Best Offset Smoker under 1000

If you love traditional smoky barbecue flavor, then an offset smoker is one of the best choices for you. The best offset smoker can be a fantastic addition to your grill that allows ultra-convenient control and versatile grilling capability. The basic purpose of these offset smokers is to optimize indirect heat flow for grilling with precision on perfect slow heat.

However, buying the best one within your budget can be a confusing task. We have analyzed the market, reviewed offset smokers, and selected these best offset smokers under 1000 for you. Remember, plenty of factors should be considered before buying, such as a chimney, air vents, ashtray, and material many others.

Best Offset Smoker under 1000 – Top 10 Smokers Reviews for 2024

1. Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker

With hundreds of choices available on the market, this Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D offset smoker is an affordable one that can bring out the best smoky steaks. When it comes to construction and material, it is very durable and sturdy. The exterior is constructed with powder-coated steel that is rust-resistive and easy to clean. With 21 x 43.3 x 50.2 inches dimensions, it provides you pretty good cooking surface.

 It offers you a total of 1890 square inches of smoking and grilling area. Moreover, porcelain-coated cooking grates are popular for grilling and can last for a long time easily. Being a compact size grill with an offset smoker, this unit weighs 83 pounds which is a bit heavy.

Thanks to four metal legs embedded at the bottom for ideal stability. Its cabinet-like design contains two separate doors. Its one door is made for grilling purposes, and the other works as a charcoal chamber to increase burn efficiency.

 Its primary cooking area allows versatility in cooking with pre-installed sauces hooks and removable chrome plated rib rocks. There are adjustable 6 cooking grates that can be raised or lowered according to the need to accommodate a wide range of food. Last but not the least, the removable steel ashtray under the charcoal pan allows convenient removal of ash.

For more precise control over temperature, there are adjustable top and side dampers available. The unique feature is its primary door pre-install seal for heat reduction and minimizes smoke loss. Also, there is stainless steel temperature gauge to monitor or achieve an ideal temperature.

2. Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker

This Oklahoma Joe’s offset smoker is manufactured by char broil, which is one of the most durable units on the market. This heavy-duty offset smoker built with heavy-gauge steel offers durability and efficiency. Jos’s Highland smoker is specially manufactured to entertain a large number of people, thanks to its 619 square inches of the main chamber and 281 square inches in offset firebox. Its porcelain-coated cooking grates are durable, rust-resistant, and easy to clean.

Moreover, its firebox warming area works as a warming rack and also offers versatility in cooking. While a convenient fire access door, side chimney, and multiple adjustable dampers give you more control overheat and smoke.

Its swing-open firebox door on the side of the grill lets you stoke fire easily and can store ash for easy cleaning. This offset smoker also features cool-touch handles for easy grip and to prevent your hands from burning.

Moreover, there is also a lid-mounted temperature gauge for accurate monitoring of internal heat. The offset smoker is also equipped with a front shelf equal in length to the main chamber for easy access to food and tools while cooking.

Another handy feature is that there is an additional beneath shelve. Though 176 pounds weight can be difficult to move, thanks to two large wagon-style wheels for easy mobility and two stable feet for stability.

3. Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill

Dyna Glo is another well-known brand in the smoking and grilling industry. This signature series vertical offset smoker provides high durability, versatility, and performance. It is constructed with heavy gauge steel that helps with better heat circulation and even temperature management.

The offset smoker contains pre-installed chrome-plated steel sauces hooks and 5 steel cooking grates. It offers a total cooking space of 1382 square inches which is enough to accommodate a variety of food of different sizes.

The removable slide-out charcoal box and ash pan are useful for reloading charcoal or woods and offer quick disposal of ash. With its innovative design, the main cooking area cabinet is vertical shaped to maximize the grilling area. On the side, the barrel-shaped smoke chamber looks great.

Both lids contain separate cool-touch spring handles, which make safe access and prevent hands from burning. Moreover, its built-in lid analog thermal gauge on the primary cooking lid indicates real-time interior heat.

There are two sturdy metallic caster wheels available for easy mobility after use, and two feet ensure its stability. Dyna Glo has equipped the smoker with a side damper for more control over smoke and coal heat, and the chimney offers to adjust the flow of air according to need.

4. Royal Gourmet 30″ BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker

This Royal Gourmet CC1830S smoker can help you achieve that professional smoking flavor. This best offset smoker under 1000 offers overall 800 square inches of grilling area, including 438 square inches of primary cooking grates, 179 square inches of warming rack, and 183 square inches of offset smoker.

To be honest, such a versatile cooking combination is ideal for the smoker and holds a variety of food. The primary cooking grates are made of porcelain wire that retains heat evenly.

When it comes to the design, the appearance is pretty impressive. The traditional charcoal grill with offset smokers is perfect for a barbecue. You can use the side offset smoker as a small grill for smokier flavored food.

There are side and front tables available, which is convenient and provides extra working space. Its side table also has hanging hooks to keep cooking tools near to hand while cooking.

Another excellent feature for smoking food is the side door that can be used for dual purposes, access coal or clean out ash easily, and stoke fire just slide away and used as an air vent. One of the best features of this smoker and grill combo is its light weight of only 54.2 pounds. Last but not the least, you can easily move the smoker due to its two caster wheels.

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5. Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker

The Royal Gourmet CC1830F heavy-duty charcoal grill with an offset smoker is a great value for the price. Due to its innovative design, this grill is one of the best beginner-friendly smokers on the market. The height-adjustable charcoal pan provides easy control over heat and can facilitate 5 pounds of coal at once.

Bring it up for less heat and do the reverse for more heat.  The grilling grates are porcelain-coated that is corrosion resistive and easy to clean. Its 179 square inches warming rack attached with the lid folds automatically.

It is a convenient place to keep cooked food warm or grill such food items that do not require as much heat. This grill provides overall 800 square inches of grilling area, including 438 square inches of the main chamber, 179 square inches of warming rack, and extra 183 square inches provided by the side offset smoker.

There’s a mesh front shelf that keeps your grilling tools within easy reach, and another storage rack on the bottom provides extra space also.

Other notable features are both the smoker and grill lids containing cool-touch spring handles. This best offset smoker is equipped with two caster wheels for easy mobility. Both side offset door and lid-mounted chimney work as air vents. The pre-installed thermometer in the lid offers ultra-convenient monitoring heat inside the smoker.

6. Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Flow Smoker

All the above-mentioned offset smoker grills are traditional or classic ones. But this Oklahoma Joe’s offset smoker with reverse flow work well to get a great smoked result. Made with durable heavy-gauge steel, this product weighs 180.8 pounds which makes it difficult to move around.

Its dual smoking technology lets you choose traditional offset smoking or reverse flow smoking. In reverse flow smoker mode, you will experience the same even grilling with extra smoker taste. There are four pre-installed baffles locked under porcelain-coated wire grates that allow smoke to come to the food in a better way than a traditional smoker.

These removable baffles can be adjusted according to needs and deliver even smoke and heat in the cooking chamber. However, you put more coals, rather the heat remains consistent under the lid.

This versatile offset smoker gives you 619 square inches of primary grilling space. There is also extra 281 square inches of grilling space in the firebox. Overall there is 900 square inches’ space available. There are mesh shelves for convenient food preparation at the front and beneath of primary cooking area and can be used as a storage rack.

The offset smoker comes with a large charcoal basket that provides easy burn and quick clean-up. There is a temperature gauge mounted on the lid for accurate temperature monitoring. This grill also features a slide-open side door on the firebox that helps to stoke fire and clean ash easily. Last but not the least, there are multiple adjustable dampers to control heat and smoke.

7. Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker and Charcoal Smoker

The Weber Smokey Mountain smoker helps you to achieve true smoker barbecue flavor at home. Its innovative slim design offers performance, versatility, and durability as well as it is easy to store and move.

The body is made from durable powder-coated steel that can withstand heat efficiently. While the legs, air vent, and grates holding brackets are created with aluminum. The dual cooking grates are made of plated steel, provide superior heat retention, and easy to clean. The heat resistance nylon handles of both lids and access doors stay cool during grilling.

To maintain temperature, this Weber offset smoker has vents that control the airflow and help in reducing the temperature or vice versa. For more precise heat control, there is a large water pan that sits directly above the coals.

The water absorbs heat and releases it slowly and consistently, keeping the temperature stable. In simple words, the water bowls act as heat sinks.

The grill dimensions are 21 x 19 x 41 inches which offer an easy grill at your waist height. The whole grill stands on a rust resistive tripod base which has some stability issues on the uneven surfaces. Other noticeable features are a lid-mounted thermal gauge that displays smoker temperature and charcoal chamber for extra coals and keeping ash in for easy clean up after use.

8. Royal Gourmet CC1830F-C 90-00-0 Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker

It is one of the best offset smokers under 1000 of his kind on such a low budget. The smoker on the side is securely attached and also features its own air vent. It is designed to allow you to start a fire or burn coals easily in it without having a direct fire in the main grilling chamber. The smoke and heat pass through the main vent to gradually smoke the food. The smoker box has a cool-touch spring handle to prevent the hand from burning.

The primary cooking grates are 438 square inches in space, specially coated with nonstick porcelain material. These cooking grates retain heat evenly, are also durable, rust-resistant, and easy to clean after use.

It also includes a 179 square inches warming rack to keep food warm or cook vegetables. Moreover, it includes an adjustable charcoal pan that lets you set grill grates at your desired height.

This offset smoker is made from quality steel that processes heat-resistant black paint that ensures its durability. If we considered its design, it looks like a cart with an expanded metal bottom shelf and front table. This cart base stands on two stable legs and two wheels for easy transport. Other notable features are cool-touch spring handles, side and lid-mounted air vents, and a built-in lid thermometer.

9. Broil King 958050 Offset Smoker

Broil king offset smokers are recognized for their durable construction and innovative designs. This 958050 offset smoker is constructed with 2mm steel metal that retains heat perfectly. The smoker provides 625 square inches of primary grilling area, including 200 square inches in the warming rack as extra cooking space, along with the offset smoker providing another extra 175 square inches cooking space.

Also, the cooking grates are made of cast iron that is durable and easy to clean up. There is a metal handle on the primary chamber lid that may become hot while grilling. However, the smoker is also equipped with a cool-touch spring handle.

It comes with smoke diffusing charcoal trays and a removable ashtray on both cooking sides for quick removal of ash. There is a small chimney mounted on the lid and a damper on the smoker box side to help sustain certain heat for ideal heat control.

There is a thermal gauge on the lid that allows you to monitor inner temperature efficiently. Another handy feature is the front table for efficient food preparation and a bottom storage rack for keeping coal or other accessories. The overall weight of this grill smoker is 186 pounds. Do not worry, as there are two caster wheels available for convenient mobility. It also contains hanging hooks and a bottle opener.

10. Giantex BBQ Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker

One of the best budgets to offset smokers on the market, this Giantex offset smoker comes with ideal smoking features. This Giantex BBQ Offset Smoker Charcoal Grill is mainly constructed with powder-coated steel that has great thermal conductivity and rust resistance.

Therefore, you can use it for a long time without any hassle. The whole structure, base on a steel frame, makes it more stable during grilling.

The best thing is that the side smoker box is also manufactured with steel. There is a small stove that can serve as a firebox to smoke food apart from cooking or grilling. The primary cooking area is rust resistive and easy to clean after grilling.

One of the unique features of this grill is its convenient oil catcher attached to its side that helps in cleansing.

Moreover, there is a thermal gauge mounted on its lid for monitoring real-time inner temperature. It provides efficient control overheats and allows you to enjoy perfectly smoked steaks. There is an adjustable air vent on the side of a smoker box and a chimney attached to its lid that allows efficient circulation of air and smoke.

The manufacturer has added a wooden table in front of the primary cooking chamber that provides extra preparation space and bottom storage rack to keep cooking essentials near to hand. From the safety point of view, both lids are equipped with a wooden handle to avoid hands from burning. The overall weight of this grill is 33 pounds combined with the two caster wheels for easy mobility and portability.

Buying Guide to Find Best Offset Smoker Under 1000

When it comes to selecting the best offset smoker under 1000, there are plenty of options available. In fact, there are so many best offset grills on such a budget you can buy. However, investing without considering essential factors can lead you to make a wrong selection. Take a look at the importance you should consider while buying an offset smoker under 1000.

• Ventilation

The easiest way to control the temperature of an offset smoker is by regulating the flow of oxygen. More oxygen means more fuel with burn and vice versa. There are many factors available in smokers like air vents, dampers, chimneys, etc.

If air vents or dampers are too hard to adjust, you will face difficulty in managing your temperature. Here’s the pro tip, sustaining a consistent temperature is the key to cooking good smoke food.

Internal ventilation of smoke is also very important. So make sure the grilling chamber gets good heat and smoke distribution through air ventilation for better results.

Also, make sure the charcoal tray or heat starting area is not at the same height as the meat. It’s better to look for a lower smoke chamber for better heat dispersion. For that purpose, prefer to offset smokers with reverse flow technology.

• Reverse Flow

The reverse flow technology is very efficient in the circulation of heat and smoke in the cooking chamber. In traditional flow offset smokers, the smoke and heat draw from the smokebox over the food once on its way out of the chimney.

While in reverse flow technology, grills use a baffle system that draws the smoke and heat under the cooking chamber before it is pulled out the food again on its way out of a chimney. In reverse flow, the offset smoker’s chimney is mounted in the lid on the same side as the firebox.

In short reverse flow uses the heat and smoke twice, so the meat is smoked properly. If you are not sure which is traditional and which is reverse flow smoker. 

Remember, in the traditional smoker, the chimney will be on the opposite side to the firebox, and in the reverse flow offset smoker, the chimney will be on the same side.

• Manufacturing Material and Quality

Always look for a smoker made with heavy-duty metal to reduce heat loss and keep the temperature consistent for a long time. A smoker made with lightweight material will lose heat.

In simple words, you get a hot zone at one end and a cold zone at the other end. The offset smoker manufactured with high-quality material ensures its durability and performance.

The quality of an offset smoker is improved by body coating with different materials such as porcelain. Moreover, thick metal is another perfect material for smokers. The additional parts should be made with high-quality material for long-lasting performance. Materials like stainless steel, cast iron, or porcelain are highly recommended.

Do not forget to consider the interior and handles. Make sure the lid or other handles are properly insulated for safety from burning.

• Size

Size is one of the key factors to help to choose the best offset smoker for your needs. Before you make a decision, measure the area where you are planning to place the smoker.

• Wheels

Offset smokers are heavier as compared to traditional smokers. If you want to enjoy an outdoor party with your family and friends, make sure to select the smoker with durable wheels. Moving an offset smoker without wheels can be really frustrating task, so, do consider wheels as an essential factor.

• Price

Never fall prey to cheap smokers as you can’t replace the smoker quickly. A well-manufactured smoker costs around $700 to $1500. It is wise to pay such an amount to choose a better build quality. For instance, if you want to buy a cheap offset smoker, you will have to compromise on the build quality and features.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use the offset smoker for direct grilling?

Yes, you can use an offset smoker for direct grilling if you want an extra smokier flavor in your food. It is safe to grill food directly over an offset smoker. Also, there are some offset grills that provide cooking grates in the smoker box for versatile cooking.

• Can I put the charcoal in the main chamber?

Yes, you can put charcoal in the main chamber as well as in the charcoal tray. But it is better to read the user manual as in some offset smokers, it might not be suitable.

• What is the ideal temperature for smoking food?

The temperature varies depending on the food type. Like beef and fish needs to be smoked at a temperature of about 165 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. While an ideal temperature for smoking poultry is 130 degrees or lower Fahrenheit. However, vegetables require much low heat as compared to meat.

• How can I lower the temperature of the offset smoker?

If your smoker is at too high a temperature, you can control it by adjusting air vents and reducing the oxygen supply. There are some other technologies also available like water bowls, reverse airflow, and adjustable cooking grates to lower the temperature of the offset smoker.

Final Words

An offset smoke takes some time and effort to make the best use of it. However, once you get used to it, there is nothing better than perfectly smoked food with such a smoker. Choosing the best offset smoker under 1000 is easy, but you have to consider your needs first before making a decision.

A well build offset smoker with innovative design and high features will surely cost more than the one with ordinary design and features. Make sure to read the user manual before using your smoker as all units are not manufactured in the same way and for the same purpose.