Oklahoma Joe's Highland Classic Offset Smoker & Grill vs Char-Griller Competition Pro Offset Smoker
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Quick take: The Oklahoma Joe's Highland Classic Offset Smoker & Grill costs $20 less; the Char-Griller Competition Pro Offset Smoker offers more cooking space (720 vs 616 sq in).
| Spec | Oklahoma Joe's Highland Classic Offset Smoker & Grill | Char-Griller Competition Pro Offset Smoker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$430 | ~$450 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Offset Smoker | Offset Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 616 sq in | 720 sq in |
| Max Temp | — | 450°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood/Charcoal | Wood/Charcoal |
| Build Material | Painted Heavy-Gauge Steel with Porcelain-Coated Grates | Steel with Expanded Metal Grates |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | No |
| Dimensions | 59 x 33.5 x 52.8 in | 66.3 x 33.1 x 52.8 in |
| Weight | 156 lbs | 151 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | — |
Pros & cons
Oklahoma Joe's Highland Classic Offset Smoker & Grill
- ✓A genuine offset layout — the firebox sits beside the chamber and draws across the meat, not a barrel with a decorative smokestack
- ✓616 sq in primary plus a 263 sq in secondary rack fits two packer briskets or four racks of ribs
- ✓Both the firebox and the smokestack have adjustable dampers, so airflow is controllable from both ends
- ✓Removable ash pan lets you clear the firebox mid-cook without opening the chamber
- ✓Cheapest way into offset cooking from a brand with a nationwide parts and warranty channel
- ✗Thin painted steel loses heat fast — expect a wood consumption rate two to three times a quarter-inch pit
- ✗Leaky lid and firebox joints are standard; most owners add high-temp gasket and a baffle plate before the first serious cook
- ✗2-year warranty is short next to the lifetime coverage on welded Texas pits at 3-4x the price
- ✗Lid-mounted thermometer reads dome temperature, not grate temperature, and is typically 20-30°F off
- ✗156 lbs on thin wheels — movable on a patio, awkward on grass or gravel
Char-Griller Competition Pro Offset Smoker
- ✓720 sq in primary beats the similarly-priced Oklahoma Joe's Highland Classic by over 100 sq in
- ✓Side firebox is included in the price, unlike most Char-Griller barrel grills where it is a separate $99 part
- ✓Insulated body helps a thin-steel pit hold temperature better than its gauge suggests
- ✓Expanded metal grates shed grease better than porcelain wire and are easier to scrape
- ✓Dual dampers front and stack for real airflow control
- ✗Home Depot exclusive — no Lowe's, no Walmart, and limited options if you want to see one before buying
- ✗Char-Griller does not publish a steel gauge for it, which usually means it is thin
- ✗Only 3.1 lbs of charcoal capacity in the firebox, so long cooks mean frequent refuelling
- ✗Char-Griller does not list a warranty term on the product page
- ✗Rated to 450°F — fine for smoking, marginal for searing