In the former, what you need to do is slide the metal plate according to how much hot air and smoke you need. In many other cookers, like a Weber kettle, where the water pan is along side the coals or at a distance, even if the air temp is 225°F, the water will not likely go above 180°F because it cools as it evaporates, a process called evaporative cooling. Most manufacturers include a water pan with an offset smoker. Learn to calibrate your offset smoker with a couple of dry runs. On the other hand, using wood is how you improve the flavor of the meat with added taste dynamics. Too much smoke would prompt you to partially or fully close the dampers, which will not only reduce the heat but also the smoke. Aside from being the heat and air exhaust, the chimney is also a great way of determining if you’re getting the good kind of smoke. Then, open the cooking chamber an rotate the meat. This is arguably the easiest part of the process if a bit tedious. It’s definitely not like electric smokers where you can just set the temperature and walk away. Don’t open the cooking chamber lid too much. What you have to do is open the lid, use the thermometer or probe, adjust the dampers accordingly, and rotate the meat to cook evenly. Royal Gourmet 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | 800 Square Inch cooking surface, Outdoor... Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Offset Smoker, Black,Standard, Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro 830 Square Inch Charcoal Grill with Side Fire Box, 50 Inch, Black, Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker. Location Of Pan In The Smoker. This arrangement will serve as your charcoal kickstarter. Do Some Practice Runs. Look at your surroundings, and remove anything that might be flammable. It’s harder to maintain constant heat in this type of smoker. In comparison, charcoal-only setups lack the enjoyment that comes with eating smoked meat that adds a taste of maple or oak or hickory that wood chips or chunks can offer. Place the container atop the firebox by using any grill grates you might have lying around to keep it from touching the charcoal and wood directly. So, while manufacturers are attempting to solve that problem, you might want to visit the store and pick up your thermometer or temperature probe. You’ll find the difference in heat distribution. Step-by-Step Guide to Use an Offset Smoker. Light the topmost layer and let it spread to the bottom. Pile this batch of charcoal on one side so that you can start the burning of the other side without having to stoke it. If you’re wondering which one is the best to use, the answer is simple: it’s both charcoal and wood. Take a look around the area where you want it to be. As soon as your firebox is all set up and ready to go, the next thing you’ll have to do is adjusting the heat by changing the airflow. Aside from a water pan, another thing you might want to use is a thermometer or temperature probe. Put it in the firebox in a pyramid shape. Before you jump into learning how to operate a horizontal offset smoker, you need to understand how it works. If you’re looking to get an offset smoker, you might be confused when your search also yields reverse flow smokers. These are only some of the questions you should consider before choosing an offset smoker. But another advantage of it is that it functions as another fuel source. For your first time, this might be touch and go process. I would say, in your case, to avoid placing it under the meat, as there will be quite a bit of air circulation in your offset smoker. Oklahoma Joe’s Smoker Review 2020: is This Smoker “OK”? Before you put the meat in, take the time to look at your chimney.