Offset Smokers: The Purist’s Choice
An offset smoker has a separate firebox attached to the main cooking chamber. You burn wood logs or a combination of charcoal and wood chunks in the firebox, and hot smoke flows across the meat and out the chimney. This is the closest thing to traditional American BBQ pits.
Best for: Experienced pitmasters who want maximum smoke flavour and enjoy the hands-on process of fire management. If tending a fire for 14 hours sounds meditative rather than exhausting, this is your smoker.
In Australia, popular offset smokers include the Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn ($1,200), Hark Chubby ($600–$900), and high-end options from Yoder ($3,500–$5,500). Entry-level offsets under $500 exist but typically have thin metal that struggles with temperature consistency.
Pros: Deepest smoke flavour, largest cooking capacity, no electricity required (great for off-grid or camping), the most rewarding cooking experience for fire lovers. Cons: Steep learning curve for temperature management, requires constant attention (every 30–60 minutes), uses the most fuel, can be frustrating for beginners, heavy and hard to move.
Kamado Cookers: Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg
Kamado cookers are thick-walled ceramic cookers shaped like an egg. The ceramic walls retain heat incredibly well, meaning they use very little fuel and maintain temperature with minimal adjustment. Both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg are premium kamado brands – here’s how they compare.
Kamado Joe has dominated the kamado market in recent years with features like the Divide & Conquer flexible cooking system, air lift hinge, and Kontrol Tower top vent. Kamado Joe Classics start at around $1,795 with the fully automatic Big Joe Connected at $3,995. Big Green Egg is the original kamado brand with a loyal following and strong resale value. The Large Big Green Egg retails around $2,800–$3,200 AUD. Both produce exceptional results. The Kamado Joe includes more accessories out of the box, while Big Green Egg has a wider ecosystem of aftermarket accessories.
Best for: The enthusiast who wants one cooker that does everything – smoking, grilling, roasting, baking, and even pizza. Kamados are equally at home smoking a 14-hour brisket at 110°C or searing steaks at 370°C.
Pros: Incredible heat retention and fuel efficiency, extremely versatile (smoke, grill, roast, bake), easy temperature control once you learn the vents, compact footprint, holds temperature in wind and cold. Cons: Expensive, heavy (60–100 kg), ceramic can crack if thermal-shocked, limited cooking area compared to offsets.
→ Browse our Big Green Egg range
Pellet Grills: Set It and Forget It
Pellet grills use compressed wood pellets fed automatically by an electric auger into a firepot. A digital controller maintains your set temperature, adjusting pellet feed rate to stay on target. It’s the most automated way to smoke meat.
Popular pellet grills in Australia include Traeger ($995–$3,500 AUD), Camp Chef ($2,200–$3,500 AUD), and Green Mountain Grills ($2,200–$3,500 AUD). Oakford Nexgrill has disrupted the Australian market as a budget-friendly Traeger alternative.
Best for: People who want excellent smoked results with minimal effort. If you want to load the smoker at 6 AM, set the temperature, and check on it at lunchtime, a pellet grill lets you do that.
Pros: Easiest temperature control (set a number, walk away), consistent results, good for beginners, versatile (smoke, grill, roast), Wi-Fi connectivity on premium models. Cons: Requires electricity (no off-grid use), less smoke flavour than offset or kamado, pellet costs add up ($15–$30 per bag), moving parts can fail (auger jams, controller issues), not great for high-heat searing.
→ Browse our Traeger range | Camp Chef range | Green Mountain Grills range
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | Offset Smoker | Kamado (BGE/KJ) | Pellet Grill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range (AUD) | $600–$5,500 | $1,795–$3,995 | $995–$3,500 |
| Smoke Flavour | Best (deepest) | Excellent | Good (lighter) |
| Ease of Use | Hardest | Moderate | Easiest |
| Versatility | Smoking only | Smoke/Grill/Bake | Smoke/Grill/Roast |
| Fuel Cost | High (wood/charcoal) | Low (very efficient) | Moderate (pellets) |
| Needs Power? | No | No | Yes |
| Attention Needed | Every 30–60 min | Every 2–3 hours | Minimal |
| Cooking Capacity | Largest | Moderate | Large |
| Portability | Heavy but movable | Very heavy | Moderate |
| Learning Curve | Steep | Moderate | Gentle |
So Which Should You Buy?
Choose an offset smoker if: You want the deepest possible smoke flavour, enjoy hands-on fire management, have experience with charcoal cooking, and don’t mind dedicating an entire day to your cook. Offset smoking is an art form – it takes time to master, but can be very rewarding.
Choose a Kamado Joe or Big Green Egg if: You want one cooker that does everything, value fuel efficiency, have space for only one outdoor cooker, and are willing to invest in a premium piece of equipment you’ll use for decades.
Choose a pellet grill if: You want great smoked results without babysitting a fire, value convenience, want to start producing excellent BBQ from your first cook, and have access to a power outlet.
The honest truth? Many serious pitmasters end up owning more than one. A common Adelaide setup is a pellet grill for weeknight cooks and a kamado or offset for weekend projects.
→ Browse our complete range of smokers and grills
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a pellet smoker better than an offset smoker?
Neither is objectively better – they serve different needs. Pellet smokers are easier to use and more consistent. Offset smokers produce deeper smoke flavour but require constant attention. Most beginners find pellet grills more enjoyable; experienced pitmasters often prefer offsets.
Is Kamado Joe better than Big Green Egg?
Both produce outstanding results. Kamado Joe includes more features out of the box (Divide & Conquer, air lift hinge, Kontrol Tower vent). Big Green Egg has stronger brand heritage and resale value. At similar price points, the Kamado Joe offers better value for money in 2026.
What is the best smoker for a beginner in Australia?
A pellet grill in the $700–$1,200 range (Camp Chef, or entry-level Traeger) offers the gentlest learning curve with excellent results. A Weber Kettle ($399–$699) with the snake method is the cheapest way to start if you’re happy learning fire management.
What other smoker types does The Smoking Log Co stock?
Beyond the three main types covered in this guide, we also stock Valkry Grills (Australian-made stainless steel charcoal smokers), Napoleon grills, PK Grills (premium cast aluminium charcoal grills), and gravity feed charcoal cookers from Hark.
Where can I compare smokers in person in Adelaide?
The Smoking Log Co at 152–154 Pimpala Road, Morphett Vale, has every smoker type on display in our showroom. Our team will walk you through each option based on your cooking style and budget. We’re Adelaide’s only dedicated low-and-slow BBQ specialist.
Visit The Smoking Log Co to see all three smoker types in person. Our team will walk you through each option based on your cooking style and budget – 152–154 Pimpala Road, Morphett Vale. Call us on 0429 802 013.