DynaGlo Signature Series Smoker: Real Life Reviews

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Here's the link to my custom Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com... This is a lengthy, but informative 3 star review on the Dynaglo verticle Smoker. Thabjs for stopping by.
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[@garyconner5661]

Just found this review. I find it biased. I got this smoker 3 years ago from Amazon, took 5 days to study the assembly procedure, pick thru the parts, clean up the burrs, apply gasketing, silicone, ports for probes, checking fit of pieces ----all BEFORE beginning assembly. I was in no hurry; this wasn't my first smoker, but my fourth. That process was simple and quickly done as everything was ready to be put together. Along with the smoker itself I also built a firebox basket and a stand for it: 4x4 legs, 2x6 top frame, 2x4 bottom frame, 24" tall. This stand elevated the smoker to the level I needed it to be to accommodate my 6'4" height. When completely assembled, completely cleaned, and "seasoned", it was ready to go. I use charcoal for heat and chunks of wood for smoke. Always have, always will; my method. Pork butts, brisket, ribs, chicken, sausage, all at one time. Because I can. No leaks on firebox. No leaks on the door. Probe on center rack shows consistent temp with little adjustment of intake airflow. Raw fuel and wood add as needed. Results are competition quality -- been there, done that. My experience with this smoker is real world. I use this smoker frequently. I cater successfully using this smoker. I am a traditionalist; old time methods, old time tastes, old time timing. Low and slow is the way to go and this smoker fills the bill FOR ME. It is NOT lazy Q. It is not hot n fast. It is not set n forget.. It is hands on. Call it entry level based on cost, okay. But, it works well with some simple mods. You can spend $ or $$, or $$$, or $$$$. Until you have skills and methods and styles, your Q will be the same. A good pit boss can cook on almost anything. Learn, develop, grow. Graduate upward if you want. But, do not fear buying the Signature Series Vertical. It is a Good smoker.

[@R3troZone]

You don't need to move a pork shoulder or brisket while it's cooking so the space between the grates is fine. The designers aren't expecting you to flip anything because it has airflow 100% around the meat top and bottom. The only time you should be touching it is when you're removing it. And I haven't found a smoker yet under $500 that doesn't have smoke loss. Luckily there are heat gasket kits under $20 that are easy to install and makes the door air tight.

[@Pondiver]

Yes, your right. What you didn't see what you didn't see was the all the rust that formed within 3 weeks. It was under a covered pavillion and a tarp.

[@R3troZone]

@@Pondiver That's odd. I've had this exact same model now for 2 months. It's been under a Pavillion style tent in my back yard and has been rained on at least a dozen times. Not a spot of rust on it.

[@dgperforms1]

Real Life Reviews, you stated it rusted in 3 weeks. Did you do a burn off and Season it properly? This review is poor at best. Seems you actually never used a smoker to be honest

[@Reenoo76]

This guy is just looking for things to complain about, he seems real negative

[@smitty1696]

I have a signature series and Im totally satisfied with it. I cook briskets, pork butts, ribs and whole chickens. Ive never had to apply any sealant, I lose very little smoke, it maintains temps very well and I can burn for about 3 hrs before having to add wood. Im waiting to smoke our thanksgiving turkey on my signature series. Best smoker Ive had so far

[@smitty1696]

@@PandawdyBob I bought it last march from Lowes for 289.00 I believe it was + tax delivery was free. I used it on a weekly basis all summer long. I have cooked just meat. I make beans, Mac n cheese, chili and bean soup this fall. The only issue i have with it is the racks dont slide in or out because its round but I make due.

[@wil717]

I purchased the Dyna-Glo Signature Series vertical smoker despite some of the reservations contained within this review. Starting with the grill side of the smoker, I agree that it is low and not comfortable to use for a long cook, but a quick sear is fine despite having to bend over to use the tongs. Secondly, you wouldn’t use the sear side while you were smoking in the main cooking chamber because you would lose too much heat to opening and closing, or keeping the sear side open. Hence, if you used the sear side it would be when you are not smoking meat. So again, I find it adequate for things like hot cooks on sausage, burgers, skirt or flank steak, and of course steaks. He mentioned in the review the problem of utilizing the racks and not having access to the meats. If I am doing long smokes, let’s say I have pork ribs, pork belly, beef ribs and brisket. You are only going to get 1 rack of ribs on a cooking rack, and the same is true for the brisket (was able to put a 13 lb brisket a rack), a pork belly, and beef ribs. All these things are being smoked so the only access you will need is to put them on the racks, to spritz or mop and to take off. Turning meat is not something that is typically done when smoking. You may choose to take meat off to wrap and that can be achieved with either tongs or bbq gloves. But honestly, I won’t have much occasion to use all 5 racks and I find myself removing the ones I don’t use when cooking. And when I smoked a prime brisket the water pan caught a lot of the drippings and the rest either pooled on the bottom of the cooking chamber of went down the drain. I think I will have to check the level of my smoker and slightly tilt it towards the drain. And I will replace the “tiny” drain pan with an appropriately sized galvanized bucket. And I have no problem with the chrome cooking grates turning black. Clean em up and ready to use again. I haven’t seen any smoker that doesn’t have discolored grates over time. The review also mentioned the pull-out firebox, and losing a tremendous amount of heat via the gap. I added a fire basket to the firebox that rests just above the pullout so if need be, I can pull out the tray and dump the ash if it starts to interfere with airflow without opening the main top door. And as long as I close the sliding tray properly, meaning snug against the firebox I did not experience any significant heat loss as the natural draw of the smoker is from the firebox to the cooking chamber. And the reviewer mentioned not having enough fuel in the firebox for a long smoke. No stick burner has enough fuel at the start to finish the long smoke and you simply have to add more, either coals directly from a chimney or heated wood that you keep on top of the firebox. Just using good fire management techniques will keep the temp up during the longer smokes. I had no problem keeping the temp at 250F for the duration of the 9 hr brisket cook. Speaking of temperature management, he is absolutely right that this mid-range smoker is not seam welded so when I assembled it I used food grade silicon at every connected joint, and around the top cap although it is already connected (there was still smoke seeking out of it when I did my test with a dirty fire to clearly see any leaks. I also sealed the main door with lavalock and adjusted the latches for a tight seal. On the inside the smoker during colder weather especially I use firebrick on unused grates to help the temp remain consistent throughout the smoker. And I use on the lower grate closer to the firebox tube to push the heat to the middle of the cooking chamber since it has a tendency to heat the side closest to the firebox a bit hotter.

[@georgegarcia2280]

Thank you I just purchased one of these and you just answered so many questions I had

[@bL1Ndaniel]

Can tell this reviewer does not understand smoking very well, do not take this review seriously. This smoker for it's price is very versatile. His only fair point is about he gauge of steel, but, look at a Pit Barrel, it's not thick, but an amazing smoker. Doesn't matter so much.

[@Pondiver]

It rusted so bad within four weeks, I contacted the manufacturer to come to my home a pick it up. [and] I had the 70 dollar cover.

[@jeflores1000]

@@Pondiver did you season your smoker 1st?

[@christopherscofield4252]

Food looks delicious

[@toddmanley5798]

@@jeflores1000 Probably not lol

[@dewittfiala5021]

@@Pondiver look up reviews for Oklahoma joe and the paint/rust issues. you have to season these, spray them with oil, google first, review second.

[@adamcoe]

I appreciate the info but you bring up competition pitmasters...I assure you competition guys are not using 400 dollar grills. The reason you have to spend a couple bucks to seal it is because the next level up in smokers costs 1200 or more dollars. This is not an olympic level smoker by any means but it's very solid if you spend a little time and effort. If you want a competition level smoker that's sealed to the nines right out of the box, it costs money.

[@2AChef-n-BBQ]

You make some great points 👍🏼 But I must add, as a BBQ competitor, Many guys such as Harry Soo who has won many Grand and Reserve Grand championship's, they use Weber Smoky Mountains, which are $300 units. The breadth of what folks use in competitions is pretty wide. Great comment though

[@ordeal3175]

You have no clue..competition...wannabes are getting beat by ugly drummer smokers...its not the beauty of the beauty...but the duty of the beauty...you heard?

[@jeremiahkolander894]

I'm wondering if you even used this smoker? It in fact does fit a pork shoulder, or a full packer brisket in it easily. Now with that being said, I agree with you that the racks are too close together, and that the firebox has it's drawbacks. But for an entry level offset smoker under $300, it's hard to beat.

[@nikdistler9527]

This is a terrible review but everyone is entitled to opinions.

[@2AChef-n-BBQ]

Just a note, I have the Dyna Widebody Vertical offset Smoker, and my grates are chrome plated also. I spray with Easy Off after every cook and my grates stay clean. It's all about how you care for your equipment. I got rid of my Ok Joe highlander to get the dyna glo and do not regret it at all. Fire management and proper dealing go a long way to getting pro grade results. See my Brisket video.....I put out KCBS 9 score brisket in my Dyna Glo, and even with the signature series, you can do 3 briskets or 5 racks of ribs by arranging the grates. You make many great points in this video and as always, Caveat emptor

[@TheDeer94]

Come on dude, Common Sense applies, you don't have to pack every level with food when only one or two levels will suffice move the racks as needed to fit your food unless you are trying to pack it out 100% of every inch of space, have a brain in your head remove the grates as needed to fit the food that you are cooking.

[@mrpressley357]

Why would you be flipping anything in a smoker? Also if you don't have enough room then just remove some racks. And you don't use a smoker to grill. An updated video after some time with the smoker would be nice.

[@Pondiver]

I'm afraid that won't be possible. On day one of the 5th week, it began to rust uncontrollably. I had it under shelter.and used the 70 dollar liner that is custom to it. I contacted the manufacturer and had them come and pick it up.

[@mrpressley357]

@@Pondiver wow sorry to hear about you bad luck with it. Love mine outside on the deck covered no problem. Thanks for the video

[@gagecombs278]

With the door, you can actually tighten up the locks on the side, and if you make them tight you don't lose nearly as much smoke.

[@kriscrews1339]

I have one of these i tightened the hinge and i didnt loose smoke it works just fine cooks great yes the side box is low other than that works really well

[@Pondiver]

Thanks for sharing

[@willd.5406]

i don't get why people think that buying a 300-500 smoker that you are going to get professional quality. If you are buying a cheap smoker, anything less than $1200 then you will need to modify it! put some lava lock on the doors. put some lava lock on the firebox to cooking chamber put some toggle latches on the door to press and seal down tight and make sure you season it while it is hot so that it does not rust to shit if you don't want to do all that then go buy one for $1200 plus i have had a brinkmann trailmaster limited for 10 years and i run it every weekend all summer and most of the year on top of that with no issues my temps are consistent maybe 5deg difference side to side and it works just as good as my $4500 300 gallon propane tank smoker on trailer.

[@Pondiver]

It rusted within three weeks. Worst smoker I've ever purchased. I have 6 grills, two of which are smokers. maybe I bought a dud, but I'm sticking to the review.

[@44godson]

Most of my experience has been on a rotisserie pellet smoker but not many Pitmasters flip butts or Brisket. I like the review on the price for the product.

[@Pondiver]

Thanks for the feedback

[@MikeJones-em8vz]

I guess you are far too picky We love ours and have none of the problems you state. Oh well can't please everyone

[@optiKalismo]

I smoked a turkey, pork shoulder and quail at the same time with no problems

[@MrTrocks365]

thank you i just got one and was wondering if anyone did a turkey.

[@gapfatty8885]

Need a piece of flat bar bent in an l shape so you can grab that great and rotate it I do it all the time on my kettle I never pick the meat up until it's time to flip or it's done

[@nextluther]

I REALLY appreciate your review on this. You touched on all the questions I had with this smoker and more.

[@randomguy2369]

I was looking at one of these and I'm glad I saw your video it's a bummer that it leaks so much smoke. Good thing I always try to find reviews on the stuff I buy if not I would have bought 2 for my ranch

[@adamdodds144]

It doesn’t leak smoke if you put it together right and seal it. You will not find a cheap smoker in this price range that doesn’t leak some smoke.

[@misskriss848]

Great vid. Thank you. My Sweetie and I watched this and he realized this wasn't what we wanted.

[@bobrobertson2090]

How do you think it would do for summer sausage I'm talking two and a half inch diameter by 20 inch tubes

[@MySliceOfLife101]

Thanks for the informative review. I appreciate it.

[@AnthonyStoneWilliams]

I truly appreciate your service sir! I will subscribe cuz I trust your reviews.

[@ryansadberry5283]

I just bought this smoker because it seemed to be the best in my budget (paid $260), but I appreciate your concerns on it. I will try it through the summer and see how it goes. My biggest concern, in hindsight, is that it only has a 17" circumference on the grates... fitting a full brisket or rack of ribs will be a concern. Still just a beginner here.

[@RocketRay]

Same here, got it for the same price too. I think what you want to do with steaks is sear them for a minute in the firebox then transfer to the barrel. Gonna try some ribs this weekend, wish me luck!

[@markstark7731]

@@RocketRay how were the ribs ?

[@RuloAglr]

How it goes?

[@Juice-ms5xc]

How'd it go? Interested in buying one so would appreciate any feedback.

[@ryansadberry5283]

@@Juice-ms5xc Hello Juice! I've smoked with it about 10 times in the last year. I did buy some lava lock for the door. That helped tremendously. I found it to do everything that I wanted. I still deal with the one concern I mentioned. I have to cut off the end rib or two on a full slab for smoking. They won't fit as is. So, I would say it does very well, and I don't regret buying it especially for the price. But for my next upgrade, in cost and size, I will look to buy a horizontal smoker.

[@zeN3rdiode]

Great research and I appreciate your thoughts on this one sir!

[@fsel1160]

Good review. Want one for cold smoking.

[@arom8438]

Thanks buddy! Saved me money!

[@jason8507]

Is there a budget friendly vertical you recommend?

[@lukegould4407]

Anybody try a successful turkey in one if so how big and how long and what temp

[@tyfawver7596]

Any recommendations on something similar within the sam price range?

[@warrenbrett3758]

Would you take this over a Weber smokey mountain?

[@W.O.W.365]

IMO this smoker isn't meant for large meats....it's perfect for a lot of smaller things....or that's what I use it for

[@dustinconnolly3162]

This fella doesnt know whole lot, easily fit 2 racks of spare ribs on each grate, pork shoulders and briskets fit just fine, have u even used the damn thing? Also, ok joes leak smoke like crazy, why do u think they make their own brand of sealer .........

[@Danthemanallen]

$500?? Good god. I just paid 200 for it.

[@mntofdk66]

where did you get it for 200?

[@thomaskellum8453]

I paid less. Home depot

[@BK33REVIEWS]

Can they chrome plate the cooking grate s really lol

[@Pondiver]

Haha

[@ghettoguero109]

Great review, I was wondering why they didn't have it on display at my local Lowe's.

[@cmsense8193]

I just want it for home use. A lot depends on your level of creativity, budget and liking. Personally, I can get a $1200 smoker but I do not see the need. I know triathlons that win races on 3k bicycles. I also know a veterinarian with a 10k bicycle that always finishes last but it’s his toy and he can afford it.

[@ront2457]

I had consider this model but went with another smoker

[@713seand]

great advice sir. thank you

[@TrillAntho]

Why didn’t they just make it horizontal 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@natecoots]

What was not saying in the video is you can hang racks of ribs in this smoker from the installed hooks in the top of the smoker that's not showed.. that the purpose of a vertical smoker.

[@Juice-ms5xc]

Anyone used this for jerky? If so how'd it go?

[@norbots923]

Thanks for the review 👍👍

[@dustinmcclure626]

You don't have a clue, when it comes to affordable smokers lol. You don't even know how to light the damn fire and pre heat it 😂😂

[@Pondiver]

Cursing is prohibited on this channel.

[@bL1Ndaniel]

Was thinking the same the whole time I was watching this, buddy trashed things that were easily adjustable and went about everything like he's never smoked before.

[@nikdistler9527]

Common sense is prohibited on this channel is more like it.

[@Pondiver]

@@nikdistler9527 your right. Its far beyond common.

[@jasonbardwell82]

Im about to build this 2moro any thing i should know? I have the lava rock kit to make sure it dont leak anything would help thanks for your time

[@johnny_law8209]

Sure wish I had seen this 2 weeks ago.

[@johnin5080]

Does anyone recommend a good charcoal smoker?

[@tyyou3624]

Ugly drum barrel

[@DJSALTY772]

Cleary this guy doesn't understand smokers

[@Pondiver]

I have 9 smokers. Been in Memphis in May world championship 7 times in nine years. You're right.

[@jerrym1240]

I think too many folks are under the impression a smoker is used to cook on, it's a SMOKER. Grills are for cooking. You do not need a lot of heat to smoke, cold and slow is what I'm in the market for. I'll finish in the oven and have just as good if not better than what many do on the grill. Simply put your sauce on, wrap in butcher paper and put in a cooking plate, finish in the oven. If you don't want to be continually adding wood chunks to keep a good smoke going, hire someone to do it for you :)

[@MrBraffZachlin]

brother stop being a consumerist moron thinking you need this to do that and vice versa. i can cold smoke in a weber go anywhere if i want to. you don't need a smoker to smoke things properly. the advantage of something designed solely for smoking is usually in the fact it is dialed in to be able to set it and forget it. in other words the coals don't need tending to if used correctly. this is harder to achieve in a gril because usually you cannot put enough coals and maintain the same temp without touching them for 12 hours. you can literally low temp almost even cold smoke in anything with one of these indirect in a weber kettle or go anywhere www.amazon.com/MAZE-N-Pellet-Tube-Smoker-Design/dp/B00CS6YFIC

[@jason8507]

Great review, youtubers take notes

[@smokescreenFromThe6ix]

Thanks for the review. I was just about to add it to my Amazon cart!! This thing is trash!!!

[@erico658]

Can u fit an entire brisket ?

[@smitty1696]

Ive had an 18lb brisket in mine

[@comfortablyroughingit2625]

Thanks for the review, I have been looking at getting a very similar smoker from Outdoor Gourmet. The height of the fire box and grate spacing is a concern for me. Have you attempted to hang ribs from the upper hangers?

[@Pondiver]

No, because I found it to be seriously flawed. The heat would be 200° at the bottom and 350° at the top. This smoker is not consistent enough for BBQ.

[@comfortablyroughingit2625]

@@Pondiver I just saw that you also have a new OK Joe smoker, did you keep this vertical smoker or return it? I have a horizontal offset Outdoor Gourmet smoker that had similar smoker leak, but I like to tinker and fixed it. The horizontal Outdoor Gourmet came with some nice cast iron cook grates for the smoke chamber and side box. I have been thinking about getting another and the flash of the vertical offset is tempting.

[@jeremiahkolander894]

Try actually putting leave-in thermometers on different racks before giving out wrong info. The temp differences between the top and bottom are minimal. I have this smoker and have been using it for two years. I also have an inkbirk 4 probe thermometer, so I have checked Temps in different locations. The outside of the racks are hotter than the middle, because of the water pan.

[@humdinger7275]

Nice music

[@normanburns-ko4ro]

First of all: Don’t buy one. Impossible to cook on with massive temperature fluctuations. Burns everything

[@robjones8112]

Oklahoma Joe smokers suck I have had two and gave both away

[@mr.r59]

I have that one. My wife got it for me so you know.

[@rudymtz2233]

Hows it working for you? I want to get one

[@mr.r59]

@@rudymtz2233 it's ok for the price.

[@robertburtcher6724]

Well my girlfriend has one of these smokers and I tried it out. Fairly new so it's in very good shape. has all the pitfalls with leaking heat that you described and yes it seems like a lot of extra work. it also seems like the amount of extra money you'll spend in charcoal and wood In the end might as well just buy a better grill.

[@23torresj]

Stick to your kitchen oven Costanza.

[@Pondiver]

Ok. 🤔

[@jonnyonthespot1919]

Let

[@justinross3634]

Great honest fair balanced review from an obvious knowledgeable perspective

[@kalebkinnaman9741]

Dude doesn’t know anything about an offset smoker lol

[@Pondiver]

I didn't at the time, but things are different now.

[@Pondiver]

Still, that offset was terrible.