You can’t beat the taste of juicy meat when it’s cooked using an offset smoker. Smoking is one of the indirect cooking methods that I prefer. I love the meat’s old-fashioned flavor that brings memories back. Nowadays, the best offset smoker under $1000 is the most practical choice that you can pick.
Are you interested in buying one? If you are tight on finances but still wants to get the best, check out this review for the best offset smoker under $1000. I am sure you’ll get one that suits your priorities.
The Top 7 Offset Smokers 2023
Now, you must have set your mind to find an offset smoker that holds all the characteristics and factors that my buying guide informed you. Let us see what you would decide to pick then. Remember that choosing a pick will depend on your need, fancy, and budget.
1# Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker
This heavy-duty steel smoker with dual doors is effective in containing heat inside and saves smoking time. It features a porcelain-enameled wood chip box that is popular for its robustness. With the compact and latest design, its electronic pulse ignition system facilitates faster and reliable igniting to save time. Compared to other offset smokers, it is user-friendly and is easy to arrange.
If you are okay with the size of 784” of the smoking area and a capacity of 100 lbs. of meat to smoke at one time, then this type could be for you. You will find it convenient knowing that it has six height-adjustable cooking grates. Besides, you can choose any woodchip you prefer for the meat flavor that suits your taste.
Features:
- Vertical design for greater efficiency and improved smoke flavor
- Has a charcoal and ash management system that handles a large amount of ash for hours.
- Easy to clean and maintenance-free cooking.
- Has an adjustable flue to control temperature.
- With built-in, easy to read gauge stainless steel thermometer
- The metal is easy to drill through
- A good starter
- Has a reasonable price
- Allows refueling without opening the cooker side.
- Very easy to set up
- The taste after smoking will never disappoint you.
- Grates are adjustable
- Easy to move it around by yourself
- The metal is thick with 14-16 gauge
- Can cold smoke, a small fire and closed draft
- There is no water tray
- It does not keep the heat high enough at the firebox.
- The temperature gauge is not that accurate.
- Does not seal tight when installed with another gasket.
2# Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker, Black
I always look for a smoker that I can assemble all by myself. The Royal Gourmet is easy to set up and adapt. The 800 square inches cooking surface and 438 square inches main chamber is a big room enough for the sizes of meat that I usually smoke. In fact, it provides an extra 183 square inches of cooking area with porcelain steel grates and 173 square inches of chrome warming rack.
I like the idea of combination offset smoker since I can be flexible on how I cook my dishes. This smoker does not give me a hard time adding the charcoal when needed, and the air vent provides better airflow.
Features:
- Heavy-duty lid with professional thermometer
- Big stack and cool touch spring handle
- Adjustable damper
- Big capacity charcoal pan
- Lifting handles to adjust the height of charcoal
- Steel mesh at the front table and bottom shelf
- Easy to clean
- Very thick
- Easy to assemble
- Can be both a smoker and grill
- Heats up quick and even
- Easy to read thermometer
- Portable with wheels
- The storage rack is convenient.
- Smoker box does not have a cooking grate
- Very heavy
- With little heat, the outside paint wears out
- Provide your own water pan
3# Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker, Deluxe
I consider the durability of my smoker a priority. I pay for it, so it must last a long time! Char-Boil American Gourmet met my specs when it comes to reliability and strength. The Landmann vertical class smoker is just what I need. This heavy-duty smoker has easy-access drawers to make it simple for me to add water and fuel.
I love the strong and durable square legs that support the all over steel construction of the smoker. It does not make me worry that it would collapse anytime. See the welded cooking chamber that keeps the smoke inside and know that it gives a flavorful result to my meat. The adjustable heat control and the adjustable top chimney vent also play a big part of it well.
Features:
- Steel box that holds the chips
- Porcelain enamel pan to hold the water
- Attached cool-touch side handles and wheels for easy mobility
- All black steel construction
- Porcelain coated grates
- Lid-mounted temperature
- Also works as a grill
- It only needs few coals when grilling.
- Easy to clean
- The price is reasonable.
- The smoke does not leak
- Equipped with a thermostat
- The exhaust chimney doesn’t have a fan
- The charcoal and grill height is not adjustable
- Not big enough for a 10 lbs. turkey
4# Landmann 560202 Vista Barbecue Grill with Offset Smoker Box, Black
The Landmann grill and offset smoker is excellent for my limited outdoor space at home. It fits fine in my small patio and serves well during special gatherings. I like the way I can transport or move it around because of the large wheels that support the body.
It is easy to use even for beginners like me. The charcoal pan adjusts to multiple positions by crank handle. The chimney too has an adjustable damper that allows better heat control. I find it easy to access the charcoal because of the big front panel.
I’m happy that it has an easy way to clean due to its large removable ashtray that covers the entire bottom of the grill. The approximate cooking area is 363 square inches for offset smoking and additional 169 square inches for grilling that can happen at the same time.
Features:
- Large grilling capacity porcelain coated cast iron grates
- Chrome plated steel warming rack for additional space
- Large stainless steel handles
- Equipped with temperature gauge
- Does not leak smoke
- Has a side door for tending the smoke
- Easy to set up
- The smoker box is roomy.
- Price is reasonable.
- Thin metal construction
- Awful assembly instructions
5# 48″ Backyard Charcoal Grill with Wheels
I am just a newbie when it comes to smoking, but with this BBQ grill and smoker combo, I feel like a pro! It has a separate opening for grill and smoking purposes that allows me to do the cooking the stress-free way. The attached thermometer on the main lid is easy to read, so I do not worry about opening it to check.
As if Outsunny knows I love extra space, I love the wooden shelves found in front and at the side for convenient cooking. The equipment itself is lightweight for me to move it from one location to another. If you have someone who loves outdoors, this offset smoker is a perfect gift.
Features:
- Chimney for increase airflow
- Smoker firebox attached for offset heat and slow smoke flavor
- Vent on the sides of the smoker for better air flow
- Wooden handles to prevent accidents when opening lids
- The bottom is strong enough to support burning charcoals.
- Decent for the price
- Very portable
- There is no cover for the grill.
- Directions are not clear.
- Has thin metal
What is an Offset Smoker?
An offset smoker is a classic cooking equipment used for smoking meat. Offset smokers or horizontal smoker has two chambers. The main chamber, which is the cooking chamber, is a huge elongated metal barrel.
It has a lengthy door that opens upwards so you can easily access to the vent. You’ll find shelves inside the cooking chamber where you place the briskets, pork shoulders, and other meat that you like to smoke.
At the other end of the cooking chamber, you’ll find an attached firebox. Firebox has a side door (or a top opening) and adjustable exhaust. How does it work? The smoke and heat travels from the firebox to the cooking chamber and is distributed evenly all throughout to cook the meat.
This kind of smoker must have an air damper with a lever for you to be able to fine-tune the air. The air passageway in the firebox controls the extent of oxygen that flows into the fire. The process makes it possible to control the heat just like how a stove works.
How to Choose the Best Offset Smoker?
It could be mental pressure when it comes to buying a new offset smoker. Considering there are tons of choices everywhere, you need to find one that does not only suits your fancy but must also agree to your budget. The fear there is to end up with the kind that doesn’t really work as you expected.
However, offset smokers are one of the best smokers because of its speed and ease in producing best-smoked dishes. Hence, it is one of the favorite cooking equipment for most households.
Buyer’s Guide:
1. The Size of Your Smoker
To what extent are you going to use your smoker? Are you a beginner? I only have a smoker big enough to cater my interest in smoking meat during special occasions at home. However, it’s large enough to accommodate full chunk of ribs and a whole packer brisket.
If your smoker is small, then you need to cut the meat and settle to smoking brisket flats instead. Decide on the size before buying. Changing your mind after buying one could be so frustrating.
2. Price
Plan what type of smoker you need. Don’t hesitate to invest in high-quality equipment. Know your specs. The amount of money you pay for a good one is worth the savings you get from buying a cheaper version that won’t last for long or difficult to operate.
Our review will focus on the price of $1000 and below. Therefore, it’s important to stick to your own budget. Remember to consider offered warranties too!
3. Easy to Clean
Of course, the easier to clean the smoker, the lesser effort and stress it would be. Smokers that are easy to clean must have the following features:
- Removable cooking plates
- Removable ash pan that is designed to handle large amount of ash, for better access when cleaning.
- Porcelain wire cooking grates
- Check front panel to easy access the inside when cleaning
Sadly, to know exactly if the offset smoker is a good one is to use it. That means you have already paid for it. A bad offset smoker will leak smoke through the doors and at the portion where the firebox and the smoking chamber connects. Supposedly, smokes only comes out at the smokestack.
Characteristics of a Better Offset Smoker:
- Compact: If you can find a way to know ahead, a better offset smoker must have doors and joints that seals compactly. Being so keeps the smoke and heat inside thus improving the airflow and making the smoker highly effective.
- Reverse Flow: Offset smokers must have a reverse flow to eliminate the problem of uneven cooking and infrared heat from the firebox. Reverse flow indirectly heats the cooking chamber thus allowing a cooler smoke to relish the meat. Better, look for an offset smoker that has a smokestack near the firebox.
- Metal thickness: Apparently, offset smokers that has a thick metal material can hold heat more than thin ones. Thick metal is the primary factor of a good smoker. To give you an idea, take note that ¼-inch thickness is already high standard.
- Temperature gauge: As an added feature, the temperature gauge is equally important for a smoker so that you can monitor the temperature while cooking. It is convenient to know the heating temperature without opening the lid.
- Durable stands: It is vital that your smoker must have sturdy stands to support the entire body of the equipment. Check it properly and evaluate its strength. Smokers are heavy, and if the stands can’t hold it, then it would be a plain disaster.
It is also an advantage in placing the smoker on a wheeler for easy maneuver. Find one with wheelers.
My personal Pick
I am not an expert on smoking, that’s why I want an offset smoker that is stress-free for my fresh start. I need equipment that is worthy of my savings and gives me an all over experience with smoking meat. My personal pick is the Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker! The smoker guarantees a high-quality construction and is large enough to hold a feast with my family.
Though with it’s size, I can easily move it around to find a nice spot for it to stand. In fact, I found a perfect place for it in my backyard. Dominating the positive reviews from buyers, I don’t think I’m alone in choosing this type of offset smoker!
Related : Our Top 7 Meater Thermometer Review of the Best Brands 2023
Here are some other interesting models that you might like:
- 1,060 total Square inch cooking surface- 751 Square inches in the main chamber, 309 Square inches in the firebox chamber
- Reverse-flow smoker employs a Series of 4 baffles to guide heat and smoke through the main chamber delivering an even and delicious result
- Removable baffles and optional smokestack locations for a customizable setup. Number of Grates: 4
- Firebox chamber features large stainless Steel fuel basket and clean-out door for easy ash removal
- Heavy-gauge all-steel construction, porcelain-coated cooking grates and multiple dampers for easy heat and smoke control
- Your purchase includes: One Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker + Cover
- Item overall dimensions: 14.7" W x 14.7" D x 31.4" H. Item weight: 24 lbs
- Cooking Grid Dimensions 13 1/2 X 13 1/2". Main Grilling Area 143 Sq. Inches. Total Grilling Area 286 Sq. Inches
- Easy assembly required, instructions avaialable in User Guide attachment.
- Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker reaches approximadetely 190°F inside temperature
- Constructed from 2mm steel with 625 sq. in. primary cooking surface
- Heavy duty cast iron cooking grids
- Air vent system includes a chimney style stack with Roto-Draft damper technology
- Dual-purpose smoke diffusing charcoal trays and removable ash tray in both cooking chambers
- 【Multiple Usages】: This grill includes one big stove for you to grill various kinds of food at the same time, which is perfect for family gathering. In addition, the small stove can also be used...
- 【Thermometer & Adjustable Damper】: Equipped with a thermometer on the grill cover, this BBQ grill allows you to check the temperature while barbecuing. At the same time, it also comes with an...
- 【Thoughtful Design】: There is a wooden shelf at the front of the grill so that you can easily get condiments and barbecue ingredients while cooking. And the steel shelf below the grill can be used...
- 【Durable and Sturdy Structure】: This BBQ grill is made of powder-coated steel, which has great thermal conductivity and is not easy to deform. Therefore, you can use it in a long time. At the same...
- 【Easy to Move and Clean】: The grill has two large wheels for you to move it around the backyard or garden. And the stains on the rack can be removed with a barbecue brush while it is still warm....
- 811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
- Tasty Smoke Flavors: The offset smoker is firmly attached to grill to ensure good circulation of heat and smoke. Easy to open side door to add charcoal and remove ashes; air vent stokes fire...
- Adjustable Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan creates better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lbs. of coal.
- Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check and monitor the cooking temperature and you can cook with great confidence.
- Ample Space: Front and side tables offer workspace for seasonings and grilling tools. The bottom shelf provides extra storage space and holds up to only 20 lb. accessories when they are evenly...