Oklahoma Joe's Highland vs Char-Griller Dakota Offset Smoker
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Quick take: The Oklahoma Joe's Highland costs $20 less; the Oklahoma Joe's Highland offers more cooking space (619 vs 580 sq in); the Char-Griller Dakota Offset Smoker reaches a higher max temp (500 vs 400°F).
| Spec | Oklahoma Joe's Highland | Char-Griller Dakota Offset Smoker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$380 | ~$400 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (279) | — |
| Type | Offset Smoker | Offset Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 619 sq in | 580 sq in |
| Max Temp | 400°F | 500°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood/Charcoal | Wood/Charcoal |
| Build Material | Powder-Coated Steel | Powder-Coated Steel |
| 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 | 57 x 33 x 53 in | 60.2 x 31.1 x 52.4 in |
| Weight | 178 lbs | 141.1 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | — |
Pros & cons
Oklahoma Joe's Highland
- ✓It's the classic affordable entry into real stick-burning - you get authentic wood-smoke flavor that pellet grills can only approximate
- ✓Heavy-gauge steel construction holds heat better than flimsier offsets and gives it real durability for the price
- ✓619 sq in of primary space (900 total with the secondary grate) handles several racks of ribs or a couple of pork butts
- ✓The side firebox doubles as a charcoal grill, so it's a 2-in-1 smoker and grill
- ✓Multiple adjustable dampers and a usable temperature gauge give you the airflow control to learn fire management
- ✓At ~$550 it's the most accessible true offset, far cheaper than custom welded smokers
- ✓It teaches real BBQ skills - managing a wood fire is the heart of the hobby and this is the proven trainer
- ✓Tons of popular mods (sealing gaskets, baffle/tuning plates, a charcoal basket) inexpensively make it perform like a much pricier smoker
- ✗Out of the box it leaks smoke around the lid and firebox, so most owners add gaskets and sealant to control temps
- ✗The thin-by-offset-standards steel means big temperature swings between the firebox and far ends of the chamber
- ✗There's a real hot spot near the firebox - without a baffle/tuning plate, the firebox-side food cooks much faster
- ✗It demands constant attention - you feed the fire every 30-45 minutes and babysit vents, the opposite of set-and-forget
- ✗The factory paint and finish can rust, and the firebox warps over time with heavy use
- ✗Assembly quality control is inconsistent, with owners reporting warped doors and misaligned parts
- ✗It burns a lot of wood and charcoal, so fuel cost and prep per cook is high
- ✗The learning curve is steep - your first few cooks will likely have temperature struggles before you master the fire
Char-Griller Dakota Offset Smoker
- ✓141 lbs at $400 — noticeably more steel than the $450 Competition Pro, which matters for temperature stability on an offset
- ✓Firebox is sized for wood splits, not just charcoal briquettes, so it can be run as a true stick burner
- ✓580 sq in of main chamber holds two racks of ribs or a packer brisket without hanging
- ✓Rated to 500°F, so it doubles as a direct grill over the firebox
- ✓Sits between the $329 Smokin' Champ and the $729 Grand Champ, a gap the Char-Griller offset line previously had
- ✗Thin-gauge steel by offset standards — this is not a quarter-inch pit and will swing with the weather
- ✗Char-Griller does not publish a warranty term for this model, unlike the rest of the charcoal line's 5 years
- ✗141 lbs on two wheels means moving it is a two-person job
- ✗Stock gaskets and door fit on offsets in this price class leak; sealing it is part of the purchase