Oklahoma Joe'sRambler Tabletop Charcoal Grill – 19402088

I've been in the meat-smoking game for some forty years now, and have a bit of experience with different types of grills & smokers. I now have only two - a big electric Master Built model for the larger jobs (like 2 or 3 briskets at a time), and the OK Joe "Rambler" for everyday stuff. We have downsized again after retirement and this product was just right for our needs as empty nesters. This is my first OK Joe product.After reading a slew of reviews, I purchased it hoping mine would not arrive with any flaws. I found none. Mine arrived shortly after 8 AM, allowing me to assemble it in my garage before the Florida heat became unbearable. After unpacking, one of the first things I did was give the ash tray a second coat of high-heat grill paint (just because) and let it dry in the sun while I looked over the assembly photos - I am one of those "visual learners".Assembly was pretty easy by following the pictures, with one exception - the instructions seemed to indicate putting the rod/hinges that secure the domed lid on FIRST, but that didn't work. I then laid the domed lid in position and secured the rods second - took a bit of jiggling but everything was coming into place. In my defense, the garage temp was approaching 100 degrees even with fans running, so I may have been delirious from a mild heat stroke. Anyway, everything else went together smoothly.The side handles were a really tight fit, so I used a thin flat-head screwdriver to gently wedge the edges of those handles into place and an awl to line up a hole to begin threading the four small bolts. The temp gauge is large and easy to read. Build quality, overall, seems quite good for this price point. The cast iron grates were a bonus - more on that in a moment.A few words about dimensions : if I recall correctly the dimensions listed indicate a "depth" (front to back) of 19.7". The ACTUAL depth, measured from leg to leg, is 13.5". The width is 23", not counting the handles sticking out the sides of the domed lid. Total width including the protruding handles is approximately 27 inches. I only mention it because of the awesome grill cart my bride purchased for me - we were concerned the Rambler might not fit on top of it but that potential issue was put to rest with a visual inspection. FWIW, the grill cart was purchased online from Wally-World / China Mart. It was delivered yesterday, assembled last night, and the OK Joe Rambler arrived bright and early this morning... the timing was just about perfect. Everything I need is right there in one nice package on wheels.Per the instructions, I did not paint this interior of the domed lid with grill paint as it is not safe for food. Instead, I "seasoned" the entire lid at the same time as the cast iron grates using a vegetable oil spray to give it a good coating. I slathered the grill grates with a brush while my charcoal was getting started in a chimney. Once the coals were in place, the "seasoning" began in earnest - it's a crucial step in the process. As of this writing the Rambler has been seasoning for about 5 hours with multiple coats of vegetable oil and is now cooling down slowly... and my garage is still hotter than a popcorn fart.Speaking of heat, I used an entire chimney full of charcoal briquets for the initial break-in, and that sucker got all the way up to 550 degrees in no time flat ! It peaked near 600 degrees, so I closed the side and top (chimney) dampers a bit. It stayed at 550 degrees for hours, even with the fire box lowered all the way down. One thing to consider is using a length of hi-temp gasket on the sides and front ledges to help keep the smoke from escaping the chamber. Do not apply the gasket to the rear ledge as it will make the domed lid sit high in the front, defeating the purpose of using the gasket. The product I use and can recommend is Lavalock brand High Temp Nomex BBQ gasket smoker seal - 1/2" wide. I also used it on the chimney assembly, just because. I like to keep my smoke inside the chamber. For my first cook, I'll probably cut the charcoal in half and raise or lower the fire box to suit conditions.I've owned a lot of grills and smokers over the years, and I can honestly say this is the first one that came with a serial number on a small plaque. Fit and finish was fine, and I am one happy camper. Yeah, I know this review was long-winded but if it helps someone that might be "on the fence" then it was worth my time. Buy with confidence.ETA : First cook was burgers, turned out well but had a small issue with temperature control - weird concept considering it was 100 degrees out. I think it was the cheaper briquets I used, so I'm switching up to the trusty Kingsford brand. When the temp dropped to 200 degrees I turned a fan toward to damper and pumped in a bit more air which brought the temp back up to 350. The briquets I used were smaller than Kingsford and not as well compressed - I'm pretty sure they were the culprit. Even with the trials of getting acquainted with my new grill, I'm still liking it.

I bought this based on the reviews, so I expected a lot, and I got it. This thing is a *beast*. It's heavy but very sturdy. I've been using it two or three times a week for a month now, and it does a great job, grilling or smoking. I even did a Hawaiian Kalua Pork wrapped in banana leaves, and it turned out great, almost like what I had when I lived in Hawaii. Also, Korean Bulgogi on the grill (see photos). The dampers give you great control over the heat level when smoking. I'm very impressed and would definitely recommend.

True love is the only way to explain this little cooking SOB! WOW I am so happy I purchased Oki Joe. It cooks like a huge grill , has adjustable charcoal tray , an ash tray to pull out and dump and wrought iron grids that hold heat and cook evenly. I can smoke, grill and roast on this mother and I have done all of that many times with great success.

Great little grill. The only reason it gets four stars is because the rubber grips on the handle to the lid get way too hot to touch without using a grilling mitt. I plan on swapping the rubber ones out for ones made of wood so it’s not so hot to touch.

Great little portable grill , we keep in the construction trailer and set it up in the evening and cook dinner for a few of us who are working out of town . Great design and well built, also bought the cover for it too .

This compact unit from Smoker Joe is the most practical, well made, functional smoker / grill I have ever used or owned in the past 40 years I have been using grills and smokers. It is simply outstanding. A true "Goldilock's / just right" unit for those that wish to cook 5 pounds or so -- give or take-- of meats at a time.A little charcoal - single layer- goes a long way in this grill, with less often being more!It's compact size and ability to raise and lower the coals as needed -- plus the adaptability of the stack's baffle and the body side vents-- allows on the fly temp control you just can't get on bigger units when cooking up smaller quantities of food. And requires just a minimal use of coals.A layer of briquettes or lump charcoal on the right side with a smoker box for chips or smaller wood chunks, with a stainless drip pan and meat on the grill plate to the left under the stack, allows a very small turkey, or large chicken -- or any other piece of meat you desire that serves two to four people -- to be smoked slowly to perfection. With far less hovering than it takes when using a larger capacity unit.Just take the right side grill plate out of the unit and put it off to the side and occasionally throw in four or five briquettes, or wood, if needed when doing a longer haul smoking and the unit will maintain great temperature with less fuss than the full sized units. As stated above. The unit is super effiecient.Also, again, just using coals on one side of the unit and that sides grill plate, allows enough space and adjustable heat to cook a family dinner, using a very minimal amount, single layer of briquettes to cook up a half dozen to ten chicken thighs. Or a crazy thick, 3 inch cut rib-eye steak.It really is amazing how efficient this compact unit is! It is also built like a tank. The perfect gauge steel for it's size, that is often used on larger units. But because of their larger surface area and cooling effect of that surface area, they just are not as efficient as this perfectly proportioned unit.I could write a short novella explaining all of the benefits of using this grill for regular 2 to 4 people family use. But the best thing I can say is, if you are looking for a durable, well proportioned, solidly constructed, efficient, compact grill that can also be used as a smoker, this is it!Recommendation: For use as a small smoker... When assembling, use some high heat silicone caulk around the base of the smoke stack to seal. Also, a strip of smoker gasket around the bottom of the lid.Gasket: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TAJW0QE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1Silicone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LRMEQYU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1Another upgrade I added was a "toggle latch" as shown in the link below, that allows me to clamp the lid down tight when smoking and sealing the unit completely.https://www.amazon.com/YUEPIN-Toggle-Stainless-Holding-Capacity/dp/B07S896GLP/ref=sr_1_29?crid=1QX8P5ZCFWJ1R&keywords=toggle+latch&qid=1685708326&s=hi&sprefix=toggle+latch%2Ctools%2C87&sr=1-29

Perfect size for 2 people. Parts of it were difficult to assembl, but I got it together. Super heavy.

Great for RV and Table-Top BBQ or Smoking. Heavy grade construction that hold the heat for hours, this means less coal needed. Cast iron grates that really bring out the flavors. Very satisfied and even used it tonight for dinner prior to writing this review.