Home smoking has grown in popularity in recent years, with more and more people entering the world of smoking meats and vegetables from the comfort of home.
There are two main types of smokers to consider for the home pitmaster: pellet smokers and offset smokers. But how do they differ, and which is the best grill for you?
We asked three grilling experts for their thoughts on pellet grills vs. offset smokers. Here’s what they told us about both options' flavor, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.
What are offset smokers, and how do they work?
Offset smokers are considered the more traditional type of smoker. According to Shannon Snell, pitmaster at Sonny’s BBQ, “The offset, which is very popular in the Midwest and Texas, is a medium to large chamber smoker, with the heating hot box offset to the side. Wood and charcoal are placed into the heating box, and temperature is controlled by oxygen vents attached to the heating box.”
The location of the fuel box next to the cooking chamber lets the smoke and heat cross over the food, imparting it with a distinct smoky flavor before venting the smoke through a chimney.
“Offset smokers tend to deliver the best and most even flow of smoke to both proteins and vegetables”
“Offset smokers tend to deliver the best and most even flow of smoke to both proteins and vegetables, and they generally are heavy-duty and last a long time,” Snell says.
Daniel P. Craig, founder and editor in chief at Kitchen Deets, appreciates the authentic flavor of food cooked in an offset smoker. “The offset produces that deep, complex smoke profile I love in authentic barbecue,” he says. “It offers versatility with multiple cooking zones and can achieve both low-and-slow and high heat. However, tending it requires vigilance.”
Some of the top offset smoker brands include Traeger, Oklahoma Joe’s, Lone Star Grillz, Weber, and Dyna-Glo.
What are pellet grills, and how do they work?
Pellet grills have a more modern design and are simpler to operate. “A pellet grill combines convenience with flavor—offering push-button temperature control that's maintained automatically,” explains Craig. "It's become my go-to for weeknight smoking.” This type of smoker is also easier for a novice to learn.
“These smokers are made of high-grade durable steel and are powered through electricity only,” explains Snell. “Compacted pellets made of sawdust are poured into a box attached to the smoker chamber. These pellets are then pushed through an electric auger into a heating pot at the bottom of the smoker chamber that heats the grill. This allows for both direct grilling and smoking.”
"It's become my go-to for weeknight smoking”
However, pellet grills don’t quite provide the same flavoring to meats and vegetables—and they can be more finicky than offset smokers. “I've found it produces milder smoke flavor than my offset, and I miss the temperature extremes needed for certain techniques,” says Craig. “When the electronics failed once, I was completely out of commission.”
The best pellet grill manufacturers include Pit Boss, Traeger, Weber, Char-Griller, Camp Chef, and Grilla Grills.
Flavor
Both types of smokers add a smoky flavor to food, but the type of smokiness is slightly different. While pellet smokers have a “clean smoke” flavor, offset smokers have a more traditional smoke flavor.
“The difference is substantial,” says Craig. “My offset creates that pronounced smoke ring and bark that competition judges look for. Pellet smoke is cleaner and lighter—perfect for salmon or chicken where I want subtle smoke, but not always sufficient for traditional brisket or ribs.”
The flavor can also differ based on the type of wood used to produce the smoke. According to Danielle “Diva Q” Bennett, world champion pitmaster and Traeger ambassador, “Both pellet grills and offset grills provide delicious wood-fired flavor. Depending on the wood used, an offset can provide a deeper wood flavor but can also be bitter, depending on the knowledge and skill set of the pitmaster.”
Snell agrees. “Charcoal and offset smokers are the purest form of BBQ flavor,” he says. “Both the smoke from the wood and the charcoal are very hard to replicate when paired together.”
Winner: Both types of smokers produce a rich flavor, but offset smokers create a more traditional smokiness preferred by professional pitmasters.
Ease of use
Though offset smokers are the choice for pros, they’re not always the easiest to operate. “A pellet smoker is the closest thing that might resemble a household oven as it is ‘set it and forget it,’ making it user-friendly,” says Snell.
Craig agrees. “Pellet grills win decisively,” he says. “I can set mine and attend to other kitchen tasks while it maintains temperature.”
Pellet grills are also easier to clean than offset smokers. “Overall, cleaning a pellet grill is typically easier due to the design of the ash and fat catcher and the indirect nature of the grill setup,” explains Bennett. “Also, the ability to use tray liners for ease of cleanup adds to the simplicity.”
Offset smokers are much higher maintenance, though professionals often think they are worth the extra work. “My offset requires constant attention, fire management, and significantly more cleanup,” says Craig.
Offset smokers also require more hands-on maintenance. “A firebox on an offset can be messy, filled with ash, and difficult to clean out continuously,” says Bennett. “The grates can also be extremely heavy and cumbersome to clean. The body of the offset sometimes needs to be scraped down to remove fats that settle in the barrel of the body as well.”
Winner: Although both types of smokers have a learning curve, pellet grills are much easier for beginners to manage than offset smokers.
Price and ongoing cost
Smokers can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Generally, offset smokers are cheaper to buy and maintain—but the time commitment needed to master this type of smoker might push you toward a pricier (but easier to use) pellet grill.
“Quality entry-level pellet grills start higher than comparable offsets, but pellet consumption costs less than the charcoal and wood chunks needed for my offset,” explains Craig. “Considering the time investment, pellets are more economical unless you truly enjoy the process as I do.”
Pellet smokers have more internal parts than offset smokers, and if they need to be replaced, your long-term costs can be much higher. “[Offset smokers are] heavy duty and have no electrical parts that need to be replaced,” he says. “Unfortunately, pellet smokers have electrical parts that break, malfunction, and rust. Some of these parts are costly to replace and/or fix.”
Although offset smokers typically start at a lower price point than pellet grills, they can also be significantly expensive. “An average simple offset is initially typically a lower-cost option,” says Bennett. “However, there are many high-end offsets now that have thicker steel, professional high-temperature paint finishes, and added accessories.” Opting for a higher-end model will push your initial costs up quickly.
Also consider fuel costs when making your decision. “The availability of a consistent good wood source is also a point that needs to be considered when making pricing decisions,” Bennett explains. Ultimately, she recommends pellet grills for most amateur smokers. “For a straight out-of-the-box experience, a moderately priced pellet grill will actually be more cost-effective,” she says. “The learning curve is shorter. The consistency of the end product is higher. [And] the availability of pellets is easier.”
Winner: Pellet grills have a lower initial price than offset smokers, though high-end models of both can cost thousands of dollars.
For the best of both worlds, you can purchase a griddle insert for a grill. However, there’s no option to buy a grill insert for a griddle.
Winner: Grills are typically the more cost-effective option.
Making your decision
Ultimately, only you can decide whether to choose a pellet grill or an offset smoker. Offset smokers have a purist appeal and are big in the pitmaster community. Pellet smokers offer a modern convenience that is better suited for beginners or people who don’t have the time to monitor fire temperature.
Even though pitmasters favor offset grills, many still use or recommend pellet grills—especially for those who don’t have much free time. If you’re busy with a demanding job or a young family, a pellet grill is your best option. But if you have spare time to dedicate to cooking, consider an offset grill.
Which should you buy?
Pellet grills and offset smokers each have their share of pros and cons. Pellet smokers are easier to use but don’t quite add the same smokiness to foods.
Offset smokers are trickier to operate, but will make your food taste like it’s been smoked by a pro. Either option can produce excellent results with the proper technique.
Before making your final choice, consider your priorities and smoking goals to see which type of smoker is best for you.
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