8 Best Offset Smokers For Beginners 2023

Are you a beginner and do not know which offset smoke to buy for yourself? Do you like smoked food and want to cook it yourself? Check these reviews on the best offset smokers for beginners to select one for yourself by knowing all the pros and cons of the smokers that you are selecting to buy. If you are a beginner and do not even know about the basics of using an offset smoker then you have come to the right place.

Here we will discuss all the basics of the best offset smoker for beginners along with the pros and cons of it. All the features you need to know are reviewed here. Please have a look!

Top Picks

Best Overall Offset Smoker For Beginners: Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D

Best Overall Offset Smoker For Beginners: Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D
  • It has an ample cooking space for cooking different recipes.
  • It works for several hours without getting too hot to handle.
  • It has a warranty time of three years. So, as a beginner, if a mishap occurs, you can call the company.
  • It is very easy to maintain, clean, and assemble.

Best Economical Offset Smoker For Beginners: Char-Broil 12201570-A1

Best Economical Offset Smoker For Beginners: Char-Broil 12201570-A1
  • It is very low in weight and easy to locomote.
  • The fire grates are adjustable according to your height.
  • It is very economical in terms of fuel and buying price.
  • The cooking space is adequate and best for smoking, seasoning, smoking, barbeque, and grilling.

Best Offset Smoker For Outdoor Camping: Royal Gourmet CC1830SC

Best Offset Smoker For Outdoor Camping: Royal Gourmet CC1830SC
  • It comes with a cover that is best for its protection in outdoor environments.
  • The adequate space for cooking allows you to invite friends over to your place or do outdoor parties.
  • It also has air vents to avoid heat reaching your face.
  • The temperature range and manufacturing material are excellent.

Comparison Table:

Name  Price Cooking Area (Sq. in.) Material Max Temp (℉) Weight (Lb) Fuel type Key Features
Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Check Price 1382 sq. inches Chrome-plated steel 225℉ 124.3lb Charcoal Ample cooking space can be used for many hours continuously, high temp range
Char-Broil 12201570-A1 Check Price 290 sq. inches Steel N/A 38 lb Charcoal Light in weight. Adjustable fire grates, economical in price
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Check Price 811 sq. inches Steel 180 ℉ 54.3 lb Charcoal Air vents, excellent temp range, best for an outdoor, digital thermometer
Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-Ds Check Price 1890 sq. inches Steel N/A 25 lb Charcoal Ample cooking space, huge ashtray, adjustable heat, slow cooking can be done
Traeger Tailgater 20 Check Price 300 sq. inches Steel 450℉ 62lb Wood burning and Electric mode Can be used for the grill, smoke, braise, roast, bake, and bbq, light in weight
Spexlb Grill Offset Smoker Check Price 275 sq. inches heavy-duty steel N/A N/A Charcoal Lightweight and economical, has a chimney
Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Check Price 450 sq. inches Steel 450 ℉ 84 lb Liquefied Petroleum Gas and electric mode perform eight different functions like bbq, bake, roast, braise, smoke, grill, sear, and, char-grill, has a timer
Oklahoma Joe’s 20202105 Rider 900 Check Price 578 sq. inches Enameled steel N/A 185.2 lb Wood Efficient timer, good material

8 Best Offset Smokers For Beginners

1. Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D: Best Grilling Offset Smoker For Beginners

Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D: Best Grilling Offset Smoker For Beginners

This model of the Dyna-Glo is a heavy-duty offset smoker. It is vertical in structure and can be used as a smoker as well as for grilling purposes. So it is very handy if you are a beginner. Grilling is comparatively an easy process. So users can use it for grilling as a beginner and also work on it as a smoker. Gradually, you will be the master of both cooking styles by using a single offset smoker.

The cooking area of this offset smoker is 1382 sq. inches which means it is a very large surface area for cooking and you can easily cook for a whole family in a single serving. The material used in its manufacturing is steel and very good quality of it is used by the company. This offset smoker can work efficiently in a higher temperature range also. It does not get heated up easily and the maximum temperature range of this offset smoker is 225F. It is 124.3 lb in weight and this amount of weight can be easily carried by an average person making it very easy to move from one place to the other. The fuel used for its working is Charcoal.

This model belongs to the signature series of the company so they have made many improvements in it as compared to the other offset smokers of the same brand. They have also increased its warranty time as they believe that they have used good products to make it more reliable.

Pros

  • It has a very ample cooking space that is useful when you invite guests over to your place.
  • The smoker is not so heavy and can be transferred everywhere with ease.
  • It has a great temperature bearing capacity so it can be lit for many hours.
  • Charcoal is affordable in price that is used in it as a fuel.
  • This offset smoker is made up of chrome-plated steel that is not easily rusted.
  • The company offered a 3-year warranty so as a beginner if you accidentally cause damage, you can call the company to repair it.
  • It has many advantages in such a low price range.

Cons

  • It comes in pieces and you need a lot of tools for the assembling.
  • It is a bit expensive as it is very unique and best for smoking.

Final Verdict:

In my personal experience as a beginner, I find it a very handy tool for smoking as well as grilling. It provides all the basic requirements of a smoker at a reasonable price. The only problem I faced while using it was the assembling of the parts which has almost nothing to do with the working of the smoker. So I suggest you buy it but make sure that you buy it from an authenticated source like Amazon.

2. Char-Broil 12201570-A1: Best Standard American Gourmet Offset Smoker For Beginners

Char-Broil 12201570-A1: Best Standard American Gourmet Offset Smoker For Beginners

The best thing about this Char-Boil offset smoker is that it can be used for smoking, BBQ as well as charcoal grilling. The total cooking surface in the firebox chamber of this offset smoker is 140 sq. inches which is very little compared to the total surface area which is 290 sq. inches. It is made up of steel and the fire grate is adjustable. You can move up or low according to your height. It has a detachable ashtray which makes the cleaning process much more convenient as compared to the other offset smokers that have built-in ashtrays.

As a beginner, I mostly do grilling and barbeque rather than smoking so it is a very helpful smoker for me. But when my friends come over, they do the smoking which is also done by this offset smoker very brilliantly. As it is a three in one or most appropriately we can say that it is one smoker which makes it a very intelligent pick.

It has less area to cook which makes the cooking process long but a very minimum amount of coal is used in it for cooking so it is affordable in this regard. It works smoothly for me and my tall friends because it is adjustable. Also, whenever the ashtray is about to be filled I quickly remove the detachable ashtray; clean it, and put it back. So we can say that this offset smoker is an environment-friendly smoker too.

Pros

  • It is very lightweight and easy to carry.
  • The fire grate is adjustable making it convenient for everyone.
  • You can use it for seasoning, smoking, barbeque, and grilling.
  • A very low quantity of coal is used for cooking.
  • Due to the detachable ashtray, cleaning has become much easier.

Cons

  • The cooking area is very much less as compared to other offset smokers.
  • It has many functions but not a large cooking area.

Final Verdict:

I bought this offset smoker for the first time in my life and this is working tremendously for me. I can adjust it according to my height, clean it easily and there is no smell of leak or fuel in the food. I smoked the brisket for the first time in my life on this offset smoker and it turned out very delicious. If you want the best offset smoker for beginners, this is it.

3. Royal Gourmet CC1830SC: Best Offset Smoker For Outdoor Camping

Royal Gourmet CC1830SC: Best Offset Smoker For Outdoor Camping

As we have mentioned in the heading that this offset smoker is best for outdoor camping and one of the main reasons is the cover that comes with it. The thing which we keep protected lasts longer. As we know that the weather is under no one’s control so while outdoor camping we can cover the offset smoker with the sheet that comes with it in the package. We can also use it inside the house to keep the offset smoker safe from dust and other calamities.

This offset smoker is very unique as it has different plating in different areas. The total area of the smoker is 811 sq. inches, of which 443 sq. inches are the cooking grates made of porcelain-enameled steel wire and 184 sq. inches include the chrome-plated warming rack. 

It has an excellent exhausting system that provides a constant flow of warm heat to the cooking area and the smoke to exit towards the outside environment. Charcoal is added as fuel and it can hold up to 4.4 lbs of coal at one time. It has a monitoring device to determine the temperature and is covered by a lid for protection. It has a great area for cooking and can be used for smoking and grilling at the same time.

Pros

  • The space is very much enough for smoking and grilling together which saves enough time and energy.
  • The temperature checking device helps you cook more professionally, especially for beginners. In this way, you will not burn your food.
  • It burns very quickly and easily due to the air vents present in it.
  • The material used for the plating of steel is very good.
  • The cover makes it efficient to work in an outdoor environment.

Cons

  • The smell of the burning coals enters the food.
  • It is expensive with respect to the services it provides maybe because of the cover they provide with it.

Final verdict:

All in all, it is the best meat offset smoker for beginners. I seasoned the meat; smoked and grilled it at the same time on the different plates it provides and it turned out great. The smell of the coal does enter into the food that some people find offensive but in my opinion, if you are cooking food on the coal, it must smell like it. Also, the cover that comes with it protects it from damage so it is very useful in increasing the life span of this best meat smoker for beginners.

4. Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D: Adjustable and Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker For Beginners

Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D: Adjustable and Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker For Beginners

The best thing about this model of Dyno-Glo Offset Smoker is the adjustable cooking grates that have six different levels of adjustments. It is black in color and weighs about 83pounds which makes it extremely convenient for moving from one place to the other. Like most of the other offset smokers, it also uses coal as the source of fuel. The cooking area of this offset smoker is very large, about 1890 sq. inches, and can accommodate different food items of 25 pounds weight. The offset smoker is made up of steel but it is porcelain-enameled which gives the edge of burning at a higher temperature.

The ashtray of this offset smoker is huge that can store the ashes produced by the burning of coal for several hours so we do not have to empty it after short intervals. The vertical shape of this offset smoker keeps the direct heat away from the food and the cooking is done on slow heat which makes the food tastier.

As this offset smoker has a built-in thermometer you can easily check the temperature whenever you want and cook without the tension of the smoker reaching its maximum heat level. This provides a sense of security and ease in cooking.

Pros

  • The cooking space is ample and you can easily manage parties at your place.
  • Everyone can smoke the meat and grill it on this smoker due to its highly adjustable fire grates.
  • The ashtray of this smoker is huge which compliments the ample cooking space.
  • You can change the amount of heat for your food according to your choice.
  • It provides you the advantage of slow cooking which takes away the tension of burning.

Cons

  • It is a bit expensive.
  • It has gas leakage problems.

Final Verdict:

When I bought this offset smoker, it came into different pieces and a guidebook for assembling them. I am a beginner at it but it got set up pretty easily. It is costly but provides everything that a beginner needs in the best offset smoker. I definitely recommended it to my friends and family. Some of them also bought this offset smoker and they are also very happy with the outcomes of it.

5. Traeger Tailgater 20: Electric And Wood Pellet Offset Smoker For Beginners

Traeger Tailgater 20: Electric And Wood Pellet Offset Smoker For Beginners

The grilling or smoking capacity of this Traeger Tailgater 20 offset smoker is about 300 sq. inches. The best thing about this offset smoker is that we can cook food on it in six different styles; grill, smoke, braise, roast, bake, and, BBQ. So, this is an all-in-one smoker. As a beginner, no matter how you cook your food more efficiently, this is your smoker!

This offset smoker is 62 pounds heavy which is a very low weight that can be handled and carried very easily. The best thing about this offset smoker is its fuel type which is electric as well as wood burning. Due to this advantage, you will never have to buy charcoal and keep your hands clean from the mess it creates. The food that is cooked on burning wood also has a very amazing taste and smell. If you are at home, you can use it as an electrical device and while using it outdoors, cut the wood from nearby trees and put them in to use as fuel.

The temperature range of this offset smoker and griller is at the range of 180-450 Fahrenheit. It takes a very small duration of time to reach the adequate temperature range for cooking. It does not produce an enormous amount of smoke like other offset smokers that use coal as fuel. It has foldable legs and less weight so this offset smoker is the best for your tours as it is very handy to use and carry.

Pros

  • You can grill, smoke, braise, roast, bake and BBQ your food by using a single offset smoker.
  • Due to its small size and low weight, it is very easy to use at home as well as for traveling.
  • It has two modes of working; as an electric device or by the burning of wood.
  • It has adequate space for cooking and the temperature range is also good.

Cons

  • In some regions, it does not get compatible with the power source and cause short-circuits.
  • You have to need an adapter or sometimes stabilizer for the proper functioning of this offset smoker if you turn on the electrical mode.

Final Verdict:

It is a very handy offset smoker and works best outdoor due to less weight and foldable legs as well as indoors due to less smoke production if we turn on the electrical mode of the device. When I bought this offset smoker, I invited my friends to my place and made 12 burgers for them at a time. I was surprised to see that the meat was properly cooked and the buns were properly heated, nothing was burnt and the taste of firewood in the burgers was delicious.

6. Spexlb Grill Offset Smoker: The Grill Offset Smoker For Beginners

Spexlb Grill Offset Smoker: The Grill Offset Smoker For Beginners

This is the Spexlb Grill offset smoker that is only specialized in the grilling and smoking of food. You can do barbeque on it and make some delicious recipes. It is made up of heavy-duty steel and the heat tolerance is good. The total area of this offset smoker is tremendous and has two different furnaces for cooking which gives us the edge to adjust the heat and cook two recipes at one time. It can serve almost eight to ten persons at one time.

It has two wheels that make it easy to locomote from one place to the other. This offset smoker also has a chimney that reduces the amount of direct heat towards the face. The two furnaces of the smoker have different heat levels that are perfect for grilling as well as cooking food on slow heat at the same time. This offset smoker is mainly used for smoking and grilling the meat. So if you are the person that only needs a smoker that is efficient in the grilling of meat, you can go for it.

This offset smoker also has a side shelf that allows you to put your cooking tools; spatula, forks, tongs, etc in it. When your hand will not be busy holding extra utensils, you can focus more on the cooking and make your recipe more delicious than ever. Charcoal is used in this offset smoker as fuel.

Pros

  • Charcoal is used as fuel that is readily available to anyone.
  • A digital thermometer is presently giving us a safe hand at keeping an eye on the temperature level.
  • The chimney moves the smoke in one direction.
  • This offset smoker also has a side shelf for placing accessories.

Cons

  • As it has two furnaces, it requires a tremendous amount of coal for burning which causes a lot of mess.
  • It is not easy to clean. The ashtray is very small; you have to keep emptying it after short intervals.
  • It is expensive but not as much worth it.

Final Verdict:

I personally used it and had a few problems like a gas leak and the constant need to clean the ashtrays. It is not easy to maintain both furnaces but it is a quite unique feature. But still, you can use it as a beginner.

7. Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020: 8-in-1 Offset Smoker For Beginners

Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020: 8-in-1 Offset Smoker For Beginners

Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 offset smoker has very unique features, the dimensions of this item are 45 x 28 x 49 inches, and the total area is 450 sq. inches. Normally, all the offset smokers are black in color but this one is bronze which gives it a unique look. The fuel used in this offset smoker is also different from all the other ones and that is Liquefied Petroleum Gas. It also has an electric mode but that requires an enormous amount of electricity to work.

The weight of this offset smoker is 84 pounds which is easy to carry. By the size, we can imagine that is made up for small families or we can say that this offset smoker is best for beginners that want to experiment with their techniques by cooking for their few family members. It is made up of high-quality steel that makes it resistant to a high temperature of 450° F. The temperature of this offset stays in the range of 180° to 450° F while cooking and that can be easily monitored by the digital thermometer.

As mentioned in the title that it is an 8-in-1 smoker, let me describe its traits. It is best for BBQ, baking, roasting, braising, smoking, grilling, searing, and char-grilling. The best thing about cooking on this offset smoker is that you can set the temperature on it and do not have to worry about the burning of food. The heat will remain constant and the food will be perfectly cooked.

Pros

  • The temperature setting attribute is very useful. You do not have to look again and again, may sit back and relax for a bit.
  • A single offset smoker can perform eight different functions like BBQ, bake, roast, braise, smoke, grill, sear, and, char-grill.
  • If you buy it from Amazon, it will come with a covering sheet for its protection.

Cons

  • It is small in size. You can only cook for small gatherings of 4-5 people conveniently.
  • The fuel used in it is Liquefied Petroleum Gas which is not so environment-friendly.
  • It may short-circuit if used without an adapter.

Final Verdict:

If you are a beginner then you can rely on this offset smoker for cooking for your few family members. But it will not work if you throw a party. The best thing about this offset smoker is the taste. Many professionals use it because of this reason. The fuel used in the making is responsible for the tastier food. It is handy but not useful if you have a big family.

8. Oklahoma Joe’s 20202105 Rider 900: Timer Offset Smoker For Beginners

Oklahoma Joe's 20202105 Rider 900: Timer Offset Smoker For Beginners

There are other offset smokers which offer the timer mode but if you need a reliable one then you should go for Oklahoma Joe’s 20202105 Rider 900. If the timer mode is on and you set it perfectly, you will not have to worry about the burning of food until the timer beeps. You can also cook food under your supervision if you don’t want to rely on the timer.

This offset smoker is 185.2 pounds in weight and uses wood as the source of fuel. There is a place for the accessories like racks and shelves but you have to buy them separately. There is an option of live fire for the searing of meat in this offset smoker.

It is also black in color like most of the other smokers. The material used for its manufacturing is steel. It does not have a chimney or ashtray. All the items which are needed to make it best are sold on Amazon separately.

Final Verdict:

If you are a beginner, do not buy this offset smoker. It is only used for smoking and grilling but is costly as compared to the offset smokers who perform other functions. The only plus point of this offset smoker is the timer and you cannot even rely on it as a beginner so it is a waste of money in my opinion.

Buying Guide:

At this point, we will discuss the things which are very necessary to keep in your mind while buying an offset smoker. As a beginner, you must not have any idea about buying a perfect offset smoker. I hope the points discussed above have made your mind about the best offset smoker but now we will discuss some points that I have learned from my own experience. So these are the things to consider:

Budget:

You should not spend all your savings on an offset smoker. Make a budget and buy according to that. There are many offset smokers that are too expensive and the buyers think that it must be worth it but in reality, some offset smokers are not worth the money. You should definitely set your budget and read all the qualities described above in detail before buying. Then you will be able to buy the best offset smoker for you and your family.

Size Of The Offset Smoker:

Before buying, make sure about the size of the offset smoker that you need. If you have a small family of four to five members, you should not spend a huge amount of money on the offset smokers which offer great cooking space because you do not need it. But if you have a large family and you often gather your friends at your place and enjoy grilled and smoked food then definitely invest in a large-sized offset smoker. It will be worth it.

Quality Of The Offset Smoker:

If you are interested in buying high-quality offset material, it will cost you a lot of money. Before buying, think about a few things like are you going to use it professionally? If you are going to use it on a professional level, then you should go for a high-quality one but if you just need it to cook for your friends and family then you can opt for a medium quality offset smoker. They also work efficiently for household use.

Timing:

At this point, we will discuss two things. One is the time duration of the use of offset smokers per day. If you have to use it for continuously many hours then you should buy an offset smoker which has enameled fire grates that will not rust easily after working for many hours. The second point is about the timer. Some offset smokers have built-in timers. If you are using it for professional purposes, buy an offset smoker that has an excellent working timer. This will help you to avoid your food from burning without supervision. You can work on other things without the tension of keeping a constant eye on your offset smoker.

Easy To Assemble:

If you are a beginner and do not have any know-how about the offset smokers then you should definitely go for that one that is very easy to assemble otherwise you will destroy it before even using it.

Usage:

If you are going to mainly use your offset smoker for tours and trips then you should buy an offset smoker that is small in size so that you can easily move it from one place to the other. Also, it must have a cover to protect it from the calamities of the outdoor environment.

Apart from this if you are interested to know about Best Wood Offset Smoker then visited our Best offset smoker reviews category.

Conclusion:

Here are some suggestions from my heart for you:

  • Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D: As a beginner, this is the best offset smoker for you. It has everything that a person requires in a great offset smoker like ample cooking space, economical price, low maintenance requirements, and easy assembling.
  • Char-Broil 12201570-A1: If you want to party outdoor or cook indoors, this is the best offset smoker for you. The size, efficiency, fuel consumption, and adjustments, everything is provided at just an economical price.
About Abdul Waheed

I am an SEO expert and tech-savvy. I love to write blogs on various niches. I have been writing incredible reviews and blogs for many years. Reviews of products are based on my own personal experiences. The purpose of this website is to provide accurate information and honest reviews about offset smoking. My passion for product reviews comes from the desire to help people choose the best product and save their money and time.