Best Offset Smoker Under 500
For me, nice and juicy smoked meat is an essential holiday dish. Well, holidays call for large gatherings. It can get quite difficult to stop oneself from devouring freshly smoked steaks. If you are used to hosting grand holiday meals then you must have an offset smoker to make your job easier. These smokers are available in different price ranges, but you have to be careful before buying one as you can make a huge mistake by getting a futile smoker instead of an affordable one.
There are many affordable yet efficient offset smokers in the market that many pitmasters swear by. It is high time that you should replace your box smoker with an offset smoker. You can make a large amount of meat without wasting much time, effort, and money. If you compromise quality and performance for the price, then you will have to suffer a lot as you will not have the taste you want. Here are some of the best offset smokers under $500 to give you a classic smoky flavor.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AUTHOR,s CHOICE
|
Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker
|
9.8
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
|
Best Vertical for small area
|
Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
|
9.8
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
|
Best heavy duty vertical
|
Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D
|
9.7
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
|
Best Small
|
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker
|
9.4
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
|
Best long handles
|
Char-Broil 12201570-A1 Offset Smoker
|
9.3
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
|
Best Pellet
|
Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2022 Upgrade Grill & Smoker
|
8.9
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
|
Best Value smoker
|
PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill
|
8.7
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
Best Offset Smoker Under 500
1 – Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker
Specifications:
- Build: Stainless steel
- Power Source: Charcoal
- Number Of Cooking Grates: 6
- Per Grate Capacity: 11.3 kilograms
The most obvious thing to experience when it comes to cheap offset smokers is that you will have rusty grates and easily sticking meat. This will not only damage your taste buds but also hampers your health too. Luckily the Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker offers you both affordability and efficiency together. The primary reason for pitmasters to choose offset smokers is to have the convenience to cook large amounts of smoked food.
The Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe’sOffset Smoker offers a total cooking surface of 900 square inches. It has two cooking spaces, the primary and secondary ones. The Primary cooking space is dedicated to smoking only and has a cooking surface of 619 square inches. In contrast, the secondary cooking space consists of a grill in the firebox chamber having a cooking surface of 281 square inches. So, now you can present grilled and smoked dishes to your family at the same time.
The Oklahoma joe comes with multiple dampers which are adjustable, so you can open them if you want to lower the temperature inside the main chamber without removing the fuel in the firebox. Similar to the barbeque pellets that Charbroil has been offering since 1987, these smokers by the company provide a nicely regulated smoking chamber to provide you with the classic flavor.
- Spacious chambers
- Easy-to-clean grates
- Smoking and grilling
- Temperature variation
My Review
The Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker truly deserves to be at the top of the list as it has been working efficiently for me for more than four years. This is quite impressive for such an affordable offset smoker. The grates are in the best condition and with the help of proper cleaning procedures there are not many visible scratches on the grill or cooking grates. You don’t have to use harsh cleaning chemicals on it after a fun BBQ party with your family.
2 – Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
Specifications:
- Build: Stainless steel
- Power Source: Charcoal
- Number Of Cooking Grates: 6
- Per Grate Capacity: 11.3 kilograms
Dyna-Glo offers its users a smoker in two sizes, a standard and a wider one. When it comes to offset smokers I always go for a wider one, because why would one want a smaller cooking space when you get more at such an affordable price? This offset smoker helped me in presenting a smoked platter filled with various meat portions, ribs, vegetables, and sausages. This offset has many different racks which can be filled with different sizes and types of food.
The Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker is best for charcoal lovers as you don’t have to get wood pellets. The firebox comes with a basket that is enamel coated, so you don’t have to think much about scrubbing. The charcoal pieces will stay in the basket and get easily burned together, so you don’t have to keep on checking. Just stack the basket, put it in, and let the burner do its job. The fire chamber provides the smoke to the main chamber.
When I had a first look at this offset chamber by Dyna-Glo, I was not much impressed as the outer body seemed a little thin to me in comparison to Oklahoma Joe’s Smoker. But the flavor and control that this smoker offers are hard to find. There are two dampers. One on the side and one at the top. You can close both if you want to increase the temperature or want to seal in the smoke.
- Control
- Removable ashtray
- Sealant around the door
- Non-mobile
My Review
The Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker has a temperature gauge that is made up of stainless steel and is resistant to mildew, so you can check on your smoker’s inside condition on every step. There are six cooking grates that can be adjusted. The top one can have a temperature of 240 Fahrenheit. Whereas the lower grate can have a temperature of about 225 Fahrenheit. There is one, specially designed for smoking mouth-watering ribs.
3 – Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D
Specifications:
- Handle: Cool touch spring grip
- Style: Vertical Offset
- Charcoal Tray: Removable
- Additional Feature: Sausage hook
When I hear of an affordable offset smoker with a large cooking capacity, then the first brand that comes to my mind is Dyna-Glo. Each smoker manufactured by Dyna-Glo comes with a spacious cooking chamber. Because of the vertical offset design, it doesn’t seem to provide much, but when you open the main chamber there are 5 cooking grates. These cooking grates are covered by chromium which allows the food to be cooked on a non rusty, durable, and non-stick medium.
TheDyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Charcoal Smoker is the best-offset smoker for under 500$. I usually struggled to store the horizontal offset smokers that I had previously, but with the help of this smoker, I can easily move it to my store room when I am done. The main vertical chamber is connected to a smaller side chamber. The main chamber has no fuel source. The side chamber plays the function of a firebox and griller at the same time.
There is a sliding tray that can be filled with briquettes and the grilling grate lies on the top of the tray. You can put skewers or steak on it while your smoker is cooking other things that you have stuffed it with. The total cooking surface of the Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Vertical Offset Smoker & Grill is 1382 Square Inches. The main chamber door, grill door, and fuel tray all have cool touch spring handles. You don’t have to fear burning your fingers.
- Affordable
- Removable Charcoal Tray
- Space saving
- Dampers
My Review
The Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker is a user-friendly offset smoker. You can take the charcoal tray out, dump the ashes in a bin, and put it back again. There are six sausage hooks at the top of the main vertical chamber. The Temperature Gauge indicates when the inside chamber reaches the smoke zone. This is an indication that the smoker is now perfect for flavor infusion.
4 – Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker
Specifications:
- Cooking Surface: 811 Square inch
- Charcoal Pan: Dual level
- Workspace Table: Front and Side
- Charcoal Pan Capacity: 2 Kilograms
Not everyone has a big family. If you want an offset smoker which is just right enough to help you enjoy your weekends, then you can try the Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker. This smoker is best for entertaining your guests with a nice burger party. Your guests can join you too in grilling a patty of their own. This smoker comes with quite a large workspace. You can smoke your meat and veggies and make them rest on them.
The main chamber of the Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker is not similar to the previous three. It was an eyebrow-raiser for me as the grate of the main chamber was right above the charcoal pan. It seemed to have a grill-like construction rather than an offset smoker. But once you cook smoked meat on it all of your worries will be gone.
The charcoal level has two levels one is under the 443 Square inch cooking grate and the other one is a 184 square inch warming rack in the smaller chamber. You can adjust the distance between the grates and the charcoal pan as the charcoal pan is adjustable and its height can be changed. Both dual-level charcoal pans can carry 2 kilograms of charcoal, so you must have them in stock before you plan to make some smoked meat.
- Adjustable charcoal pan
- Double-level charcoal pan
- 2-kilogram fuel capacity
- Have to pay for the toolset
My Review
The Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker has an air vent on its left side and a workstation on the right and at the front. There is an extra warming rack with a porcelain coating just above the cooking grate. You can close the lid of the offset smoker and increase the height to have tender smoky meat. The air vent not only helps in reducing the temperature but also provides a passage for stirring up the charcoal to reduce flames.
5 – Char-Broil 12201570-A1 Offset Smoker
Specifications:
- Build: Stainless steel
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Weight: 17.2 Kilograms
- Dimension: 17.5 x 46.25 x 44.75 inches
If you have not found the best-offset smoker for you under 500 dollars budget, then the Char-Broil smoker might be the one. The previously mentioned offset smokers are not only affordable but provide you with large smoking chambers and high cooking capacity. Not everyone is a fan of big offset smokers. If you are too one of them then the Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Offset Smoker is just perfect for you.
This offset smoker has a slim and sleek design. There are two small wheels on its two legs which offer a wagon style of mobility. The two-wheeled legs of this smoker reduce instability and stop any kind of motion while you are cooking your food. The American-style offset smoker is a lightweight model and weighs around 17.2 kilograms.
The outer body of the Char-broil smoker is made up of black-colored steel. Whereas the inner material is made up of stainless steel, so the users don’t get tough stains from grease and burns. You can put your seasoning or marinating food on the workstation on the right. It has a total of 430 Square inch cooking surface.
- Minimalistic design
- Lid-integrated temperature gauge
- Damper to stoke the fire
- Slight leaking
My Review
The Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Offset Smoker has a cooking surface of 290 Square inches in the main offset chamber. The firebox also has a cooking grate that provides a cooking surface of 140 Square Inches. The firebox has a damper on its bottom side. You can open it to dispose of the ashes. The damper can be kept close while creating a smoke zone and can also provide a passage to stoke the fire.
6 – Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2022 Upgrade Grill & Smoker
Specifications:
- Color: Bronze
- Power Source: Electric, pellets, and liquified petroleum gas
- Temperature Range: 180 to 450 Degrees Fahrenheit
- Special Feature: Pellet feed system
Many pitmasters lose hope to find an offset smoker which is affordable and has modern technology. I had lost hope too. But not anymore as the Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2022 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker has made it possible for me to control my smoker and keep a check on my meat without even stepping out in the backyard. All I have to do is to turn it on, adjust the settings, toss the meat into it, and wait.
Wondering how it happens? You will enjoy smoking meat as never before as this offset smoker comes with a PID smoker and a digital controller. Instead of the manual temperature gauge that was provided in the previously mentioned offset smokers in the list, the digital display is easier to read and provides a more accurate reading. The Z GRILLS smoker is a hardwood pellet smoker.
This helps the users to select many different flavors of pellets as there are many options available in the market. The firebox consists of a loader. The pellets get to the feed system via a hopper. The automatic feed system includes an Auger. It carries the pellets to the firebox. There is a hot rod that is connected to electricity. The high voltage results in fire. There is an induction fan instead of a damper to stoke the fire.
- Mobile app connection
- Digital display
- Electric rod for ignition
- Slightly heavy
My Review
The Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2022 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker is connected to a mobile app. You can connect the smoker to an electric power source. Then turn the smoker on and close the lid. Let the pellets burn for 30 minutes. You don’t have to patiently open the smoker’s lid to see what’s going on inside as the app will show you the exact temperature. When your desired temperature is achieved, then place the meat. The drip tray will collect the juices released.
7 – PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill
Specifications:
- Control Board: Digital
- Cooking Area: 465 Square Inches
- Igniter: Automatic and Electric
- Inner Material: Stainless Steel
The PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill is similar in construction to that of the Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2022 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker. It is also a wood pellet smoker which comes with a fuel tray that needs to be loaded with flavored pellets. The smoke from these pellets will give an additional taste to the meat apart from the seasonings you use. You can even grill different things by placing them over the burning pellets in the offset chamber.
The PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill comes with a digital controller. You have to press the button to turn the power on and the dial needs to be rotated to set the desired temperature. The LED screen will show the temperature. The small box beside the offset chamber consists of the fuel chamber and feeder system. The hopper can hold 2.2 kilograms of wood pellets.
This offset smoker has a 200-watt automatic igniter. As soon as you press the power button, the igniter starts the fire. The temperature of this smoker can be set within a range of minimal temperature of 180 to a maximum temperature of 500 Fahrenheit. The PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill has two racks to help you place your food to be smoked evenly.
- Storage shelf at the bottom
- Integrated bottle opener
- Dual rack
- Heavier in comparison to the size
My Review
The PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill might be the last one on the list but my experience with this smoker is one to remember. It is like a complete package if you are hosting a small get-together in your garden for summer. You can make your burgers, keep the buns on the upper rack, and even open cold drink bottles to help your guest stay cool while the food is ready.
Buying Guide
Want to enjoy smoked meat that is juicy on the inside and nicely golden on the outside? No matter how many good skills you have as a cook, you will struggle to get what you want if you don’t have an efficient offset smoker by your side. Here is all that you need to know before buying an affordable offset smoker under $500.
Quality
The most essential thing that one can never miss out on while buying an offset smoker is quality. There are many brands out there that claim to provide quality but fail. The best quality offset smokers are those who have thicker bodies. If the metallic body is not heavy duty then there are chances that it will wear off in a few days.
If the steel used in making the smoker’s outer body is good, then its residence will be high and the smoker will be durable. The cooking grates and the firebox must have robust material coated over them like enamel and porcelain. This will provide a protective covering against hampering environmental factors like moisture, rust, and heat.
Temperature Maintenance
You cannot cook meat, especially in large portions. The off set smoker does not provide proper temperature maintenance. This depends on the placement of the fuel chamber, its connection with the offset chamber, smoke sealant, and material of the upper body. If the build of the smoker has leakage, then smoke will escape the chamber and as a result, the temperature inside will vary.
Mobility
Offset smokers are not small cooking tools. They are designed to smoke large amounts of food and usually have large cooking capacities. Once you have identified the cooking capacity that suits you, you will have to see whether the smoker can be moved easily or not. Offset smokers usually come in a wagon-style design. There are two wheels on one side, so you don’t have to drag or lift it while taking it out for a weekend party.
Build
Don’t get carried away with the cooking capacity as large capacity means large size. Larger offset smokers can get difficult to clean, store, and carry. It would help if you first looked for a place in your home that is suitable for placing the smoker. Then you should take the measurements of that place to help you standardize the dimensions of the smoker that you want. The smoker must not be larger than the space you have in your store as keeping a smoker outside every day is not possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Conclusion
Smoking meat and successfully infusing flavor into it is not just dependent on the pitmaster’s skills. You need to have an accurately functioning offset smoker to create the smoke zone. Not in the mood to spend a large sum of your hard-earned money? Here are some of the best offset smokers under 500 dollars to provide you with results similar to the high-end ones.
Looking for the Best offset smoker for 2024? Our expert reviews can help you find the right one