Char-Broil American Gourmet Deluxe Offset Smoker — Full Review (3-in-1: Smoker • Barbecue • Grill)
Quick verdict: The Char-Broil American Gourmet Deluxe Offset Smoker delivers a lot of cooking real estate and flexible cooking styles for backyard pitmasters on a budget. Its true strength is being a 3-in-1 unit — you can low-and-slow smoke brisket, crank up the heat for direct grilling, or use it as a barbecue/roaster. If you want big capacity, straightforward controls, and chrome-plated cooking surfaces that are easy to clean, it’s a compelling value. Expect some tradeoffs in insulation and precision temperature control compared with high-end dedicated smokers, but for most home BBQ enthusiasts it hits a sweet spot of performance, versatility, and price.
If you’re searching for a Char-Broil American Gourmet Deluxe Offset Smoker review, you’re probably weighing whether one unit can truly handle smoking, barbecuing, and grilling without forcing you into a three-appliance commitment. This model promises a 3-in-1 functionality: a smoker for low-and-slow cooking, a barbecue chamber for indirect heat, and a grill surface for direct searing. For families, weekend hosts, or entry/intermediate pitmasters who want variety and capacity without spending premium dollars, this is exactly the category to evaluate.
Key specs at a glance
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Cooking surface (main chamber): ~670 sq. in.
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Firebox cooking surface: ~355 sq. in.
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Configuration: Offset smoker with attached firebox (allows indirect smoking) — also usable for direct grilling.
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Cooking grates: Chrome-plated (easy to clean, good heat distribution).
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Construction: Heavy gauge steel body (typical of value smokers).
(These numbers reflect the advertised cooking areas — excellent capacity for family gatherings and larger cuts.)
Build quality & design
Out of the box the Char-Broil American Gourmet Deluxe feels like a solid value proposition. The main body and firebox are constructed from heavy-gauge steel that provides a robust shell and decent heat retention for the price point. The finish will show its price class — it isn’t thick stainless that resists all weather, but with good cover and routine maintenance it will last many seasons.
Chrome-plated cooking grates are a welcome inclusion: they’re inexpensive to replace, resist food sticking, and clean up quickly after a cook. The offset design places the firebox to the side, which is great for controlling indirect heat flow and stacking multiple racks of meats. Typical of this style, you’ll find a lid thermometer (useful for ballpark temps) and adjustable dampers to tune airflow.
If you expect commercial-grade insulation, heavy double-walled construction, or precision digital controllers, that’s not what this model aims for. Instead, it prioritizes space, versatility, and simplicity — a practical choice for hobbyists who want to experiment with smoking without a huge investment.
Cooking surface & capacity
One of the headline numbers is the 670 sq. in. main chamber plus 355 sq. in. in the firebox. Practically, that means you can smoke a couple of large briskets or half a dozen shelves of ribs while still having room in the firebox for additional hot/grill space or for cooking smaller items. For weekend parties this is a major plus — you can stagger cooks or keep a low smoking temperature while searing veggies or burgers in the firebox.
Because there’s so much grate area, the Char-Broil American Gourmet Deluxe is especially useful for:
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Smoking whole chickens, turkeys, and large roasts.
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Cooking multiple racks of ribs at once.
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Hosting gatherings where you want to smoke and grill simultaneously.
Performance: smoking, barbecuing, and grilling
Smoking (low & slow)
In the offset configuration this smoker excels at classic low-and-slow BBQ. With a steady bed of charcoal or wood in the firebox and the dampers set for controlled airflow, you can maintain the lower temperatures needed for brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs. Expect some temperature drift over long cooks — plan to monitor occasionally and adjust coals/vents rather than relying on a precision thermostat. The smoke flavor is authentic when using hardwood chunks or logs.
Barbecue (indirect roasting)
The indirect heat in the main chamber performs well for indirect roasting of whole birds, larger cuts, or casseroles. The large cooking area and even heat flow make it simple to rotate racks and keep food at consistent doneness. If you like to use a pan for drippings or to catch juices, there’s room to set trays below the grates.
Grilling (direct heat/searing)
While offset smokers aren’t built primarily for restaurant-style searing, the firebox area provides a solid direct-heat zone. Use it for burgers, sausages, chops, or quick sear marks before finishing in the main chamber. Remember that chrome-plated grates transfer heat nicely but won’t hold the same intense, even sear a cast-iron grate would — still, for backyard cooking they get the job done.
Ease of use
This smoker is intentionally user-friendly. There aren’t complicated electronics or an army of knobs — just a firebox to manage, vents to adjust, and a thermometer to read. That simplicity is a plus for beginners and those who prefer hands-on grilling.
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Startup: Light charcoal or wood in the firebox, wait for stable coals, then load the main chamber.
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Temperature control: Managed by fuel amount and vent adjustment — it rewards attention but isn’t hard to learn.
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Access: The main chamber and firebox doors provide roomy access for adding coals, checking meat, and rotating racks.
If you’re new to offset smokers, there’s a small learning curve around establishing and maintaining a steady temp for extended cooks. But plenty of pitmasters enjoy that ritual — it’s part of the craft.
Cleaning & maintenance
Thanks to chrome-plated grates, cleanup after a session is straightforward: a good scrape with a grill brush while warm, followed by an occasional soak and wipe, keeps them bright. Ash removal depends on whether your unit includes a removable ash pan (some variations do). If not, you’ll be sweeping ash out of the firebox — still easy, just a bit more old-school.
Because the exterior finish is not premium stainless, it’s wise to:
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Keep the smoker covered when idle.
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Clean grease and drippings after heavy use to prevent buildup.
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Inspect and touch up any chipped paint to slow rust formation.
Routine care extends the life dramatically — and for the price bracket, maintenance is manageable.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Big cooking capacity — 670 sq. in. main + 355 sq. in. firebox is rare at this price.
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True 3-in-1 versatility: smoke, barbecue, and grill in one footprint.
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Simple, approachable controls — great for learning classic BBQ techniques.
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Chrome-plated grates are easy to clean and maintain.
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Strong value for backyard entertainers and weekend pitmasters.
Cons
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Not as tightly insulated as high-end smokers — expect more temperature fluctuation on long cooks.
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Lacks advanced temperature control electronics (manual venting only).
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Exterior finish requires upkeep to prevent rust over years.
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Chrome grates don’t retain heat like cast iron for super-crisp sears.
Who should buy this smoker?
Buy the Char-Broil American Gourmet Deluxe if you:
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Want one unit that can smoke a brisket, grill burgers, and roast a bird depending on the day.
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Prioritize cooking capacity for family gatherings and backyard parties.
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Enjoy hands-on control of fire and smoke rather than automated temperature systems.
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Are budget conscious but want a durable, functional smoker.
You might look elsewhere if you:
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Need digital temperature control and rock-steady temps without tending.
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Require commercial durability or stainless-steel, low-maintenance exteriors.
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Want the absolute best sear performance (consider cast-iron-grate grills).
Tips to get the best results
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Season the smoker before your first full cook — burn it in with a thin coat of high-smoke oil to protect the metal and remove manufacturing residues.
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Use a mix of charcoal and hardwood chunks to balance steady heat and authentic smoke flavor.
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Invest in a dual-probe thermometer for accurate meat and chamber temps — the lid gauge is useful but can be off by a few degrees.
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Create a heat management plan: add coals progressively instead of all at once to avoid big temp swings.
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Cover and clean after each season to maintain the exterior finish.
Final thoughts
The Char-Broil American Gourmet Deluxe Offset Smoker delivers more than a single function — it’s a three-way backyard workhorse for smoking, barbecuing, and grilling. Its large cooking surfaces (670 sq. in. main + 355 sq. in. firebox) make it especially attractive for those who entertain or cook big cuts. While it doesn’t offer the precision of high-end, digitally controlled smokers, its strength is in accessibility, capacity, and the authentic BBQ experience.
If you’re a BBQ enthusiast who loves to tinker with fire and smoke, appreciates a large cooking area, and wants versatility without breaking the bank, this Char-Broil model is worth a close look. If you demand surgical temperature control or stainless-steel longevity, weigh those priorities — but for the majority of backyard pitmasters, the American Gourmet Deluxe is an excellent balance of value and performance.
Short FAQ (quick answers for buying decisions)
Q: Can I sear steaks on this smoker?
A: Yes — use the firebox for direct, high heat searing. It won’t match cast-iron grates for persistent crust, but it produces satisfying grill marks and flavor.
Q: How many racks of ribs will fit?
A: With the large main chamber you can typically fit multiple racks (4–6 depending on size) comfortably.
Q: Is this good for beginners?
A: Absolutely. It’s straightforward to use and is a great learning platform for traditional offset smoking techniques.
