The Good-One Patio Junior is their smallest BBQ smokers: a mini version of their popular Open Range. This cleverly designed charcoal unit uses the same concepts of an offset smoker, but it works better. There is a front firebox and grill that has two air intakes and a damper that runs the entire length of the firebox that controls smoke and heat to the smokebox. The wide damper provides much more even heat from left to right that an offset barrel smoker that positions the fire offset to one side. There is also an exhaust damper at the top of the smokebox. The “spinner” design of the intake and exhaust vents is very clever. The smoke and heat enter the rear of the smoke box along the entire length and circulate around the meat. The firebox is large enough to grill on or you can use it for crisping the meat and sauce over high heat after you’ve smoked. You can even grill and smoke at the same time. A model with adjustable charcoal grate is available for better heat control when grilling. Made from 11 and 14 gauge steel, it has two large wheels, a removable ash pan, drip pan and side trays. The Patio Junior could benefit from adding two more wheels and/or a handle on the right side.
It has 260 square inches of cooking surface on the grill and another 260 square inches on the smoker.
