Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Review

by Joost Nusselder | Last Updated:  June 24, 2021

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You’re probably in search for the best smoker to buy (full reviews here), either because you love to barbecue, you crave the tastiest smoked meat, or you simply just love to cook for family and friends!

Whatever your reasons are, it’s important that you invest in the best griller, such as the Dyna Glo charcoal grill. This type of cooking unit is known as an offset smoker.

If this is the first time you have heard of the offset smoker, then this Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D review will tell you everything you need to know about this type of smoker which comes with more features and benefits than the other models.

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Offset smokers feature a classic smoker design and smoke food through a horizontal chamber while the charcoal and wood burn into a firebox that’s attached to its side. These smokes have cooking chambers on their shelves capable of handling multiple cuts of meat, whether it’s racks off ribs, pork shoulders or briskets!

The biggest benefit is that they often come with a bigger surface area for cooking allowing you to cook for a huge crowd and you can also smoke the entire meat all at once! So if you own this kind of grill, there’s a good chance that you’ll be the first person that your relatives will call when it comes to family reunions and gatherings!

In-Depth Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Review

The Dyna Glo smoker is truly worth investing in and is guaranteed to give you the most out of your money. Aside from the ample-sized offset grilling area of 128 square inches, this smoker also offers a vertical smoker with 1,382 square inches of cooking space! Although it has a narrow body, it’s capable of accommodating all cuts of meat. It’s made from heavy-duty stainless steel that helps to ensure that your meat is properly cooked.

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How to buy a bbq smoker video
How to buy a bbq smoker video

The handles of the firebox lid are heat-resistant, which allows you to open the smoker with ease and without the risk of burning your hands. Furthermore, you can simply wipe the cooking grates of the smoker to clean up after using. The grates are made from the 5-chrome plated steel that can be easily wiped clean.

The Dyna Glo vertical offset smoker has large wheels located just underneath the firebox which makes it easy for you to move the cooking device from one place to another. All you need to do is to hold the handle and gently pull it going to the direction where you want it to move.

Now that you know some of the best features of the Dyna-Glo signature series DGSS1382VCS-D heavy-duty vertical offset charcoal smoker & grill, let’s find out its pros and cons to help you make the best decision.

Pros

  • Comes with easy-to-clean grates
  • Made from durable stainless steel material

Cons

  • Limited space

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How to Buy Offset Vertical Smokers

Regardless of how you intend to use the offset vertical smoker, one of the most significant features to consider is durability. You definitely don’t want to spend money on a smoker only to have to purchase a new one again after only a few uses! Therefore, evaluate the grill’s overall construction and find out what it’s made of.

Most of the durable units are made from thick and heavy stainless steel material, just like the Dyna-Glo signature series vertical charcoal smoker. The cheaper models are usually made from thin materials that will not last for a very long time. Remember that when it comes to buying cheaper brands, you always get what you pay for.

Aside from the durability, another thing to think about is the size of the cooking surface. If you’re going to cook for a huge crowd, then you understandably need to invest in a smoker that has an ample-sized grilling surface. That way, you don’t have to cook several batches of meat, which will save you lots of time!

As with everything, the price is also an important factor to consider. If you’re on a limited budget, you can go for the cheaper brands and models. But then again, you will always get what you pay for. So if you buy a cheap product, then the quality of the materials will be cheap as well!

The Dyna-Glo Offset Vertical Smoker might be pricier, but it can definitely give you the most value for your money! Besides, it’s not really that expensive. In fact, it’s cheaper than the other models out there that pretty much deliver the same results.

What You Should Know About Offset Vertical Smokers

Offset smokers have a tall and narrow shape design. Thus, you’ll be able to stack several pieces of meat on it. They provide more cooking space compared to horizontal smokers.

Just like the horizontal units, the offset vertical models comprise of two units. One is the firebox and the other is the vertical unit that has cooking grates. What’s great about the Dyna Glo charcoal grill is that their grates are easy to clean and are strong enough to handle even the heaviest meats! Its firebox carries the fuel source of the smoker and transfers heat slowly towards the main unit. Some of the smokers are equipped with a temperature gauge allowing you to monitor the level of temperature.

Basically, the offset smoker is like a big charcoal-fuelled oven. Unlike a griller, you don’t have to flip or press your food from time to time when you cook your meat in an offset smoker. All you need to do is to place the meat inside the unit and leave it to smoke. The heat will usually come from one side of the smoker so you may also need to rotate the meat a few times to ensure that it’s cooked perfectly.

But unlike a digitally controlled pellet smoker, it’s a bit difficult to make this unit stay at a certain temperature consistently. This is why you may have to stay close to the unit when cooking your meat. Another common problem with these types of smokers is that there’s a tendency that the smoke will leak from the front door, which could slow down the cooking process.

Conclusion

Whether you want to invest in a high-premium smoker or you’re just looking for a cheap model that will fit your budget, you’ll surely find plenty of smoker options in the market today. Just like with buying any product, it’s important that you take the time to do your research. Go for a smoker that’s durable and can last for a long time. As stated on this Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D review, the offset smoker is made from high-quality stainless steel that ensures durability. So look no further, when it comes to offset smokers, this Dyna Glo smoker is highly recommended!

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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Lakeside Smokers is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with BBQ Smoking (& Japanese food!) at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.