Oklahoma Joe’s Grill and Smoker Guide

Trying to decide between different Oklahoma Joe’s grills? This guide compares the Tahoma 1200, Bronco Pro, Bronco 2.0, Canyon Combo, and Rambler so you can understand how each one works and which is the best fit for your cooking style.

Before I ever stepped into the world of professional grilling and BBQ, my background began in the classroom. I spent seven years as a culinary arts instructor, teaching foundational cooking skills and helping students understand not just how to cook, but how to think like a cook. That foundation still shapes everything I do today and what you see here online.

In 2018, I shifted into the world of outdoor cooking and BBQ, working alongside major brands to develop recipes, create educational content, and even help test and co-design grills and smokers with global brands. Through that work, I have had the opportunity to cook on a wide range of equipment and truly understand how each grill works and why not every grill or smoker is meant to do the same things well. My long-term partnership with Oklahoma Joe’s is a natural extension of that, creating recipes and content with grills I use regularly in my own backyard.

That said, I do not recommend products lightly. Even though I create content in this space, I only partner with brands I would genuinely tell my family and friends to invest in. Over the years, I have been asked countless questions about which grill to buy, what the differences are, and what actually works best depending on your cooking style.

So, I wanted to put together a guide that breaks it all down, why I personally own each of these grills, what I love about them, and how to figure out which one might be the right fit for you.

Please know that Oklahoma Joes didn’t pay me to write this guide, and this is solely my opinion. If you do see a smoker you like, I will link to each one and include a 20% off code for purchase – LNOKJ20.

What Grill Or Smoker Is Right For Me?

Choosing the right grill or smoker really comes down to how you like to cook, how much time you want to spend managing a fire, and what types of meals you plan to make most often. Some grills are built for long, slow weekend cooks, while others are better for quick weeknight meals or smaller, more casual setups.

The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all option. Each grill brings something different to the table, and the best choice is the one that fits your lifestyle, your cooking goals, and your comfort level with live fire cooking.

In this guide, I am breaking down the five Oklahoma Joe’s grills I personally own and cook on regularly. This includes the Tahoma 1200 auto feed smoker, the Bronco Pro drum smoker, the Bronco 2.0 drum smoker, the Canyon combo grill and offset smoker, and the Rambler portable charcoal grill.

Each one serves a different purpose in my backyard, and understanding how they function will help you decide which one makes the most sense for you.

Oklahoma Joe’s Tahoma 1200 Auto-Feed Charcoal Smoker

Skill Level: Beginner → Intermediate

The Tahoma 1200 is a vertical charcoal smoker built to hold a steady temperature for long periods of time. Instead of constantly checking or adding fuel, it uses an auto-feed system that slowly moves charcoal into the fire as it burns. That makes it a lot more manageable, especially for longer cooks like brisket or pork shoulder.

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Capacity and Size

Multiple cooking racks give you a solid amount of space to work with, which is helpful when you are hosting or prepping ahead. I find it handles up to 8 to 10 lb. pork butts, whole chickens, hams, ribs, pork belly, chuck roast, and beef shanks with ease.

Estimated Burn Time

Well-suited for cooks in the 6 to 8 hour range. The auto-feed system and fan-controlled motherboard keep temperatures stable throughout, so you can walk away without worrying about the fire dropping out.

What That Means In Practice

You still get real charcoal flavor, but with far less effort than a traditional smoker. This is a great alternative to a pellet grill if you want the “set it and forget it” experience without giving up smoke flavor. The auto ignition and preheat can take a little time to get going, but once it’s rolling, you can step away and let it do its thing.

Best For

• All-day cooks: ribs, smoked beef shanks, chicken, hams, pork butts, pork belly, chuck roast
• Hosting days where stepping away from the smoker is non-negotiable (I smoke my holiday hams and turkeys on this one every year)
• People new to smoking who want a much easier learning curve

Things To Note

• Briquettes work best. Lump charcoal’s inconsistent size can sometimes jam in the hopper as it feeds into the firebox.
• I prefer wood chips over wood chunks here for the same reason.
• Not ideal for direct grilling. High heat is possible, but it burns through charcoal quickly, and other grills handle that job better.

Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Drum Smoker (2.0)

Skill Level: Beginner → Intermediate

The Bronco (2.0) is the smoker I would recommend first to anyone just getting into charcoal grilling and fire management. It is a great price, holds a decent amount of food, is fairly easy to light, and maintains temperature well enough that you can step away for periods of time without it falling apart on you. Frankly, it’s a super fun grill to learn on and can do traditional smoking, hot searing, and even over open coal cooking by hanging meat directly over the coals (like I do here with my huli huli chicken and these incredible pork gyros).

Want this smoker? Get 20% off your purchase with code – LNOKJ20.

Capacity and Size

Fits a solid amount for a smaller household setup. You can hang half chickens and multiple racks of ribs at one time, which makes it a strong option for smaller gatherings. The firebox can also move up to the top position for direct charcoal grilling when you want it.

Estimated Burn Time

Preheats to 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit in about 45 to 50 minutes on average. Holds temperature steadily once dialed in, so you are not stuck babysitting it constantly (a huge plus in my opinion).

What That Means In Practice

Drum smokers are great for traditional low and slow smoking, and one of the more fun things you can do on this one is hang your food directly over the open coals. Hanging ribs or a whole chicken is a different experience from traditional smoking, and the flavor is fantastic. The side access door makes managing charcoal much easier, especially on longer cooks.

Best For

• Smaller households and more casual backyard smoking
• Hanging ribs, half chickens, and wings for a crowd
• Cooks who want to start learning fire management without a steep learning curve

Things To Note

• Smaller cooking capacity makes it harder to fit multiple large items at once.
• Still requires some temperature learning, though it holds steady and does not need constant attention like other smoker styles.
• Not the best choice for large gatherings or bulk cooking.

Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Pro Drum Smoker

Skill Level: Intermediate → Pro

The Bronco Pro is a larger-capacity drum smoker designed for high airflow and efficient fuel use. It uses a traditional charcoal basket at the bottom with adjustable air intake vents to control temperature. This is my go-to smoker for all of my overnight cooks. I have cooked for large groups on this smoker, and it’s my go-to for making brisket when I want to “set it and forget it” overnight.

Want this smoker? Get 20% off your purchase with code – LNOKJ20.

Capacity and Size

Large drum design with a serious capacity. I have fit four pork butts on this at one time. It can also handle multiple racks of ribs, whole chickens, or large cuts like brisket. Hanging hooks are included for vertical cooking, which opens up even more capacity when you need it.

Estimated Burn Time

10 to 15 hours. The oversized charcoal basket allows for long, consistent burns when set up properly. I can run this smoker overnight and not check it once. The fire stays consistent and steady, and it uses less fuel relative to cook time than any of my other smokers.

What That Means In Practice

This is a great option if you want long cook times but still enjoy the hands-on side of managing airflow and fire. It gives you excellent smoke flavor and works well for both rack smoking and hanging. Once you learn to dial in the temperature, it is one of the most reliable and efficient smokers in this lineup.

Best For

• Overnight cooks like brisket and pork butt
• High-heat smoking and roasting
• Weekend cooks who want bold flavor and do not mind managing the fire

Things To Note

• Temperature control takes practice and some dialing in at first. Once you get it, it is easy to repeat.
• Because of the size of the drum, reaching very high temperatures for direct grilling (like searing a steak or cooking pizza over 550 degrees) is less practical. This one is best used for smoking.

4. Oklahoma Joe’s Canyon Combo (Offset + Gas Grill)

Skill Level: Beginner → Intermediate

The Canyon Combo (offset + Gas Grill) is your all-in-one backyard setup. This is a dual-purpose setup that combines a traditional offset. This is your all-in-one backyard setup. The Canyon Combo is a dual-purpose grill that combines a traditional offset smoker with a full gas grill. The offset side uses a firebox attached to the main chamber, where heat and smoke travel across the food low and slow. It’s great for reverse searing tomahawk steaks, where I can smoke on one side and quickly sear to finish and enjoy!

Want this smoker? Get 20% off your purchase with code – LNOKJ20.

Capacity and Size

The smoker chamber is large enough to comfortably fit a mid-size brisket or a large pork butt, and has two racks that can hold several racks of ribs at once. You can also add hot coals directly into the base of the smoker chamber for two-zone or direct grilling when needed. The gas side handles burgers, chicken, and quick weeknight meals separately and independently.

Estimated Burn Time

30 to 60 minutes per fuel load on the offset side. Offset smokers are designed for active fire management, which means you will be adding charcoal or wood regularly to maintain your temperature throughout the cook.

What That Means In Practice

This is the most hands-on cooking experience in the group. You are actively building and managing your fire the whole time, which gives you a high level of control but requires real attention. The gas side balances that out nicely for weeknights when you just want to throw something on the grill quickly. Two-zone cooking on this setup is excellent, and reverse searing works really well here.

Best For

• Families who want both grilling and smoking in one unit
• Weeknight meals on the gas side, combined with weekend smoking projects on the offset
• People who want versatility without owning multiple separate grills

Things To Note

• Larger footprint than the drum smokers, so factor in your patio or yard space.
• The offset side requires more active fire management than any other smoker in this guide.
• Takes time to preheat properly and dial in your temperature.

Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Tabletop Charcoal Grill

Skill Level: Beginner

I love the Rambler tabletop charcoal grill. It’s simple, portable, and genuinely underrated. The Rambler is my go-to for quick charcoal cooks when I do not want to fire up a full smoker. It heats fast, sears well, and is small enough to take anywhere.

Want this smoker? Get 20% off your purchase with code – LNOKJ20.

Capacity and Size

Compact tabletop design. Best for cooking for one to four people at a time. Great for steaks, burgers, chicken breasts, skewers, and vegetables cooked directly over high heat.

Estimated Burn Time

Heats up quickly and uses less charcoal than any of the larger grills. Keep in mind that the smaller firebox means more frequent refueling if you plan to cook for an extended time.

What That Means In Practice

This grill is about speed and simplicity. You get a classic direct-heat sear without a big setup or a long preheat. It is an easy win for weeknight grilling, and it travels well to campsites, tailgates, or the beach. I also love it for entertaining in smaller spaces where a full grill setup is not practical.

Best For

• Weeknight grilling: burgers, skewers, vegetables, and chicken
• Tailgating, camping, or traveling
• Small households or anyone with limited outdoor space

Things To Note

• Limited cooking surface, so it is not practical for feeding a large group.
• Not designed for smoking or long cooks.
• Requires more frequent charcoal refueling compared to the larger grills if you are cooking extended meals.

My Honest Take

There is no single “best” grill, just the one that fits how you actually cook.

If you love hosting and slow BBQ projects, go bigger and more hands-on. If you are cooking during the week and want flexibility, a combo or compact setup makes more sense.

The more you cook, the more you realize it is less about the grill and more about learning to use it well.

If you are still deciding, here is the simplest way to think about it:

• Want easy, consistent BBQ? Go with the Tahoma 1200.
• Want to master fire and flavor? Go with the Bronco Pro.
• Want a smaller learning curve for drum smoking? Go with the Bronco 2.0.
• Want versatility for everyday cooking? Go with the Canyon Combo.
• Want quick, casual grilling? Go with the Rambler.

You can find all of these grills on the Oklahoma Joe’s website, and several are also available through Home Depot. I am always happy to chat more about any of these grills or answer other grilling and smoking questions you have.