This review covers a year of experience with the Oklahoma Joe's Canyon Combo Grill Smoker, a versatile appliance combining a three-burner propane grill and an offset smoker. We delve into its strengths and weaknesses, providing a detailed assessment of its performance, durability, and usability across various cooking styles. From grilling family dinners to low-and-slow smoking of various meats, we explore its capabilities and offer practical insights based on extensive use. This in-depth review will help you decide if the Oklahoma Joe's Canyon is the right fit for your outdoor cooking needs, considering its size, features, and potential limitations.The review encompasses the smoker's build quality, ease of use, temperature control accuracy, and overall cooking performance. We highlight both its convenient features, such as the cool-touch lid handles and accessible probe thermometer ports, and its drawbacks, including the limited maneuverability due to only two wheels and the propane grill's somewhat high minimum temperature setting. Ultimately, we assess the value proposition of this combo unit, considering whether its versatility and performance justify its cost and whether it's the ideal choice for your specific cooking habits and the size of your meats.
Pros And Cons
- Versatile (propane grill and offset smoker)
- Large enough for family dinners
- Durable steel construction
- Swivel lid handles that stay cool to the touch
- Access holes for probe thermometer wires
- Sizeable drip tray
- Perfect size for a flat top griddle (coincidence)
- Propane tank sits securely in a groove
- Convenient base shelf for storage
- Slide-out firebox for easy ash removal
- Flat surface on top of firebox for warming wood splits
- Only two wheels, making it difficult to move
- Propane grill temperature doesn't go low enough for indirect heat cooking
- Internal wall doesn't insulate heat well between grill and smoker sections
- Built-in thermometer isn't very accurate
- Air vent damper handle gets hot and doesn't move smoothly
- Small hooks for tools are useless and fall off
- Small smoker size makes temperature control challenging, especially at lower temperatures
- Risk of overcooking one side of large cuts of meat like brisket due to proximity to firebox
Read more: 10 Best Commercial Charcoal Grills: A Buyer's Guide
Versatility and Build Quality
The Oklahoma Joe's Canyon combo grill and smoker is a versatile appliance, capable of both quick grilling and low-and-slow smoking. It features a three-burner propane grill suitable for family dinners and a smaller offset smoker that doubles as a charcoal grill. The firebox even includes an extra grate for use as a smaller charcoal grill, though I found this feature less useful.
The smoker's construction is rugged and durable, giving it the appearance of a serious piece of equipment. It's made of steel, though thinner than custom models. While much of the assembly relies on nuts and bolts, which isn't ideal, it's typical for this price point. After a year of heavy use, all components are still functioning well, however, regular tightening of bolts is recommended to prevent future issues.
Likes: Features That Shine
The versatility of using one appliance for both grilling and smoking is a major plus. The lid handles are well-designed, remaining cool to the touch even after prolonged use. The access holes for probe thermometers are a convenient feature, eliminating the need to lift the heavy lid to check temperatures.
The sizable drip tray is convenient, but it fills up quickly as both the grill and smoker drain into it. The grill's size is perfect for my griddle insert, making it ideal for flat-top cooking, though this is more of a happy coincidence than a planned feature. The propane tank placement in a deep groove, and the little shelf on the base for storage of wood or tools are convenient additions.
Dislikes: Areas for Improvement
The biggest drawback is the two wheels, making moving the heavy unit difficult. Four wheels would significantly improve maneuverability, especially when the propane tank is full. The propane grill's lowest setting still cooks a little hot for delicate items like chicken, requiring careful temperature management.
The internal wall separating the grill and smoker doesn't effectively insulate the heat, causing the smoker side to heat up even when grilling. Built-in thermometers aren't accurate enough for precise temperature control, especially in the smoker. The air vent damper's handle gets extremely hot, requiring tools to adjust, and it doesn't move smoothly due to metal expansion.
Cooking Performance & Examples
The Oklahoma Joe's Canyon excels at smoking a variety of meats, including pork shoulder, pork loin, bacon, chicken, roast beef, short ribs, and brisket. While it handles larger cuts like brisket, the smoker's small size requires careful attention to temperature and heat distribution. Evenly cooking can be challenging, though the results are well worth the extra effort if properly managed.
Grilling capabilities are also noteworthy, with the large grill surface accommodating various dishes. I've used it for everything from fish to smash burgers and corn on the cob. The versatility is a real advantage for varied cooking needs.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
The Oklahoma Joe's Canyon combo grill and smoker is a good value option if you're looking for a versatile outdoor cooking appliance and space is a concern. Its performance is impressive across different cooking styles, with many positives, even though some minor drawbacks exist. While the smaller smoker size requires more attention to temperature control and can limit the size of some meats, the overall quality and features make it a worthwhile investment.
However, if you often cook very large cuts of meat or frequently smoke at very low temperatures, a larger offset smoker might be a better long-term choice. Consider your cooking habits and needs carefully before purchasing.