Backyard smoking and grilling has become an extremely popular hobby for many over the past decade. There’s just something special about smoking your own ribs, pork butts, briskets, and chickens in your own backyard.
Not only does it taste amazing, but it’s also a fun process.
When getting into backyard smoking, two of the most popular brands people look at are Oklahoma Joe and Old Country. Both companies make high quality offset smokers at reasonable prices. So which one is better?
Well in this article, we’re going to do a detailed comparison of Oklahoma Joe vs Old Country smokers. We’ll look at build construction, cooking performance, features, pricing, and do a pros and cons overview of each brand. Let’s dive in!
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Oklahoma Joe | Old Country |
| Construction | 1/4″ – 3/8″ thick steel | 10-16 gauge (1/8″ – 1/4″) |
| Cooking Space | Up to 1,060 sq. in. | Up to 1,060 sq. in. |
| Grill Grates | Porcelain coated wire | Chrome plated |
| Temperature Control | Multiple dampers | Reverse flow, baffles |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Cost | $400 – $1,500 | $500 – $1,500 |
| Cooking Performance | Very good | Excellent |
| Made in USA | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Support | Good | Excellent |
Oklahoma Joe Smokers Overview
Oklahoma Joe’s is one of the more well known brands in the offset smoker world. They make their smokers in the USA and focus a lot on heavy duty construction.
Their offset smokers feature:
- 1/4″ to 3/8″ thick steel construction
- Porcelain coated wire grates
- Multiple dampers for heat and smoke control
- Large cooking surface – up to 1,060 sq. in. on some models
- Available in both standard and reverse flow offset styles
They have several models that range from entry-level to high end with prices ranging from $400 up to $1500.
Some of their most popular models are:
- Longhorn– Their standard reverse flow model has 1060 sq. in. of cooking space. Great model for under $1,000.
- Highland– A heavier duty reverse flow model with thicker steel construction.
- Bandera– Their largest model coming in at 1660 sq. in. of cooking space.
Overall Oklahoma Joe is known for making high quality “stick burners” that are built like tanks. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of their smokers:
Pros:
- Heavy duty 1/4″ – 3/8″ steel construction
- Excellent heat and smoke control with multiple dampers
- Porcelain coated wire grates standard
- Large cooking surface on all models
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Not as thick as some premium offset smokers
- Can be more difficult to maintain temperature than other types of smokers
- Some quality control and part consistency issues reported
Next up let’s look at Old Country Smokers…
Also Read: Differences Between Kingsford Match Light And Original Charcoal.
Old Country Smokers Overview
Old Country Smokers are manufactured by the company Old Country BBQ Pits which is based in Louisiana.
They are known for making high quality offsets, charcoal grills, and a variety of other BBQ pits.
Some features of their offset smokers include:
- Heavy 10 to 16 gauge steel construction
- Cooking chambers up to 1060 sq. in.
- Chrome plated cooking grates
- Heat baffles for temperature regulation
- Available in standard and reverse flow models
Their lineup includes:
- Pecos– Their standard reverse flow offset smoker which is very popular. Comes in multiple sizes.
- Brazos– A larger reverse flow model with 1060 sq. in. of space.
- Wrangler– Their largest reverse flow smoker with 1632 sq. in. of cooking space.
Overall Old Country is known for making high performing, versatile smokers at reasonable prices.
Here are some pros and cons for Old Country Smokers:
Pros:
- Excellent heat and smoke control from reverse flow design
- Durable 10-16 gauge steel construction throughout
- Large cooking surface even on mid-sized models
- Reputable company with great customer service
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Not as thick as the thickest premium offset smokers
- Chrome coated grates not as durable as porcelain coated
- Can require some modifications out of the box for optimal performance
Now that we’ve given an overview of each brand, let’s compare them across some key buying factors for shoppers.
Key Differences Between Oklahoma Joe And Old Country Smokers
- Construction and Build Quality
This is an area where both brands are fairly comparable. They both use heavy gauge steel throughout the cook chamber and firebox.
Oklahoma Joe seems to have the edge for the thickest construction with their 1/4″ to 3/8″ steel, compared to Old Country’s 10 to 16 gauge (about 1/8″ on the low end).
Both have qualities like all welded construction and quality hardware. Old Country offers both painted steel and stainless steel models where Oklahoma Joe is primarily painted steel.
For overall durability and longevity, you can expect either brand to last many years with proper maintenance. Oklahoma Joe likely has a slight edge, but not by much.
- Cooking Performance
When it comes to actual cooking and smoking ability, Old Country reverse flow models tend to have a slight edge in performance.
Their reverse flow design along with convection plate and advanced tuning plates gives them excellent heat and smoke control throughout the cook chamber. This allows you to smoke low and slow at 225-250 °F very effectively.
Oklahoma Joe reverse flow models are no slouch either. But some users report the Old Country models hold temps just a little better making them ideal for those long 12+ hour brisket smokes.
- Features
Both brands offer the basic features you would expect in an offset smoker like porcelain/chrome grates, multiple dampers, storage shelves, and large cooking surface.
When it comes to cooking space, Oklahoma Joe offers larger models overall. Their Bandera model offers a whopping 1660 sq. in. of cooking space.
Old Country’s largest is 1632 sq. in. on their Wrangler model. So Joe has them beat on max capacity.
But most standard models in the $500-$1500 range offer comparable cooking space in 850-1100 sq. in. range.
One advantage of Old Country is that their grates are standard chrome plated which are a bit easier to clean and maintain than the porcelain coated grates of Oklahoma Joe.
Also Read: How Camp Chef High Smoke And 225 Pellet Grill Are Different?
- Cost and Value
When it comes to price, Oklahoma Joe and Old Country models are fairly comparable depending on size and features.
Entry level models can be had for $400-$700. Standard mid-size reverse flows run $800-$1500. And larger premium models are $1500+.
You do tend to get slightly more cooking space per dollar with the Oklahoma Joe models overall.
But both provide excellent value for a heavy duty, American made offset smoker. Depending on deals and pricing fluctuations, either can come out ahead on cost.
- Warranty and Customer Support
This category is fairly close as well. Oklahoma Joe offers a 2 year warranty on their smokers which is pretty standard for this price range.
Old Country also provides a 2 year warranty on their offset smokers. They seem to have a slight edge from reports of excellent customer service overall. But Oklahoma Joe gets positive marks here as well.
So in summary, while there are some differences, both offer excellent support and decent warranty periods.
Which Smoker Is Better?
So after comparing these two popular offset smoker brands across a variety of buying factors – which comes out on top?
For pure heavy duty construction and thickness, Oklahoma Joe appears to have a slight edge.
Their models like the Longhorn Reverse Flow use up to 3/8″ steel which is thicker than you typically find at this price point.
However when it comes to overall smoking performance and temperature control, Old Country reverse flow models seem to have an advantage.
This gives them a nod for cooking ability.
Both offer excellent warranties and customer service.
And they are priced very competitively with each other making them both great values depending on the model.
So at the end of the day, there’s no clear cut winner. Oklahoma Joe takes it for pure thickness and steel durability. Old Country is ahead for some of the smoking performance factors.
You’ll likely be very happy with either brand if you invest in one of their standard reverse flow offset smokers. It mostly comes down to your budget and desired cooking size.
Whichever you choose, you’ll have a high quality, American made offset smoker that will provide amazing smoking flavor for years to come!
Also Read: Pros And Cons of Old Country Pecos Smoker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Still trying to decide between Oklahoma Joe and Old Country? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about these two smoker brands.
How thick is the Old Country Pecos smoker?
The Pecos smoker body is constructed from 10 to 14 gauge steel depending on the area. The cooking chamber itself is 14 gauge (approx. 1/8″ thickness) for excellent heat retention.
Where are Old Country smokers made?
All Old Country smokers are designed and built in the USA at their manufacturing facility in Louisiana. So you know you’re getting a high quality American made product.
How thick are Old Country smokers?
Old Country smoker steel thickness ranges from 10 gauge to 16 gauge depending on the model and area of the smoker. Most cooking chambers are 14 or 16 gauge for excellent heat and smoke retention.
How thick is the steel on the Oklahoma Joe Longhorn?
Oklahoma Joe advertises the thickness on their popular Longhorn model at 3/16″ which equates to around 10 gauge steel. This makes their models some of the thickest in this price range.
Wrapping Up
We’ve now taken an in-depth look at Oklahoma Joe vs Old Country Smokers including:
- Construction, build quality, and materials
- Cooking performance and temperature control
- Features like cooking space and grate types
- Warranties, pricing, and overall value
While both brands make excellent offset smokers, choosing the right one comes down to your budget and desired cooking size.
Oklahoma Joe takes the edge for pure heavy duty durability with their thicker steel. But Old Country tends to have better heat and smoke control.
You can feel confident investing in either brand knowing you’re getting a high quality, American made smoker that will provide amazing barbecue flavor for years to come.
Just get the model that fits your needs and start smoking up tasty briskets, pork shoulders, ribs and more in your backyard!
