Customer reviews from ghpgroupinc.com
Dyna-Glo - Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker - Black
Average customer rating
4.4
(23 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 23 reviews
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Star
1
95%of customers recommend this product.
(
19 out of
20)
Customer Reviews for Dyna-Glo - Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker - Black
Customer Rating
4
Great style, needs a few mods though
on February 25, 2017
Posted by: Moose
from Howell, MI, United States
I bought this smoker last wednesday and set it up that night. did a test/seasoning run as per the instructions that came with the unit. Set up took me about 30 minutes with a power drill/screwdriver. I'm 6'2 250 so a second person wasn't required. First Problem was that the unit dripped black liquid all over my deck from what I assume was the assembly oil used to protect the unit in storage and shipping. This should be pointed out in the instructions as now I need to power wash my deck. Next thing is, there are a few leaks on the unit especially around the fire box door and where the firebox mounts to the smoke chamber. These are easily remedied by using a high temp FDA approved food grade silicone in these areas on assembly. Again, this should be pointed out in the assembly instructions. next, the heat distribution is somewhat lacking as the heat from the firebox goes directly up the side of the smoke chamber that the firebox is mounted on potentially scorching anything that is on the bottom rack or along the same wall as the firebox. This too is easily fixed by adding a sheet metal baffle about 12-16 inches long that slants downward at a 45 degree angle and is mounted directly above the top pass through from the firebox to the smoke chamber. Also it would be helpful to have some tried and tested recipies to try with this unit. Granted, this isn't a high end unit, but these simple modifications would certainly improve an already good design and make this the cadillac of backyard smokers.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting ghpgroupinc.com
Customer Rating
5
I love this smoker!
on March 18, 2016
Posted by: Razorback Smoker
from North West Mississippi
I have been BBQ'ing for years. I have had brinkman smokers (messy and hard to regulate) and I have had offset grill/smokers. I still use my offset for certain types of cooking, but this smoker is great. I have cooked on it every weekend since it arrived. It was not difficult to assemble. It took my wife and I about one and a half hours total. There is a learning curve to getting the hang of it but it is very easy to regulate.
I had the same problem as everyone else with the thermometer but fairly easy to remove front and correct.
I have read some reviews saying it was difficult to get maximum heat. I have found that when using a water pan you will loose some heat. The trick is to use "Lump" charcoal as it burns hotter than briquettes. Also use less water in pan and replenish as needed.
I believe I could cook as many as 9 butts at a time if I wanted.
I had the same problem as everyone else with the thermometer but fairly easy to remove front and correct.
I have read some reviews saying it was difficult to get maximum heat. I have found that when using a water pan you will loose some heat. The trick is to use "Lump" charcoal as it burns hotter than briquettes. Also use less water in pan and replenish as needed.
I believe I could cook as many as 9 butts at a time if I wanted.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from ghpgroupinc.comBy Yari, Customer Service, March 28, 2016
Hello,
We appreciate your review. Please give me a call directly at 877-447-4768 and ask for Yari. You have been chosen as the winner of a Visa Gift Card.
Thank you,
GHP Group, Inc.
Customer Service Team
We appreciate your review. Please give me a call directly at 877-447-4768 and ask for Yari. You have been chosen as the winner of a Visa Gift Card.
Thank you,
GHP Group, Inc.
Customer Service Team
Written by a customer while visiting ghpgroupinc.com
Customer Rating
4
great smoker
on January 27, 2017
Posted by: Fletcher
from Madera,Ca
I've been using a barrel smoker for 20 plus years but needed smoker that offered more room and potential to cook a variety of meats at same time. Smoker arrived within 5 days of order. Assembly was easy. A few modifications, used gasket material from "LavaRock" around fire box to smoke chamber connection, fire box door and smoke stack connection. Able to achieve and maintain proper temp very quickly. Just finished smoking/cooking chicken quarters, baby-back ribs and pan of baked beans all at same time. The separate sliding grills are great along with the access to the sliding charcoal chamber. The side door latch works great, but lower latch harder to use (possibly revise to using door handle/locking system like on smaller smoker model). Overall great design. Looking forward to planning the next menu for the family get together.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting ghpgroupinc.com
Customer Rating
5
first use
on August 21, 2016
Posted by: peepa
from sparks ga.
used my dynaglo wide body smoker for the first time yesterday (after break in). cooked ribs, sausage, burgers, and of course dogs for the kiddo's. (fed kids and grand kids). it worked perfectly. came up to temp. Quickly, even after opening door to add more food. some things were slightly over cooked, but that is because I am used to using the barrell type smoker I have been using for years. smoking 5 or 6 butts next weekend, andafter this learning experience im sure they will come out perfectly. well satisfied.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting ghpgroupinc.com
Customer Rating
5
GREAT FOR COOKING RIBS
on July 16, 2017
Posted by: 204 BLUE BROTHER
from Valley, AL, United States
I SEARCHED ALL OVER FOR A SMOKER THAT WOULD HOLD A FULL SLAB OF RIBS WITH OUT HAVING TO CUT IT INTO TWO PIECES. THIS ONE DOES THAT WITH MANY RIBS. IF YOU ARE COOKING FOR A CROWD, THEN THIS IS THE ONE YOU NEED.
I HAD TO PUT IT TOGETHER BY MYSELF, AND PUT IT ON WHEELS TO MOVE IT AROUND. A HELPER WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT.
IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO FIND THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF COAL AND DAMPER SETTINGS TO KEEP THE TEMPERATURE AT 220-240.
I DID NOTICE THE OIL BELOW THE DOOR (THE FIRST TIME), AND SOME SMALL SMOKE LEAKS, BUT THE OIL CLEANED UP, AND THE LEAKS ARE NO PROBLEM WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS WARM- BESIDES, AFTER ALL, IT'S A SMOKER.
SO, THROW ON SOME RIBS, THEN ADD SOME CORN ON THE COBB, INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS (AND THEIRS), OR HAVE YOUR SELF A POLITICAL RALLY.
I HAD TO PUT IT TOGETHER BY MYSELF, AND PUT IT ON WHEELS TO MOVE IT AROUND. A HELPER WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT.
IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO FIND THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF COAL AND DAMPER SETTINGS TO KEEP THE TEMPERATURE AT 220-240.
I DID NOTICE THE OIL BELOW THE DOOR (THE FIRST TIME), AND SOME SMALL SMOKE LEAKS, BUT THE OIL CLEANED UP, AND THE LEAKS ARE NO PROBLEM WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS WARM- BESIDES, AFTER ALL, IT'S A SMOKER.
SO, THROW ON SOME RIBS, THEN ADD SOME CORN ON THE COBB, INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS (AND THEIRS), OR HAVE YOUR SELF A POLITICAL RALLY.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from ghpgroupinc.comBy Valerie K, Customer Support, July 17, 2017
We are happy to hear you are enjoying your Dyna-Glo Smoker! Feel free to find us on Facebook (search GHP Group, Inc.) and Twitter (@Dyna_Glo & @GHPGroupInc) and show your support! We are hosting giveaways and contests all summer long, so get connected and start winning some awesome Dyna-Glo gear! Have a great summer and #KeepOnSmokin'! -GHP Group Customer Support
Written by a customer while visiting ghpgroupinc.com
Customer Rating
4
Great over all smoker
on August 1, 2017
Posted by: Boomer
from Lusby, MD, United States
My review of the Dyna-Glo wide body vertical offset charcoal smoker (DGO1890BDC-D). I bought it from Amazon, there was no dents or scratches out of the box. Putting it together was straight forward. I used the high temp silicone where recommend and a high temp gasket to seal the fire box door so far no leaks. During the seasoning I placed several thermometers in side to test the door thermometer and check temp zones. There were definitely hot zones (Left/Right Up/Lower) but the door thermometer was within 3 degrees of the internal one in its area. Will work on making a baffle to control the overall temp.
I did a pork belly and some pork ribs last weekend to try it out, both came out great. Couldn’t be happier with the smoking process. Temp control was easy, started full open on the fire box, when the temp reached 250 I moved the fire box damper to about ¾ closed and it held around 220 for the entire 4 hour smoke.
My reason for the rating is. First on the fire box, the horizontal sliding damper in the closed position dose not seal. In the closed position there is still a lot of light and air coming in. I tried to tighten the screws to bring it closer to a seal but no luck. I took out the screws and held it to the side and still couldn’t get a seal. Seems like a design flaw to me. I called the GPH Group and they said it was normal for the fire box dampers. I looked at putting on the high temp gasket to get a seal but couldn’t figure out how to make it work, any help would be appreciated. I wish they would have the round slide damper installed.
Second the chimney damper in the full open position is almost vertical, when I went to full closed it only moved a few degrees to the horizontal, letting in air. After a 4 hour smoke I closed both the chimney and fire box vents and my smoker continued to run for another 6 hours until all the charcoal ran out. I didn’t noticed this on the seasoning run, mostly because I ran it hot and full open for most of the time until the fuel ran out. The GPH Group customer service rep did say this was not right and is sending me out a replacement chimney.
I researched this item for a while and found all the mods for the leaks and the baffle to help control heat zones but never heard about the dampers. It could just be my unit.
Overall I think I can deal with the fire box flaw, I can’t deny my first smoke came out great. The customer service rep was pleasant and helpful. I will look on eBay/crags list to see if there is a used one I can cannibalize for a fire box with a better damper.
I did a pork belly and some pork ribs last weekend to try it out, both came out great. Couldn’t be happier with the smoking process. Temp control was easy, started full open on the fire box, when the temp reached 250 I moved the fire box damper to about ¾ closed and it held around 220 for the entire 4 hour smoke.
My reason for the rating is. First on the fire box, the horizontal sliding damper in the closed position dose not seal. In the closed position there is still a lot of light and air coming in. I tried to tighten the screws to bring it closer to a seal but no luck. I took out the screws and held it to the side and still couldn’t get a seal. Seems like a design flaw to me. I called the GPH Group and they said it was normal for the fire box dampers. I looked at putting on the high temp gasket to get a seal but couldn’t figure out how to make it work, any help would be appreciated. I wish they would have the round slide damper installed.
Second the chimney damper in the full open position is almost vertical, when I went to full closed it only moved a few degrees to the horizontal, letting in air. After a 4 hour smoke I closed both the chimney and fire box vents and my smoker continued to run for another 6 hours until all the charcoal ran out. I didn’t noticed this on the seasoning run, mostly because I ran it hot and full open for most of the time until the fuel ran out. The GPH Group customer service rep did say this was not right and is sending me out a replacement chimney.
I researched this item for a while and found all the mods for the leaks and the baffle to help control heat zones but never heard about the dampers. It could just be my unit.
Overall I think I can deal with the fire box flaw, I can’t deny my first smoke came out great. The customer service rep was pleasant and helpful. I will look on eBay/crags list to see if there is a used one I can cannibalize for a fire box with a better damper.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting ghpgroupinc.com
Customer Rating
5
Smoking like a train!
on March 21, 2018
Posted by: ChubbyCheddah
from Federal Way, WA, USA
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This wide body smoker is amazing, I've had it for 3 weeks and I've smoked 5 briskets, 3 pork bellies, 6 whole chickens and at least 15 racks of beef and pork ribs! I am totally in love. I would love that $200 so I could buy more meat to smoke! Smoking like a train! Next stop...the meat market!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting ghpgroupinc.com
Customer Rating
2
I Like it but....
on June 23, 2018
Posted by: Trevor
from Washington, USA
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I recently purchased this and love the concept and the smoking capacity but I can't seem to get the temp above 190-200, outside the recommended smoking temp on it's thermometer. I've tried just briquettes, briquettes and lump charcoal mix and just lump charcoal. I have loaded it with the 5lb recommendation and even tried more, with the same result. I also have the much smaller Dyna-Glo compact charcoal smoker and can obtain any temp I would like with it. At this point I can't recommend this item
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from ghpgroupinc.comBy Valerie Kiefer, Customer Support , June 25, 2018
Hello Trevor, we're sorry to hear you are having trouble cooking with this smoker. Using charcoal does require some mastery but our Customer Service Team would be happy to assist you! Just reach out by phone at 877-447-4768 or email here: http://www.ghpgroupinc.com/CTUS.html
-GHP Group Customer Support
-GHP Group Customer Support
Written by a customer while visiting ghpgroupinc.com