Best offset smoker under $1000 Cook Low And Slow that won’t break the bank

To Find the Best Offset Smoker, We Tested 21 of Them and Made 200 Pounds of Chicken Wings

Offset smokers simplify the smoking process by eliminating guesswork; simply add pellets switch it on adjust the temperature and you’re good to start. Some offset smokers even come with companion apps that enable you to monitor the temperature from a distance.

We’ve always been fans of smokers. It appears that they have become quite popular now—with names, like Oklahoma becoming known and grilling powerhouse Royal Gourmet making a splash in the industry.

To find the best ones, we tested 21 of them. We looked at their performance, but also how easy they were to assemble, how intuitive their controls were, and how simple they were to clean. After making 200 pounds of chicken wings, 80 pounds of flank steak, and nine bone-in pork shoulders, we narrowed it down to our seven favorite offset smoker for any budget.

Why Trust Our Review

We’ve personally examined each smoker mentioned in this article. The content, images and information shared here are all created by humans. No AI involved real-life experiences.

How we picked and tested

Oklahoma Joe and Broil King sent us some units to test while we bought the Char Griller brand new and got the Dyna Glo used from Facebook Marketplace to include them in our testing. We might earn a commission through our affiliate links if you buy one of these smokers (which we truly appreciate!).

We want to clarify that no financial incentives were given to influence the results. Our goal was to test these smokers transparently letting the data speak for itself. While we may share our thoughts along the way we acknowledge that every backyard chef has preferences and priorities based on their unique budgets.

After trying out 21 models we evaluated their effectiveness well as their ease of assembly user friendliness and cleaning process. Following the preparation of 200 pounds of chicken wings 80 pounds of flank steak and nine bone in pork shoulders we selected our eight offset smokers for various budgets.

Straight to the Point: Best Offset Smoker Winners

The winner: “Broil King Regal Charcoal Offset XL”, this smoker is widely praised for its durability and top-notch performance. With, over a year of use, it continues to deliver mouthwatering and fragrant results.

If you’re on a budget below $1,000 consider the Royal Gourmet CC1830W, as a choice. Royal Gourmet is known for their customer service. Well-crafted product designs.

Alright now that we know who won lets see how each of the smokers we tried out stacked up against the others in the test.

Best Offset Smoker Under $1,000

We tested seven smokers from four different brands, over a two week period to help you choose the right one for you. It’s worth noting that the prices mentioned during our testing may have changed since then. The offset smokers we looked at in this price range included the Dyna Glo Signature Series Vertical Charcoal Smoker and Grill the Broil King Regal Offset 500 the Char Griller Grand Champ, the Oklahoma Joes Highland Reverse Flow smoker Oklahoma Joes Longhorn offset smoker, The Old Country Brazos and Oklahoma Joes Bandera Vertical Offset Smokers.

Best Under $1,000: Broil King Regal Offset 500

In this review of smokers the Broil King stood out in aspects. With a premium price tag it’s no surprise that it excelled. The Broil King maintained its temperature effectively. Imparted a color, to the meats we smoked on it.

What we like:

• The cooking chambers door has walls and a gasket seal, around.
• You can use the two stainless steel charcoal trays in the cooking chamber to convert this smoker into a charcoal grill as well.
• The cast iron cooking grates have a design, for smoking and searing purposes.
• With a folding shelf that includes tool hooks you’ll find it convenient to use.
• Your purchase also comes with an ash rake. Grid lifter multi tool. In our taste test of smoked brisket flat the Broil King brisket was tied for place among our panel of testers.

What we don’t like:

• The wheels, on this smoker don’t seem to be as quality as the rest of it.
• While plastic wheels won’t rust like iron ones might I’m not entirely sure about these “crack proof” wheels.
• The Roto Draft dampers have some limitations, in how they can be opened and there were moments when we felt the need to briefly open the burn chamber door to adjust the airflow to our liking.

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 625 square inches
• Dimensions: 26″D x 56″W x 52.5″H
• Fuel Type: Charcoal
• Outer Material: Steel,Iron
• Inner Material: Stainless Steel
• Assembly: Easy

The Broil King stands out as the choice, with all the bells and whistles. Its equipped with everything you can think of from a gasket around the lid to a walled lid and charcoal trays in stainless steel for versatility. With features like a gasket around the firebox to retain smoke and heat as an ash rake and grate tool this grill is a dual threat.

Offering both charcoal grilling and offset smoking capabilities it’s truly an all in one grill that excels in both areas. If you’re looking for the grilling experience without compromise the Broil King delivers results. Producing beautifully cooked chicken and tying for first place, in brisket cook offs. You won’t be disappointed with this choice.

Other $1,000 Offset Smokers Worth Considering:

Dyna Glo Signature Series Vertical Smoker

In our review of smokers the Dyna Glo stood out as the model we examined that had been used before. As a result there were signs of rust and wear. We can’t accurately determine the age of this smoker, which makes it challenging to predict its longevity. Although the offset firebox is designed to function as a charcoal grill its low positioning, near the ground makes it quite inconvenient in practice. It’s not ideal to have to tend to a grill thats at or, below knee level.

What we like:

• The vertical cooking chamber allows the lower grates to benefit from the drippings of the food cooking giving the chicken quarter on the rack a more flavorful “rotisserie chicken” appearance.
• The Dyna Glow offers the space among offset smokers but you may find limitations, in comfortably fitting food on its 17″ diameter cooking grates.
• It stood out as the smoker on our patio making it easy to move around. In our taste test for smoked brisket flat the Dyna Glo brisket was a favorite among our testers.
• Interestingly our 9 year old son claimed the Dyna Glo as his smoker. Seemed particularly drawn to its size and the positioning of the firebox, at a convenient low level for him to manage easily.

What we don’t like:

• We had some trouble, with sliding the charcoal grate and ash pan all the way into place often leaving a gap that let in much air for the fire.
• The metal door latches on the cooking chamber would get quite hot to the touch when in use. Similarly it was unsafe to touch the air intake on the firebox while cooking.
• The narrow width of the door made it difficult for shelves to slide out smoothly sometimes making it awkward to reach to check or adjust food.
• During our test with smoked brisket flat the Dyna Glo brisket ranked at the top according to our taste testers.
• The left side of the cooking chamber near the firebox consistently ran hotter than the side throughout its height as evident from our biscuit test, during our burn session.

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 1382 square inches
• Dimensions: 45.5″D x 24.9″W x 58.8″H
• Fuel Type: Charcoal
• Outer Material: Stainless Steel
• Inner Material: Stainless Steel
• Assembly: Easy

If you’re looking to spend, under $500 on a smoker the Dyna Glo is a choice. It produces barbecue. Offers good value for the price. However it’s worth noting that smokers, in this price range may not be as durable and could require effort to maintain temperatures compared to pricier options.

Char-Griller Grand Champ

In this review of smokers the Char Griller Grand Champ stood out for having the cooking area, on the primary grill rack (780 square inches) and an additional cooking rack that brings the total, to 1200 square inches of cooking space.

What we like:

• The smokers airflow was top notch offering control. Both the intake and exhaust are generously sized providing flexibility in managing the fire.
• This particular offset smoker boasts one of the fireboxes, among those we reviewed eliminating the need to cut down wood splits for use.
• The convenient full slide out shelves were a standout feature, for us.
• Additionally, we appreciated the Char Grillers folding front shelf and bottom shelf for storing wood and charcoal.

What we don’t like:

• The hood thermometer doesn’t seem to show the temperature compared to our Thermoworks Signals air temperature probe placed on the grate next, to the food.
• You have to buy a drip bucket, for the smoker as its not included.
• The exhaust pipe is held in place by one screw. Looks a bit wobbly.

 

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 1200 square inches
• Dimensions: 71.2″D x 34.6″W x 57″H
• Fuel Type: Charcoal
• Outer Material: Stainless Steel
• Inner Material: Stainless Steel
• Assembly: Easy

The Char Griller is impressively spacious. Designed to cater to a group of people. The exhaust system is substantial allowing for airflow. If you’re, in the market, for a range offset smoker priced around $600 the Grand Champ is a great choice.

Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Flow Smoker

In this review of smokers the Oklahoma Joes Highland stood out as the reverse flow offset smoker we tried. It was fascinating to see how it compared to the rest.

What we like:

• We were impressed by the size of the air intake as it gave us control, over the fire.
• This smoker is perfect for those looking to smoke at temperatures between 200 250 degrees.
• The baffle plates effectively reduce the heat from the firebox. If needed you can take out the baffle plates to grill directly over charcoal in the chamber.
• Additionally you have the option to relocate the exhaust smokestack and thermometer and remove the baffle plates allowing this reverse flow smoker to function like a smoker well (although we didn’t test this feature on the Highland model).
• We found the front shelf convenient. While it can be taken off of folded down placing it on the bottom shelf when not in use works well.
• The bottom shelf offers storage space, for wood or charcoal.

What we don’t like:

• The firebox, on the Highland grill got really hot. We noticed the paint on the top starting to bubble after one cooking session. To reach a cooking temperature of around 275°F in the cooking chamber the firebox was registering 600 700 degrees with a thermometer, which was much higher than what Oklahoma Joes recommends. However keeping the firebox at that level would have made the cooking chamber too cold for cooking.
• In our tests we found that maintaining airflow with the Highland reverse flow model was more challenging. The air had to travel along the length of the cooking chamber before reaching the exhaust port causing it to not draw as effectively as traditional smokers.
• Typically we place wood splits, on the shelf above the firebox to heat up and dry out before adding them to the fire. With the Highland though we discovered that this approach wasn’t suitable as it caused logs to catch fire on top of the firebox.
• It’s worth noting that a drip bucket is not included with this smoker and needs to be bought

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 900 square inches
• Dimensions: 33.5″D x 57″W x 53″H
• Fuel Type: Charcoal
• Outer Material: Stainless Steel
• Inner Material: Stainless Steel
• Assembly: Easy

The reverse flow Highland is perfect, for folks who prefer an steady approach to cooking. During our test runs we noticed that achieving the desired dome temperature required wood and a hotter firebox. The heat and fuel passing through the baffle plates and the cooking chamber before reaching the food at grate level resulted in cooling of the air along the way necessitating fuel, in the firebox to achieve consistent results.

I wasn’t too happy, about having to keep the firebox running hot that I’m already seeing the paint come off after 3 cooking sessions on both the firebox and the side of the cooking chamber. It seems like Oklahoma Joes intended this flow smoker to be used at temperatures for slow cooking maybe around 275 300 degrees, rather, than running it hot.. That’s my theory.

The Highland Reverse Flow smoker is perfect, for those aiming to cook at temperatures, between 200 250 degrees Fahrenheit allowing for an steady fire to create meals over an extended cooking duration.

The Old Country Brazos

People often mention that the Brazos is a choice, for those looking for value in backyard offset smokers. Its tough to argue with that. Finding welded construction and 1/4″ steel at a reasonable price point, in the world of backyard offset smokers is quite rare. Old Country has been offering this quality for years. Like with anything there are some compromises to consider.

What we like:

• The main body of the grill I’m talking about measures 20 inches wide and 60 inches long. The firebox takes up 20 inches of that length, which means the cooking area is a nice 40 inches.
• It also has a handy fold-down shelf at the front, which I always appreciate on a grill.
• Inside the cooking space, there are two sliding grates for your food, made of sturdy expanded steel with frames around them.
• The firebox has a similar grate, perfect for when you want to grill something at high heat or get a good sear on it.
• One of the best features of this grill is the smokestack placement; it’s right at the level of the grates.
• This is a big plus compared to other grills that have their stacks at the top, because it helps the heat spread out more evenly and makes sure the smoke really gets to your food.
• There’s also a baffle near the firebox which is great for managing the heat distribution even more.

What we don’t like:

Old Country may have opted for higher quality materials and assembly methods. That doesn’t mean they didn’t try to save money. Looking at the photos it’s clear that while the grill is fully welded the welds are not top notch. They’re not terrible. They’re not exceptional either. It’s evident that some of the parts, such, as the feet appear to have been crafted from leftover scrap metal found in their workshop. The Brazos seems to prioritize functionality over aesthetics. That choice is apparent, in its design.

Oklahoma Joe’s Bandera Vertical Offset

In this review of smokers the Bandera stood out as the efficient smoker. The smoke it produced was consistently clear. Had a transparent blue tint making it an excellent choice, for those seeking a clean smoking experience.

What we like:

• The Bandera comes with a firebox allowing us to burn wood splits without needing to cut them.
• I really appreciate the included water pan as it adds some humidity to our dishes.
• The vertical design of this cooking area helps in basting the shelves with the food cooking above which is quite a cool feature when preparing similar foods on each shelf.
• However if you’re cooking meats this setup might pose some challenges. Additionally the bottom shelf offers storage, for wood and charcoal.

What we don’t like:

• The upper part of the firebox becomes quite hot making it challenging to place wood splits on top for pre heating. Instead we opted to place them on the cooking chamber.
• Due, to some airflow constraints we had to prop open the firebox to ignite the fire.
• The front shelf is noticeably smaller, on this smoker compared to others as it sits in front of the firebox than the cooking chamber.

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 992 square inches
• Dimensions: 28″D x 39.3″W x 63″H
• Fuel Type: Charcoal
• Outer Material: Heavy-gauge steel
• Inner Material: Heavy-gauge steel
• Assembly: Easy

The Bandera is perfect, for cooking for a group especially if your preferred meats are, on the side. While a brisket flat can be accommodated on each shelf with no issue fitting in a packer brisket might pose some challenges unless you’re willing to trim it down.

There’s so much space with the provided shelves that you can feed an army, as long as you’re okay with all of the meats above dripping on all of the meats below while you cook. The shelves have plenty of room, for storage allowing you to prepare a meal. Just be prepared for the juices from the meats, on the shelves to drip onto those during cooking.

Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn

When it comes to offset smokers the Longhorn stands out as one of the user options to operate.

What we like:

• The Longhorn features an air intake that allows for fire control.
• Its sized firebox can accommodate wood splits without the need, for cutting them down.
• We found the front shelf convenient. Although it is detachable than foldable the lower shelf serves as a practical place to rest it when removal is required.
• The lower shelf offers storage space, for wood or charcoal.

What we don’t like:

• Cleaning up after using this smoker requires a bit effort as there is no tray to catch the ash unlike some units we’ve seen.
• Additionally it’s worth noting that a drip bucket is not provided with the smoker and needs to be bought.

The Longhorn is a choice, for newcomers looking for a user offset smoker to ease into the art of cooking. I wish I had started with this model myself. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case and I faced some challenges that almost made me consider reverting to using propane.

The Longhorn is a grill that delivers barbecue without causing too much strain, on the chef. If you’re new to offset cooking I highly recommend giving the Longhorn a consideration.

Choosing The Best Offset Smoker

Is an offset smoker better than a pellet grill?

Offset smokers are known for their ability to infuse food with a smoky flavor often outperforming pellet smokers in this aspect. When using a smoker you can expect a pronounced bark, smoke ring and a deeper smoky taste, in the meat. On the hand pellet smokers provide the convenience of set it and forget it operation.

They make it easier to manage cooking sessions, like briskets without needing constant attention to the fire. Moreover many pellet smokers come with app connectivity features that allow you to monitor both the cooking chambers temperature and the progress of your smoked food.

Is a Vertical or Horizontal Smoker Better?

Vertical smokers are narrower compared to smokers, which can make it challenging to cook cuts of meat, like a full packer brisket. Despite this they typically provide cooking space as they can accommodate 5 6 shelves at once. On the hand horizontal offset smokers have a cooking area on the main grate but are limited in height usually accommodating only one or two shelves.

One notable distinction is that hot spots are commonly found in horizontal offset smokers than in smokers. This is because the firebox is positioned next to the cooking chamber causing food placed near that end to cook hotter than food at the end. Vertical smokers tend to have spots since food is usually not placed directly adjacent to the firebox; instead it is positioned higher up, in the vertical cooking chamber.

What’s the difference between a traditional offset smoker and a reverse flow smoker?

One way to distinguish between an smoker and a reverse flow smoker is, by checking the position of the exhaust vent in relation to the firebox. In smokers the exhaust vent is typically located on the side of the cooking chamber from the firebox. On the hand in reverse flow smokers you’ll notice that the exhaust is positioned on the side as the firebox. Reverse flow smokers are designed with baffles beneath the cooking grate to regulate heat and smoke flow.

This design ensures that heat and smoke must travel along the length of the chamber underneath before rising up on the side passing over the food and exiting through an exhaust vent near to where it started at the firebox. The intended outcome is to reduce spots, within the cooking chamber and achieve uniform heat distribution.

Can you grill on an offset smoker?

Inexpensive offset smokers are not designed to be used at temperatures, for grilling. Many of them even come with a warning in the manual advising users not to exceed 350° as it could cause damage to the finish and accelerate rusting. However some offset smokers do come with grates that can be placed inside the firebox allowing you to grill amounts of food directly over the hot coals, which are hotter than the main cooking chamber.

So while you can grill on them you may only have space for 4 burger patties of 12 due to the limited area available. A few of the smokers we tested also feature an ashpan and charcoal grate in the cooking chamber below the cooking grates.

The Char Griller Grand Champ and Broil King Regal were among the offset smokers we tested that were best equipped for grilling over charcoal in the main cooking chamber. The Longhorn and Highland models also claim to offer this capability. They have limited space and opportunity, for creating a charcoal fire in the chamber.

Offset Smoker Use and Maintenance

How do I keep my offset smoker from rusting?

One of the steps, in combating rust on your smoker is to carefully go through the manual provided by the manufacturer. The manual typically contains warnings and guidelines that if adhered to can significantly extend the lifespan of your smoker. A crucial instruction is to control the temperature at which you operate your smoker as excessive heat can cause the paint on its exterior to bubble leading to rust formation.

Moreover it is vital to season the interior of your grill with oil before using it. However this process presents a bit of a dilemma since achieving seasoning requires exposing the smoker to heat potentially conflicting with the first rule mentioned above. Properly cleaning your smoker is another measure in preventing rust.

Promptly removing ash once it cools down draining grease effectively and cleaning cooking grates immediately after use all contribute to creating an environment prone to rust development. Lastly consider investing in a cover for your smoker that offers protection, against various weather elements.

How often do you clean an offset smoker?

Remember to clean out the firebox after each use to remove any leftover ash. It’s important, to brush. Sweep out the ash before starting a fire as leaving it in the firebox can cause rust due to moisture absorption. Make sure to clean the cooking grates in between uses. Different smokers have ways of draining grease.

Some have a built in drain where you can place a bucket for disposal while others may require you to purchase a separate bucket. For example models like Char Griller, Highland and Lonestar may not come with a bucket for grease drainage. On the hand smokers like Broil King Regal have a tray at the bottom of the main chamber, for collecting grease or ash which can be easily pulled out for cleaning.

Regular cleaning of your smoker is essential not to make future cleaning easier but also to prolong the lifespan of your smoker.

How often do you add fuel to an offset smoker?

Offset smokers typically need fuel every 30 to 60 minutes. Our usual practice involves beginning with a chimney of charcoal briquettes and then switching to wood for the rest of the cooking process.

In my experience I tend to add a split of wood to the fire every 45 minutes although this frequency may vary based on factors such, as the size of the firebox and its capacity, for holding wood pieces of varying lengths.

Should you use wood chips in an offset smoker?

I wouldn’t suggest using wood chips in a smoker. Wood chips are better suited for a smoker or propane smoker, where the heat source doesn’t naturally produce smoke. Offset smokers are specifically made to burn charcoal and real wood chunks or splits.

What to Look For in an Offset Smoker

Considering the weight of a grill is crucial because a heavier one can hold heat effectively compared to a grill. Lighter grills are prone, to being blown by the wind. Thicker metal in a grill translates to durability, before needing replacement.

In general an offset grill that is heavier and more robust is likely to be an efficient smoker. When thinking about purchasing a smoker here are some questions you should ponder:

Is it solid?

What’s the sensation when you apply pressure to areas of the grill?

• Does it yield?
• Does it bend?
• Are you planning to keep it outdoors?
• Is the metal prone, to rusting?
• How, about the wheels?
• Will you have no trouble moving it around?

When choosing a smoker it’s important to factor in the size of the wheels. Opting for wheels is advisable since offset smokers tend to be quite heavy. Before making a decision, on a grill it’s essential to ponder over these questions to ensure you select one that aligns perfectly with your requirements.

What to Look For in Accessories

When looking at the smoker you’re thinking about take a moment to check out the accessories and additional features it offers. Reflect on:

• Does it have a shelf at the front?
• Are there any kitchen tools included?
• Does it come with a cover?
• How easy is it to move around?
• Can the wheels be locked in place?

Some of these features may not be essential, for you. However certain aspects, such, as checking for wheel locking are crucial. It’s important to avoid having a grill that can shift in the wind or roll down a slope.

What to Look for With Cooking Space

Finally consider the size of the grills cooking area. It’s important to have space to grill types of meat simultaneously. Ask yourself;

• How many items can be cooked simultaneously on this appliance?
• Does it have than one cooking grate or multiple levels for cooking?

Having a kitchen might work well for you depending on the number of people you’re cooking for or if you’re cooking competitively. The choices you make should be based on your preferences and requirements. Offset grills are known for their ability to cook quantities of meat simultaneously. In comparison offset grills can typically cook two to three times meat, than Kamado Joe or Green Egg grills. Not as much as standard gas grills.

Conclusion

If you’ve been considering your offset smoker as you read through this guide you might have come across one that meets your requirements. It can be challenging to select the smoker from the wide array of choices available. Nonetheless we trust that this buyers guide has assisted you in pinpointing your offset smoker.