5 Best Smokers with a Side Firebox (November 2026)
The best smokers with a side firebox include the Grillaholics Stainless Steel Wood Chip Smoker Box for adding smoke to an existing grill, the NChanmar Charcoal Grills Outdoor BBQ Grill Offset for simple backyard offset cooking, and the Broil King 60190 Premium Smoker Box for two-chamber smoke control.
On this page (5 sections)
The best side box smoker for most backyard cooks is the NChanmar Charcoal Grills Outdoor BBQ Grill Offset, with a separate side fire box for offset smoking and a main chamber for grilling. It is a good starting point because it keeps the format simple without giving up a full offset layout.
Choose the VEVOR for adjustable grates, the Char-Griller for the largest cooking area, or a smoker box if you already own a grill. Each path suits a different kind of cook and a different amount of space.
A side firebox keeps the fuel chamber separate from the main cooking space. You manage the coals in one place while the food cooks in another, so smoke and heat travel across instead of rising straight from a pile under the grate.
That layout gives you a direct way to manage charcoal and smoke away from the food. It also means you need room for the cooker and time to learn airflow control, because vents, fuel amount and lid opening all change the result.
Think about how you actually cook before you pick a model. If you tend fires and want a hands on process, a full offset cooker fits.
If you mainly want a hint of smoke on food from a grill you already use, a box may be the better spend of space.
If you want to understand the layout before choosing a model, read our guide to how to use an offset smoker grill. For a custom build, our guide to a custom offset smoker explains the features worth checking.
Our picks at a glance
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1
Best for adding smoke to an existing grillGrillaholics Stainless Steel Wood Chip Smoker Box
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for simple backyard offset cookingNChanmar Charcoal Grills Outdoor BBQ Grill Offset
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for two-chamber smoke controlBroil King 60190 Premium Smoker Box
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Best for adjustable cooking spaceCheck it - 5
Check itChar-Griller® Competition Pro® Barrel Grill and Offset
Best for large charcoal cooking sessions
The best side box smoker picks for different setups
The best choice depends on whether you need a complete offset cooker or only a way to add smoke to a grill you already own. The products below are ordered by our score, which weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Grillaholics Stainless Steel Wood Chip Smoker Box: Best for adding smoke to an existing grill
- Stainless steel construction
- Gas and charcoal use
- Hinged lid
- Extra large wood chip capacity
This compact smoker box adds wood-chip smoke without replacing your current grill. Its hinged lid and larger chip capacity suit cooks who want a simple way to add smoke.
Pros
- Works with gas and charcoal grills
- Hinged lid
- Stainless steel body
Cons
- Not a separate offset cooking chamber
- Requires an existing grill
The Grillaholics Stainless Steel Wood Chip Smoker Box is the top pick when you want smoke flavor without adding a separate outdoor cooker. Its 3.75 x 8.75 x 1.63 in stainless steel body fits over the heat source of a gas or charcoal grill.
The hinged lid makes it easier to add more chips during a cook. Its extra large wood chip capacity may reduce how often you need to refill it, which helps during longer grilling sessions.
This is not an offset smoker with a side firebox. It is a smaller accessory for cooks who already have a grill and want wood-chip smoke without buying an electric smoker or a full-size charcoal unit.
Use it when your main need is smoke flavor, not a separate low-and-slow cooking chamber. If you want to compare this style with another smoker box, see our guide to the Best Smoker Box.
NChanmar Charcoal Grills Outdoor BBQ Grill Offset: Best for simple backyard offset cooking
- 2-in-1 grill and smoker
- Separate side fire box
- Lid-mounted thermometer
- Two wheels and side handle
The NChanmar combines a charcoal grill with a separate side fire box. It suits backyard cooks who want a traditional offset layout with mobility and an external shelf.
Pros
- Separate fire box
- Two cooking areas
- Wheels for movement
Cons
- Charcoal only
- Cooking capacity is not stated
The NChanmar Charcoal Grills Outdoor BBQ Grill Offset is the strongest complete cooker for a simple backyard setup. Its 2-in-1 design combines a charcoal grill and smoker, while the separate side fire box can roast food or produce smoke for the main chamber.
That split suits cooks who want both direct grilling and offset smoking from one unit. You can use the main area for everyday grilling and switch to the fire box when you want slower, smokier cooking.
The alloy steel body measures 24 x 43 x 45 in. Two wheels and a side handle make it easier to move around the yard, and the handle can also serve as a towel rack.
A lid-mounted thermometer helps you watch the cooking temperature without opening the main chamber. The external shelf gives you a place for grilling tools or seasonings while you work.
Choose NChanmar if you want a traditional charcoal offset layout without the largest footprint in this group. It uses charcoal, so plan for fire tending and allow space around the cooker before the first meal.
Broil King 60190 Premium Smoker Box: Best for two-chamber smoke control
- Two chambers
- Integrated air damper
- Hinged lid
- Can hold liquids
The Broil King smoker box offers two chambers and an air damper for adding smoke on a grill. It can sit on a Flav-R-Wave or directly on the grill.
Pros
- Two smoking chambers
- Air damper
- Liquid-holding design
Cons
- Not a stand-alone offset smoker
- Compatibility depends on grill layout
The Broil King 60190 Premium Smoker Box suits grill owners who want more control from a compact accessory. Its 2 chambers provide separate space for wood chips, while the integrated air damper and hinged lid help manage smoke flow.
The box is made from stainless steel and weighs 2 lb. It is designed to sit on a Flav-R-Wave or directly on a grill, so its usefulness depends on how your existing grill holds accessories above the heat.
It can also hold liquids for added moisture and flavor. That gives you more ways to combine wood chips and liquids than a plain chip tray, but it still works inside a grill rather than as a stand-alone offset cooker.
Pick Broil King when you want a two-chamber smoker box and already have a compatible grill. For loading chips and managing smoke, our guide explains How to Use a Smoker Box.
VEVOR Charcoal Offset Smoker: Best for adjustable cooking space
- Separate side firebox
- 6 adjustable cooking grates
- Built-in thermometer
- Sliding ash tray and grease cup
VEVOR gives offset cooks six adjustable grates, airflow vents and cleanup parts in a full-size charcoal smoker. Its 72.3 lb body needs a planned outdoor location.
Pros
- 6 adjustable grates
- Sliding ash tray
- Grease cup and wheels
Cons
- Charcoal only
- Not designed for direct firewood burning
The VEVOR Charcoal Offset Smoker is the best fit when adjustable cooking space matters. It has 6 adjustable cooking grates, each measuring 14 x 13.4 in, so you can arrange food across multiple levels.
That flexibility helps when you are cooking several items at once. You can spread food out instead of crowding one grate, which makes it easier to keep spacing between pieces.
Its separate side firebox keeps the charcoal chamber away from the cooking chamber. Bottom and top smoke vents, a built-in thermometer and wheels give you several ways to manage airflow, temperature and placement.
The coated steel body measures 21.3 x 35 x 52.8 in and weighs 72.3 lb. A sliding ash tray and grease cup make cleanup more direct after cooking, especially when ash and drippings build up.
VEVOR is specified for charcoal use only, not direct firewood burning. Choose it for adjustable grates and cleanup features, but confirm that its taller 52.8 in profile fits your storage area.
Char-Griller® Competition Pro® Barrel Grill and Offset: Best for large charcoal cooking sessions
- 1,012 sq in total cooking area
- 719 sq in primary area
- Side fire box
- Expanded metal cooking grates
The Competition Pro is the largest cooker here, with a 1,012 sq in total cooking area and a 719 sq in primary area. It suits cooks who have room for a heavy free-standing grill.
Pros
- Largest cooking area here
- Charcoal and wood fuel
- Front shelf with utensil hooks
Cons
- Heaviest option here
- Needs substantial outdoor space
The Char-Griller® Competition Pro® Barrel Grill and Offset is the best choice for large charcoal cooking sessions. For more substantial offset models, compare heavy-duty offset smokers.
Its 1,012 sq in total cooking area includes a 719 sq in primary area, giving you room for a full spread of grilled and smoked food.
The barrel grill includes a side fire box and expanded metal cooking grates. Heavy-duty alloy steel construction, a powder coating finish and a front shelf with utensil hooks make it a substantial free-standing setup.
This model measures 66 x 33 x 52 in and weighs 150.7 lb. Its size can help during large cooks, but it also makes placement and movement more demanding than the smaller NChanmar cooker.
Char-Griller supports charcoal and wood fuel. For cookers built around wood-fired offset smoking, see offset wood smokers.
Pick it when cooking area matters more than portability, and measure your patio or storage space before ordering.
How side firebox smokers work
A side firebox smoker sends heat and smoke from a separate fuel chamber into the main cooking chamber. For a broader comparison of smoker styles, see what type of smoker is best.
The food stays away from the charcoal, so you can cook with indirect heat while managing the fire from the side. You can add coals or adjust vents without moving the food itself.
That separation is the core idea of offset cooking. Heat enters from one side, moves across the chamber and leaves through a stack or vent, so the food cooks in flowing heat rather than over a direct flame.
That design is different from a smoker box. Grillaholics and Broil King sit inside an existing grill, while NChanmar, VEVOR and Char-Griller are complete cookers with a separate firebox.
A smoker box adds smoke inside a grill you already own. An offset cooker replaces that setup with its own fuel chamber, cooking chamber and airflow path, which gives more control and takes more space.
The side firebox also changes how you load food. The area closest to the firebox may receive more heat, so place larger or more heat-tolerant foods where they fit the cooker’s airflow pattern.
That heat pattern is worth learning early. Put delicate items farther from the firebox inlet and keep a simple layout at first, so you can see how smoke moves before you load a full spread.
Airflow control is what ties the system together. More air feeds the coals and raises heat, while less air lowers it, so small vent changes can shift the whole cook.
Practice with familiar foods before a big meal. A smaller cook lets you watch temperature, smoke and fuel use without pressure, and it shows you how your cooker behaves in your yard.
Cleanup also follows from the layout. Ash collects in the firebox area and grease collects under the food, so check both after cooking and empty them when cool.
What to check before buying a smoker with a side box
The most useful checks are fuel type, cooking area, dimensions, cleanup access and mobility. These details affect how much work the smoker requires after you bring it home.
Fuel type and fire management
NChanmar and VEVOR use charcoal, while Char-Griller supports charcoal and wood. VEVOR is specifically for charcoal use only, so do not assume every side firebox cooker is designed for direct firewood burning.
A smoker box uses wood chips instead. Grillaholics works with gas and charcoal grills, while Broil King uses wood chips and can hold liquids.
Cooking area and layout
The Char-Griller has the largest stated cooking area at 1,012 sq in total. VEVOR focuses on flexibility with 6 adjustable grates, while NChanmar offers two ovens for grilling and smoking at the same time.
If you usually cook for a smaller household, a smoker box may be enough. A full-size offset smoker makes more sense when you need separate cooking space and expect to tend a charcoal fire.
For another charcoal cooker style, compare drum smoker kits.
Size, weight and movement
Measure the place where you plan to cook and store the unit. The Char-Griller is 66 x 33 x 52 in and weighs 150.7 lb, while VEVOR measures 21.3 x 35 x 52.8 in and weighs 72.3 lb.
NChanmar has two wheels and a side handle. VEVOR also has wheels and side handles, while the smoker boxes are small enough to store with regular grill tools.
For a cooker that is easier to approach and move around, compare the layout with our Best Offset Smoker For Seniors guide.
Cleanup and airflow
Ash removal matters because side firebox cooking creates a separate fuel area to clean. VEVOR includes a sliding ash tray and grease cup, while the other full-size models require you to plan how ash and drippings will be handled.
Airflow controls also matter. VEVOR has top and bottom smoke vents, NChanmar has a lid-mounted thermometer, and Broil King uses an integrated air damper in its smoker box.
Side box smoker versus pellet smoker
A side box smoker gives you direct control over charcoal or wood placement, while a pellet smoker feeds pellets through an automated system. The better choice depends on whether you prefer fire tending or simpler temperature management.
With a side firebox you decide how much fuel to add and how much air to let in. That control can suit cooks who like to adjust a fire by hand and watch smoke change through a cook.
A pellet system takes on more of that work for you. It feeds fuel on a set cycle, so temperature stays steadier with less attention during longer cooks.
The trade off is the kind of involvement you want. Offset cooking asks for regular checks of coals, vents and food position, while pellet cooking asks for fuel checks and a different kind of setup.
Flavor and heat source also differ. A charcoal or wood firebox gives a traditional fire character, while pellets work through the pellet cooker design you choose.
Think about your normal routine too. If you enjoy tending a fire, the offset style fits.
If you want to set a temperature and walk away for stretches, a pellet style may fit better.
Space matters as well. A full offset cooker takes more room than many pellet units, so measure your cooking area before you lean toward either style.
For a broader comparison, read Which Is Better Pellet Grill or Offset Smoker Which Is Better?. It can help you decide whether the offset firebox style fits the way you cook.
How to choose the best side box smoker
Choose the NChanmar if you want a practical charcoal grill and offset smoker with wheels and a separate firebox. It keeps the offset layout clear and suits a simple backyard setup.
Choose VEVOR if adjustable grates, an ash tray and a grease cup matter most. Its six grates help when you cook several foods at once and want to spread them out.
Pick Char-Griller for the largest stated cooking area and charcoal or wood fuel. It suits larger cooks and people who want room for a full spread of food.
Choose Grillaholics or Broil King when you already own a grill and only need a smoker box. Those boxes add smoke inside your current grill instead of taking up the space of a full cooker.
The best side box smoker is the one that matches your fuel preference, cooking area and storage area. Measure first, check the fuel guidance, and choose a full offset cooker only if you want the extra fire-management work that comes with it.
Check the details that affect daily use before you order. Fuel type decides what you burn, dimensions decide where it lives, and weight decides how often you will move it.
Also check cleanup and airflow parts. An ash tray, a grease cup and clear vent controls make repeat use easier, while a missing part can make every cook more work.
If you are torn between a box and a full cooker, start with what you own. A smoker box is enough when smoke flavor is the main goal, and a full offset cooker is worth it when you want a separate chamber.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for adding smoke to an existing grill
Grillaholics Stainless Steel Wood Chip Smoker Box
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for simple backyard offset cooking
NChanmar Charcoal Grills Outdoor BBQ Grill Offset
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for two-chamber smoke control
Broil King 60190 Premium Smoker Box
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What is the best side box smoker for most people?
The NChanmar Charcoal Grills Outdoor BBQ Grill Offset is the best side box smoker for most backyard cooks in this group. Its separate side fire box supports offset smoking, while the main grill can handle regular charcoal cooking.
Choose VEVOR or Char-Griller when you need more defined cooking space.
What does a side firebox do on an offset smoker?
A side firebox holds the charcoal away from the main cooking chamber. Smoke and heat move from the separate fuel chamber into the cooking area, which supports lower-temperature offset cooking.
Air vents and the lid opening affect how steadily the cooker holds heat.
Can a smoker box replace an offset smoker?
No. A smoker box adds wood-chip smoke inside an existing gas or charcoal grill, while an offset smoker uses a separate firebox and cooking chamber.
Choose Grillaholics or Broil King when you want added smoke without buying a full-size cooker.
Is charcoal or wood better for a side box smoker?
Charcoal is the more broadly supported fuel in this group. VEVOR and NChanmar are charcoal-only, while Char-Griller supports charcoal and wood.
Check the fuel guidance before burning wood directly, because VEVOR is specified for charcoal use only.
How do you choose the right size side box smoker?
Choose by cooking area, available outdoor space and how much fuel management you want to handle. Char-Griller has 1,012 sq in of total cooking area, while VEVOR uses 6 adjustable grates.
Measure your storage spot before choosing a large free-standing smoker.
