If you are new to the world of smoking or a seasoned veteran, an offset smoker is a must-have BBQ tool for your arsenal.
They are built differently than your average smoker, but they produce almost the same great BBQ you get from a smoker. There are a lot of options to choose from, so the goal of this article is to help you make a quick decision when you are at the store or online.
Parsing through today’s market can be daunting. With so many offset smokers available, it’s hard to find exactly which one you need to buy.
I’ve done the hard research for you and listed the best offset smokers on the market in 2019. Most of these models have their pricing listed with a quick link to the full product description further down the page.
With so many offset smokers available in different price ranges, it can be difficult to decide which one to purchase.
This is why we have provided a detailed ranking of the overall best offset smokers to give you a better idea of what to look for when buying and to help you decide which model is best for you.
We have also added the most popular offset smokers to this list so that you can quickly compare different models and prices.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker | Best Overall |  |
| Royal Gourmet 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | Budget Pick |  |
| Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn Offset Smoker | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
Pros:
- Large cooking area
- Adjustable thermostat
- Quality constuction
The Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D is a large and sturdy charcoal offset smoker. It features superior quality and evenness of the temperature. The large cooking area is easy to clean with synthetic-coated charcoal grate. It has a vertical hood with vents at the top and bottom.
The inside of the hood and lid is porcelain-coated, while the steel body is powder-coated in black for quick heat retention.
It is a huge benefit that the smoker has a large cooking area and a very adjustable thermostat. The meat is easily cooked without drying out, because there is a hole in the charcoal bowl for a thermometer probe that monitors temperature consistently.
2. Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill
Pros:
- Thick steel makes it very durable
- Sealed combustion makes it very safe
- Ready to go in just 15 minutes
- Can smoke low and slow or hot and fast
- Comes with digital thermometer
- Easy to assemble and a breeze to clean up
- It costs much less than its competitors
Cons:
- It’s a bit heavy, but that’s never been a problem for me
- It’s easy to overshoot your desired temperature with the charcoal basket
I’ll be honest: The Dyna-Glo Signature Series is about the best vertical offset smoker you can buy for the money. It’s made in China, but it’s built just as well as the offset smokers you’d have to spend twice as much to get from the US.
3. Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 6 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control
Pros:
- The assembly process is simple and easy to follow
- You can easily control the temperature according to your needs
- The materials are of excellent quality: high-grade stainless steel with a powder-coated finish
Cons:
- The stainless steel is likely to rust if left out in the rain
- The price might be a little higher than other competition models
(With Casters)
Z Grills has always been emphasizing on the quality of their products, and the new Z P450A is not different. It has all the features you need from an offset smoker. It has a massive cooking area with a total surface of 450 square inches. And conveniently heats up to 500F.
The most exciting feature of this smoker is that it comes with an Auto-Set intelligence function that adjusts the temperature automatically.
4. Char-Broil Offset Smoker
Pros:
- Available in both 30 and 36 inch
- Sturdy build
- A large cooking space
The Char-Broil Offset Smoker, 30-inch model is one of the best offsets smokers you can find in the market today. They’re widely popular among both hobbyists and weekend barbecue chefs …’cause it’s a high-quality smoker that you can use for years without straining the pocket.
The offset smoker can operate in both cold and hot weather, thanks to its porcelain coated steel firebox and water pan. Char-Broil also included a chrome plated steel wood chip and water pan for added flavor.
The cooking area on this smoker is more than enough for a family if used for backyard meals. Even those who cook for their entire neighborhood will love not only the generous room but also the ease-of-access that this smoker offers. It’s also big enough for competitions and smoking competitions.
5. Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro 830 Square Inch Charcoal Grill
Pros:
- Bigger, more efficient than its predecessor
- Deep box for 8 steaks
- Improvements to the airflow
- Comes with grates for direct grilling
- Temperature gauge
- Washable grease catch tray
- Fairly simple to use
- Temperature gauge for monitoring
- No assembly required
Cons:
- Instructions not too clear
- Complicated assembling
- Expensive
- Side box is less efficient than old double door
- Top customer reviews and ratings
If you like to smoke things, the Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro 830 is for you. Both producers and users sing its praises. With a temperature capacity of 350 fahrenheit, it's great for whole chickens, pork shoulder, ribs and brisket.
It has two insulated doors, one on each side, for the wood. The side door is for smoker logs or charcoal. You can store the wood in the box under the grate. Just drop the wood through the holes in it.
One of the plus points as you can see is the side fire box. You can use it to either heat up the smoker or cook food without affecting the main grill too much.
6. Kitchen Shears
Pros:
- Stainless steel blades are durable and sharp
- Ideal for cutting meats, fruits, vegetables, and even cheese
- Scissors have a comfortable ergonomic handle
- Includes a hanging hole, which is convenient for storage
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- For a pair of scissors, the price is a bit high
- The cutting blades are too thick, which can make cutting awkward
Nowadays, our kitchens are hardly complete without kitchen scissors; they are multipurpose, convenient, and relatively inexpensive. The first advantage of kitchen scissors is that they are universal; you can use them for cutting meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits. In comparison to regular kitchen knives, they are relatively safe as they are small and have no pointed tip.
The second advantage of kitchen scissors is the speed of cutting. As their blades are small, you can process foods faster. The third advantage is the simplicity of their design. There is a handle with two blades; they are made from stainless steel, which means they are highly durable, and almost all of them are dishwasher safe.
The blades of these scissors are sharpened from ground edges. Therefore, they can cut with precision. The handles are made of soft material, such as silicone or PVC foam. They are not only comfortable but also nonslip.
7. Royal Gourmet 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker
Pros:
- Manufactured in the USA
- 30" cooking surface
- Superb heat dispersion
- Designed as a smoker and grill
Cons:
- 2-year limited warranty
- Stainless steel handles are difficult to fold down
Here's another model that has high ratings when it comes to functionality and performance. The Royal Gourmet Offset charcoal BBQ smoker has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. What's more, it's currently a best-seller on the site.
The smoker is both compact and durable and it can be easily folded for transportation when not in use. The BBQ grill is designed exclusively for outdoor use. However, you can also use it for indoor parties in case you don't have enough space in the garden or on the balcony, for example.
The Royal Gourmet is manufactured in the United States from thick heavy-duty steel wire. It features an offset firebox design that provides a higher level of heat dispersion. This allows you to get a better even cooking experience. Plus it comes with a stack of capacities and a durable powder coating, so you enjoy easy maintenance and hard-wearing quality.
8. Oklahoma Joe's Charcoal/LP Gas/Smoker Combo
Pros:
- You get a lot of features for the price
- Suitable for both beginners and experienced smokers
- 2 separate cooking zones
- Large cooking capacity
Cons:
- Lots of parts
- Heavier than average offset smoker
Oklahoma Joe’s is a new name in the world of smokers, but it certainly gains popularity due to its solid build construction and overall great performance.
The company has been in business since 1996, and they produce all of their smokers in a suburb of Kansas City in the USA. The Offset smoker with firebox is just a new model on a long series of good quality barrel smokers from Oklahoma Joe’s.
The offset smoker comes in at 47 x 19 x 38 inches, and it weighs around 105 pounds. The main box is made of 16 gauge steel while the firebox is made of 18 gauge steel. You might think it’s heavy for a barrel smoker, but the reason it’s heavier than the average model is because it has a firebox.
9. Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn Offset Smoker
Pros:
- Includes offset firebox and chimney
- Large cooking space
- Tempered-glass door
Cons:
- Weather-resistant vinyl cover, but not fireproof
- No side tables or shelf mounts
The Oklahoman-owned company Oklahoma Joe's was started in 1992 by Joe Davidson with a mission to provide BBQ kit. Today, they offer numerous products for the outdoor market, but in this post, we’ll be focusing on their Longhorn offset smoker.
This smokers come in three different sizes: 18.5”, 24.5” and 32”. For standard offset smokers, that larger than 24”, it's got one of the largest cooking chambers. It is 100% made in the USA and comes with a 1 year warranty.
This is a vertical offset smoker which means that you only need to have three sides – the two outer walls and the door. It gives you much more space on the inside, allowing for a much larger cooking chamber. It can accommodate a lot of cookware in addition to a 40 lbs. briskets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best offset smoker on the market?
There are dozens of great offset smokers out there, but the 8 we've featured here are really leading the pack. Specifically, we looked for smokers with precise temperature control, durability, and the best overall smoking experience. Whether you're a season professional griller or a backyard novice, we highly recommend any of these.
{1}. Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker – For serious competition pros, this smoker is a heavyweight champion. It's the ideal choice for getting the most flavor out of your meat without giving up any of the juiciness.
{2}. Napoleon Gas Smoker – as far as portability goes, this gas smoker kit is one of the easiest to pack up and transport, making it a viable option for day trips or tailgating.
Are offset smokers better?
The answer is probably. After comparing more than two dozen smokers, it's clear that the offset smokers performed better. The consistent side-basket heat kept even temperatures. The smokers took less time to warm up.
Other models like the the pellet smokers didn't do very well since they either needed to be a minimum distance from the firebox, or smoking food was convoluted. Whereas the offset models heat up quickly and easily, make frequent temperature adjustments, and smoke evenly. The stepped up design is convenient and easy to use. Plus, the offset smokers have more room for food and increased safety features.
What is the best reverse flow smoker?
A reverse flow smoker combines many of the best features from various smoking styles into one unique product. It offers an indirect heat source (like a traditional smoker), however, instead of the heat source being placed under the grates, it is placed on the opposite side of the cooking surface. As meat cooks, smoke is pulled down into the cooking chamber, and away from the heat source, filling it with a basting smoke instead of drippings.
The result is a tender and moist product with zero flare-ups. This is because the dripping juices flow into a chimney opposite of the heat source, so no drippings make their way towards the heat source, eliminating all flare-ups.
It also includes a control valve to adjust how much air enters the smoker. Finally, it allows you to use wood chunks or chips interchangeably when smoking. This feature is far superior to many box smokers that only allow you to use wood chips.
Why use offset smoker?
Offset smokers are great for larger groups or for people who plan to use their smoker several times weekly. All offset smokers are capable of bringing food to the brink of succulent, juicy perfection, but some are better at handling large volumes of meat than others.
Offset smokers use lower temperatures because the smoke from the firebox is carried over to the cooking chamber by pipes. This technique lowers the cooking temperature, meaning the process is slower but also much more fuel efficient with a longer cooking time.
One smoker we didn't include was the Camp Chef Woodwind. This model is essentially the same as Woodwind electric smoker except it uses charcoal or wood for the heat source. While the wood makes for a more authentic smoking experience, the charcoal models are easier to use and easier to clean.
Conclusion
It is quite challenging to find the best offset smokers in the market because they vary in prices, features and the design. For those who are after more delicious, juicy, and succulent food, we have listed the top 8 best offset smokers in 2022. There are some factors to consider before buying the best offset smokers:
- Smoker Construction
- Smoker Grates
- Simmering Capabilities
- Temperature Control
- Easy to Use
The offset smokers in the list are all easy to use with a simple dial that allows you to adjust the temperature according to your cooking needs.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker | Best Overall | |
| Royal Gourmet 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | Budget Pick | |
| Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn Offset Smoker | Upgrade Pick | |