The folks over at Academy have introduced a smoker grill combo under their Outdoor Gourmet brand that is a low quality clone of the Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Combo.
Let’s make a long story short…don’t buy this thing.
Triton Combo Smoker Grill Specifications
The Triton Smoker Grill Combo has:
- 540 square inch three burner gas grill (36,000 BTU/hr)
- 540 square inch charcoal grill
- Porcelain infused cast iron grates on both grills
- Gas side burner with 9,000 BTU/hr
- Side smoker box with 190 square inch cooking grate
The charcoal grill has a charcoal tray that is adjustable to six different heights and front facing air dampers.
The gas grill comes with a warming rack and steel “flame tamers”.
The smoker box is butted up against the charcoal grill and also has a cast iron grate.
What is Wrong with This Grill?
The smoker box has a huge opening that vents directly into the charcoal grill. The fire from the smoker box is literally just inches away from whatever it is you want to smoke. This is about the worst smoker design that you could make.
The reviews for this grill on Academy’s website are overwhelmingly negative. Here is a summary of what people are griping about:
- Side burner can’t support much weight
- Handle to raise and lower charcoal broke
- Grill rusted out in one year
- Grease tray is laughably small
- Gas grill cooks unevenly
- Rust bucket
- Can’t get replacement parts or parts too expensive
- Paint peels off
- Smoker box is useless
I could go on but I think you get the point.
The one good thing that everyone seems to agree upon is that the cast iron grates are nice. So at least it has that going for it.
What to Buy Instead?
There are three reasons that people buy this grill.
- It only costs $299 at Academy.
- It can be used as a charcoal grill, charcoal smoker or a gas grill.
- It looks cool.
Let me show you something that costs the same, will last for over ten years and is an incredible charcoal grill and smoker.
This doesn’t have a gas grill or a side burner but once you learn to use it you won’t care.
I am talking about the Weber 26.75 inch kettle grill.
This kettle is completely MASSIVE. Like all Weber kettles this is a great grill. However, the extra size of this model let’s it be used as an amazing smoker.
I know this isn’t what you were planning on seeing what you landed on this page but give this a day or two to mull around in your head.
Why spend your hard earned money on a Triton Combo Grill that doesn’t work very well in the first place and will fall apart in a few years when for the same money you could own one of the best charcoal grills ever built.
If you are determined to get a grill/smoker combo grill then do yourself a favor, spend a few bucks more and get the Oklahoma Joe.
