Dyna Glo Vs Oklahoma Joe

Are you yearning for some mouth-watering, low-and-slow cooked meat worthy for a barbecue competition? If so, an offset grill smoker will be the perfect solution.

An offset smoker, also known as a barrel cooker or a vertical smoker, is often seen as a traditional smoker due to its simplicity and effectiveness.

But how will you identify a great quality smoker from the many cheap models that have flooded the market? These cheap offset smokers will use tons of fuel and, in the end, give you a poorly cooked meal. So, don't chance it! 

In this review, we will go through several offerings from two leading smoker brands; Dyna Glo Vs Oklahoma Joe. This will help you go for the right grill smoker.


dyna glo vs oklahoma joe

If you have limited space in your backyard and at the same time you want a grill with massive cooking space, then the Dyna-Glo signature series has you in mind.

This bullet-shaped smoker has a strong heavy-gauge steel construction despite its low price. Therefore, it will stand the high cooking temperatures and the weight of the cooks.

This grill features five cooking racks giving you 1,098 inches of cooking space. As if that is not enough, there are some more 284 square inches of direct grilling space in the firebox chamber.

Temperature control in this vertical smoker is easy since heat distribution is even in the cooking chamber.

However, one main challenge with this Dyna glo charcoal smoker is that the door doesn't close tightly; thus, some smoke and heat will leak. But, this is not enough reason to look away from this grilling giant. You can seal the door with lavalack gasket for a better smoking experience.


Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Huge cooking space
  • Use less space in your backyard
  • It comes with sausage hanging hooks
  • Good quality build
  • Maintains even internal temperature
  • Flexible cooking configuration
  • Slide-out ashtray for easy cleaning
  • Fuel efficient model
  • Smoker and cover purchase option
  • Smokey flavor in your meat cuts
  • Great value for your money

Cons

  • Construction is not super thick and thus may lose heat during cold seasons
  • The door doesn't close tightly though you can use lavalock gasket to solve this problem

Dyna-Glo Vertical DGO1176BDC-D

oklahoma joe's offset smoker

Are you working around a limited budget but still want a smoker to deliver great results? If so, what you need is the Dyna-Glo Vertical DGO1176BDC-D smoker.

This charcoal offset smoker is perfect for beginners since they wouldn't want a complicated smoker that would scare them from joining the barbeque world. 

Also, this smoker is loved by veterans due to its simplicity which makes them perfect their smoking skills easily each day.

How about its cooking space? This vertical offset smoker features six adjustable cooking grates which you can change their positions depending on the size of your meal. 

In addition, the cooking chamber measures 1,176 square inches. That's quite a big space. Nevertheless, you can cook foods weighing up to 150 pounds at a go without wearing out this cooking warrior.

It's easy to control the cooking temperature in this Dyna glo smoker box using the adjustable smoke stack flue. Also, the porcelain-enameled steel firebox cares for the charcoal briquettes to ensure fuel efficiency.

Although this is not the cheapest smoker in the market today, we still find it fairly priced, considering the amazing results it provides, plus its sturdy design.


Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Require minimal outdoor space
  • Massive cooking space
  • Portable
  • Available in two sizes: standard & wide
  • Adjustable cooking grates to accommodate different food heights
  • Available matching cover
  • Grease management system
  • Built-in thermometer to monitor cooking temperature
  • Removable steel ash pan for easy cleaning of the offset firebox
  • Ashpan can handle a large amount of ash during a long look
  • Adjustable smoke stack for smoke and heat control
  • Classic smoky flavor

Cons

  • No cooking grate in the firebox for quick grilling of food
  • Its chrome-coated cooking racks don't provide great heat distribution and durability compared to ceramic-coated racks
  • Smoke leakages

Dyna-Glo Barrel and Offset Smoker

dyna glo charcoal smoker

When you are inseparable from the Dyna-glo brand but want a smaller grill, you can go for the Dyna-Glo Barrel and Offset Smoker.

This horizontal offset smoker will provide a traditional offset smoking style for delicious pork butts, rib racks, poultry, and other foods.

Let's now talk about its construction. This grill features heavy-gauge steel construction in its main body, porcelain-coated cooking racks, a removable ashtray, and an accurate temperature gauge.

This small-sized grill is perfect when you are not cooking large quantities of food at a go. Hence, you will be saving on fuel.

In addition, this small-sized horizontal smoker is suitable for small backyards. Also, you can fold down its front table and wheel it to its storage place when it's not in use.

One more thing you will love about this smoker is that it has some more grilling space on the firebox. Thus, it has a total cooking space of 730 square inches. So you can throw some vegetables, several sausages, or burgers in there for a quick grilled meal!

Also, the small size of this grill translates to a lower price with great smoking or grilling results.


Dyna-Glo Barrel and Offset Smoker Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Requires lesser storage space
  • Lighter than other grills making it easy to move around
  • Large wagon wheels for portability
  • Heavy-duty construction that is free from rusting and warping
  • Rust-resistant, durable, and easy to clean porcelain-coated cooking racks
  • Cool-to-touch handles
  • Two storage racks to store your supplies and prepare your food
  • Removable ashtray and charcoal grate for easy cleaning
  • Reliable thermometer for smoking sessions
  • Classic smoky flavor

Cons

  • Lower maximum food capacity

Dyna-Glo 30 Inches Digital Electric Smoker

oklahoma joe firebox

Electric smokers are known for the convenience they bring in smoking food. With the Dyna Glo digital electric smoker, you can use its Bluetooth capability to set and monitor the cooking chamber temperatures digitally.

One other beautiful thing about this electric smoker is that you can download its app on your smartphone or tablet and monitor your cook remotely.

This smoker comes with an integrated meat thermometer to help you tell when your food has attained the right temperature for doneness. Also, with this inbuilt thermometer, you won't keep opening the smoker lid, thus preventing heat and smoke loss.

Again, this electric smoker has a separate door for the wood chip and water pans. This ensures that you don't open the cooking chamber unnecessarily, which can tamper with the cook.

In addition, this smoker comes with four cooking racks providing you with a total cooking space of 732 square inches.


Dyna-Glo 30 Inches Digital Electric Smoker Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Remote monitoring using an app
  • Premium look smoker
  • Two sizes to choose from
  • Illuminated cooking space
  • Built-in thermometer to monitor cooking temperature
  • High power capability for the cold seasons
  • Removable sausage hooks and rib rack to customize cooking space
  • Well sealed door to prevent smoke and heat loss
  • Smokey flavor in food
  • Separate door for water and wood pans
  • Heavy-duty casters and handle for mobility
  • Ease to use

Cons

  • It takes a lot of time (around one hour) to attain the desired cooking temperature

Oklahoma Joe Highland

big horn offset smoker

Oklahoma Joe Highland is among the top offset smokers that have borrowed heavily from how our forefathers prepared their seaside barbeque. 

This smoker has, over the years, revolutionized into a more durable smoker with amazing barbeque results.

Some of the notable features of this grill include its high-temperature construction that provides 619 square inches of main cooking space. Also, there are some more 281 square inches of cooking space in the charcoal smoke box. So, the total cooking space of this smoker stands at 900 square inches.

In addition, temperature control in this smoker is not hectic. This smoker has adjustable dampers while its thick walls keep the heat inside even during cold seasons.

A few people have complained about heat leakages while using the highland 900-sq inches smoker. However, this small trouble can be corrected using some inexpensive mods available in the market today.

So, if you are looking for a traditional smoker for high-quality smoking and grilling sessions, you can go after this Highland horizontal offset smoker.


Oklahoma Joe Highland Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Ample cooking space
  • Several dampers for temperature control
  • Heavy-gauge steel construction and premium paint better the smoker's life and keep it from rusting and warping
  • Porcelain-coated grill grates that are rust-resistant, easy to clean, and last long
  • Large storage space
  • Steel wheels for portability
  • Heat resistant handles
  • Built-in thermometer
  • Easy to clean the firebox
  • Easy smoker seasoning
  • You can add a meat probe thermometer
  • Smoker plus cover purchase option
  • Separate access firebox door

Cons

  • Smoke leak, but this can be easily corrected using mods

Highland Reverse Flow Smoker

dyna glo digital electric smoker

This model has a total cooking space of 900 square inches: 619 square inches in the primary cooking space and 281 square inches in the firebox.

With the large space, you can cook 10 whole chickens, 2 beef briskets, 4 racks of ribs horizontally, or 30 hamburger patties at a go.

This unit has a heavy-gauge steel construction with stainless steel racks with a porcelain coating. The handles are cool to touch even during smoking.

The firebox is strategically located, whereby you can tend the fire without affecting the temperatures in the smoking chamber.

A large temperature probe is mounted on the lid, so you won't have to guess what is happening in the smoker.

Another crucial feature to note about this Oklahoma joe's offset smoker is that it is different from a regular offset smoker. 

This smoker uses reverse flow technology to cook, whereby heat and smoke move from the firebox and pass under a sealed drip pan to the smoker's end. Then, heat and smoke move into the smoking chamber and exit from the smoke stack near the firebox.


Highland Reverse Flow Smoker Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Large cooking space
  • Sturdy construction
  • Cool-to-touch handles
  • Direct cooking and indirect smoking options
  • Even heat and smoke distribution
  • Regular offset smoker and Reverse-flow smoker options
  • Large fuel basket
  • Swing-open firebox door for easy fire care and ash raking
  • Front and bottom shelves for holding your utensils and other barbeque supplies
  • Lid-mounted temperature probe for easy internal temperature monitoring
  • Easy to clean
  • Portable

Cons

  • The lid doesn't close tightly, but you can use an inexpensive mod to improve this

Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Reverse Flow Offset Smoker

dyna glo vs oklahoma joe

One unique feature of this black horizontal charcoal smoker is its versatility. You can turn the Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Reverse Flow Offset Smoker into a traditional smoker by removing the baffle plates and repositioning the smoke stack.

Also, you can reposition the baffles for an even heat distribution in the smoking chamber. 

These baffles provide great temperature controls like the heat deflector in the kamado grill. So, if you are a kamado fan, you can choose between kamado joe 18 vs 24.

However, whichever cooking process you choose, it's easy to control and monitor the temperature in this smoker using dampers and a high-quality thermometer.

Another amazing feature of this big horn offset smoker is its massive cooking space.

This smoker has 751 inches of cooking space on its main cooking surface. The firebox is not left behind since it provides 309 inches of cooking space. Thus, you will have 1,060 inches of total cooking space when cooking in this smoker.

However, if you prefer the same reverse cooking technology but with a smaller-sized offset smoker, you can check out the highland reverse smoker.

To top it up, this black horizontal charcoal smoker boasts a heavy-duty steel construction with sturdy wheels to move around. Also, it has two storage shelves to hold your barbeque tools and food.


Oklahoma Reverse Flow Offset Smoker Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Even smoke and heat distribution for perfect food doneness
  • Multiple dampers to control the heat in the smoking chamber
  • Large main and firebox cooking space
  • Offset smoker or reverse flow offset smoker options
  • Heavy-duty construction that is free from rusting and warping
  • Durable and easy to clean rust-resistant grill grates
  • Two storage shelves to store barbecue supplies
  • Cool to touch handles
  • Large, wagon-style wheels for portability
  • A large fuel basket that handles fire easily
  • Built-in thermometer to monitor internal temperatures
  • Large door for easy cleaning

Cons

  • Not smoke-tight, but you can solve this

Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Combo Smoker

oklahoma joe's offset smoker

All the above-mentioned smokers can either be used in direct cooking, indirect smoking, or both.

However, for the Oklahoma joe smoker grill combo, you can use it as a traditional charcoal smoker or grill or fire it up with gas for a quick sear.

One common feature of the longhorn combo and the above-mentioned smokers is their high-quality construction. Also, the smoker combo features high-quality cast iron grates, easy-to-adjust dampers, multi-temperature gauges, and ample storage space.

How about the cooking space of this smoker? The longhorn combo presents you with a massive cooking space of 1060 square inches. However, this space is split thrice:

● 375 square inches in the gas grill

● 375 square inches on the smoker side

● 310 square inches of grilling space in the firebox


Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Combo Smoker Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Large overall cooking space
  • Versatile: charcoal, smoke, and gas
  • Strong construction free from rust and warping
  • Large firebox for easy heat management
  • Separate firebox access door
  • Two lid-mounted probes to monitor cook temperatures
  • A rack to store barbecue supplies
  • Easy to clean the firebox
  • Cool-to-touch handles
  • Sturdy wheels for portability
  • Stylish Smoker
  • Good warranty

Cons

  • Split cooking space means you have lesser space per chamber

Comparison Table 1

Features 

Dyna Glo Bullet Smoker

Longhorn Combo Smoker

Dyna-Glo Vertical DGO1176BDC-D

Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Reverse Flow Offset Smoker

Construction

Heavy-gauge steel construction

Heavy-gauge steel construction

Heavy-gauge steel construction

Heavy-gauge steel construction

Cooking grates

5

3

6

4

Total Cooking space

1382 square inches

1060 square inches

1176 square inches

1060 square inches

Fuel type

Charcoal and wood chips

Charcoal, wood chips, and gas

Charcoal and wood chips

Charcoal and wood chips

Reverse flow system

Not available

Available

Not available

Available

Cell

Comparison Table 2

Features 

Dyna-Glo Barrel and Offset Smoker

Oklahoma Joe Highland

Dyna Glo Electric Smoker

Highland Reverse Flow Smoker

Construction

Heavy-gauge steel construction

Heavy-gauge steel construction

Heavy-gauge steel construction

Heavy-gauge steel construction

Cooking grates

3

3

4

3

Total Cooking space

730 square inches

900 square inches

732 square inches

900 square inches

Fuel type

Wood chips and charcoal

Wood chips and charcoal

Electricity and smoking wood

Wood chips and charcoal

Reverse flow system

Not available

Not available

Not available

Available

Cell

FAQs

1. Can you use pellets in a Dyna-glo smoker?

Dyna glo smoker doesn't have a pellet hopper or feeder. So if you have to use pellets in your smoker, you will have to add them manually.

2. How good is the Dyna Glo smoker brand?

Dyna-glo is one of the best-selling brands in the barbecue market today. A Dyna grill smoker will give you value for your money, good construction, and a large cooking space.

3. How do I clean my Dyna Glo smoker?

Use hot or warm water with a mild soap solution to clean the grill and parts, then rinse with warm water. Remember to clean ashes from the bottom pan after every cooking session to prevent flare-ups.

4. Can you cook on a dirty grill?

Cooking on a dirty grill is highly discouraged. The grease and grime build-up can produce nasty flareups or full-brown fires. Also, the meals cooked on a dirty grill are not appealing, nor do they have a good flavor.

5. Is Oklahoma Joe and Char-Broil the same?

Joe Davidson sold Oklahoma Joe company to Char-Broil in 1998. So, the modern-day Oklahoma Joe combines innovations from Joe and Char-Broil.

Conclusion

In the above reviews on Dyna glo vertical offset vs Oklahoma joe smokers, we have seen detailed features of these brand offerings and how they compare. So, you can buy the one that pleases you most.

But if you are particularly looking for a smoker with massive cooking space, you can choose between: 

1. Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D (bullet-shaped vertical offset smoker)

2. Longhorn Combo Smoker

3. Dyna-Glo Vertical DGO1176BDC-D smoker

4. Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Reverse Flow Offset Smoker

On the other hand, if you want a smaller smoker grill, maybe for a limited backyard or budget, you can choose either of the below smokers:

1. Dyna-Glo Barrel and Offset Smoker

2. Oklahoma Joe Highland regular smoker

3. Dyna Glo Electric Smoker

4. Highland Reverse Flow Smoker

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