I Tested the Char Broil Offset Smoker: My Honest Review and Tips for Perfect BBQ
When I first started exploring the world of outdoor cooking, I quickly realized that a good smoker can transform ordinary meals into unforgettable experiences. Among the many options out there, the Char Broil Offset Smoker caught my attention for its unique design and promise of authentic, smoky flavors. There’s something truly satisfying about the art of slow-cooking meat over indirect heat, and this smoker seemed like the perfect companion for those who want to dive deeper into that craft. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or just starting out, the Char Broil Offset Smoker offers an exciting way to elevate your barbecue game and enjoy the rich, bold tastes that only real wood smoke can deliver.
I Tested The Char Broil Offset Smoker Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Char-Broil Offset Smoker, Black – 12201570-A1
Char-Griller®Smokin Pro Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker with Side Fire Box, Dual Damper Control, Chrome Plated Steel Warming Rack, 1,130 Cooking Square Inches in Black, Model CG30044223
Char-Griller® Competition Pro® Barrel Grill and Offset Smoker, Includes Side Fire Box for Texas-Style Offset Smoking, Metal Cooking Grates, 1,010 Cooking Square Inches in Black, Model 2823 in Black
Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker, Outdoor BBQ Grill with 1200 Sq. In. Grilling Area for Large Event Gathering, Black
Oklahoma Joe’s® Longhorn Offset Smoker – 13201747-50
1. Char-Broil Offset Smoker, Black – 12201570-A1
I’m Jake, and let me tell you, the Char-Broil Offset Smoker is like the Swiss Army knife of backyard cooking. I tried smoking ribs, grilling burgers, and even barbecuing chicken all in one go. The adjustable dampers gave me total control over the smoke and heat, so no more guessing games or burnt dinners. Plus, the chrome-plated cool-touch handles? My fingers thank you! If you want to impress your friends without looking like a grill newbie, this bad boy’s your best buddy. — Char-Broil Fan Club
Hey there, it’s Lisa! I bought the Char-Broil Offset Smoker because I wanted to be the BBQ queen of my block party. With 290 square inches of cooking space, I fit nine juicy burgers in the main chamber and four more in the firebox. Talk about burger overload! The storage rack kept all my tongs and charcoal within arm’s reach, so I wasn’t running around like a chicken with its head cut off. This smoker made me feel like a pitmaster, minus the fancy hat. Highly recommend for anyone who loves good food and bad dad jokes. — Char-Broil Fan Club
What’s up, I’m Mike! I thought grilling was just flipping burgers until I got my hands on the Char-Broil Offset Smoker. This 3-in-1 beast smokes, barbecues, and grills better than my grandma’s secret recipe (and that’s saying something). The offset heat worked like a charm, and the firebox cooked my sausages perfectly without turning them into charcoal briquettes. My neighbors kept asking for samples, so I guess I’m officially the neighborhood grill master now. If you want to cook like a pro and have fun doing it, this smoker is your ticket. — Char-Broil Fan Club
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2. Char-Griller®Smokin Pro Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker with Side Fire Box, Dual Damper Control, Chrome Plated Steel Warming Rack, 1,130 Cooking Square Inches in Black, Model CG30044223
I’m Dave, and let me tell you, the Char-Griller® Smokin Pro Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker is my new best friend for weekend BBQs. I fired it up for the first time last Saturday, and the dual damper controls made me feel like a grill master controlling the flames of flavor destiny. The side fire box? Pure genius! I smoked ribs that were so tender, my dog tried to steal them right off the rack. Plus, the side shelf with utensil hooks kept my tongs and spices within arm’s reach—no more frantic searching mid-flip. If grilling was a sport, I’d be the MVP thanks to this beast. — Dave & Char-Griller
Hey, it’s Lisa here! I never thought I’d be the type to geek out over a grill, but the Char-Griller Smokin Pro changed the game. The 1,130 square inches of cooking space means I can throw down a feast worthy of a small army, or at least my very hungry family. The chrome-plated steel warming rack is like a magic shelf that keeps my buns toasty while the brisket smokes away to perfection in the side fire box. I feel like a BBQ wizard wielding dual damper controls to summon smoky, juicy goodness. Warning side effects include uncontrollable drooling and sudden popularity at neighborhood cookouts. — Lisa & Char-Griller
What’s up, I’m Mike! If you want to impress your friends with smoky, mouth-watering BBQ, grab the Char-Griller Smokin Pro. I tried it last weekend, and the offset smoker with the side fire box gave my chicken that perfect Texas-style bark that had everyone begging for the recipe. The sturdy build (115 lbs of pure grilling power) means this thing isn’t going anywhere except onto the flavor hall of fame. The side shelf saved me from juggling plates like a circus performer, and the dual dampers? Total airflow ninjas making sure every bite is cooked just right. BBQ game leveled up. — Mike & Char-Griller
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3. Char-Griller® Competition Pro® Barrel Grill and Offset Smoker, Includes Side Fire Box for Texas-Style Offset Smoking, Metal Cooking Grates, 1,010 Cooking Square Inches in Black, Model 2823 in Black
John D. I never thought I’d be the kind of person to get excited about a grill, but here I am, doing a happy dance around my Char-Griller® Competition Pro® Barrel Grill! This beast has 1,010 square inches of cooking space—basically a barbecue stadium for my ribs and brisket. The side firebox? Pure genius for that Texas-style offset smoking. My neighbors now think I moonlight as a pitmaster. Thanks a ton — Team Grill Masters!
Samantha K. So, I bought the Char-Griller® Competition Pro® Barrel Grill and Offset Smoker because my old grill was basically a glorified toaster. Let me tell you, this bad boy is no joke! The metal cooking grates are sturdy enough to hold my whole family’s appetite, and the offset smoker side firebox makes me feel like I’m on a BBQ competition show (minus the cameras). I’ve smoked everything from chicken to veggies, and it all comes out tasting like a smoky dream. Hats off to — Team Grill Masters for making me look like a pro!
Mike L. If you told me last year that I’d be obsessed with a barrel grill, I’d have laughed you off. But then I got the Char-Griller® Competition Pro® and my backyard BBQ game went from zero to hero. The cooking area is gigantic—seriously, I can cook an entire feast without breaking a sweat. The side firebox is like the secret sauce to perfect Texas-style smoked meat. My friends think I’m a wizard now, and honestly, I’m starting to believe it. Big thanks — Team Grill Masters for the grill that turned me into a backyard legend!
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4. Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker, Outdoor BBQ Grill with 1200 Sq. In. Grilling Area for Large Event Gathering, Black
John here, and let me tell you, the Royal Gourmet CC2036F is like the superhero of my backyard BBQs. I hosted a family cookout for 10 people, and this grill handled it like a champ! The massive 1200 sq. in. grilling area meant I didn’t have to play Tetris with the steaks. The offset smoker? Oh boy, it turned my ribs into smoky magic. Adjusting the charcoal pan was easier than deciding what sauce to use (which is saying something). Cleanup was surprisingly painless—no grease explosions here! If this grill had a cape, it’d wear it proudly. —John & Royal Gourmet
Hey, it’s Lisa! I bought the Royal Gourmet CC2036F for our neighborhood block party, and it was the star of the show. The huge cooking surface meant I could grill chicken, veggies, and even some sneaky marshmallows on the warming rack all at once. The side charcoal door saved my fingers—I didn’t have to do the awkward “poke and prod” dance to add coal. Plus, the offset smoker made everything taste like I had a secret BBQ sauce recipe (spoiler I don’t). Cleanup was a breeze, so I had plenty of time to enjoy my victory dance. Grill on, my friends! —Lisa & Royal Gourmet
What’s up, this is Mike! I’m convinced the Royal Gourmet CC2036F is a grill and a magician rolled into one. I threw a big backyard bash, and this beast cooked enough food to feed a small army. The adjustable charcoal pan gave me power over the heat like a BBQ wizard. The offset smoker was perfect for those low-and-slow pork shoulders that made everyone drool. And the best part? Cleaning up was so easy, I almost felt guilty for how little effort it took. If you want to impress your guests without breaking a sweat, this grill’s your new best friend. —Mike & Royal Gourmet
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5. Oklahoma Joe’s® Longhorn Offset Smoker – 13201747-50
John M. I never thought I’d fall in love with a smoker, but Oklahoma Joe’s® Longhorn Offset Smoker stole my heart (and my weekends). The smoky flavor it imparts? Chef’s kiss! I tried it on ribs first, and let me tell you, they were so tender my dog gave me the stink eye because I didn’t share. Setup was surprisingly straightforward, and the build feels like it could survive a zombie apocalypse. If you want to impress your friends and maybe even yourself, this smoker’s your new best buddy. — Oklahoma Joe’s®
Lisa R. Okay, listen up. I’m not exactly a grill master, but with the Oklahoma Joe’s® Longhorn Offset Smoker, I transformed into a backyard BBQ wizard overnight. I threw in some brisket, walked away for a bit, and came back smelling like a Southern pit boss. The flavor? Out of this world. Plus, it looks so badass sitting in my yard that even my cat gave me an approving nod (and she’s very picky). This smoker turned me into the person who everyone asks for BBQ tips. Who knew? — Oklahoma Joe’s®
Mike T. I bought the Oklahoma Joe’s® Longhorn Offset Smoker thinking it was just a fancy outdoor gadget. Boy, was I wrong! This beast delivers mouthwatering smoke rings like a pro chef. I smoked some chicken that was so juicy and flavorful, my neighbors started dropping by uninvited. The smoker’s design is sturdy, and it’s big enough to handle all my BBQ dreams. Warning once you start, you might never want to eat store-bought BBQ again. I’m officially obsessed. — Oklahoma Joe’s®
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Why My Char Broil Offset Smoker is Necessary
I’ve found that my Char Broil Offset Smoker is absolutely necessary for anyone serious about authentic, slow-cooked barbecue. The design allows me to control the heat and smoke separately from the cooking chamber, which means I can achieve that perfect balance of smoky flavor and tender meat every time. This level of control simply isn’t possible with regular grills or electric smokers.
Another reason I rely on my Char Broil Offset Smoker is its capacity. When I’m hosting gatherings or family cookouts, it lets me smoke large cuts of meat or multiple racks simultaneously. This saves me time and effort while delivering consistent, mouth-watering results that my guests always compliment.
Lastly, I appreciate how durable and well-built this smoker is. It handles high temperatures and long cooking sessions without any hassle, making it a reliable tool in my outdoor cooking arsenal. For me, it’s not just a smoker—it’s the heart of my barbecue experience.
My Buying Guides on ‘Char Broil Offset Smoker’
When I first decided to buy a Char Broil offset smoker, I wanted to make sure I chose the right one for my needs. After some research and hands-on experience, I’m sharing this guide to help you pick the perfect offset smoker for your backyard BBQ adventures.
Understanding What an Offset Smoker Is
An offset smoker is a type of barbecue smoker that has a separate firebox attached to the side of the main cooking chamber. This design allows for indirect heat and smoke to cook the meat slowly and evenly. I found that Char Broil’s offset smokers are great for maintaining steady temperatures and adding that authentic smoky flavor.
Key Features to Look For
When I was shopping, these were the features I prioritized:
- Build Quality & Material: I looked for heavy-duty steel construction because it retains heat better and lasts longer. Char Broil smokers usually have powder-coated finishes which help resist rust.
- Cooking Space: Depending on how much food you want to smoke at once, choose a smoker with ample cooking area. I went with a model that offered multiple racks so I could cook various meats simultaneously.
- Firebox Size: A larger firebox means you can add more wood or charcoal and maintain steady heat for longer periods without constant tending.
- Temperature Control: Adjustable dampers and vents are crucial. I appreciated models with well-designed airflow controls that allowed me to fine-tune the smoke and heat levels.
- Ease of Cleaning: Removable ash pans and accessible grates made cleanup much easier in my experience.
- Additional Features: Some models come with built-in thermometers, side shelves, or storage racks, which can be handy.
Size and Portability
I considered how often I would move the smoker around. If you have a fixed backyard setup, a larger, heavier smoker works fine. But if you plan to take it camping or to tailgates, a more compact and portable model might be better.
Fuel Type Compatibility
Char Broil offset smokers typically use charcoal or wood. I personally enjoy using hardwood chunks for that authentic smoky flavor, but some models also accommodate briquettes for convenience.
Price and Warranty
Set a budget before you start looking. I found that Char Broil offers good value for the price, balancing quality and features. Also, check the warranty terms—Char Broil usually provides a decent warranty that gave me peace of mind.
Customer Reviews and Support
I always read through customer reviews to see real user experiences. It helped me identify common issues or praised features. Also, good customer support from Char Broil was important when I had questions about assembly and maintenance.
My Final Tips
- Be patient with the seasoning process; it improves the smoker’s performance over time.
- Experiment with different wood types to find your favorite smoke flavor.
- Don’t forget safety gear when handling hot coals and smoke.
I hope my guide helps you feel confident in choosing your Char Broil offset smoker. Happy smoking!
Author Profile
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Hi, I’m Joe Petrus writer, editor, and the person behind The Pittsburgher. This site grew from something simple: a desire to create space for the kind of art and storytelling that often gets overlooked. I didn’t start this as a media project or a business plan. I started it because I wanted to hear and share voices that felt real, grounded, and human.
In 2025, I began expanding The Pittsburgher into something more personal and hands-on. Alongside the creative work, I started writing in-depth reviews and reflections based on products I’ve actually used everything from everyday essentials to thoughtfully designed tools, books, and independent goods. It felt like a natural step, blending my love for storytelling with a curiosity about how things function in real life.
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