Do you own an offset smoker? Don’t tell me you don’t
I believe it is essential to have these days. Don’t be fooled by the thought of an exaggerated version of a grill pan that helps with barbeque and charcoal food. It’s much more than just that.
An offset smoker can help you host large family or friends’ parties. All you need to do is marinate the meat well and toss it on to your smoker. It is specially constructed and made to equally divide heat, reaching the meat’s core. It helps bring out juicy and make perfectly tender meat, preserving all the flavors, perfect color, and aroma. Offset smokers are the modern-day classic grilling tool.
They come in various styles and sizes, including upright style, reverse flow, and many more. They help you with the perfect grill of your choice. For large parties that you wish to organize with no rounds to kitchen or mess, this is all that you need.
If you are convinced enough to step out and buy one for yourself, don’t shop yet. Shopping for an offset smoker can be confusing, as the market has several brands and models to offer, but not each of them is worth a cent. Just because some of them might look good doesn’t mean it is durable and useable, or longevity. The choice needs to be very smart and keen to land on the best offset smoker for yourself.
We have collected and reviewed the top 5 offset smokers in the market to help you choose. Be mindful of the features of each and decide wisely.
Dyna-Glo Charcoal Offset Smoker DGO1176BDC-D (B00BQ59VTO) – The best offset smoker!
Features:
• Materials: Steel
• Space: 794 inches
• Product Dimensions: 20.2 X 34.5 X 47 Inches
• Weight: 57 Pounds
Are you tired of the typical grilling pans and are looking for innovative ones? Then this product is for you.
A Dyna-Glo Charcoal Offset Smoker allows you vertical charcoal to smoke all your meat up. You won’t have to stack meats on the grill rack, but instead, you can slide it up one over another like a boss.
Worry not about the time issues because it has six racks with a space of 800 square inches each. You can easily smoke a pretty good quantity of meat at once, nearly 100 pounds at a time. I know that sounds astounding.
Also, it features a heavy structure and a great ventilation system, allowing perfect temperature control. On top of that, it is made of high-quality steel and a powder coating that adds durability.
It includes an exterior thermometer and a sturdy wooden tray that helps you add flavors of your choice. However, some users have had issues with the thermometer readability, but that is rare and not a big problem.
This product is undeniably the best choice one can make, whether it looks, size or use.
Unfortunately, this product is currently unavailable on Amazon. But if you can find it somewhere else, its a worth look-see.
| Pros | Cons |
| The grates and ashtray can easily be adjusted Friendly for beginners Occupies a large space Heavy-duty and sturdy Durable Affordable Constructed to mitigate the heat loss and thus speed up cooking | Leaks smoke which can be problematic if no proper ventilation system is in place Comes with a custom fit cover which is a pro, but the con is that it is to be bought separately and can be expensive |
Why buy this product?
This product is one of the best and most trusted products in the market, it’s loved by users and comes at an affordable price.
Char-Griller Offset Smoker 1224 (B0009NU5YY) – The most affordable offset smoker!
Features:
• Product Dimensions: 21.7 x 18.9 x 31.9 in
• Weight: 118 lbs.
If you are looking out for an offset smoker that crashes your budget, look no further.
This product has a good enough space of 580 sq. inch in the smoker and no less than 250 sq. feet in the firebox. The firebox comes with a cooking space that makes searing and cooking perfectly.
It also features Charcoal drawers which make putting in and removing the charcoal no big deal. The grates are made of iron and thus are very heavy-duty and durable.
The best part is yet to come, it includes a temperature gauge, and therefore there is going to be no problem of over/under heating. Also, it has an excellent system for ventilation. Cleanup isn’t a hassle. As easy as this product is to use, likewise, it is easy to clean. The Charcoal tray can easily be slid in and out and cleaned thoroughly.
It has wheels for easy movement.
| Pros | Cons |
| The charcoal gates are adjustable Affordable Assembling is pretty easy Comes with a good large space to grill Very similar to a traditional charcoal grill The grates are made of cast iron and are non-stick The Charcoal drawers easily come out and go in Easy loading and unloading of charcoal Easy to clean Attached wheels make it easy to move it around Heavy duty Durable Thermometer gauge installed | Customers tell that the thermometer gauge doesn’t work very well High heat may erode the thermometer |
Why buy this product?
This product tends to be the best choice for anyone who wants the best offset smoker at the best price. It has all the features you would want at a very affordable price.
Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Offset Smoker (B01KJGBEYK) – The runner-up offset smoker!
Features:
• Dimensions: 36.5 x 55.5 x 64.3 inches
• Primary Cooking Area: 751 inches
• Secondary Cooking Area: 309 inches
• System: Multi-Type
If you are the one who strives for quality and nothing else, then this is the right product for you. To get the best flow of smoke, a reverse flow smoker does best.
It comes with 1000 sq. inches of space. It is made of heavy-duty steel and thus durable, and longevity is guaranteed. The grates are Porcelain-coated, allowing easy cleanup and maintenance.
Likewise, the reverse flow managing baffles are detachable. The durability that this product has to offer makes it stand out from all the other available options. It offers a very large cooking surface. If you plan to organize large dinner parties, then this is just the best. You can nearly roast 30 burgers at the same time.
If you want those sleek mouthwatering lines on your meat, then grab this smoker straight away as the clean stainless-steel grates help like none other for this purpose.
Smoke adds a great flavor and aroma to food, but more of it can be disastrous at the same time. It, therefore, has four baffles that can be manually adjusted to precisely control heat and smoke.
Unfortunately, this product is currently unavailable on Amazon. But if you can find it somewhere else, its a worth look-see.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very easy to clean The heat control of this smoker is the best Comes with attached wheels which make the movement easy Easy and quick assembling Helps large cooking Great for beginners Spacious smoking space of 1060 sq. feet Firebox comes with a direct cooking space of 290 sq. feet Temperature gauge installed | Tends to be expensive Reviews tell that the paint starts to peel off with time You might need to re-coat the heating compartment |
Why buy this product?
This product has all the exceptional features and added durability that you’d want.
Char-Broil Gourmet Offset Smoker (B00365FI9E) – Best smoker for reverse flow!
Features:
• Material: Steel
• Dimensions: 17.5 X 46.2 X 44.8 Inches
• Total Weight: 46.5 Lbs.
• Cooking area: 290 sq. inches indirect smoking space; 40 sq. inches of direct cooking space
This smoker deserves to be rated the best for it has diverse uses. The use of this smoker is not limited, but rather, it can be used as charcoal or BBG grill. It puts you at liberty to use it just as you want.
The cooking area that it has to offer is 670 inches wide, no wonder you can toss in a whole pig into it and watch it roast a single piece.
It is resource-efficient with charcoal or wood. The charcoal tray Is pretty much adjustable, and you can adjust it to your use and optimum heat levels.
It also features a storage rack to store your utensils nearby while you are busy cooking. You can entirely control the heat using multiple adjustable dampers. The handle is chrome-plated and heat-resistant to keep your hands safe from and burns or bruises.
It also has a temperature gauge installed, which lets you control the temperature well. It has a great system for ventilation.
| Pros | Cons |
| Multifarious in use Includes a combination smoker, charcoal, and BBQ grill Cleaning is very easy The cooking grates are easily adjustable Great for beginners Good value for the price It has a hefty structure | The paint tends to wear off It consumes more wood than other smokers A little less durable Doesn’t allow smoke to leak, excessive smoke can lead to bad taste and aroma in food |
Why buy this product?
This product is the best as it has multiple functions. You can readily use it as a smoker, a BBQ, and a charcoal grill. Also, it has a large cooking space and a separate rack for utensils. With an affordable price this is by far the best offset smoker.
Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker (B00M5DI4RQ) – The best seller!
Features:
• Product Dimensions: 39 x 20.9 x 23 inches
• Item Weight: 176 pounds
If you want a smoker very flexible and of premium quality, then look no further. This Charcoal smoker combo is the perfect choice for you.
It can run with charcoal and propane. It offers a wide space for cooking that is no less than 1000 sq. feet. You can easily organize a large gathering and leave all the cooking mess to its versatile offset smoker. On top of that, the gauge steel helps its longevity.
Also, it has a dual temperature gauge, which helps you to inspect the food inside keenly.
The fueling system is fairly simple. The door is accessible and in the way for cooking, and if you feel the wood tangs or the charcoal at low, you can slide some additional chunks in.
Adding more chips in the course of cooking is safe and convenient, maybe fun too. It also allows you to adjust the heat by adjusting the dampers, giving you full control of your smoker.
Unfortunately, this product is currently unavailable on Amazon. But if you can find it somewhere else, its a worth look-see.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers a very wide range cooking area The handles are specifically built to keep the handles cool and save the user’s hands from any burns. Offers and extra space to keep the utensils nearby The doors provide a great sealing ability The firebox is accessible via a door The iron grates are cast with porcelain | The assembling is a little complicated and might cause a problem. Reviews tell that this smoker leaks juices during cooking The doors are not adjustable |
Why buy this product?
It has an excellent cooking space that lets you cook a hefty quantity together; it has a very convenient fueling system and great adjustable dampers that offer full heat control.
Buying Guide:
An offset smoker is undoubtedly a hefty investment that needs to be considered carefully. Before you hop on to the market to get yourself the right product, you must get a good idea of the features that different brands in the market have to offer. Keeping in mind the following elements will help you make the decision.
Weather conditions:
Please take note of the weather conditions that prevail in your locality. The place where you plan to keep your grill pan. Make sure to study your area’s harsh weather conditions like hail, rain, strong wind, etc. Your grill pan must not be exposed to such extremities, or it might erode quickly.
Space:
Before getting your hands on an offset smoker, it is very important to make sure you have enough space to keep and use it. In the case of small apartments with little or no ventilation, an offset smoker shall not serve right. Using a smoker is much more of a deal than using a gas stove or a charcoal grill. It needs space, direction, and a good ventilation system. Make sure you have all that!
Metal
The metal of the product makes most of the difference, the main problem with an offset smoker is that all the heat is generated in the firebox while the rest of the part remains cool. This can cause your smoker to erode. Always look out for a smoker that is made of premium metal that is heavy-duty and ensures a long life to go. Also, such a smoker will keep the heat distribution uniform throughout the smoker which ensures durability.
Good Ventilation
Controlling the flow of oxygen is very important to control the temperature of the smoker. The necessary element that keeps the fire burning is the oxygen supply. If the oxygen supply is not good the temperature won’t reach the required levels and thus the entire smoking would go in vain.
Therefore, make sure that the internal ventilation is just on point. For that purpose, check the connection between the firebox and the main chamber
Paint:
Don’t go for good-looking smokers with sleek paint, but the better choice is smokers with quality paints. A paint that cannot stand high heat may start of peel off with gradual use and trust me equipment with peeled paint look years old and lose all their grace in no time. It’s not just about the looks, but the inner metal gets exposed and starts to thin with time, which cuts down the life of your smoker.
Thermometer
Some people might think that a thermometer is not a necessity and can be forsaken, while it is not the case. A built-in thermometer lets you control the temperature and make sure that the heat is uniformly distributed. Also, it is important because it gives you a good idea of the situation inside without having to open the smoker again and again.
Conclusion:
If you have stayed with us right throughout the article, by now you must have known what to look for in your offset smoker. Most probably you would have decided about the one for you by now. In both cases, we suggest you pay great attention to the features and details and don’t make your prime preference the price, but the quality, as only that is going to last. Happy smoking!
FAQ
What is an Offset Smoker?
An offset smoker is an ergonomically designed domestic device. It is used to cook, sear, grill, and smoke meat. While it sounds much, but it is far different and advanced than the typical charcoal grill. It has many advanced features that offer great ventilation and complete heat control and much more.
How does an offset smoker work?
One is required to add charcoal and wood into the firebox, it is put ablaze there. There is a channel for the transfer of heat from the firebox to the chamber. This is how the heat reaches the smoker. To control the temperature and smoke going inside there is a damper with the firebox and a vent on the chimney. It offers complete control to the user.
Why choose an offset smoker?
Offset smokers are the best suited to large family events where you need to sear a lot of meat together. Also, it is great for organizing parties on the attached lookout your very own lawn. It allows excellent and massive cooking.
