In the late 1980s Oklahoma Joe began producing award winning, traditional, 1/4″ offset smokers. The company was purchased by Char-Broil in 1998 and went through a series of twists and turns for decades. For many years the name “Oklahoma Joe” appeared on super cheap Char-Broil smokers. Recently Oklahoma Joe has recaptured a degree of their past prestige. Although they no longer make heavy, competition grade pits, they seem to be making the marriage with Char-Broil work by offering decent quality for a little more than the cheap big box junk, at prices well below the professional brands.