natural gas?
A: This model ships configured for liquid propane, with a regulator and hose for a 20 lb tank. It’s not directly convertible to natural gas; attempting to modify may void the warranty and create safety hazards.
Q: Does the warming rack get in the way when flipping burgers?
A: The warming rack swings up and locks, giving you full access to the primary grates. It’s easy to move mid-cook.
Q: How long does charcoal lighting take, and what method do you recommend?
A: Using a chimney starter, coals are ready in about 15–20 minutes. I place the chimney directly on the charcoal grate, avoiding lighter fluid to preserve food flavor.
Q: Will the side burner boil a large crawfish pot effectively?
A: Yes, 13,000 BTU with the flame concentrated under the pot center heats a 30-quart pot efficiently. If you’re boiling 40+ quarts, it will take longer, but it gets the job done.
Final Verdict: Is the LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo Worth Your Money?
After weeks of firing up this propane grill with non-stick grates and its charcoal counterpart side by side, I’m convinced that the LAUDLIFE overdelivers for its price bracket. It bridges the gap between dedicated charcoal worshippers and gas-grilling pragmatists without forcing compromises. You can grill a quick Tuesday dinner, then spend Saturday tending an offset-like smoke session, all on the same machine. The addition of a potent side burner turns it into a complete outdoor cooking station – think seafood boils, stir-fry, and morning coffee all outside.
The build quality stands out. The heavy-duty backyard grill cart doesn’t wobble under heavy pots, and the lockable wheels let you reposition it to chase shade or shelter. The non-stick enamel coating genuinely cuts cleaning time, which means you’ll grill more often. While the side shelf could be larger and a cover should be included, these are minor considering the versatility packed into one unit.
If you’re tired of choosing between smoky depth and instant heat, the LAUDLIFE gas and charcoal grill combo deserves a hard look. It’s an outdoor barbecue grill with side burner that solves real problems: space, time, and the eternal charcoal vs. gas debate. I believe it will transform your backyard cooking and make you the go-to grill master of your neighborhood.
Ready to Elevate Your Outdoor Cooking?
Stop hauling out two separate grills, and get everything in one powerful, space-smart station. Click the button below to check the current price and full details on Amazon, and see why so many home cooks are making the switch. Whether you’re searing steaks, smoking brisket, or boiling a feast, the LAUDLIFE combo has you covered.
