I owned a 22 onch kettle grill for decades and it finally got tuckered out.  I switched to a Weber grill and various smokers.  My smoker died and I purchased another 22 inch kettle griill and love it.  I can grill with it and use it as a smoker.  It is very easy to run it low and slow.  You cannot beat the charcoal flavor.  In my oponion it is worth the extra effort to use charcoal.  The kettle grill is a time tested superior way to cook and smoke food with charcoal.