Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Flow Smoker Review

If you are passionate about cooking and barbequing and you did some research online, you probably heard of reverse flow smokers. They are known as a better alternative to traditional smokers which can burn your food if you are not careful. Before we start the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse review, let’s have a look at what a reverse flow smoker is and why is it better than a standard offset smoker?

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The biggest challenge when barbecuing with a basic grill is the uneven distribution of the temperature. Some pieces of meat will end up burned, while others will take more time to cook. You simply need to go through a lot of trial and error in order to figure out how to cook the meat perfectly. This is where the reverse flow smokers come in very handy, as they distribute the temperature evenly and produce consistent results.

What Is A Reverse Flow Smoker?

This type of device forces the air to go deeper inside the smoker which creates more uniform air temperature. The heat exits from the firebox on the side and goes all the way to the end of the smoker. Then it enters the smoking chamber and then the cooking chamber, while the air moves in the opposite direction.

The process is much more complex, but the main idea is that the reverse flow smoker ensures an even temperature distribution and smoke flow. So if your goal is to have even and perfectly cooked meat each and every time, without trial and error, then this type of smoker is the right choice. You will become a better cook just by buying one, and burnt food will be a thing in the past. Even though the cooking process might take longer, you will end up with moist and tender meat that is full of flavor, without all the extra fat.

There are other benefits as well and if you are still not convinced, just read all the positive reviews and look at all the photos of delicious meals made with reverse flow smokers. So in case you decide to go for this type of device, what model should you choose from the multitude available out there?

Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Review

The Oklahoma Joe company is well known for the high quality products it offers, and they are some of the best in this category. They have been producing high quality products since 1987, with great ratings and reviews from happy customers. While not cheap, they are good long-term investments that will do their job for many years to come. 

In a market full with cheap and poorly made smokers, the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Flow Smoker definitely stands out. It has just the right balance of all the needed features and makes a great choice for most backyard smokers. It’s heavy and solid, has a good design, a moderate capacity and delivers consistent results. It’s been awarded and won multiple titles of the “best smoker on the market in 2020”, so you should definitely consider getting it. By the way, you can buy it at this link.

As for the price, this is a mid-range model. It’s not super expensive like some of the premium models, but it’s not cheap and flimsy either. It has just the right balance of price and quality. 

Not only the smoker comes with multiple dampers and a thermometer to give you control over the temperature, it also allows for easy customization and upgrading to personal preferences. It will take a bit to learn and master it, but once you do, you will get amazing results each and every time.

It is built of solid steel with porcelain-coated grates for easy cleaning and it has many dampers to control the heat. The firebox is large and easy to clean, it includes 2 storage shelves and also a cart with strong wheels that will allow you to move it on the roughest terrain.

The fuel basket is also made of stainless steel, and it comes in a fuel box that allows for easy cleaning and removing of ash. It has 4 grates and removable baffles, and a very generous cooking surface of 900 sq. in. This is split into 619 sq. in. for the main chamber and 281 sq. in. for the firebox chamber.

So you can cook any type of foods and any type of meat with this smoker, including ribs and brisket. The cooking experience and the taste will be amazing, regardless of what you are cooking.

Technical Details

• Cooking capacity of 900 sq. in. (619 + 281)
• Barbecue made of 2.5 mm steel
• Grates made of porcelain-coated wire
• Works with charcoal or wood as fuel
• Width 57”
• Depth 33.5”
• Height 53”
• Weight 180.8 lbs.
• Has a warranty of 2 years

Pros and Cons

Pros

• As the name implies, it has a reverse flow design that creates an even cooking and heat distribution
• It features a side-exit smokestack that improves the air flow
• You can also use it as a regular smoker and take advantage of heat zones
• You can grill in the firebox while smoking in the main chamber
• It allows for further upgrading and customization
• It includes dampers for easy control of the temperature
• It comes with a built-in temperature gauge
• The charcoal box is designed to improve burning and to reduce the costs
• It’s easy to clean
• It’s strong and durable
• It’s easy to move around

Cons

• There is some smoke leaking around the joints and the door
• The paint might start to peel off if running it at very high temperatures

Whether you are a beginner or a BBQ aficionado, a reverse flow smoker will make your life so much better. There are many models out there, but the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Revers Flow Smoker is one of the best. You can buy it at this link.