Let’s face it; nothing rivals smoked food when it comes to exotic taste and fantastic aromas. We all have Grilling Tools, some even have an Indoor Grill, and we all certainly know Tailgate Grills, but what we don’t all have is the best offsite smoker. Sure, an Electric Smoker can do the trick, but why go the civilized way when you can smoke your chicken, meat, or fish the way our ancestors did it?
Anyway, if you’ve ever had Smoked Salmon for dinner, you surely know how delicious smoked food is, and you’ve certainly tried searching for an offset smoker that suits your needs and budget; also, you’ve surely failed because of the huge number of appliances and models in this category.
Do not throw in the towel, as we’re here to help. We’ve looked into countless offset smokers and chosen the ones that we believe check all the boxes when it comes to efficiency, practicality, and durability. Maybe you can throw one of our recommendations in your Gift Basket next Christmas, we’re totally positive anyone would love an offset smoker.
Without further ado, get yourself a hot cup of Tea and let’s jump to the list.
Table of Contents
Offset Smoker Review Center 2021
| Image | Offset Smoker | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | #1 - Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker | 99% |
 | #2 - Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker | 96% |
 | #3 - Char-Broil Offset Smoker | 92% |
 | #4 - Oklahoma Joe's Highland Offset Smoker | 89% |
 | #5 - Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill | 85% |
Want to learn more?
Now that you’ve seen our top 5 recommendations, we’ll give you more detail on each of them, including why we liked them. When you’re ready, click the yellow button to get the best price on Amazon!
#1 – Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker
Topping our list is an offset smoker that’s not only efficient and durable, but also quite affordable and budget-friendly. Bear in mind that you’re not getting only a smoker here, but an entire grill-smoker combo. Quite convenient, isn’t it? Surely this is something that will come in handy when having an outdoor party with the fellas. As a matter of fact, it’s that very two-in-one aspect of the world-famous Royal Gourmet grill that allowed it to top our best offset smoker list. After all, why get only a smoker when you can get a glorious grill-smoker combo?
Royal Gourmet’s offset smoker offers a large 800-square inch cooking area that can cover the needs of your family and any number of unexpected guests. Not only that, but you also get a steel mesh front table and a bottom shelf that you can use for prepping and storage. Did we mention how convenient this smoker is?
The included warming rack is just the cherry on top as smoked meat should be served hot.
As for maintenance, you shouldn’t worry about the cleaning process when using this smoker as it has a side door on the firebox for easy clean-up and refueling.
The only issue that we noticed in this offset smoker is that the paint job doesn’t seem like it’s going to last. It’s just a minor aesthetic issue though, and it doesn’t affect the practicality of this smoker-grill combo.
What we like about it
The Royal Gourmet CC1830F Grill-Smoker Combo offers a wide 800-square inch cooking area along with additional front table and bottom shelf for prepping and storing your Ceramic Knives and Steak Knife Sets. The grates are coated with porcelain, which promotes durability, and it comes with added wheels to boost portability. If you don’t mind the fact that the paint job isn’t going to last, this is a solid candidate for the title of the best offset smoker.
#2 – Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker
If it’s your first time getting an offset smoker, aka you are a beginner in this field, Dyna-Glo’s charcoal grill is a bargain that you shouldn’t miss. With a broad 800-square inch cooking area between the primary chamber and the side firebox, this smoker can cover the needs of a whole family or a bunch of friends.
The grates are made of cast iron, which means that they can last for as long as you’re keeping the offset smoker. They also boast a non-stick coating that facilitates maintenance and cleaning. If you’re new to the home meat-smoking world, you can’t go wrong with Dyna-Glo’s offset smoker.
Two things we didn’t like about this appliance though; first, the light finish isn’t that great for an offset smoker, as any grease and charcoal build-up would show up clearly on it. Second, the handles are somehow too close to the surface, which means that opening and closing the lid barehanded won’t be the brightest of ideas when using this grill. But why would you open and close the cover of a grill barehanded in the first place, right?
What we like about it
The beginner-friendly offset smoker from Dyna-Glo boasts a powder-coated steel body and offers a decently-sized cooking area that measures 800 sq. inches. It also features non-stick cast iron cooking grates and several shelves on which you can store your ingredients. Finally, this offset smoker comes with wheels for easy transportation inside and outside the house. Add all that to the wallet-friendly price tag, and you’ve got yourself the best offset smoker for beginners. Just avoid opening and closing the lid barehanded, and you’ll be good to go.
#3 – Char-Broil Offset Smoker
We all know that life isn’t just black and white, good and evil. Applying the same principle to the kitchen, appliances aren’t just cheap and expensive, affordable and high-end, as there are many gems in the middle range, such as the Char-Broil Smoker. Do not let the average price point fool you into thinking that this is an average smoker, as it’s everything but that.
What’s impressive about this appliance is that it can last for a lifetime thanks to the great versatility it offers. The moment you get fed up of smoked meat, get the three extra porcelain-coated grates, and you’ve got yourself a nice charcoal grill boasting over 900 sq. inches of cooking space. Yes, you read that right. 900 sq. inches. If you don’t know it already, that means that the grill can cover the needs of the biggest of family or friend gatherings. You shouldn’t worry about maintenance either, as the firebox includes an ash drawer for you to clean the grill easily after your meat-smoking events.
The only thing that may come as a downside for some people is the one-year warranty, considering that offset smokers are supposed to last long, like, really long. Other than that, nothing to complain about when it comes to the Char-Broil Offset Smoker.
What we like about it
A reasonable price, a 900-square inch cooking area, an integrated temperature gauge, and convenient wheels for easy portability. What else could you ask for in an offset smoker? If the one-year warranty doesn’t bother you, this can be the best offset smoker for you.
#4 – Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker
We’ve seen the affordable options, and we’ve seen the middle-ground options. It’s about time we checked the high-end side of the spectrum, isn’t it?
Besides the usual horizontal cooking chamber, the XXL offset smoker features a vertical one for extra space and convenience. Odd? Sure, but it can be really practical.
This offset smoker is made of powder-coated steel, and it offers welded seals for an impressive heat retention capability. Add that to the perfectly-placed thermometers, and you’ve got yourself a beast when it comes to convenience. This appliance is no joke, it’s for people who are serious about smoking their meat at home.
There are no downsides to this offset smoker, but the price may seem too high for some people. Remember, this is a high-end product, and you get what you pay for. Premium quality doesn’t come cheap.
What we like about it
K Top Deal’s XXL Offset Smoker is made of heavy-duty, powder-coated steel with porcelain-enameled cooking grates. It offers both a vertical and a horizontal cooking area with multiple shelves, and the handles are ergonomically designed for ease of use and comfort. In other words, this is a premium, high-end offset smoker, not an average one, which explains the high price tag. If you understand that quality doesn’t come cheap and you are willing to spare some extra bucks to get the best offset smoker, this is a solid option to consider.
#5 – Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill
If you’re one to try different cooking styles, you’ll certainly like the Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill, as it works with both charcoal and different types of woods. Basically, that means that you can experiment with different mouth-watering recipes.
Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill is made of steel, which ensures durability. It also comes with a handful of useful features, such as the extra shelves, the integrated temperature gauge, and wheels for portability.
The only niggle with this offset smoker is the way it looks. Sure, it performs pretty decently no matter what you are using for fuel, but the wooden components, including the handles and the shelf, make it look somehow cheap. Nevertheless, it’s still a decent appliance that can get the job done effectively.
What we like about it
This offset smoker is made of steel for durability, and it comes with a built-in thermometer that you can use to smoke your meat in a perfect manner. It also has a couple of extra shelves for prepping and storage, and it features wheels for portability. If you don’t mind the flimsy look of this offset smoker, and you like experimenting with different recipes on both wood and charcoal, you can’t go wrong with the Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill.
Which Is the Best Offset Smoker?
The best offset smoker out of the reviewed batch is Royal Gourmet’s CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker. Not only is it durable and feature-rich, but it also comes at an affordable price, making it a bargain that one shouldn’t miss. Nevertheless, all the products that we mentioned above are excellent, and any one of them can be the best offset smoker for you depending on your needs and preferences. If you’re still confused as to which model to choose, check our buying guide below.
The Offset Smoker Buying Guide
Here we’ll go into more detail about offset smokes and how we chose the above picks.
What Is an Offset Smoker, to Begin With?
Come on. You know what an offset smoker is. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. But how to use an offset smoker? It’s simple. Operating such an appliance is just like building a fire using wood or charcoal.
An offset smoker includes two barrel-like chambers. The first serves as a firebox, and the other presents the actual cooking area. When you fire up the smoker, the heat and smoke travel through the first chamber to find their way to the meat in the second. Easy peasy, delicious squeezy (or something like that).
What Should You Consider Before Choosing the Best Offset Smoker?
Alright, now that the basics have been covered, let’s move to the more important stuff: how to choose the best offset smoker?
How Well-built Is the Offset Smoker?
Although there are several factors that you need to consider when making your choice, durability and sturdiness should be your numero uno priority. Here’s what you need to check:
The Material
When examining offset smokers, you must pay close attention to the material used in the construction as it reflects the quality you should expect. Even if everything is perfect, if the smoker has a thin and flimsy body, you should look for something else. The gold standard that you should look for is steel that’s at least ¼-inch-thick.
The Structural Strength
You know what they say; “The devil is in the detail”. If you don’t want to end up with an offset smoker that may collapse at any moment, you should check all the latches, hinges, legs, wheels, and other small details as they determine the dependable durability of the unit.
The Seals
The whole point of getting an offset smoker instead of a grill is because of the smoke retention feature. If you get a unit that keeps leaking smoke through the gaps in the seal, you defy the whole purpose of this appliance. If you want to get the best offset smoker, make sure to get one that has firmly welded seals as that’s the only way to go for fuel efficiency, temperature control, and smoke retention
Is the Offset Smoker Portable?
There’s no sense denying it; meat smokers can be really hefty. If you want your gatherings to be effortless, look for an offset smoker that has sturdy, durable wheels for easy transportation around the backyard.
How Spacious is the Cooking Area?
If you’re one to have a lot of backyard gatherings, a small cooking chamber would be no good for you. Barbecue and meat smoking parties aren’t meant to be had alone, but to each his own when it comes to cooking, that’s why we recommend getting an offset smoker with a cooking chamber that fits your lifestyle and preferences.
Can You Get the Right Temperature Every Time?
It’s common knowledge that you get the best-smoked meat when you do it nice, low, and slow. But do you know the real secret behind mouth-watering, finger-licking smoked meat? It’s using the right temperature and heat every time. The question is; how can you determine if the cooking chamber reached the needed temperature? Should you open the lid every few minutes? How inconvenient is that?
The real solution is to get an offset smoker that has a built-in temperature gauge using you which you can keep your eye on the temperature without having to open and close the lid and, therefore, allow the smoke to escape the cooking chamber.
When you get your new meat smoker, make sure to season it properly. No, don’t reach for your Spice Grinders and Spice Racks, as that’s not what we’re talking about here. You need to season your offset smoker first to burn the contaminants and debris accumulated because of the manufacturing and shipping processes to ensure that your food is both tasty and chemical-free.
Is It Too Good to Be True?
Getting a cheap offset smoker may seem tempting, especially that there are countless low-cost models on the market, but is buying a bargain-priced appliance in this category really worth it? It depends.
If you’re just starting out and don’t smoke your meat that often, just make sure the quality of the cheap smoker you’re getting is decent and you’re good to go.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a long-lasting appliance for family gatherings and friendly events, you’re better off spending a few extra bucks to get a higher-quality model.
Does the Offset Smoker Come with Warranty?
With proper maintenance, your new offset smoker can last for a lifetime, but there’s nothing wrong with getting a unit that comes with a decent warranty, one that covers manufacturing defects and unfortunate circumstances. We all want some peace of mind, don’t we?
Final thoughts
Whether you’re getting it as a gift or for your family gatherings and barbecue parties, you need to pay close attention when looking for the best offset smoker. Believe me, should you get a good meat smoker, Japanese Knife, Meat Cleaver, and Meat Slicers, you’re bound to have unbelievable backyard meat smoking parties. Just remember to fill your Whiskey Barrels or Wine Storage Cabinets beforehand, and you’re good to go!
While you’re here, check out some of our other kitchen appliances!
Sources: