Best Offset Smoker
A great offset smoker is a key to unlocking mouth-watering aromas, so tell me – are you ready to experience the authentic flavor of meat for the first time? 🙂
Have you already done your Christmas shopping? Being the best wife that I am this year, I decided to surprise my hubby with a brand new smoker grill!
Now, you know me, I couldn’t just go and buy the first one that turned up – I had to make sure I picked the perfect offset smoker out of the bunch.
Despite the risk of John deciding to visit my blog in the next couple of weeks (which would ruin the surprise), I’m willing to share my discoveries with you!
What’s an Offset Smoker, Anyway?
Let’s get right to the point: You understand what they are and what they do, otherwise you wouldn’t be seeking to get one right now, would you?
But if you’re still unclear about how to use an offset smoker, let me explain: If you know how to start a fire with wood or charcoal, you already know how to use an offset smoker.
It really is that easy!
If you stop to think about it, the name essentially sums it up:
One of the two barrel-shaped chambers functions as a firebox, and the other one functions as the cooking area itself. After you light it, the heat and smoke go through the smoker and reach the meat, releasing a plethora of scrumptious fragrances along the way.
Further Reading: Pick a New Tailgate Grill; How To Choose a Meat Smoker; Find A Pellet Smoker For Your House
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Offset Smoker
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s answer the most critical question of all: How can you be sure you chose the greatest offset smoker for your needs?
1. Quality Construction Should Be Your #1 Priority
There are quite a few essential factors to consider here, but it all comes down to one thing: How sturdy and durable does the smoker’s construction feel?
So, before you place your order, pay attention to the following things:
Material – The material used is one of those deciding factors when it comes to assessing the unit’s quality. Everything else can be picture-perfect, but if the metal body is thin and flimsy, the smoker will be no good. Steel that has at least 1/4 of an inch in thickness is the gold standard here.
Seals – Remember why you’re buying a meat smoker instead of a regular grill: Smoke retention. Now, let me ask you how you’re supposed to achieve that if the smoke keeps seeping through the gaps in the seals left and right. That’s not the only problem with poorly welded seals, though – it can also affect fuel efficiency and temperature control, too!
Structural Strength – You don’t want to end up with something that feels like it’s going to fall apart any minute now, do you? That’s why you should always pay attention to details: All the latches and hinges, legs – and even wheels – tell a story about the unit’s durability!
Bonus Tip: Make Sure It’s Portable
These things tend to be quite hefty to haul around – even short-distance transitions around your backyard can prove to be a team-lift endeavor. In situations like that, a set of sturdy wheels and durable handles can be an immeasurable convenience.
2. Cooking Area: The More, The Better
For us, size and capacity are some of those “make or break” factors. John’s well-known among our neighbors for his barbecue skills, so whenever we fire up the grill, we can expect a few friendly faces to show up at our door.
We don’t mind – the more, the merrier! But that means buying a unit with a small cooking chamber, however great it may be, wouldn’t work for us. That’s why I strongly recommend you to base your decision on your lifestyle.
Related: Burger Press For Perfect Patties
3. The Right Temperature Is Key For Perfectly Smoked Meat
You get the best results when you smoke your meat low and slow – everyone knows that. But ask any barbecue enthusiast what the real secret to mouth-watering, smoky-flavored meat is, and they’ll tell you it’s hitting the perfect cooking temperature.
How can you know if the cooking chamber reached the desired temperature, though? By opening the lid all the time? I hope not – that would only result in heat and smoke escaping the chamber!
What you should do, though, is make sure that your new smoker has a calibrated built-in temperature gauge. That way, you’ll be able to keep your eye on the internal temperature at all times.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget The Seasoning
No, I’m not talking about herbs and spices – I’m talking about curing your new smoker! Manufacturing and shipping can leave a lot of debris behind on your new smoker, and burning these contaminants away before you use your smoker not only keeps your food tasty but ensures that it’s chemical-free, as well!
Slice Your Delicious, Smoky-Flavored Roast With The Perfect Slicing Knife Available!
4. Beware Of Bargains
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Low-cost offset smokers are overflowing the market – everyone seems to be into smoking their meat at home these days!
And while you might think that a bargain-priced smoker is still better than no smoker at all, remember that spending a bit more now, and buying a long-lasting, high-quality unit, could save you money in the long run.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I do believe you can still find a good-quality smoker without burning a hole in your wallet – if you want proof, check out my offset smoker reviews!
Bonus Tip: Pay Attention To Warranty
With the proper TLC, you can expect your offset smoker to last you a lifetime. Nevertheless, manufacturing defects and other unfortunate circumstances are still a possibility, and having a decent warranty included in the offer could give you some much-needed peace of mind!
Most Recommended Offset Smokers: Detailed Reviews 2022
Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker – The Best Charcoal Grill With Smoker
There’s no point in maxing out your credit card to get the greatest smoker grill combo. There are some excellent offset smokers on the market that come with relatively reasonable price tags – and you’re about to meet one!
It was the two-in-one nature of this Royal Gourmet model that grabbed my attention straight away. Yup, you read that right: While the focus here is on finding you the perfect offset smoker, why stop there? Why not get a smoker-grill combo?
With a total of 800 square inches of cooking space, it should be more than enough to feed your family – plus a few unannounced guests. Speaking of space, you’ll get plenty of that for prepping and storage, as well, thanks to the steel mesh front table and a matching bottom shelf.
I loved the addition of a warming rack, too – smoked meat isn’t meant to be served cold, anyway. One minor issue I noticed was that the paint job doesn’t seem like it’s going to stick around for long if you know what I mean.
I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, though – performance-wise, the smoker works perfectly!
Pros
- Approximately 800 square inches of cooking space
- Porcelain-coated steel grates
- Features a chrome warming rack
- Added wheels for portability
- The firebox’ side door ensures easy clean-up and refueling
- The shelf and front table provide enough prepping space
Cons
- The paint job won’t last
Artist Hand Barbecue Charcoal Grill with Side Fire Box – The Best Type Of Smoker For Beginners
Remember what I said about avoiding bargain deals?
The rule still applies, but there are always exceptions – the Artist Hand Offset Smoker is a deal you can’t afford to miss! The smoker features a total cooking area of more than 800 square inches, provided that you use both the main chamber and the firebox as cooking surfaces.
And speaking of cooking, you’ll be doing that on cast iron grates, which, in itself, promise a certain level of durability. Moreover, they have a non-stick coating, which makes maintenance a breeze!
I’d say this is a perfect choice for someone who’s just now venturing into the world of smoking meat at home.
That said, I didn’t like the handles: Upon closer inspection, I found they’re sitting a bit too close to the surface to make it safe to open and close the lid barehanded.
Plus, I don’t think the light finish is the right choice for an offset smoker. Imagine all the grease and charcoal build-up showing on them!
Pros
- The total cooking area covers over 800 square inches
- Powder-coated heavy-gauge steel body
- Non-stick cooking grates are made from cast iron
- Multiple shelves provide additional storage space
- The wheels allow portability
- A budget-friendly option
Cons
- Poor handle design
K Top Deal XXL BBQ Offset Smoker with Bottom Shelf Charcoal Barbecue Grill – The High-End Stuff
If there were a textbook definition of a “large and in charge” offset smoker, this would be it!
You’ll notice right away that it features an additional vertical cooking chamber. And since I wanted to show you what else is out there, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to include it in my round-up of the greatest offset smokers.
The smoker is constructed out of thick, powder-coated steel. Paired with properly welded seals, it provides an outstanding level of heat retention.
And speaking of heat, the two built-in thermometers are conveniently placed to help you keep track of the temperature in both chambers.
All in all, if you’re serious about smoking your meat, you’re going to love the monstrosity that is the K Top Deal XXL BBQ Offset Smoker.
Now, naturally, being a high-end model, it comes with a particular price tag – one that wouldn’t fit everyone’s budget. If money isn’t an issue, though, you should seriously consider getting one of these.
Pros
- Constructed out of powder-coated steel
- The cooking grates are porcelain-enameled
- The handles have an ergonomic shape to them
- It comes with two thermometers
- Multiple mesh shelves give you plenty of room
- The wheels make the unit mobile
Cons
- It’s quite costly
Char-Broil Deluxe Offset Smoker – The Golden Middle
You’ve seen the cheaper models, and the high-end stuff is yet to come. You know what that means, don’t you? It’s a perfect moment to show you what the middle ground has to offer. Enter Char-Broil Deluxe Offset Smoker.
Mind you, even though the price might be somewhat “average,” the features are everything but!
The coolest thing is that if you ever get tired of smoked meats – although I don’t see that happening any time soon – pop in the three additional grates, and turn the entire thing into a huge charcoal grill!
If you decide to do so, you’ll have a cooking surface of over 900 square inches – more than enough to get you through the largest of family gatherings.
The fact that you only get a one-year warranty was odd, to say the least. I mean, shouldn’t these things last a lifetime – or at least the next ten years or so?
I’m not sure if I should count this as a legitimate downside, though. It’s probably more of a personal shock than anything else, but I still thought you should know about it.
Pros
- The cooking surface covers over 900 square inches
- The grates are porcelain-coated
- It has a built-in temperature gauge
- The firebox includes an ash drawer
- Comes with three additional charcoal grates
- It features two extra shelves
- The wheels ensure portability
Cons
- It comes with a one-year warranty
BBQ Grill Charcoal Barbecue Patio Backyard Home Meat Cooker Smoker– Experimenting With Flavors
Last, but not least, you should check out the Classic Charcoal BBQ Offset Smoker! What genuinely stood out was the fact that it works with both charcoal and wood.
Now, if you know your offset smoker recipes, then you probably know this allows you to experiment and maybe play around with a variety of flavors using different types of wood.
Talking about it is enough to make my mouth water! 🙂
The smoker has a steel body, which promises a certain level of durability, and it comes with some handy features, too, including a built-in temperature gauge, a few extra shelves, as well as wheels!
The only thing I didn’t like is the way it looks. But before you accuse me of being petty, let me explain: I gave it a fair trial, and it performed pretty decently, for that matter. That said, I can’t get over the fact that the wooden parts – both the shelf and the handles – give off this “unfinished” vibe.
Maybe it’s just me, but it somehow makes the entire unit look flimsy – and that’s not a word I like to use for any of my kitchen tools and gadgets!
Pros
- The smoker features a steel body
- It comes with an integrated thermometer
- Works with both charcoal and wood
- It has two additional shelves for storage
- It has a set of wheels
Cons
- The wooden parts look “unfinished.”
Wrapping Things Up
Simple but effective – those are the words I would use to describe any of the meat smokers in my round-up. But we still have to have a winner, don’t we?
The number one offset smoker out of the bunch – and the one John’s getting for Christmas this year – is the Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker. It’s durable, affordable, and has all the handy features you could need!
Gosh, I hope John doesn’t see this, but just in case he does: Merry Christmas, honey, I hope you like your gift! 😉
If you’re still struggling to make the final cut, let me know in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to help!
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