Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker 300 Series Review
We do not like or recommend cheap offset smokers like American Gourmet. Yes, the sticker price is low, the big horizontal drum looks like your BBQ dream come true, and if you don’t mind spending time and money for parts, (not to mention ruined meat), you may eventually get one to work OK. But they are a nightmare for a novice and by the time you add your hours and out of pocket expenses to the cheap price tag, you may end up feeling penny wise and dollar foolish. We have a detailed explanation of why you shouldn’t buy a cheap offset smoker, in a nutshell they are hard to use and don’t produce the best results.
American Gourmet models are low on our lowly COS list. Some other brands in this price range offer features like an adjustable height charcoal tray*, slide out ash drawer or heavy duty wheels. AGs are stripped down to the bare essentials. They have porcelain coated wire cooking grates, a small door on the side of the firebox to scoop out ash, two plastic wheels, one side shelf and an inaccurate bi-metal thermometer. *Char-Broil also offers a larger deluxe version that does have an adjustable height coal grate.
Product Information:
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Model:American Gourmet Offset Smoker 300 Series
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Item Price :110.00
*Price Subject To Change -
Where to buy (buying from this supplier supports this website):
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Made in USA:no
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Review Method:Looked Closely At It
We have seen this product up close and we have also gathered info from the manufacturer, owners, and other reliable sources. -
Primary Function:Grill, Smoker, Combination Grill and Smoker
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Fuel:Charcoal, Logs, More Than One Fuel
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Primary Capacity:Small (about 14 burgers) : 288 square inches
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Secondary Capacity:132 square inches
Manufacturer:
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Char-Broil
Char-Broil is an innovator in the popular gas grill arena with clever designs, low to midrange prices, and excellent customer service. For several years they have focused on infrared cooking. Starting in 2012 all new IR models were dubbed “Tru-Infrared”. These grills are made with stainless steel tube burners that work in conjunction with a radiant surface to bring heat close to the food. The radiant surface shields food from direct flame and reduces hot dry convection heat rising from the burners.
As one of the biggest BBQ manufacturers in the world, Char-Broil offers a clear, low cost alternative to Weber and surpasses many other price driven manufacturers with their infrared gas grill design innovation and focused marketing. Also in 2012, Char-Broil introduced Saber, a new, very high quality line of gas grills that goes head to head with Weber’s Summit series in the premium grill space. They offer charcoal grills, smokers, fryers and a variety of accessories and tools.
Char-Broil is owned by The W.C. Bradley Company headquartered in Columbus, GA. Roots of W.C. Bradley go back before the Civil War to The Columbus Iron Works. The first Char-Broil grill was made and sold in the USA in 1948. Now all Char-Broil grills are manufactured in China and distributed around the globe.
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Published On: 12/17/2013
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