Top 9 Best Offset Smoker Reviews by Consumer Reports

Offset smokers are designed with a large cooking space so that they can be used at large family functions. So, it is always great to end up with the best offset smoker so that you can enjoy using it during those family functions. That being said, sometimes it is hard to end up with the right model as there are many styles and types of offset smokers available.

We have selected the top 5 units in the market right now so that you have an easier time settling for one. However, we first start by looking at the offset smoker buying guide.

Top 9 Best Offset Smoker Reviews by Consumer Reports

Dyna-Glo DGO117BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker

The first thing you will admire about this smoker should be its construction. It comes made of heavy gauge porcelain enameled steel. This type of steel will deliver on the best durability important for a smoker.

The smoker also features a heavy duty cast iron burner delivering an impressive 15,000 BTU. This kind of output should be enough to handle most of your cooking needs. The presence of an electronic pulse ignition system further helps with reliable and quick ignition all the time.

How about the cooking area? This smoker features an impressive 784 square inches of total smoking area. As a result, the space is enough to smoke up to 100 pounds of food at any time. Such a cooking area makes the smoker good for those who need to host a large group of people.

The smoker itself weighs 57lbs. In comparison to other smokers, you should find it being relatively lightweight. Such a weight makes it easy for you to move the smoker to your preferred location.

You will love the dual door design that comes with the unit. This type of design helps to minimize the heat loss on overall when you are adding wood chips to the smoker. The heat is also maintained at the preferred level throughout the smoking process.

As part of improving durability, the heavy duty steel is covered with a powder coat finish. The powder coat finish is able to withstand high temperatures and last for a long time.

The adjustable flue on the unit allows for cooking within the right temperature that you need. Simply adjust the flue to have the right temperature in the smoker.

Pros

• The smoker has the best durability
• The model has a large smoking area
• The unit is powder coated to ensure durability

Cons

• Poor customer service complaints are common

Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro 830 Square Inch Charcoal Grill

You can never go wrong with this model thanks to its solid construction. The manufacturer uses heavy-duty steel that is also powder coated to ensure the best durability. Even if you use it for years, you will notice minimal wear. As for the grill, it is made out of cast iron. This gives your food a wonderful sear that you will always like, especially when grilling.

The user of this smoker is in total control of the unit’s temperature and heat. This is because it comes with an adjustable heat gage and fire grate. These two help you to turn up or down the heat depending on the needs. You can turn it down when you just want to keep the food warm.

With a cooking surface of 580 square inches, it should be a perfect smoker for a medium family. You never have to worry about finding another suitable smoker for the price and cooking area.

If you were worried about storage, then that should not be a problem anymore. In addition to the large cooking area, you still get 250 square inches of a side firebox. This firebox should be great for you to achieve the Texas smoke flavor. It also comes with adjustable dampers and fire grate so that you can adjust the temperature to a point where it works with your application.

How about cleaning? That is a common question for someone who needs a smoker. Well, this one has an easy dump ash pan. This should make it easy for you to empty the ash from the unit to keep it clean. Also, overall cleaning of the other surfaces is not demanding.

Pros

• It comes with wheels for better mobility
• The total 830 square inches of cooking area is large
• It is easy to adjust the heat and temperature

Cons

• It is quite heavy

Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill

Series DGSS1382VCS-D features a 5 chrome plated cooking grates. You will get a cooking space of 1382 sq inches. It’s known for generating that classic smokehouse flavor. This large and multi-functional BBQ machine lets you prepare as much food as you want.

The offset grill is made from heavy gauge steel body. The unit also has a touch spring grip that’s meant to offer you safer access to the food. The charcoal grate and ash pan is removable which means you will have easy access to the fuel. Disposing of ash will not be a problem either.

What’s great is that there is an analog temperature gauge that lets you cook on an ideal temperature. With the help of oversized steel wheels, mobility is made easy.

Pros

• Accessing good couldn’t get safer all thanks to the cool-touch spring lid.
• Maintaining an ideal cooking temperature is not a problem.
• The wheels make it easy to move around the yard.

Cons

• Cleaning the shelves of the unit is not easy.

Char-Broil Offset Smoker, 30″

Char-Broil Offset Smoker has a 477 square cooking surface. It has a 3-piece smoking chamber that is responsible for maintaining temperature and eliminating air loss.

The cooking grate is coated with porcelain which makes cleaning easier. The unit also has a firebox ash door that makes ash removal easier. There is a smoker chamber that lets you control temperature by reducing the air draft. You can use the top damper for heat control or adjust the smoke.

You will have 3 charcoal grates that allow the smoker to pull double duty as and when needed. This offset smoker has everything you need for your BBQ. 8-inch wheels make it easy to move around the patio or deck.

Pros

• It’s perfect for direct grilling and offset smoking.
• It has enough room for prep and storage.
• Porcelain makes the offset easy to clean.

Cons

• Instructions for assembly are a little hard to follow.

Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker

This unit is versatile since it is a combination of an offset smoker, BBQ, and a charcoal grill. As a result, the unit can be tailored to work based on your needs for a smoker or the other mentioned functions. It is amazing how it can be those three things and remain good for each one of them.

Because it is made out of heavy gauge steel, it should be easy to see why people would want to own it. They know that the unit will last for long without them having to worry about replacing it. Also, the use of square legs in the construction process makes the unit stable and sturdy. It should be something that many people love to see.

To make mobility easier and better, this unit comes with heavy duty wheels. You simply have to pick it up and push it to where you want to host your party.

Another great feature should be the cool-touch handles. Even if the unit has been on for a while, the handles remain cool. This allows you to easily open the grill and inspect the smoking process of your meat.

The cooking area of 290 square inches combined with 140 square inches of a warming rack is really good. You should have enough space to prepare smoked meat for your family. If you opt for the route of burgers, then the unit can comfortable grill up to 18 burgers.

The unit allows for ease of controlling the temperature. This is through the use of the adjustable chimney vent. It should also help keep the smoke under control just as you want.

Pros

• Impressive steel construction for durability
• It is easy to adjust the heat and temperature
• The handles remain cool even after using it for hours

Cons

• The inner paint tends to peel quickly

Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Offset Smoker

Longhorn Offset Smoker is larger than Highland. It has 1,060 sq inch cooking space in two cooking chambers. The main chamber has a separate firebox attached.

You will also find 751 sq. inch porcelain-coated wire cooking grate. Then there is a second surface which provides 309 sq. inch of space.

The 3-inch professional temperature gauge gives you complete control over the heat. You can raise or lower the charcoal grate in the firebox or adjust the campers inside the smokestack of the main chamber.

For directly cooking meals, you can use the second cooking surface located in the firebox chamber. It is up to you whether you want to cook in both chambers and just one. There is a long work shelf at the front of the grill where you can keep your tools or ingredients.

Ash removal is easier than what you can image. There is a side cleanout door that lets you remove it easily. The storage space under the shelf lets you hold the grilling accessories too. The heavy gauge steel construction makes sure the new grill lasts for a long time.

Pros

• Easy to put together and use.
• The two chambers let you cook multiple food items at the same time.
• All thanks to the side cleanout door, ash removal is very easy.

Cons

• Don’t place it outdoors otherwise, it might catch rust.

Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal/Smoker/LP Gas Combo

If the other units above did not have the best cooking space you need, then go for this one. The unit has a total cooking space of 1060 square inches. This is enough to give you the right amount of room to cook anything that you want.

The best part is that with all that cooking area, the unit is still a combination of a smoker, charcoal grill, and an LP Gas unit. Such versatility helps the user to switch from one function to another with ease. You never have to worry about buying a separate unit just to achieve certain functions.

The burners deliver an impressive output of 36,000 BTUs in total. This should be enough to handle all your cooking needs that you might be having. In addition, the electronic ignition should make it easy to turn on the burners whenever they are needed.

Another good thing you will love about the unit should be its smoke and heat control. This is because the unit comes with multiple dampers in the smoking chamber and firebox. You can now play around with these dampers to end up with the perfect mix of smoke and heat for your application.

The storage shelf comes in handy for you to store any cooking utensils that you need close all the time. It can still be used to store extra fuel depending on the method of cooking you prefer.

Pros

• It is a highly versatile unit to use
• It allows for the best smoke and heat control
• The unit comes with cool touch handles

Cons

• It is too heavy

Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker

The model is known for its reverse flow technology. This technology will simply force the smoke to pass over your meat that you need to smoke and then back again before it exits through the chimney. This is one feature that helps to provide you with even heating and smoking of the meat.

The chimney is also adjustable. This is thanks to having dampers in it. You can now adjust the dampers depending on your temperature needs. The dampers help regulate the temperature by adjusting the airflow. Also, the baffles located under the grate will direct smoke and heat under the meat and additionally over the top of the meat. As you can see, this leads to even cooking.

When it comes to construction, you will love the steel material used to make the smoker. It is worth noting that the whole unit is made of steel even the wheels. For such a construction, you are looking at a heavy smoker. It is total weight is around 200 pounds. For such a weight, it is better the wheels are made of steel too. Even for its weight, it should be easy to move the unit thanks to having these wheels.

As for the cooking space, the unit comes with a total of 619 square inches of space. Well, it might not be the largest cooking area, but it is still enough to smoke enough amount of meat and other foods.

With the presence of a thermometer in the unit, it will be easy to know which spot is the hottest and the current temperature. The manufacturer also left a spot on the unit where you can insert a second thermometer.

Pros

• High quality steel construction
• It comes fixed with a thermometer
• The unit has durable wheels to support its weight

Cons

• It might be too heavy for some users

Royal Gourmet BBQ Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker

It’s an easy to assemble offset smoker with 800 square inches cooking surface. There is a seamless connection between the side smoker and the main chamber that makes it heat up quickly. The lid adopt groove design keeps the chamber warm.

It also has a built-in thermometer. For better airflow, an adjustable damper is provided. It can take up to 5 pounds of charcoal in the charcoal pan. The two storage rack –front and underneath makes storage convenient.

All thanks to the 2 wheel design, it’s very easy to transport. It is a combination of a charcoal grill, BBQ and offset smoker.

Pros

The size of the grill makes you cook a large amount of food in one go.

It is very easy to put together.

It is extremely easy to move around.

Cons

Can’t be left outdoors when not in use otherwise, it may catch rust.

How to Choose the Best Offset Smoker

Heavy metal construction

The construction of any smoker is supposed to be tailored towards durability. The last thing you want is to end up with a model that breaks down in a short time. The metal is also supposed to withstand the heat generated from the firebox. This makes it work great for years without having to replace it. In most cases, offset smokers are made of steel metal.

Ventilation

Ventilation is important for proper distribution of heat and smoke. It is the reason you have to consider getting yourself the best smoker that delivers good ventilation. The smoker should also offer you the option of adjusting heat and smoke. This will be done mostly through the use of dampers and a heat grate.

The paint job

The paint should also be great to withstand the heat. In this case, you need to use heat resistant paint. When the paint cannot hold up to the heat, then it will start to chip off. You will soon end up exposing the metal that might rust considering you will mostly keep the smoker outdoors.

Thermometer

The temperature of an offset smoker is really important. This is because it helps you determine if the meat is ready or not. It will be great if the unit that you buy comes with the thermometer installed with the option of even adding a second one.

Cooking space

This might be the most important feature for most people. It is expected that models will have varying sizes of cooking space. It is the reason you have to consider your needs first. If the unit will majorly be used by a small family, then buying a small unit will be perfect and vice versa.

Versatility

A good unit is supposed to give you versatility. This is where it can be used as a BBQ grill or a smoker or any other function. With such versatility, you would not have to buy different units to achieve different capabilities when just one will do fine.

Offset Smoker FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about offset smoker answered:

Why should I use offset smoker?

Offset smokers are capable of cooking a large amount of food at once. They give your food a unique Smokey flavor. They are safer and easy to use.

How to keep the offset smoker hot?

If you want to keep the offset smoker hot for a long time, make sure you buy the one that’s properly sealed. It must have a thick metal wall construction. Models with thicker walls maintain the temperature better regardless of the weather condition out there.

Are offset smoker durable?

Offset smokers are made from quality metals welded together. Since the unit is meant for external use, it is designed to withstand all climate changes.

How To Build Offset Smoker?

Before you start assembling or building the offset smoker, it is recommended to read the manual provided. It will contain step by step instructions of setting up the smoker. For beginners, these tips might help:

Cook with charcoal. It wouldn’t produce much smoke or ash and you will get to maintain the BBQ flavor.

Before you put the meat in, make sure the cooking chamber is preheated.

The coals that you added previously will fade and the temperature will begin to decline. To prevent that, add fully lit coals from the chimney before you start cooking.

Make sure the lids of the firebox and cooking chamber are closed. Otherwise, heat will escape.

You must stay near the offset smoker as long as the meat is in there.

How To Clean Offset Smoker?

Let’s face it, nobody likes cleaning the offset smoker right after the party is over. That’s ok, you can always clean it the morning after. To get started, first remove the grate from the firebox. Sweep the ash into the tray using a small brush. If you see large pieces of wood or charcoal, remove them by hand. Once the ash is out, put everything in place.

Now it’s time to access the bottom of the cooking chamber. For that, remove the grills and plates. You will see solid fat stuck at the bottom of the chamber. Use a paper towel to wipe it. It’s not recommended to use anything abrasive that may leave scratches. Feel free to use a spatula to remove any food particles.

Most offset smokers have stainless steel grills which are very easy to clean. You can soak them in hot water and use a sponge or even wire brush to clean them. Once everything is clean, put them back in place. Remember, if you don’t clean the unit after use, you will have to deal with stubborn grease the next time.

How Does Offset Smoker Work?

An offset smoker helps you cook meat in a safer way. It’s perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. You can easily control the fire within the smoker which makes it an efficient option as compared to other smokers. The offset smoker features a separate firebox which generates heat. This heat is used by the grilling pan for operation to make sure the meat cooks evenly.

It basically has two components. The main cooking chamber is usually located at the grated barrel. Then you will see a firebox attached to one end of the cooking chamber. The firebox creates heat and smoke which enters the cooking chamber via the holes between the two spaces. The smoke travels out of the unit through a smokestack. It is located at the end of the cooking chamber.

How To Season Offset Smoker?

You season an offset smoker by applying a thick protective coat of oil on the surface. There are 3 steps to season it:

Step 1: Spray some cooking oil

Coat the internal parts of the smoker with spray on cooking oil. There is no need to season the grills though. Apply the oil inside the smoker only.

Step 2: Light the fire

Now it is time to light fire in the offset smoker. Apart from this, light the charcoal in the chimney fire starter.

Step 3: Monitor the temperature

Keep on monitoring the temperature gauges. It must reach 150 degrees. You will have to maintain a steady temperature for 2 hours at least.

The seasoning process completes after 2 hours of burning at the temperature mentioned above.

Conclusion

Even if you are a newbie to offset smokers, right now you have an idea of what would be the best smoker for you. It is always great if you take your time to check out several models first before picking the best offset smoker. At least this way you know what you are buying is the best option available.