Char-Griller FlexFuel Plus Grill, Griddle and Smoker vs Char-Griller Competition Pro Offset Smoker
vs
Quick take: The Char-Griller Competition Pro Offset Smoker costs $100 less; the Char-Griller FlexFuel Plus Grill, Griddle and Smoker offers more cooking space (875 vs 720 sq in).
| Spec | Char-Griller FlexFuel Plus Grill, Griddle and Smoker | Char-Griller Competition Pro Offset Smoker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$550 | ~$450 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Gas Grill | Offset Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 875 sq in | 720 sq in |
| Max Temp | — | 450°F |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Wood/Charcoal |
| Build Material | Cast Iron Grates / Steel Firebox | Steel with Expanded Metal Grates |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 2 | — |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 66.3 x 27.8 x 45.3 in | 66.3 x 33.1 x 52.8 in |
| Weight | — | 151 lbs |
| Warranty | — | — |
Pros & cons
Char-Griller FlexFuel Plus Grill, Griddle and Smoker
- ✓Three cooking modes — gas, charcoal and griddle — in one appliance for $550
- ✓1,260 sq in total cooking area is more than any grill in this batch under $1,000
- ✓Side damper smoke control on the charcoal chamber makes low-and-slow genuinely workable
- ✓EasyDump ash pan avoids the usual mess of a combo unit's charcoal side
- ✓Heavy cast iron sear grates on both halves
- ✗66.3 in wide — this is two grills' worth of patio footprint
- ✗Only 30,000 BTU on the gas side spread across a large grate, so it is slow to preheat
- ✗Char-Griller publishes no assembled weight or warranty term for this model
- ✗Char-Griller's gas/charcoal combos go out of stock on their own store for long stretches; the plain FlexFuel and Dual-Fuel Pro were both unavailable when checked
- ✗Combo units compromise both halves — neither side matches a dedicated grill at the same total price
Char-Griller Competition Pro Offset Smoker
- ✓720 sq in primary beats the similarly-priced Oklahoma Joe's Highland Classic by over 100 sq in
- ✓Side firebox is included in the price, unlike most Char-Griller barrel grills where it is a separate $99 part
- ✓Insulated body helps a thin-steel pit hold temperature better than its gauge suggests
- ✓Expanded metal grates shed grease better than porcelain wire and are easier to scrape
- ✓Dual dampers front and stack for real airflow control
- ✗Home Depot exclusive — no Lowe's, no Walmart, and limited options if you want to see one before buying
- ✗Char-Griller does not publish a steel gauge for it, which usually means it is thin
- ✗Only 3.1 lbs of charcoal capacity in the firebox, so long cooks mean frequent refuelling
- ✗Char-Griller does not list a warranty term on the product page
- ✗Rated to 450°F — fine for smoking, marginal for searing