Let’s debunk a common myth: you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars for a high-quality offset smoker. The truth is, even if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of offset smokers to pick from if you love smoking all kinds of flavorsome food all year round.
Below you’ll find offset smoker brands we recommend as options for the best offset smoker under 1000, including one that lets you choose between traditional offset smoking and reverse flow smoking.
We shall later tell you what features you should look out for in the best offset smoker as you get ready for the next summertime smoking party.
Best offset smoker under 1000 – our top 3
Our favorite offset smokers under $1000 under will impress any big-time smoker of everything food seeking to buy a new smoker without spending a lot of money.
Of course, these aren’t the only choices on the market, but they’re the units we found to offer excellent value for less than you might think.
1. Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker
Priced to cater to budget shoppers, the Char-Broil Offset Smoker has no trouble holding its own against rivals costing 4X the price.
This isn’t a bare-bones smoker. Far from it. In fact, it’s a good size and has all the essentials you’d want in an introductory model including an easy way to control the heat and smoke.
More importantly, everything you smoke in there turns out great –Salmon, Bacon, Ribs, Burgers.. you name it!
There’s a “clean-out door” so it’s quite easy to clean out the ash and a steel fire grate whose height you can adjust.
Factor in that you can set it up as an offset Smoker or a Grill and — ding, ding, ding — we have an amazing find.
All in all, you’ll be glad to have saved the money with this, especially if you’re looking for a small starter offset smoker/grill.
Pros
- Amazing price.
- Quick to assemble.
- Lightweight and extremely portable.
Cons
- Not big enough to smoke delicacies like turkey.
2. Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn offset/ Reverse Flow Smoker
Any griller who can’t get enough of that smoky taste will find this a mouthwatering option.
First, you get to choose between offset smoking or reverse flow smoking – if you’re comfortable with both- thanks to the optional smokestack locations.
This is seriously all about yummy deliciousness- the 4 baffles (removable) direct heat and smoke perfectly and the food in the main chamber cooks so well. Plus, it’s large enough to smoke a large BBQ in case you want to have a constant supply throughout the day (the cooking surface measures 1060 square inches in total).
The charcoal basket is large too so it’s easier to tend to the fire. Besides, it allows you to stoke the fire even with the chamber lid closed. We also appreciate its wagon-style wheels, nice lid-mounted temperature gauge, and cool-touch handles.
Pros
- Assembly is easy-peasy.
- Very nice looking.
- Simplified ash removal.
Cons
- Firebox rails prone to rusting.
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3. Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Smoker Charcoal
It’s truly remarkable what manufacturers are able to pack into budget Offset Smokers these days.
A few years ago, it would have been unheard of to find a large capacity offset smoker with a wealth of fantastic custom cooking options such as this for less than $1000.
What Dyna-Glo provides with this professional standard vertical offset smoker is a high-performance unit, capable of delivering wonderful smoked flavor to your chicken, steaks, ribs, briskets, and more.
This got a full array of delights including brilliant heat control, a rack system for multiple meats, a super accurate wireless temp reader, front loading, and a side fire box.
The Dyna-Glo has plenty of other terrific features and it even allows you to adjust the flue to cook with more precision. In short, there’s nothing a pitmaster needs that this doesn’t offer in spite of its unbelievable pricing.
Pros
- Better airflow.
- Excellent temperature controls.
- Lots of room.
Cons
- Sheet metal somewhat thin.
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Best offset smoker under 1000 – buying guide
Even at less than 1000, you’re making a significant investment in the best offset smoker under 1000, so you want to get it right the first time. Here’s a quick look at some of the things to know (or do) when buying smokers:
1. Temperature control
This is huge – the most important factor hands down- in the smoking game. If you’re a smoking enthusiast who insists on serving meals on time, look for an offset smoker that makes regulating the temperature a breeze.
Not every affordable model will make you happy when it comes to temperature control so play your cards right here (Quality seals are, for instance, vital). Also bear in mind that very thin materials will not retain heat.
2. Bigger is better
Bigger = spectacular! Seriously (if you can afford it)!
First, there’s no telling when you might be holding a big party so a bigger food capacity is always welcome.
Plus, and this is a no-brainer, nothing can be pleasant as a fire box that’s a little bigger for longer cooks.
3. Good Materials, quality workmanship, and durability will always carry the day
Legs and parts such as shelf holders will break off if welded poorly so keep off cheaply-done welds.
Sticking with legs, you want them sturdy (together with the wheels and handles for worry-free portability).
Don’t forget to question the durability of the whole unit- including the metal, while still there.
Next, turn your attention to the paint- models coated with high temp resistant paint are preferred.
Overlook this and you’ll have yourself to blame when the paint bubbles and peels off exposing it to corrosion.
4. Considerations beyond temp, size, and build quality
Those are the big hitters of offset smoker buying, but a few other things are worth knowing about:
- Working surfaces and built-in storage: Where available, built-in tables, storage bins, and even cabinets for tongs, wood, etc. would be handy.
- Safety: Cool-touch handles and features such as locking wheels are good for the safety of the kids and pets.
- Easy access: Front-loading provides the easiest access to the shelves. Also check if the firebox is easily accessible.
- Accessories: Select nice extras such as rib hooks, extra racks, and the like.
- Ease of cleaning: It could be better if the design makes clean up easier as well.
Admittedly, some of our favorite offset smokers cost more than $1000 because they offer lots of convenient features and larger capacities, but there are some exceptions.
We have shared three of these special models above plus their pros and cons to help you make a quick decision. Over to you!
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