Burned $120 on a cheap offset smoker from a big box store

Thin metal warped after three cooks and I couldn't hold 225 to save my life. Anyone else learn the hard way that you're better off saving for a thicker gauge?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_thomas14d agoMost Upvoted

Brother, same thing happened to me with a chargriller from lowes. That thin metal was a joke, couldn't hold temp if my life depended on it. I ended up having to babysit that thing every 15 minutes just to keep it anywhere near 225. Finally gave up and grabbed a used weber smokey mountain off facebook marketplace, best decision i ever made. Those cheap offsets are basically just a waste of money unless you're ready to do some serious modding to them.

fox.derek14d ago

Those chargrillers really are hit or miss depending on the model. I picked up a used chargriller off Craigslist a few years back and honestly it holds 225 like a champ after I sealed the firebox door with some gasket tape. I think the key is getting the older ones made in Georgia before they moved production overseas. Mine's got 1/4 inch steel and it takes about 45 minutes to stabilize but once it does I can leave it alone for like two hours. I get that the thin ones are frustrating but I wouldn't write off all cheap offsets just yet.