Tired of the propane grill.

Use will be 90% grill/ 10% smoker
Easy to use (wife's request)
Easy to clean (top priority)
Budget $5-600

for 90% grilling: I'd recommend you stick with the propane grill. that's what it's for.

you're going to want both.

buy a smoker for low and slow smoking cooks. keep the propane for high heat, direct cooking.

Read up on the RecTeq Bullseye. I think that fits exactly what you are looking for. Much more of a grill than a smoker, but still works great as a (pellet) smoker

Look into top temperature settings when shopping.

I usually set mine to 475F for grilling and it cooks about like a propane grill but with a better smoke flavor.

You want something with a high temperature setting at 600F and up so that it can hit that 475F in a reasonable time.

oh no said:

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for 90% grilling: I'd recommend you stick with the propane grill. that's what it's for.

you're going to want both.

buy a smoker for low and slow smoking cooks. keep the propane for high heat, direct cooking.

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We primarily grill on a Pit Boss. Steaks, shrimp, burgers, chicken, and just about everything else. About once a month I will smoke a brisket, ribs or pork butt. Not once in the last 10 years of owning a pellet grill did I wish I had a propane grill. As for cleaning, as long as you clean regularly, it is pretty simple. Definitely recommend a small dedicated shop vac for cleaning.

I started years back with a propane grill. I have a Weber Genisis now. I also have a Bradley smoker and a Traeger 650 Ironwood pellet grill.
I use the Traeger the most unless I'm doing Ribs, Brisket, Tri Tip, or Salmon. Then I use the Bradley smoker as it gives much better smoke ring.
I've tried using smoke tubes in the Traeger but it's a PIA.
About all I use the Weber propane for now is for final searing of steaks or for fixing something quick.
My most used is the Traeger. It's been a good unit. Wish it made more smoke…not even super smoke setting does what I want sometimes.

More than your budget, but I'm really enjoying the Weber Searwood. It has a top temp of 600 degrees, so great for grilling in addition to smoking. You can also drop in an integrated griddle for outdoor stir frying, breakfast, etc.

https://www.weber.com/US/en/wood-pellet/searwood/searwood-600-wood-pellet-grill/1500120.html

As far as searing, the Bullseye will hit 800 degrees, and the Bullseye deluxe will approach 1000.

Regular Bullseye is in your budget, and the deluxe isn't too far north of your budget

i love my recteq

My Z-grills has been fantastic! My only regret is buying a small one. I'm ready to upgrade to something with more cooking surface.

I do burgers on my pellet grill, it will hold 400 degrees no problem. It's completely replaced my propane grill.

Yoder is the only way to go

Out of your budget but built like a tank and will last forever.

And American made

Recteq is my favorite by far and the bullseye is perfect for what you're wanting to use it for.

I got a Camp Chef Woodwind Pro about a year ago. I really like the fact that you can add wood chunks for extra smoke. It works really well. I have a large offset as well, but use the pellet smoker more when I'm cooking for the family or small groups.

Out of your budget but I love my Traeger Timberline XL. Most of the time I'm cooking for two which is overkill but it's a massive win when you're smoking a 18 lb brisket, two racks of ribs and two trays of pork belly cubes all at the same time.

I did recently buy a low end Blackstone griddle for searing steaks after smoking them. I've used that plenty already for shrimp and blackened redfish. It's propane but it's a really nice cooker.

Out of budget…but I love mine! Don't miss propane at all. Also have recteq griddle so no more propane at all.

https://www.recteq.com/products/x-fire-pro-825

I moved away from a pellet grill to a Gravity Fed smoker and I will never go back. Smokes and sears just like a pellet grill but with lump charcoal and real wood chunks. I love my Masterbuilt.