Which Smoker is Right for Me? An In-Depth Look at Offset, Gravity Feed, Reverse Flow, and Kettle BBQ smokers.

Smoker. It's a word that conjures up images of smoked meats, weekend gatherings with friends and family, good times and great food. There are so many smokers on the market these days, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. In this blog post, we will take an in-depth look at four popular smoker types: offset smokers, gravity feed smokers, reverse flow smokers, and kettle BBQ smokers. We'll discuss the pros and cons of each type, as well as recommend some models that are worth checking out. So whether you're a seasoned smoker enthusiast or just starting out, read on for all the information you need to make the perfect purchase!

Offset smokers are the most popular type of smoker on the market. They are also one of the most affordable, which makes them a great option for those just starting out. Offset smokers have a firebox attached to one side of the smoker, with the meat smoker chamber offset from that. This design allows for indirect heat to cook the meat, as well as giving it that signature smoky flavour. The downside to offset smokers is that they can be difficult to control temperature-wise, and they require more attention than other smoker types. But if you're willing to put in the effort, an offset smoker is a great way to get started in smoking meats!

We use and recommend our Flaming Coals Offset smoker. It offers a number of great features such as two separate 4mm thick doors, 3 temp gauges, 5mm round stainless steel food grates, 2 probe ports and a removable ash pan at the base of the firebox. 

Gravity-feed smokers are a newer type of smoker that is becoming increasingly popular. They are similar to offset smokers in that they have a firebox attached to one side, but the smoker chamber is gravity fed, meaning that the heat and smoke travel down through the smoker chamber before exiting the chimney. Gravity-feed smokers offer more control over the temperature than offset smokers, as well as being easier to use. However, they can be more expensive than offset smokers.

We offer a number of gravity feed smokes catering for all budgets big and small and are an ideal choice for those that would like more control over the smoke profile of their cook with the temp stability and convenience of a pellet smoker. 

Reverse flow smokers are another popular option and are similar to a regular offset smoker with the main difference being reverse-flow smokers have a plate or baffle inside the cook chamber that deflects the heat and smoke all the way across the cook chamber exiting up and back over the food before it exits out the chimney located at the firebox end. This design assists with maintaining even temps and eliminates hot spots so that you don't need to pay as much attention to where you place your meats inside the pit.

Check out our Oklahoma Joe Highland reverse flow smoker or if more space is needed then the Oklahoma Joe Longhorn is another great option.

Kettle BBQ smokers are the simplest type of smoker yet they are also extremely versatile. Kettle BBQ smokers have a charcoal basket in the bottom where you light your fire and can easily be set up for direct or indirect cooking. The main advantage of kettle BBQ smokers is their simplicity, they're easy to use and can be fitted out with many aftermarket options such as rotisserie kits. Kettle Kones etc.

We recommend our SnS kettle which offers some great features not found in competing brands and is amazing value for money. 

So which smoker is right for you? It depends on your needs and preferences. If you're just starting out, an offset smoker is a great option. If you're looking for more control over temperature, a gravity feed or reverse flow smoker might be a better choice. And if you're looking for simplicity, a kettle BBQ smoker might be the way to go. No matter what type of smoker you choose, we hope you enjoy smoking meats as much as we do! Thanks for reading!

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by: Michael Wilkie