Oklahoma Joe's® Highland Classic Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill

Went together easily. Works great completely stock, but since I have done a few mods, all of which the smoker is friendly to. It would be nice to see the temp gauge positioned closer to main rack, and maybe the smoke stack repositioned lower as well.

I am enjoying using the Oklahoma Joe's Highland smoker and the great BBQ it produced this weekend -- baby back ribs and chuck roast. I upgraded from an electric vertical pellet smoker to the Highland. The flavor of the food coming off the Highland is noticeably better than my old pellet smoker. I realize that offset smokers produce a better smoke flavor but its not something you really understand or expect until you experience it. I thought the flavor of BBQ coming off my pellet smoker was great compared to using a chip box on my propane grill to smoke ribs or pork chops. Twice I smoked brisket on my pellet smoker but the smoke flavor of a chuck roast done on the Highland this weekend was far better than that of the brisket. Obviously, the brisket was juicier and more tender, but the smoky flavor from the beats the smoky flavor of a brisket done on a pellet smoker. My family agreed. I also realized before making the switch to an offset that fire management was a much more intensive process than the set it and forget it of a pellet smoker (save some spritzing). I have used charcoal briquettes in combination with hickory or oak wood in my Highland. I used hickory chunks first with the ribs. The fire management seemed much harder with wood chunks than with oak splits used for the chuck roast. Maybe I used too many wood chunks at a time which caused the temps to run higher than I wanted. I did notice that it seemed like I was putting in more chunks about every 20 minutes. The oak splits seemed to produce a more sustained temp and obviously didn't burn up as fast as chunks, but I do think when I use up the rest of my briquettes I'm going to switch to lump charcoal and see what the overall results look like over the duration of a cook.

I have one really big gripe. I paid an extra $96 for assembly, to be arranged by Angi's List. Walmart scheduled deliver of the smoker on June 9 and they scheduled assembly on June 10. The smoker arrived on June 12 and my wife and I assembled it on June 13. It was an enormous hassle getting the assembly cancelled and getting a refund for the $96. I finally got it. Assembly was a little challenging (we are old) but we got it done. I haven't been feeling well so it will be August before I smoke any meat. I am sure it will work well. There are quite a few accessories, and you probably need some of them. I got a gasket that helps seal the doors. I got a little bucket with disposable liners to catch the grease drippings - the smoker would be unusable without that. I got a cover that is custom made to fit it, and it is very nice. I got a fire box to hold the charcoal and wood in the fire chamber, I have seen it recommended. Some people recommend a smoke stack lowering kit that picks up exhaust down by the grill. It would be nice if the smoke stack was just designed to get the exhaust lower.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Make sure you do your research before you get this grill. By itself, it's not bad at all. But if you get the gasket kit and the exhaust kit, it works much much better! Overall, it's a great little grill!

Great offset smoker and doubles at a grill. Very easy to use a great fire box to sear and grill

Had one for years, just purchased a new one…fantastic as ever!

My third smoker, and my first Oklahoma Joe…very happy with quality, great assembly instructions/video, and first smoke with food turned out great!

Great Pit! easy to build and easy to move around with the heavy duty wheels it comes with.

The grill arrived on time, however the box looked like it had been hit with a forklift and was pretty beaten up. I am less than impressed with the shoddy welding on the firebox. The delivery company sent me a bill for shipping, despite Walmart listing the item as “Free Shipping.” Walmart customer service handled that issue for me. The poor manufacturing and shipping issues are not Walmart's problem, and they did handle the shipping bill issue quickly. I can recommend buying from Walmart, but would hesitate buying another Oklahoma Joe's product.

Smoker lid warped after cooking on it 2 times. Would not recommend product. Lid will not shut