Researched comparisonLast updated October 2026 · How we review
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Quick Answer
The Oklahoma Joe’s Highland is our pick for serious smoking: it has the largest main chamber here at 616 sq in and the heaviest build at 156 lb. The Char-Griller Smokin’ Pro lists the most total cooking area at 1,130 sq in and the longest warranty on the hood and bottom. The Royal Gourmet CC1831S has the lowest price and the lightest frame at 52.9 lb.
- Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker and Grill: best for buyers who want the largest main chamber here, 616 sq in, on the heaviest build at 156 lb
- Char-Griller Smokin’ Pro Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker: best for buyers who want the largest listed total cooking area, 1,130 sq in, with 580 sq in in the main chamber
- Royal Gourmet CC1831S Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker: best for buyers who want a lighter offset grill at 52.9 lb with 824 sq in of total cooking area
Prices as of October 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT.
An offset smoker burns charcoal or wood in a side firebox and pulls the heat and smoke across the main chamber, which is how Texas style barbecue is cooked low and slow. We compared three charcoal offset smokers from Oklahoma Joe’s, Char-Griller and Royal Gourmet.
How We Chose
We picked three well-known grill brands that make a horizontal charcoal grill with a side firebox. They differ in size and build: the Oklahoma Joe’s and Char-Griller are full size units at 156 and 103 pounds, while the Royal Gourmet is a smaller, lighter barrel grill. The total cooking areas count different parts: Oklahoma Joe’s adds the main chamber and the firebox grate, Royal Gourmet adds the main grates, the warming rack and the offset smoker grate, and Char-Griller gives a total without a breakdown; its manual lists a warming rack and side firebox cooking grates. Specs come from each manufacturer’s own product pages and manuals. Each card lists the warranty from the manufacturer’s product page, manual or warranty page. Prices are the Amazon prices on the date shown.
The Lineup
Specs come from each manufacturer’s own pages and manuals. † Char-Griller Smokin’ Pro: Char-Griller lists 580 sq in primary and 1,130 sq in total without a breakdown; the manual lists a warming rack and side firebox cooking grates. ‡ Royal Gourmet CC1831S: the total adds 475.3 sq in of main grates, a 151 sq in warming rack and the 197.3 sq in offset smoker grate; size is length x width x height. Prices as of October 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Amazon may show a different seller than the brand or Amazon.com. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker and Grill
$374.94 as of Oct 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT on Amazon · Largest main chamber, heaviest build
Best for: buyers who want the largest main chamber here, 616 sq in, on the heaviest build at 156 lb
Oklahoma Joe’s page for the Highland, model 24203001, lists 616 square inches in the main chamber and a 263 square inch firebox grate, for 879 square inches in all. It is heavy-gauge steel with porcelain coated grates, weighs 156 pounds and measures 59 x 33.5 x 52.8 inches. Adjustable dampers on the firebox and smokestack control airflow, the firebox has a removable ash pan, and it rolls on two large steel wagon wheels. We like it for the thick steel and the room in the main chamber, which matter most for long cooks.
Warranty: 2 years on all parts
Check Price on Amazon →Char-Griller Smokin’ Pro Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker
$299.99 as of Oct 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT on Amazon · Most total area, longest body warranty
Best for: buyers who want the largest listed total cooking area, 1,130 sq in, with 580 sq in in the main chamber
Char-Griller’s page for the Smokin’ Pro, model CG30044223, lists 580 square inches of primary cooking area and 1,130 square inches in total, with cast iron cooking grates and chrome plated warming racks. It weighs 103 pounds and measures 59.8 inches wide, 29.5 inches deep and 51.2 inches tall. It has dual damper controls, a side damper, an adjustable charcoal grate, an EasyDump ash pan and the side firebox. We like it for the cooking space and the cast iron grates at a mid price.
Warranty: 5 years burn and rust-through on hood and bottom, 1 year on parts
Check Price on Amazon →Royal Gourmet CC1831S Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker
$139.99 as of Oct 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT on Amazon · Lowest price, lightest
Best for: buyers who want a lighter offset grill at 52.9 lb with 824 sq in of total cooking area
Royal Gourmet’s page for the CC1831S lists 824 square inches in total: 475.3 square inches of main grates, a 151 square inch warming rack and a 197.3 square inch offset smoker grate. It weighs 52.9 pounds and measures 51.3 x 27.95 x 46.85 inches. The Amazon listing describes porcelain coated steel wire cooking grates and a two level, height adjustable charcoal pan. We like it as a first offset smoker for a small patio at the lowest price here.
Warranty: 1 year
Check Price on Amazon →Our Take
Pick the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland if you plan long smokes and want the biggest main chamber and the heaviest steel. Pick the Char-Griller Smokin’ Pro for the most listed cooking space and a 5 year burn and rust-through warranty on the body. Pick the Royal Gourmet CC1831S if you want to try offset smoking on a smaller patio for the lowest price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an offset smoker?
An offset smoker has a firebox attached to the side of the main cooking chamber. You burn charcoal or wood in the firebox, and the heat and smoke travel across the food and out the smokestack, so the meat cooks by indirect heat. All three grills in this guide can also grill directly over charcoal in the main chamber.
How much food fits in the main chamber?
Oklahoma Joe’s lists 616 square inches in the Highland’s main chamber, Char-Griller lists 580 square inches of primary cooking area on the Smokin’ Pro, and Royal Gourmet lists 475.3 square inches of main grates on the CC1831S.
Why do the total cooking areas differ so much?
Each brand counts different parts. Oklahoma Joe’s adds the main chamber and the firebox grate for 879 square inches. Char-Griller lists 1,130 square inches in total without a breakdown, and its manual lists a warming rack and side firebox cooking grates. Royal Gourmet’s 824 square inches adds the main grates, a warming rack and the offset smoker grate.
How heavy are they?
Oklahoma Joe’s lists 156 pounds for the Highland, Char-Griller lists 103 pounds for the Smokin’ Pro, and Royal Gourmet lists 52.9 pounds for the CC1831S.
What warranty do they have?
Oklahoma Joe’s gives 2 years on all parts. Char-Griller gives 5 years against burn and rust-through on the hood and bottom and 1 year on the ash pan and other parts, and the grill must be registered to file a claim. Royal Gourmet gives a 1 year warranty. None of the three covers paint or surface rust.
