Wouldn’t it be nice to have restaurant-quality smoked meals at home? Many consumers have complained that electric smokers or pellet smokers do not do justice to the smoked meal. If you are someone who is tired of smokers not being able to deliver the authentic smoky flavours in your foods, then you have come to the right place. The best offset smokers will allow you to smoke premium-quality meals at home.
You might want to look into an offset smoker which uses traditional methods to achieve the high-quality smoked meals. What’s different about an offset smoker is that it offers a large cooking surface and a separate unit for the firebox. This allows you to cook several foods at once and you will have no problem cooking for longer periods of time. Amount of heat and smoke is easily adjustable with the addition of air dampers. You will be able to achieve the tender, juicy smoky flavours in your food without having to go to expensive restaurants.
Best Pick
The Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Offset Charcoal Smoker is our best pick because of its solid construction, high functionality and ability to smoke a large quantity of meat in the best possible way. This offset smoker is built to serve you well for a long period of time.
Budget Pick
The Royal Gourmet 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker is our budget pick because of its versatile cooking options, ability to retain high temperatures and convenient smoke features. This offset smoker is highly economical and gives you the chance to smoke your foods like an expert.
Quick Comparison: The 8 Best Offset Smokers Of 2020
| Product Name | Cooking Surface (in sq. inches) | Item Dimensions (in inches) | Weight (in pounds) | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Offset Charcoal Smoker | 1176 | 20.2 x 34.52 x 47.03 | 57 | A |
| Royal Gourmet 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | 800 | 55.1 x 27.2 x 48.4 | 54.2 | A |
| Char-Broil 12201570-A1 Offset Smoker | 430 | 17.5 x 46.25 x 44.75 | 46.5 | B |
| Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker | 800 | 45.3 x 26.8 x 48 | 57 | A |
| Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro | 830 | 62 x 29 x 50 | 113 | B |
| Char-Broil 18202078 Offset Smoker | 605 | 54.3 x 43.9 x 22.7 | 69.4 | A |
| Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn Reverse Flow Smoker | 1060 | 35.5 x 64.25 x 55.5 | 226 | B |
| Oklahoma Joe's Highland Reverse Flow Smoker | 900 | 33.5 x 57 x 53 | 180.8 | A |
1. Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Offset Charcoal Smoker
This premium quality offset smoker is must-have for all those who want a professional-grade result in your smoked meals. You will also have the option of cooking in many different styles that include direct and indirect cooking. The separate smoker box gives you the ability to slow-cook your meals to perfection.
The tall vertical smoke chamber features six cooking racks that are adjustable and removable as well. You can adjust the height according to your cooking needs. The total area of the smoker is 784 square inches whereas the total cooking space is 1176 square inches. You can fit up to 25 pounds of food on each cooking rack. This offset smoker gives you the chance to cook a large number of gourmet dishes without having to cook in multiple batches.
The steel charcoal chamber is coated with porcelain. This helps to retain heat better and for a longer period of time. This offset smoker comes with a removable steel ash pan which is designed to collect the ash and debris produced from wood. It also comes with a removable grease tray to collect the oil and juices produced from the smoked food. These make cleaning up easier since the ash and grease can easily be thrown out.
The steel smoke stack has an adjustable flue and an adjustable air damper that allow you to have better control over temperature and airflow. The dual doors allow the smoker to maintain consistent high temperatures that give the food a more smoky flavour.
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2. Royal Gourmet 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker
With the 30” Royal Gourmet, you get to make both grilled food and smoked food. The charcoal grill and offset smoker offers a total cooking area of 800 square inches. You get a primary cooking surface of 438 square inches, an offset smoker of 183 square inches and a warming rack of 179 square inches. You can adjust the height of the charcoal pan.
This unit has a solid construction. It has a black coating that does not peel. This helps to keep your griller plus smoker looking new. Moreover, the black coating helps to retain heat well. You can reach a maximum temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the steel wiring grates are coated with porcelain to give you rust-resistant cooking grates and it keeps food from sticking to the grill. This makes cleaning up easier.
This convenient model comes with a built-in temperature gauge that gives accurate readings. It also includes a smokestack and adjustable air vents on the side that let you control the flow of air to and from the firebox. The handle is heat-resistant so you can lift it up anytime to monitor the food. It has a door on one side to refill the charcoal easily. The ash pan collects the ash and debris. This makes cleaning up easy as you can discard it easily.
3. Char-Broil 12201570-A1 Offset Smoker
The Char-Broil 12201570-A1 is a combination offset smoker that lets you grill or smoke, depending on your mood. Total of 430 square inches of cooking surface and this space is divided into the smoking area and the grilling area.
The smoker offers 290 square inches of cooking area whereas the grill offers 190 square inches of cooking area. You can easily smoke up to 18 burgers at once.
With multiple adjustable dampers, you can easily control the airflow. This also lets you control the heat and adjust the internal temperature of the cooking chamber. The built-in temperature gauge allows you to quickly read and monitor the internal temperature of the cooking chamber. This offset smoker also features a side table on which you can place the necessary ingredients and utensils. The heat-resistant handles allow you to lift the lid without burning your hands.
This offset smoker has two large wheels that make it easier to move it from one place to another. The cooking grates are coated with porcelain that makes it resistant to rust. Plus, they are easier to clean. Just scrub it with a brush or let it soak in soapy water for some time. This convenient smoker is made for outdoor cookouts.
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4. Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker
This offset smoker features a primary cooking area of 438 square inches, a warming rack of 179 square inches and an extra 183 square inches of cooking area which enables you to cook a Texas-style BBQ meal.
You get a total of 800 square inches of cooking surface. This combination offset smoker is perfect for a family outdoor cookout or when you are having a few friends over.
The steel cooking grates are enamelled with porcelain that makes cleaning up easier. All you need to do is scrub the grates with a brush and make sure they are fully dry before you keep them away. The porcelain coating makes the grates rust-resistant so there is less maintenance. The warming rack is coated with chrome which means that it does not corrode easily. The protective layer coatings also help to retain heat better.
You can easily add charcoal through the door on the side. Plus, the air dampers enable you to control the airflow to and from the firebox. This, in turn, allows you to adjust the temperature and heat settings. On the other hand, the heavy-duty lid on top keeps the inside air from escaping into the outside air. Heat retention is better and there is even heat distribution throughout the cooking surfaces.
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5. Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro
The Char-Griller E1224 is designed to give you the authentic flavours of the Texas-style barbeque. The primary cooking chamber has 580 square inches of cooking surface whereas the firebox has 250 square inches of cooking surface.
You get a total cooking surface of 830 square inches. You can smoke fresh cuts of meat by placing them in the 250 square inch firebox.
Although the Char-Griller has a smaller cooking surface compared to other smokers, it does not fail to deliver flavourful food. You can use this 113-pound unit as both a griller and a smoker. With such versatility, you can always switch up your cooking styles depending on your mood. The heavy-gauge powder-coated steel construction makes the unit last for a longer period of time and it is less likely to be damaged easily.
The cast-iron cooking grates prevent food from sticking to the surface of the grates. The non-stick grates make cleaning up much easier as you do not need to put in a lot of effort. No fancy brushes are required for the cleanup process. The Char-Griller comes with a side and front table that lets you expand your working station. For easy access, you can place all the ingredients that you need on the table. You can also place the utensils and paper towels or other necessary tools on the tables. You will have a more organised cooking session.
The removable charcoal drawers enable you to refill charcoal and discard the ashes easily. The double-plated bottom adds more shelf-life to the unit. Moreover, it features a built-in temperature gauge that gives accurate readings of the internal temperature of the cooking chamber. You can smoke or grill your foods to the right amount. The storage rack underneath allows you to store charcoal, wood chunks or extra grilling tools on it. This Char-Griller is set to make your cooking experience a lot better and simpler with its convenient and thoughtful design.
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6. Char-Broil 18202078 Offset Smoker
This offset smoker features a cooking surface of 605 square inches. The primary area has 477 square inches whereas the grill area has 128 square inches. There is enough space to smoke 24 burgers at once.
This makes the offset smoker ideal for backyard parties for a large group of friends and family. You also have a charcoal grill as an option so that you can offer a wide variety of food items at your party. Be it smoked or grill, this versatile smoker will produce tender, juicy meals.
The offset smoker is made with high-quality steel that gives the smoker a durable finish. The cooking grates are coated with porcelain. This keeps your grates from rusting easily and it also enables a non-stick cooking surface. This means that the grates are easy to clean. The fact that this smoker comes with a firebox ash door also makes it easy to clean. It also comes with a side shelf on which you keep sauces or tongs for easy access.
The air damper on top allows you to control the amount of smoke and heat inside the cooking chamber. Although this offset smoker weighs 69.4 pounds, you can easily move it with the addition of two large wheels that have a diameter of 8 inches.
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7. Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn Reverse Flow Smoker
The Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn Reverse Flow Smoker is made for smoking a large amount of meat. The smoker features a total cooking surface of 1,060 square inches. This space is divided into two regions.
It includes a primary cooking chamber of 751 square inches and a firebox chamber of 309 square inches. You can easily cook for a large number of friends and family with a large cooking surface.
With multiple smokestack locations, you can easily customise your flow smoker. With removable baffles and four grates, you have the option of using it as a reverse flow smoker or as a traditional offset smoker. Whichever option you choose, you will get restaurant-quality smoked meals at home. The versatile smoker includes 4 baffles situated under the cooking area. This enables the heat and smoke to distribute evenly throughout the entire cooking area.
The smoker’s firebox chamber includes a stainless steel fuel basket that is large enough to accommodate pure chunks of wood instead of charcoal. There is a door on the side that makes it easy to remove the ash. This makes cleaning up easier.
The entire unit has a durable construction with a high-quality steel coating. The 4 cooking grates are enamelled with porcelain to make it last longer. This is because the porcelain-coating prevents the grates from rusting and it also makes the grates easier to clean. On the other hand, with several air dampers, you can easily control the airflow which in turn lets you control the amount of heat and smoke produced inside the smoker.
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8. Oklahoma Joe's Highland Reverse Flow Smoker
If you love having smoked foods, then the Oklahoma Joe's Highland Reverse Flow Smoker is the one for you. With a total cooking surface area of 900 square inches, you will not have any difficulties in fitting the food on the grates.
Plus, you can customise the smoker to use it either as a reverse flow smoker or as a traditional offset smoker. All you need to do is adjust the smokestacks in order to customise it. This adds versatility to your cooking and you can stun your guests with your professional-grade quality meals.
The 900 square inch cooking area is divided into two sections. This includes a 619 square inch primary cooking chamber plus a 281 square inch firebox chamber. The cooking grates have a porcelain coating that keeps food from sticking to the surface of the smoker. It also makes the grates rust-resistant. These features make the grates easy to clean and also make it last for a longer period of time.
With four baffles located below the primary cooking chamber, you will be sure to receive even heat distribution throughout the smoking surface. This will allow you to cook tender and juicy meats without having to put in much effort. Fuel management is made easier with the addition of a large charcoal basket. You can easily put more wood in it for added smoke.
Although this smoker can retain heat well, you might experience heat loss as the door does not fully seal. In order to reach a higher temperature, you might want to invest in materials that are used to seal the door.
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Things To Consider Before Buying An Offset Smoker
Size Of The Cooking Chamber
A large cooking chamber will enable you to cook more food in a single batch. A cooking chamber of at least 800 square inches is required if you are smoking food for a large crowd of friends and family. If you usually have a small gathering, you might want to invest in an offset smoker with a smaller cooking chamber.
Depending on your cooking needs, you need to select an offset chamber that will allow you to cook sufficient food easily.
Material Of Cooking Grates
The material of the cooking grates is a factor that requires your attention while selecting an offset smoker. Cooking grates that are coated with a protective layer such as porcelain will make the grates more durable as the grates will not rust easily. Moreover, non-stick cooking grates are easier to clean as you do not need to use any special brushes to scrub the grates. On the other hand, cooking grates that retain heat well will help to smoke your food faster and give you more pleasant results.
Traditional Offset Smoker Or Reverse Flow Smoker?
A traditional offset smoker is more likely to have uneven heat distribution compared to a reverse flow smoker. You need to rotate the meat in the traditional offset smoker quite frequently. On the other hand, a reverse flow smoker will distribute heat evenly throughout the cooking surface so you do not need to worry about your food being cooked unevenly. However, multiple heat zones that we often see in traditional offset smokers allow you to smoke your food in many different ways.
Construction Of The Offset Smoker
An offset smoker with a solid construction will last you for a longer period of time. Make sure that the body of the smoker is well insulated so that the paint does not flake easily. Moreover, if the offset smoker is made with high-quality materials, not only will it produce better quality food but it will also require less maintenance.
Size Of The Firebox
A large firebox will enable you to put in big chunks of wood or a large amount of charcoal in it for enhanced smoky flavours. You do not need to replenish it frequently if the firebox is large enough.
Ease Of Transport
Offset smokers usually weigh more than other types of smokers. It will be easier to move the offset smoker if it comes with sturdy wheels. Make sure that the wheels are large enough to support the weight of the offset smoker. If the smoker weighs less and does not come with wheels, make sure that the handles are heat-resistant so that you can move it around without injuring yourself. Plus, handles with a good grip will also aid in transporting the grill.
Temperature Gauge
Offset smokers that come with a built-in temperature gauge or thermometer help to monitor the internal temperature of the cooking chamber. You should always make sure that the temperature gauge gives accurate readings of the temperature so that you do not end up undercooking your food. Also, a temperature gauge will keep you from overcooking or burning your food.
Air Ventilation
Offset smokers that come with multiple air dampers allow for more air ventilation which in turn helps to control the amount of heat and smoke produced in the cooking chamber. This is a very important feature as it affects the flavour of your smoked meal.
Other Features
Offset smokers that come with tables are convenient to use. You can place your ingredients and utensils on the side or front table. This allows for easy access. You do not need to rush to the kitchen frequently to get those things while smoking your food. Moreover, offset smokers with removable and adjustable smoking racks make your cooking session easier. It also makes cleaning up much simpler. An offset smoker that comes with a large ash pan will also make cleaning up easier.
Conclusion
Beyond any doubt, an offset smoker will enable you to achieve that rich, delicious smoky flavour that you are longing for in your meals. You can easily smoke large cuts of meat in just one batch. This saves you time and you can enjoy more with your loved ones at your outdoor cookouts. By investing in one of the best offset smokers, you might not ever want to go back to a restaurant for smoked ribs and briskets as you will probably have the same quality meals at home.