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!
Table of Contents
Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Vertical Smoker Grill
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.
Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Dyna-Glo Vertical DGO1176BDC-D
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
Cons
Dyna-Glo Barrel and Offset 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
Cons
Dyna-Glo 30 Inches Digital Electric Smoker
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
Cons
Oklahoma Joe Highland
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.
Oklahoma Joe Highland Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Highland Reverse Flow 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
Cons
Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Reverse Flow Offset Smoker
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
Cons
Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Combo 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
Cons
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?
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