The Offset Smoker

The offset smoker is a classic smoker design and one of the most popular out there. Food smokes in a long horizontal chamber while charcoal and smoke wood burn in a firebox attached to one side. Offset smokers feature shelves in the cooking chamber to handle multiple briskets, pork shoulders and racks of ribs. For maximum heat control and stable temperatures, look for offset cookers made of thick steel, which helps retain heat. They can also be heavy, so look for models with wheels or casters to move them more easily.