Best Offset Smokers Under $500 [September 2022]

In a Hurry? Our Top 3 Best Offset Smokers Under $500!

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Offset smokers are designed to cook food with indirect heat for low and slow cooking. Most of the offset smoker models work on a combination of wood and charcoal fuel and produce less ash. The essential features are type, dimension, temperature, capacity, and warranty.

Finding a great smoker takes time for deep research, so we provide you with a list of 10 Best Offset Smokers Under $500 that meet your requirements. There is no single feature that indicates whether a product is worth considering or not. To get a deep knowledge, lets dive into essential factors of the offset smokers describe in the following buying guide.

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Top 10 Offset Smokers

Product Name	Area
DynaGlo DGSS1382VCS-D	1382sq”	View on Amazon
Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D	1176sq”	View on Amazon
Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn	1060sq”	View on Amazon
Char-Griller E1224	830sq”	View on Amazon
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC	811sq”	View on Amazon
Char-Broil 18202076	584sq”	View on Amazon
Camp Chef DLX	573sq”	View on Amazon
Monument Octagonal	530sq”	View on Amazon
Z Grills ZPG-450A	452sq”	View on Amazon
Pit Boss PB440TGR1	440sq”	View on Amazon

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Which are the 10 Best Offset Smokers Under $500 in 2022?

1. Dyna-Glo Signature Series Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker

Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Smoker Specifications
Type	Vertical
Primary Area	1,098 sq. in.
Offset Area	284 sq. in.
Fuel	Charcoal
No. of grates	5
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	17 Gauge Steel
Grate Material	Chrome-Plated Steel
Weight	124 lbs

This Smoker opens the door to a new BBQ world with massive capacity and expands your culinary skills. It comes with pre-installed sausage hooks that provide additional flexibility while cooking.

It has grill zone and smoke zone indicators to show the ideal cooking temperature in a temperature scale. It is well suited to users who want to be able to go to a large capacity to serve a group of people different kinds of dishes like pork butt, sausages or bacon.

The cool-touch spring handles provide safe access to food. Its removable charcoal grates give you easy access to fuel and quickly dispose of ash from a removable ash pan.

2. Dyna-Glo Vertical Charcoal Smoker (DGO1176BDC-D)

Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Smoker Specifications
Type	Vertical
Primary Area	784 sq. in.
Offset Area	392 sq. in.
Fuel	Charcoal
No. of grates	6
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	17 Gauge Steel
Grate Material	Steel
Weight	57 lbs

The Dyna-Glo Vertical offset smoker is the top-selling Smoker that offers great value for money. It has a large capacity in the small and compact profile that doesn’t take up much space. This Smoker has six smoking racks stacked above one another and gives 1176 square inches of cooking space.

The offset design keeps the direct heat away from food for slow cooking. The high-temperature powder-coated steel unit has an adjustable chimney damper for easy heat control. The strong and sturdy legs hold a full smoker and two handles that make it easy to move.

The porcelain-enameled steel charcoal chamber keeps briquettes for improved burn efficiency. On the right side of the cooking chamber, there is a firebox and an effective rotary air intake damper. The slide-out ashtray is easy to dump the ash and keep clean.

3. Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Reverse Flow Smoker

Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Reverse Smoker Specifications
Type	Horizontal
Primary Area	751 sq. in.
Offset Area	309 sq. in.
Fuel	Charcoal
No. of grates	4
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	Heavy-Gauge All-Steel
Grate Material	Stainless-Steel
Weight	226 lbs

Oklahoma Joe’s reverse offset smoker is one of the best leading products in the market. It brings heavy construction for a more effective and sturdier build design. It provides great temperature control with high-quality dampers for easy use.

All-steel body construction of Longhorn Reverse design adds top-notch removable baffle plates for superior and consistent results. These baffles plates are four that sit below the cooking grate.

With your efforts, create the best-smoked meat with this well-developed Smoker; it makes things easy for you. Its in-built thermometer gives an accurate reading of the heat range inside the chamber. Achieve precise temperature control with well-designed dampers that can easily adjust.

You don’t get only reverse flow; you can even install a chimney at two different locations. Therefore, convert the Reverse Flow mode smoker into a traditional offset smoker, where you get more airflow for a cleaner burn.

4. Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro Charcoal Grill

Char-Griller Smokin Pro Smoker Specifications
Type	Horizontal
Primary Area	580 sq. in.
Offset Area	250 sq. in.
Fuel	Charcoal
No. of grates	2
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	Heavy-Duty Steel
Grate Material	Cast-Iron
Weight	117.5 lbs

The Char-Griller Smokin Pro is an affordable product that perfectly works for beginners. It comes in a good size with at least 25 hamburger patties, four whole chicken, and five full ribs. It gives easy access to add the coal or fuel without removing the entire grate.

It has an in-built temperature gauge on the upper side of the lid. There is a storage shelf on its lower side that holds bags of charcoal and makes a stable base between legs. Its 250 square inches side firebox gives Texas-style smoky flavor food.

This Smoker has sturdy and heavy steel construction along with a powder coat finish for long-lasting performance. Easily control high heat range with adjustable dampers and a fire grate that helps to sear marks on the meat.

5. Royal Gourmet BBQ Charcoal Grill & Offset Smoker

Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Smoker Specifications
Type	Horizontal
Primary Area	443 sq. in.
Offset Area	184 sq. in.
Fuel	Charcoal
No. of grates	2
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	Stainless Steel
Grate Material	Porcelain-Enameled Steel
Weight	54.2 lbs

Its front and side tables are ample workspace for seasoning and grilling tools within reach. The large side table also has three s-shape hooks to hang grill tools. It is designed with stable and durable two wheels for easy transport around your backyard, garden, or patio.

Adjust the charcoal pan either raise or lower to two different levels using two lifting handles to control the distance between charcoal and food for better grilling. This best offset smoker enables consistent grilling with the help of a side charcoal access door. Hence, slide the air vent to control the airflow and stroke fire if required.

Its swing-away chrome-plated warming rack keeps taste and temperature good, and it also defrosts meat quickly, aiding for fast BBQ. The double split cooking grates lock the juices, making meat more tender. It adds more convenience in refilling the charcoal without any hassle.

6. Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker

Char-Broil Bullet Smoker Specifications
Type	Bullet
Primary Area	584 sq. in.
Offset Area	–
Fuel	Charcoal
No. of grates	2
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	Stainless Steel
Grate Material	Porcelain-Enameled Steel
Weight	27 lbs

The Char-Broil 20 inches gives the flexibility to make most of the things that you want. With 584 square inches of cooking capacity, it allows you to expand your culinary skills over two-porcelain-coated grates. These grates are easy to clean and prevent food from sticking.

A removable ash pan collects ash and keeps it clean for long hours of cooking. Its high-quality door offers you easy access and allows you to manage the smoke flow through the entire cooking process. Its lid-mounted temperature scale is easy to understand and read. You can monitor temperature from inside the chamber.

The airflow control system on this smoker provides the setting of the internal cooking temperature to maintain a certain level as per need. Further, the durable porcelain-coated steel body stands against rust properties and keeps the durability of the appliance.

7. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill

Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Grill Specifications
Type	Pellet
Primary Area	573 sq. in.
Offset Area	–
Fuel	Wood Pellets
No. of grates	2
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	Stainless Steel
Grate Material	Porcelain-Enameled Steel
Weight	127 lbs

The DLX Grill brings easy and reliable smoke. The Generation 2 controller introduces smoke control and PID technology that is easy to control. With the help of a menu dial, the PID controller can achieve a consistent temperature between 160 F to 500F.

With the meat probes, you will have control over the temperature of your food. The digital display shows the heat level in a few seconds and what’s going under the grill lid, only you have to hit the meat probe on the hot spot every time.

After each cook on the grill results in the ashes from the burned pellets. For cleaning, you only need to pull a knob then ashes drip from the burn cup on the underside of the grill.

8. Monument Grills Octagonal Grill Smoker

Monument Grills DLX Grill Specifications
Type	Pellet
Primary Area	530 sq. in.
Offset Area	–
Fuel	Wood Pellets
No. of grates	2
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	Stainless Steel
Grate Material	Porcelain-Enameled Steel
Weight	101 lbs

The right amount of smokiness changes the taste of your food and raises the performance to a pro-level. The primary cooking surface is large enough for a couple of pork butts. Pellet grilling is the fastest-growing trend on the market, but Monument offers more accessible products at affordable prices.

Monument’s 530-square-inches Grill cooks meals with a distinct smoky flavour without the hassles of charcoal. It is big enough for a couple of pork briskets or butts. You can cook low and slow like a pro the first time and every time you cook by utilizing food-grade Pellets. The feeding system is designed to maintain a fixed temperature.

9. Z GRILLS ZPG-450A Grill & Smoker

Z GRILLS ZPG-450A Grill Specifications
Type	Electric
Primary Area	452 sq. in.
Offset Area	–
Fuel	Wood Pellets
No. of grates	2
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	Stainless Steel
Grate Material	Stainless Steel
Weight	84 lbs

Z Grills has the best features that give great value. It is the smallest and affordable pellet smoker with a solid build design for reliable performance. Its cooking grates are made from standard porcelain-coated cast iron. This coated finish material keeps it rust-free and easy to clean so that it won’t stick to food.

This grill has eight versatility to grill, roast, bake, braise, sear, barbecue, and smoke with incredible hardwood flavor. The Z-Grill 450A is strong enough for regular use and has wheels for easy movement along with a folding table that gives convenient addition. With PID technology, it holds the temperature consistently and gives outstanding cooking.

It offers space for holding three regular-sized chickens, 18 burger patties, or four racks of ribs. It uses less fuel that gives heat for a long time, and its hopper capacity is 15 pounds.

10. PIT BOSS Portable Folding Legs Pellet Smoker

PIT BOSS PB440TGR1 Grill Specifications
Type	Pellet
Primary Area	440 sq. in.
Offset Area	–
Fuel	Wood Pellets
No. of grates	2
Temperature Gauge	Yes
Construction	Stainless Steel
Grate Material	Stainless Steel
Weight	129.7 lbs

This may be the model for you if you’re seeking a versatile cooking grill that will allow you to experiment with various foods. It comes with three different cooking methods, all of which are equally effective. This smoker may also be used as an oven, which would save you a lot of money. If you wish to, you can vent smoke through the charcoal side.

This grill is not light, but it makes up for it with its durability and strength. You won’t have to worry about the machine falling apart because the lids and operational elements are well-made. Even if you aren’t a seasoned griller, this smoker and grill combo is simple to operate. Both chips and pellets will work in this smoker grill. The buttons and handles, like the rest of the grill, are well-made.

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How To Choose The Best Offset Smokers?

If you have seen numerous products of offset smokers in the market, you know that picking a best one under $500 is not an easy task. While choosing the suitable Smoker for your grilling and smoking, don’t get attracted by the striking look; instead, you have to look for features.

Different types of Offset Smokers

Traditional Smoker: These smokers are tested and tried extensively known as horizontal offset smokers that allow heat to enter the cooking chamber from one end. The heat passes the meat and exits the chamber through exhaust vents on the other end.

Reverse Flow Smoker: The working principle of this type of Smoker is different; it uses indirect heat that cooks food more evenly and provides a consistent cooking temperature. It offers efficient airflow for a clean burn.

What should you look for in the right Smoker? This is a common query that comes in every single time buying a product. It is very clear to make a purchase based on your requirements and convenience. There are some factors explained below that help in making a suitable choice.

High-Quality Material

The outer and inner body material decides the durability of the Smoker and how effective the Smoker is to manage heat range. The standard qualities are heavy-gauge steel or stainless steel stands with high temperatures or harsh weather conditions.

Another thing along with the material is the paint finishing that keeps the Smoker free from rust or moisture. The coating layer of the paint should be high-quality and would not be easily scratched or chip out. Hence the cover later preserves the Smoker from deterioration and improves lifespan.

Temperature gauges

Monitoring inside temperature is the most important part of cooking food in the slow and low smoking method. It is necessary to ensure the meat is smoked safely; therefore, temperature control needs attention. Mostly, the temperature dial is installed on the upper side of the dome or hood of the Smoker.

Size / Capacity

One of the real keys for finding the right Smoker is a size that provides cooking space. It is a measurement of the area where you can plan for cooking. Some models have separate main cooking chambers and secondary cooking grates.

For large family or gathering parties, large size smokers are efficient. Still, a small capacity smoker is enough for small groups or families instead of big smokers. On the other hand, a smoker with a maximum number of racks and massive smoking space meets your cooking needs for parties, camping, and tailgating.

In good models, you will find dread space between legs for storing cooking cutleries, utensils, cooking ingredients. There are hooks for hanging tools like knives, spatula, and more.

Seal & Dampers

The quality of cooked food is based on how well gaps in the exterior of the Smoker are sealed and how efficiently dampers work. The high-quality damping system makes the biggest difference in your barbecue sessions. For better heat retention and fuel efficiency, a good seal plays a great vital role.

Portability

Weight factor decides the portability of the Smoker for moving here to there. So, choose an offset smoker according to your preferences and situation. As we all know, offset Smoker has hundreds of pounds that can easily lift over high-grade wheels. That means you don’t have to worry about the movement of the grill or Smoker as the smokers come with wheels that offer excellent portability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the benefits of offset smokers?

1. It is perfect for cooking large amounts of food in central cooking chambers.
2. You can open the firebox to add fuel without escaping smoke and heat during the process.
3. It delivers the best result when working on a combo fuel of wood and charcoal.
4. Some models support grilling and give you 2 in 1 grilling and smoking options.

2. Are there any limitations of using an offset smoker grill?

1. Difficult to move for a single person; they are not lightweight and portable.
2. The offset smokers do not fit in small spaces with large sizes.
3. Don’t work in extreme cold weather conditions, high winds, and heavy rainfall.

3. Difference between grilling and smoking?

One of the biggest differences is the cooking time; grilling takes a short time and. On the other hand, smoking takes a long time, amounts to 3 to 15 hours, and gives a smoky taste.

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