Customer Reviews

Outset QS77 Stainless Steel Wood Chip Smoker Box

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Doesn't need a hinge, I like the fact that there isn't stuff like that to rust or break. This product does exactly what it is designed to do: make smoke in a gas grill. Works much better than my old method of rolling chips in aluminum foil. I can set this directly on a gas burner and it doesn't melt or catch fire.

I have used this box twice, and have had some learning issues with it.

First: it is a quality product. Heavy gauge stainless steel; I'm guessing it will last a long time. It fits in my BBQ without any problem.

Second: it has a design issue. The lid is a separate piece which fits loosely on the box. This is fine until you need to put some more wood chips into the box. Since the box will be very hot, you will be using some sort of tool to manipulate the box lid, and you suddenly have your hands full, including a dangerously hot piece of metal in your tongs (or vise-grip or plier), so you need to set that somewhere. Then you need to either empty the ashes (which will proabably include some glowing coals) so you can refill the box with more wet chips. Then you have to wrestle the hot lid back onto the hot box and then return the unit to the barbecue. It can be done, but it does demand you have a little coordination and that you pay attention to what you are doing (because of the heat involved).

Third: the first time I used it, the wet chips in the box went from light smoke to fully aflame in minutes. I had put the box on the ceramic briquettes just above the burners on my propane BBQ. It took several minutes for the soaked chunks in the box to start smoking, at which point I put my chicken into the BBQ. After several minutes I checked because I didn't see any more smoke. The box contents were fully engulfed in flames.
I reloaded the box and set it on the cooking grill (several more inches above the fire). This is the method I used the second time I used it, too. This seemed to work better so far as getting smoke was concerned. It takes awhile for the chunks to heat up and start smoking, but they didn't burst into flame.

So...well made product with some design issues (does the box need a hinge on the lid?), and you will need to experiment with it to determine the best way to get smoke. I believe the product will last a long time and I will continue to use it.

I purchased this for a gas grill to add a little smoke flavor to burgers/steaks/fish when I don't feel like pulling out the charcoal smoker. The box does exactly what I wanted it to do and is sturdy enough that I don't worry about it melting or becoming warped from the heat. The holes in the bottom of the smoke box are perfect for draining excess water from wood chips that have been soaked to speed up the smoking process (you don't have to wait for the water to be boiled off before the smoking starts). The only thing I would have liked to see on this smoke box is a latch system to keep the lid on. I placed the box on a burner and it fell over and the lid popped off and dumped the wood chips all over the inside of my gas grill and since the burners were already going it was too hot for me to remedy. With a latching system that wouldn't have happened and I would still have had a pretty good smoke going.

Overall, I recommend this to anyone looking for a smoke box. I've used mine 1-3 times a week for the last 4 months and it's held up really well.

We bought our first smoker from Charbroil. It cracked in two the second time we used it. When I called the manufacturer, they said we used it improperly by placing it on the burner. They said it had to be placed on the rack. Where were you supposed to cook your food? I ordered this for my husband shortly after we had the awful experience with Charbroil. You can place this smoker directly on your burner, no problem. It works like a charm. Plus it was $10 cheaper than the one that cracked. My husband loves it and uses it every time he grills.

Fast shipping. Previously used a cast iron smoker box, and was tired of the rust.

My only complaint - the holes in the bottom of this box. Easily fixed using aluminium foil to block them.

I have been using this product regularly for a couple years on a gas grill. The original is still completely functional but I find that for certain woods and/or certain cuts of meat I would like to sustain the smoke for a bit longer. I see the comments about the holes or the need for a hinge - I don't understand them. I get ample smoke to fill the grill for a 25-50 minutes depending on the wood. And the product has been durable.

After using it twice it has developed a heavy tar-like coating on the inside that is impossible to remove. Probably just burned-on sap or creosote from the wood, but you need gloves to handle it and you absolutely must store it in a sealed ziplock bag if you are going to keep it in the house (it smells like burned wood).

Having said that, it works great and so far I've smoked pork butt, a 10 pound brisket (which came out amazing) and a turkey. Yum!

Everything we expected. Lid is easy to remove for filling, and the quality of the steel is very good.

this is pressed metal. The only issue with this is that once heat hits the steel it warps a bit causing the lid not to be perfectly on. This is where people ask for a hinge in other reviews. But in this design the hinge would not work once heated as it warps too much.

it's a good smoker box. Now it's not a full on smoker and don't expect to have superior smoke from it but it does a good enough job for a box that sits on top of your grill. Depending on the wood chips, it'll vary in flavor and end result. It's still a good smoker box and it's easy to clean.