If you’re passionate about smoked meats and want to prepare high-quality BBQ then buying an offset smoker could be the best decision you ever make! Not only can offset smokers look classy, but they can transform you from backyard barbeque enthusiast to professional pit master. You’ve got all the luck on your side because we’ve compiled a list of the best cheap offset smokers available! So, without further ado, let’s find out which offset smoker is best right for you!
Offset Smoker Price Category
When looking for an excellent offset smoker price can be a concern, which is understandable. These grills aren’t inexpensive, after all. But they are absolutely worth the price. People ask, is an offset smoker the best for smoking up the meat and the answer is a Big yes!
But still, When looking for a decent offset grill, be prepared to spend some money on a high-quality grill. On the other hand, purchasing an offset smoker is a fantastic experience that may provide years of enjoyment. A well-built offset smoker costs you between $250 to $700.
Some Best Cheap Offset Smokers Available in the Market
Best cheap offset smoker Reviews
As there are various kinds and designs, choosing an offset smoker can be challenging. This review will shed some light on the aspects of an offset smoker that you may be unsure about. We chose seven of the top offset smokers on the market and evaluated them on capacity, construction, cost, and multi-functionality. For anyone who is new to using offset smokers, you can also learn about how to use one here. Let’s get right into it!
Oklahoma Joe Smoker
The Longhorn Reverse Flow model from Oklahoma Joe’s is the best low-cost offset smoker. It is perfect for anyone searching for a high-quality smoker at an affordable price.
Reverse Flow Smoker
This is a reverse flow BBQ smoker, which means the air is drawn from the firebox to the opposite side of the grill, then directed back to the firebox. A reverse flow smoker will uniformly spread heat and, in some situations, cook better than a conventional grill. With plenty of cooking surface area, this smoker can handle a large amount of food. Moreover, Oklahoma Joe’s highland reverse variants have an affordable price and offer excellent features and craftsmanship.
Material
This best cheap offset smoker has heavy-gauge steel which improves heat retention. The Oklahoma Joe is a nice grill for individuals looking for a good product at a good price. Furthermore, the porcelain-coated Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn grates give 751 square inches of cooking space in the main chamber and 309 square inches of grilling space in the firebox chamber.
Pros
- Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn reverse flow baffles are detachable, which makes cleaning easier.
- The grill grates on this charcoal smoker have a porcelain coat and are simple to clean.
- The side clean outdoor on the firebox makes it simple to clean the firebox.
- Shelves are located in front of the main chamber and at the grill’s bottom. This is ideal for keeping the equipment or preparing food on.
- The built-in thermometer gauge will help you keep track of the temperature in your kitchen.
Cons
- Very heavy
- Not exactly smoke tight
Char-Griller E1224 Smoking Pro
The Char-Griller best cheap offset smoker is a large version of the Char-Broil. Many of the features of the smoking pro design are similar to those of the Char-Broil, but with a few upgrades and additional cooking space. Moreover, this is an excellent smoker for beginners and those who wish to try an offset smoker for the first time.
Material
Char-Griller is the best entry-level offset smoker. It has a total cooking area of 830 square inches, with 580 square inches of cooking space. It also has another 250 square inches in the firebox for grilling or warming food. The Char-firebox grillers contain heavy-duty steel and cast-iron grates. On this list, this is the best offset smoker under 300 dollars. The best thing about cast iron is that it is nearly unbreakable, and it is heavy enough to assist disperse heat. Also, the cast-iron grates will be ideal if you plan to undertake direct or indirect barbecuing in your smoker.
Versatile
The Smokin Pro best cheap offset smoker is a low-cost offset smoker with a lot of features. Although it isn’t as big or as large as the Oklahoma Joe, it has a nice combination of features that make it ideal for the backyard pitmaster. There are side and front prep shelves, as well as a lower storage rack, to provide you with a bit more space. with the easy dump ashtray, Cleanup is a breeze
Pros
- Great value for money
- Made with heavy-duty steel
- Easy to clean
- Durable cast-iron grates
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons
- Could have a better insulation
- Heat distribution can be a problem
Dyna-Glo Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
If you are wondering what’s the best offset smoker? We’d like to present you with something a little different than a reverse flow smoker. Let’s discuss smokers with vertical offsets. All of the advantages of barrel smokers and cabinet smokers are present in a vertical offset smoker. Heat, air, and smoke go upwards in a vertical offset smoker, evenly cooking the food.
Easy to Fit
As the cooking space is spread vertically, a vertical offset charcoal smoker is easier to fit in compact spaces. If you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, it is the best backyard offset smoker for you. This simply implies that you get a lot of cooking space without needing a mile-wide space. Furthermore, it is better to place food vertically on different grates at different heights in a vertical design offset smoker. It provides optimal heat and smoke penetration.
Grates
You can place larger cuts closer to the fire and smaller cuts further away from the coals. With 5 chrome-plated grates, this Dyna Glo has a total cooking area of 1382 square inches. For individuals with limited room, a vertical smoker is an excellent choice. Moreover, the Dyna Glo Signature series smokers contain heavy-duty steel and include a temperature thermometer to help customers find the ideal heat zone for smoking foods.
Pros
- The Dyna Glo signature series includes 5 chrome-plated cooking grates
- Good lid cool-touch handles.
- A “smoke zone” indication on the temperature gauge lets users know when they’re in the right temperature range for smoking meat
- Before and after usage, oversized steel wheels provide mobility
- This Dyna Glo vertical charcoal grill smoker can fit in smaller places
Cons
- Very large; takes up lots of space
- Lower racks could be a problem for someone with a bad back
Char-Griller Competition Pro 8125
If you don’t mind spending a little extra on the best smoker that cooks delicious barbecue, you should buy a char griller smoker.
Cooking Time
The bottom output of the smokebox emits thin blue smoke for lighter, sweeter tastes in long-cooking recipes. For poultry or sausage, the top outlet produces significantly stronger, smokier tastes. Cooking durations are often 20 to 25 percent shorter in the char griller than in comparable offset smokers, thanks to the incredible control you have over the airflow.
Material
All materials of this best cheap offset smoker are laser-cut stainless steel. The central cookbook contains robust 18-gauge 430 stainless steel with a 60-pound capacity. The char griller firebox is quite sophisticated, drawing smoke from underneath and moving it through the hot coals with plenty of oxygen. Moreover, it gives you total control over the combustion process and lets you get the thin blue smoke that professional pit bosses crave.
Pros
- Unique design makes smoking easier
- Constructed with durable stainless steel
- Easy to use and maintain
- 60-lb cooking capacity
- Consistently produces amazingly tasty barbecue
That’s why Competition offset smokers are a blessing for the BBQ lovers!
Cons
- Difficult to follow directions
- Not good for higher temperatures
Z Grills 450A Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
The Z Grills 450A offset smoker and grill is easy to control and simple to operate. It features an auger that mechanically feeds pellets into the burn chamber. This is our favourite choice if you want an easy to use offset smoker.
Simple to Use
Pellet grills have only been around for a short time, but they are swiftly gaining popularity. They provide an excellent combination of simplicity of use and delectable outcomes that is difficult to overlook. This pellet grill’s charm resides in its capacity to maintain a pre-set temperature, almost like a modern smart oven. All you have to do is tell it what temperature you want to smoke or grill at, and the machine will provide enough fuel to keep the fire warm. Then all you have to do is make sure the hopper is full with pellets to burn.
Excellent Flavors
When it comes to smoking, Z-Grill’s best cheap offset smoker produces the tastes you’re after. As the fuel pellets consist of such hardwoods, you can get all you need from a single consumable fuel source. Also, it is responsible for the heat, smoke, and taste.
Pros
- Easy temperature control
- With one push of a button, you can start it easily.
- Well-designed pellet hopper
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Comes with a protective cover
- Z Grills has great customer service
Cons
- The legs could be more sturdy
- It is available online only
Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker (14 inch steel offset smoker)
The Highland 14-inch steel offset smoker is essentially a cheaper and smaller version of Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn smoker. It is also known as the best low cost offset smoker. Furthermore, this is a wonderful budget-friendly entry-level smoker that lacks the reverse flow feature.
Classic Old-World Smoker
One of the charms of the Oklahoma Joe grills is that they appear to have been snatched from a Texas ranch at gunpoint. Also, their rough, highly welded steel designs resemble something your cowboy granddad might build on the farm and pass down to you to pass down to your children.
Big Features in a Small Package
The Highland best cheap offset smoker is the best version of the Longhorn, designed for small families or ordinary patio use. This version is a regular offset design, but you can purchase it in a reverse flow design like the Longhorn for approximately a hundred dollars extra.
Pros
- Great quality and affordable
- Large cooking capacity
- Durable built
- Well-designed dampers for temperature control
Cons
- Might need some extra insulation
- The paint on the firebox tends to peel off
Cuisinart CPG-4000 Offset smoker
Even though offset smokers are costly, it doesn’t imply you have to spend a fortune to have a good machine. This is crucial to remember, especially if you are just starting out in the world of smoking. Moreover, this Cuisinart model has a reasonable price. Also, this best cheap offset smoker will let you prepare excellent cuisine in a very user-friendly manner.
Large Hopper
To begin with, this best cheap offset smoker features a large hopper. This bigger hopper makes it easy to heat up the cooker to the optimum temperature, ensuring that you cook your food with exactly the perfect amount of heat without the need to refill it anytime soon. You won’t have to refill this smoker very frequently because it runs on wood pellets, which are a very efficient fuel source.
Lightweight
This best cheap offset smoker offers a very wide temperature range. When it comes to greater temperatures, though, you must be cautious with this type. This model is little, as you would expect from a smoker in this price bracket. Moreover, it has a small footprint, making it ideal for small areas. It also includes a retractable front shelf, which reduces its total dimensions even smaller. This grill is also fairly lightweight, making it a breeze to move about even if you’re on your own.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Large temperature range
- High-capacity hopper
- Compact design
- Collapsible front shelf
- Simple design for easy cleaning
Cons
- Inaccurate temperature gauge
- Available online only
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Cheap Offset Smoker
It’s crucial to evaluate the thickness of the steel used to construct the smoker, particularly the cooking compartment. Offset smokers must be able to cook for extended periods of time. Be wary of low cost offset smokers; some manufacturers utilize thin metal and low-gauge steel to save money, but these smokers do not last long. Hence, let’s have a look at things to consider before buying the smoker.
Efficiency and Heat Retention
Quality is crucial not just for the sake of longevity, but also for the sake of efficiency. A cheap smoker will lose smoke and heat, making temperature control difficult. A decent smoker grill will feature a heavy-duty offset firebox with plenty of air vents and a well-insulated cooking surface. To minimize losing heat and smoke, the primary smoking chamber should be properly sealed.
The harsh reality is that inexpensive smokers leak smoke and are difficult to keep at proper cooking temperatures. Smokers of a higher quality and heavier steel structure will cost more, but they will not have the same problems as inexpensive smokers.
Cooking Capacity
Cooking capacity is crucial; after all, you’ve spent a lot of money to buy the best smoker. Because there is no firebox, ash pan, burner, or charcoal tray in the main chamber, the cooking capacity of an offset BBQ smoker is inherently vast. Offset smokers provide a large amount of cooking space due to their design.
There’s nothing else in the main chamber to get in the way of meat but the grates! These smokers are ideal for feeding a large group. Furthermore, a larger offset BBQ smoker does not always imply higher cooking capacity. The number of grates accessible to cook and the square inches of available grates surface will also affect cooking capacity.
Wrapping Up
All in all, anybody interested in smoking meats should give offset smokers a try. Consider your budget and look for the best cheap offset smoker that offers a decent mix of features, quality, and cooking space. Each of these grills will have its own set of characteristics, some of which will aid in smoke and heat management. If your budget permits, invest in quality and features that aid in the regulation of heat and smoke. We hope that this review will help you choose the right smoker for you!
FAQs
Best Budget Smoker for a Beginner?
We recommend the Oklahoma Joe’s longhorn as it is the best offset smoker under 500 dollars. Unlike many low-cost offset smokers, Oklahoma Joe’s uses heavy-gauge steel for improved heat retention and stability. Lang offset smokers and Yoder offset smokers are also the best smokers for beginners.
What is the Best Smoker for Beginners?
The Z Grills reverse flow offset smoker and grill is the best entry level offset smoker. It is easy to control and simple to operate. Also, this is our favourite choice if you want an easy use offset smoker. When it comes to smoking, it’s the hardwoods that produce the tastes you’re after. Moreover, it is the best offset smoker under 1000 dollars.
Laura Smith
I'm Laura, I like all the kind of delicious grilled foods which makes me hungry all the time I see them. That's why I built this blog to share with you all of my Grilling experiences, recipes, and all the tips about foods that I've learned from food experts.