Product · Oklahoma Joe's
Oklahoma Joe's Laredo 1100: 1,100 sq in offset
Note: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
The Laredo 1100 is a traditional horizontal offset smoker, the type you see at competition cook-offs, with a separate firebox bolted to the side of a long cooking chamber. It is for people who want to smoke large cuts or feed a crowd and who enjoy managing a fire. The key selling point is sheer capacity: 1,100 sq in of total cooking space.
- Type
- Offset
- Cooking area
- 1,100 sq in incl. 358 sq in warming
- Weight
- 43.1 kg
- Air control
- Side air damper, adjustable smokestack
- Extras
- 184 sq in firebox, three porcelain-coated grates, shelves
In its favour
- The 1,100 sq in total cooking space is the largest of the smokers in this guide.
- The dedicated firebox supports true offset smoking or direct grilling, with an ash pan.
- Side, front and bottom shelves keep tools, trays and wood within reach.
Good to know
- At 163.7 cm wide and 43.1 kg it needs a large, level patio.
- Offset smokers need regular fire tending to hold a steady temperature.
Our take
Capacity and grates
Oklahoma Joe's lists 1,100 sq in of total area, which includes 358 sq in of warming rack. The main chamber carries three porcelain-coated cooking grates that the brand says are made for searing and easy cleaning. That is enough room for a brisket alongside ribs and sausages.
The 184 sq in firebox is not just a heat source. The listing says it supports both true offset smoking and direct grilling, so you can sear steaks over the coals while something slow sits in the main chamber.
Managing heat on an offset
Temperature is controlled with the side air damper on the firebox and an adjustable damper on the smokestack. Opening the intake feeds the fire; the stack controls how quickly heat and smoke are drawn across the food. Offsets reward attention: expect to add wood or charcoal regularly and to adjust the dampers as conditions change through the day.
An ash cleanout pan in the firebox and a cool-touch coil-over handle make tending the fire a little more comfortable.
Footprint, shelves and mobility
This is a large piece of kit. The specifications give 163.7 cm wide, 82.8 cm deep and 121.2 cm high, with a weight of 43.1 kg. A level patio or deck with clear space around the firebox is essential.
Storage is generous: a side shelf, a folding front shelf and a bottom shelf for firewood and trays. Two 8 inch wagon wheels move it around once it is assembled.
Compared with the Royal Gourmet offsets
The Royal Gourmet CC1830W and the Royal Gourmet 30 in offset are both around 811 sq in, lighter at about 20 to 22 kg and use a height-adjustable charcoal pan that holds up to 4.4 lb. They are easier to place on a smaller patio. The Laredo is bigger, heavier and has a dedicated firebox with a cleanout pan, which suits longer cooks.
Verdict
Buy the Laredo 1100 if you have space, cook for large groups and want a proper offset that can also grill over the firebox. If your patio is modest or you are just starting out, the Royal Gourmet CC1830W gives a similar layout in a lighter frame, and the Weber Smokey Mountain 14.5 in is a far simpler way to learn smoking.
Compared with alternatives in: Best charcoal smokers for low and slow
Amazon listing title: Oklahoma Joe’s Laredo Series 1100 Offset Smoker