3 Best Offset Smoker for Beginners, Dec(2024)

It was very easy for me to prepare the list of best offset smoker for beginners.

I know exactly the struggle I had as a beginner..

I used to think the smoker needs to be heavily built and only then I can get the top result..

For me , It wasn’t true. I ended up starting my smoking journey with a low end smoker.

You can always upgrade later if you find that its worth it…

Find out what’s best for you…;

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Best Offset Smoker for Beginners

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#1 Royal Gourmet Offset Smoker (Best Overall)

Specifications :

• Brand : Royal Gourmet
• Material : Stainless Steel
• Colour : Black
• Item Dimensions : LxWxH 115.1 x 68.1 x 121.9 Centimeters
• Item Weight : 57 Pounds
• Finish Type : Black
• Model Name : CC1830F
• Frame Material : Alloy Steel
• Assembly Required : Yes

Study suggest that offset smoked meat are the most loved meat out there.
Yes it is true.. So it is something worth trying out to cook in offset smokers.

However you may not want to purchase something which you are not sure that you would be using it for long..

To avoid this you may want to start from a budget and a value for price kind of smoker.

That’s exactly what Royal Gourmet offset smoker is..

Let me give you more inputs…
The cooking area is 782 sq inches long enough to cook for 7-8 people.
The built-in thermometer allows a precision temperature control.

It also contains a built-in vent and side door to control the temperature if required.

The firebox and the cooking chamber forms an efficient heat transfer.

The warming rack that comes along with it gives an extra cooking space.

You can provide exceptionally delicious food to your families and friends.

The paint on the burn box won’t flake off soon. The chamber holds the heat very well.

Meat cooked over it becomes tender and juicy.

The damper is flexible and adjustable, which allows for a better flow of heat.

It has a big stack and a cool-touch spring handle.

It also has a side door for the addition of charcoal too.

The shape and size of this chamber is eye catchy for me.

I love the way my friend assembled it so fast.

Also Royal Gourmet is a best charcoal grill smoker combo that allows you to cook confidently..

I had some problems with the paints..

But I could easily fix it by preheating the chamber to harden the paint.

I used the instruction manual provided with the smoker to fix this horizontal smoker..

Pros :

• It lasts long.
• Made from heavy metal.
• Holds heat very well.

Cons :

• Paint flake out if kept longer in an open area.

#2 Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC Offset Smoker (Best Vertical)

Specifications :

• Color : Black
• Brand : Dyna-Glo
• Model Name : Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker.
• Power Source :  Charcoal
• Color : Black
• Item Weight : 57 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH : 20.2 x 34.52 x 47.03 inches
• Fuel Type : Charcoal.

As the name suggests, it is a vertical offset smoker..

The total length from the bottom to the top of the cooking chamber is 44 inches.

That means you can easily cook variety of food together placed in different grates.

From the bottom to that of the chimney is approximately 49 inches. Which means it has enough space for smoke to travel around the food.

It weighs almost 77 pounds. It has got legs and no wheels.

But it has two handles on two sides where two persons can carry it out.

It has a cooking area of 493 square inches.

It comes with 6 stainless racks. These racks can be adjusted to certain degrees.

One rack can hold almost 25 pounds of cooking items.

The bottom portion is slanted, which allows the grease droppings to drip in the pan.

The firebox is 88 square inches which is a little small.

It perfectly sits on the grates, which has an ashtray underneath.

It can be pulled off to clean it time and again.

There is metal insulation between the firebox and its roof, which can be used for warming the pot.

There is a sliding on the side for the adjustment of airflow.

Open it up to allow the air flow and close it to reduce its flow.

The chimney has a lever that can be adjusted such that more smoke is allowed to stay inside the chamber if wanted.

The handle is super nice.

One of my family members use this smoker.

He is quite happy about it. Especially he likes to smoke .

It seems the smoker utilizes the heat and smoke very well with some modifications.

The result taste can be enhanced..

One thing I noticed is that because of small size of the grate, the brisket had to be diagonally placed.

This is not good, since it takes up space.

Overall it is a perfect entry level offset smoker who are interested in the vertical design..

Pros :

• Easy to clean.
• Effective inbuilt thermometer.
• Can cook for an average family.

Cons :

• It has no wheels.

#3 Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Offset Smoker (Best Even Cooking)

Specifications :

• Brand : Oklahoma Joe’s
• Model Name : 17202053
• Color : Black
• Item Weight : 226 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH : 35.5 x 64.25 x 55.5 inches

It is a kind of smoker where the chimney and the firebox are on the same side, allowing even the meat’s cooking..

It also has an optional smokestack, which allows choosing between the reverse or traditional smokers’ flow.

Reverse flow :  It is a kind of smoker where the smoke passes from the firebox.

It then passes through one end of the cooking chamber to the other end.

The smoke travels below the cooking grates. Once it reaches the other end it travels back.Then it flows out through the chimney .

Which means the chimney and firebox are on the same side.

Two thermometers support 8-degree differences in temperature..

It has four baffles locked under porcelain-coated wire grates that deliver even heat and smoke throughout the cooking chamber.

It contains a large charcoal basket that provides efficient burn, easy trending, and the convenient firebox door makes cleaning up quick and easy.

The primary cooking space is 1060 sq inches.

The warming area on the firebox adds versatility to cooking.

The cool-touch handle protects the hand from the heat.

The professional temperature gauge measures accurate temperature.

The large wagon-style wheels allow easy mobility.

The bottom shelf allows the space for keeping utensils and additional fuel close by, and the stainless steel charcoal basket holds the fuel as charcoal. 

The whole of the chamber is coated with high-temperature paint.

I don’t own this smoker but I have a first experience in using this smoker in one of our workshops.

Honestly, I didn’t find it to be super heavy or of highest quality. However the result smoke flavour was quite impressive..

It is one of the best products for the money I have seen so far.

I also had people complaining about it being very small.

This is not so true because there are smaller smokers than this.

The size is quite descent in my opinion..

Pros :

• Easy to move.
• Even smoke distribution.
• Even heat distribution.
• Fewer temperature spikes.
• No water and grease tray.
• Fast temperature recovery.
• Improved flavor and moisture.

Cons :

• Over smoked meat.
• More fuel to maintain the temperature.
• Longer to adjust the temperature.
• Harder to clean..

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Conclusion

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So, here is my take. I highly recommend Royal Gourmet as the first choice for a beginner.

Purely because of its value for the price. .
And you can always upgrade later, once you are ready to level up.

There are many options out there once you are comfortable with the smoking process..

However if you are still looking to spent more on a smoker .

The next choice for me would be Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Smoker.
I would not suggest any beginner to look out for any other smoker.

In future if you are looking for upgrades to your smoker, Then I have a full list of 10+ offset smokers from budget to professional.
You can always bookmark this page and check out later.

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# Used Smokers for Sale

Alternatively you can also buy used smokers from different groups or community online.

If you are lucky you might find some good smoker pits, bbq pits.

For eg : Last month I saw very good sales going on in some of the facebook groups.

Somebody from Texas was selling his bayou classic offset smoker in an excellent condition at a very reasonable price.

You may want to checkout..

Incase you want to check join I have listed the groups below…

Facebook Group 1 (Smokers & Grills)

Facebook Group 2 (Used Smokers)

Facebook Group 3 (BBq,smokers talk,buy, sell)

Facebook Group 4 (Old Country BBQ Pits, Smokers)

Facebook Group 5 (BBQ Grills/Smokers)

Facebook Group 6 ( Home Made)

# Other Options

There are a few more offset smokers that are worth considering.

1. Broil King Offset Smoker
2. Char-Griller Smokin Pro
3. Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Flow Smoker

Also if you are looking for a very specific purpose.
We have discussed further all types of offset smokers for all purposes . Kindly leave your feedback or you can write to us about your favorites.

# Guide

Understanding these things helped me as a beginner :

– Offset smoker

It is a kind of smoker where the wood and charcoal is burned on the fire box .

And smoking is done on the cooking chamber.

The heat travels from the firebox to the cooking chamber.

– How does it work ?

The heat and the smoke from the fire box moves towards the cooking chamber.

Then it circulates around the cooking chamber and leaves through the chimney.

The  air flow can be adjusted through the air intake  and exhaust vent.

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FAQs

#1 Is offset smoker even better than pellet smoker?

Yes, it is far better in terms of taste. However if you are a newbie than Pellet smoker are best. Pellet Smoker are automatic..

#2 Do you need a water pan in an offset smoker?

Yes, it serves as a heat sink. But it is not compulsory if your smoker is already maintaining good temperature..

#3 What should I look for in a smoker?

1. Temperature control : How easy is it to control the temperature of the smoker?
2. Body makeup : How is the built quality of the smoker?
3. Even heat : Can it maintain even temperature throughout the cooking chamber?
4. Dampers : Does it have dampers to control the smoke exit?
5. Warranty : How much warranty the manufacturer provides for the product?
6. Capacity : How much food it can accomodate during a single cook?
7. Easily movable : It is portable?
8. Airflow : How efficient it is on allowing the air to the firebox?

#4 Are vertical or horizontal smokers better?

For me, it is vertical smoker. As in Vertical smoker the control of temperature is very easy.

#5 What does a water pan do in a smoker?

It helps in controlling the temperature of the smoker.

#6 Which charcoal is best to use for smoking?

For smoking it is best to use Charcoal Briquettes.

They are meant for long hour cooking therefore last long..

#7 Is it possible to direct grill on an offset smoker?

Yes, it is possible to direct grill on an offset smoker.

#8 What’s the Best Way to Clean and Maintain Offset Smokers?

The accumulation of food and grease at the bottom of the grill might provide a fire hazard. It is also unhygienic for your health.

So, we need to clean and maintain the offset smoker on a regular basis . Here I am explaining some steps to clean your smoker..

Steps:

• Remove the ashes.
  Ash retains moisture, which can cause corrosion over time. So after each use you need to clean the ash out of the offset smoker.
• Wipe with damp cloth.
  Remove any dropped marinades or sauces from the cooking space of your offset smoker using a wet cloth..
• Scrape Your Grill Grates.
  When the smoker has cooled down, use a nylon bristle brush to gently scrape the grill grates.
  Scrape after each use to avoid any hardening of residual food or particles.
  You can also use a putty knife to scrape any food or grease out of the cooking chamber.
• Remove the rust.
  To remove the rust from your smoker rub with steel wool.
  Sand paper will be good for cleaning off the rust on the outside of the smoker..

# Conclusion

In conclusion, taking performance, price, and ease of use into account is necessary while choosing the best offset smoker for beginners. .

Several models stand out as ideal choices for novices after careful consideration.

The chosen offset smokers are the best for beginners to offset smoking because they have user-friendly features like simple temperature control and effective heat distribution.

In addition, its robust design and affordable price points offer excellent value for newcomers.

Beginners can start smoking with confidence and experience the genuine smoky flavors offset smokers are known for by selecting one of these top-rated offset smokers..