SC2162901-RG Rancher's Grill, Black

I hardly ever do reviews on the web but this product deserves one. Short version is this is an incredible value and if it's in your price range, order it. The longer version is that I've been looking and reviewing everywhere for an offset smoker for well over 4 months from the web to the big box stores to even custom built smokers. I finally decided on this item and had to wait a month or so because it was out of stock at the time. The wait was well worth it. When it finally shipped the schedule delivery was awesome and done by Pilot Freight. Once I started putting it together I was totally impressed with the quality. This smoker is made out of steel at least twice as thick as anything I could find unless I looked at custom smokers that would cost at least twice as much. I've seen a lot of reviews for other products where the pieces don't fit together that great but that doesn't seem to be a worry for this unit because it's so thick it doesn't get bent up any in shipping. In addition, the main chamber is ONE PIECE and not a top and a bottom that get put together. Everything fits great and the only sealing I needed was screw holes and where the firebox attaches to the main chamber (still only holes). The lids fit as close as I expected and only needed small amount of sealing there, too. To give you an idea of how sturdy this unit is, just one of the two main doors probably weighs 15-20 pounds alone. The firebox is a lot larger than I thought which will be great for the long smokes I have planned. Overall, if you're looking at some of the $300-$500 smokers out there they will not come close to construction of this unit. The most I saw in steel thickness was about 2mm (some less) but this unit is about 4mm and pretty much 'one-piece." I can see this lasting MANY years without rusting out. You'll probably still want to do the common mods but sealing it up won't be much trouble at all. This unit is probably a hundred pounds heavier than comparable smokers and feels more like a professional, custom unit than most of the other common ones out there. If it's within your price range then definitely go with this one. You'll be very satisfied if it gets to you the way mine did. The net is that this item will be everything you expect if you've done your research. I hope this helps and enjoy your new smoker, whatever you decide on!

Love this smoker/grill. Perfect for how I cook. The only reason I couldn't give it a 5-star rating is that some of the Chinese fittings weren't quite perfect. The lower shelf (between the legs) fit on 3 out of 4 corners. However, it is sturdy enough that it is serviceable. The doors do not fit as snug as some suggested so I'll be applying the gasket and silicone caulking suggested. With all this said, I wouldn't trade this grill for any I looked at that don't cost $1000 up. When I ordered it, I was concerned about the weight and if I could assemble it alone. As a golden-ager, I can honestly say it was a breeze. As added info, someone said they couldn't find a cover that fit. I just received the Char-Broil Heavy Duty Smoker Cover from Amazon (2 day delivery!) and it fits like a custom job. If you're like me and are looking for a "steal" this may be it.

After looking at multiple different smokers it seemed to me that there was a major gap between the $300-$500 price range and a much more expensive smoker that was heavier steel, but not as big cooking surface. I stumbled upon this smoker while trying to find a happy middle ground, and this absolutely fills the bill!! The 4mm steel is substantially thicker than your hardware store brands, and the welds are much better at creating a leak free smoker. Assembly was rather quick and the hardware is quality strength. One door seemed to not fit very well, but I flipped the sides they were on and that solved the problem (so check that if you run into the same problem). I have very few upgrades to make, but would recommend better temperature gauges and a MUCH bigger grease bucket than the one provided. I intend to get some gasket to seal the doors even better, and also add a latch or two to the fire box. A charcoal basket would be handy, but not a necessity as the fire box is very large and the charcoal tray provided is actually pretty nice. If you would like an upgrade from entry level smokers but don't want to pay hundreds more for thicker steel and no added cooking space this is the smoker you need. I would definitely recommend this highly to anyone that wants a professional like smoker, but not the professional like price.

I love this grill! I have smoked ribs and pork butt so far! And all five times the cooks came out superbly! My Chargriller Duo was on its last legs as far as the smoker side is concerned and not able to support the family meals my wife and I usually host. The Chargriller is considered by BBQ snobs/aficionados as a COS (cheap offset smoker) because of the thin metal used. I would burn through at least a bag and a half of charcoal just for ribs, a short cook by comparison to pork butt. I searched around online and checked out some forums. The popular brands are Horizon Smokers, and then there are some high-end customized smokers such as Shirley Fabrication. However, I do not have a couple extra thousand to drop on a new smoker, and convincing my wife to do so was going to be an impossible task. By happenstance, I came across this grill on Amazon.com. It is 4mm thick, which is almost three times as thick as my Chargriller. Similar quality grills such as the Horizon smokers were in the vicinity of $1500. This grill cost me a total of $754, which included tax and shipping costs! When cooking, I can maintain a steady 225-250F throughout the cook. Minor mods were necessary. Specifically, I installed a convection plate based on an answer to that question. I put some gasket liner around the doors and reused my charcoal basket from the Chargriller Duo. The shelves by the cooking chamber and the firebox are invaluable and I find myself using all of the space when I'm grilling. Assembly is not difficult to follow. But I agree with other reviewers, a TWO person job. The metal is 4mm and therefore very heavy. When it came time to attaching the firebox to the cooking chamber, we still needed extra support in order to keep the firebox in place long enough to attach all the bolts. Right now, there is a 1/4" gap between the convection plate and the chamber wall. To block this, I use tin foil. But I am toying with the idea of drilling holes into the side of the convection mirroring the other holes that attach the cooking chamber to the firebox and permanently attaching the convection plate to it. You cannot go wrong with this grill! I am looking forward to smoking brisket and turkey later on this summer.

Ok I have had this about 2 months now and I must say I'm very happy with this smoker I have cooked homemade hams. pulled pork . smoked chops , bacon, whole chickens , turkeys , beef brisket and all with smoky rich goodness . its very large offset smoke box is great and lots of cooking area in the main chamber. everything right down to the nuts and bolts quality . Just a suggestion as this is what I had to use hi temp silicon to seal the smoke/fire box to the cooking chamber and nomex hi temp BBQ gasket for the top edge of fire box door and also along the bottom and sides of the cook chamber doors . Hi temp silicon also was applied to top edges of the cooking chamber doors to make a leak free smoker as in smoke only going out the smoke stack . No leaks means smoke and heat is going thru the smoker the way intended . (12 feet nomex hi temp 800 degrees gasket) ( 2 tubes at 3 ounces food grade 650 degree hi temp silicon ) Hope this is helpful .

Thick, awesome steel. The very best Smoker for the price. I am one happy Texan.

This grill was a gift for my husband and he loves it. It took a while to put together but the instructions were clear and all the parts were included. The smoker maintained the temperature well and there is plenty of grill space. Highly recommend this grill.

Great charcoal grill