Choosing the Right Outvita Vertical Charcoal Smoker for Family Cookouts
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Outvita has earned recognition in outdoor cooking for producing modular, multi-tier vertical charcoal smokers designed to bring classic slow-smoked barbecue to everyday backyards without commanding excessive patio space. Vertical drum smokers have long been favored by backyard cooks because their upright, cylindrical design naturally facilitates bottom-to-top convective heat circulation, guiding wood smoke directly past multiple cooking grates before escaping through a top damper. Outvita charcoal smokers take this thermal efficiency a step further by incorporating a fully detachable, three-in-one barrel layout. Rather than forcing owners into a single cooking technique, the brand builds its cookers so the base can function as a standalone charcoal fire pit, while the midsection and lid can be added or removed to shift effortlessly between high-heat direct grilling, steaming, and low-and-slow vertical smoking. For family-oriented shoppers who prioritize versatility, practical durability, and manageable footprints, Outvita delivers straightforward steel cookers that can handle weekend barbecue projects and family gatherings alike.
Across this lineup, the three cookers differ primarily in their vertical height, structural heft, outer material finishes, and access door arrangements, ranging from compact, highly portable twelve-pound configurations to a heavy-duty, forty-six-inch-tall vertical unit engineered for greater structural permanence.
Product rundown
3 models are covered below. Pick a row to jump straight to it.
| No. | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 01 |
 Outvita Vertical 17 Inch Charcoal BBQBest for Compact Backyard Cooking |
Price not listed |
| 02 |
 Outvita Vertical 18.5 Inch Steel CharcoalBest for Lightweight Outdoor Mobility |
Price not listed |
| 03 |
 Outvita Vertical 18.8 Inch Steel CharcoalBest for Heavy-Duty Backyard Cooking |
Price not listed |
Outvita Charcoal Smokers Compared
| Model | Dimensions (D x W x H) | Item Weight | Outer Material | Access Doors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outvita Vertical 17 Inch Charcoal BBQ | 18.9″D x 16.1″W x 31.5″H | 12 pounds | Metal | 2 access doors |
| Outvita Vertical 18.5 Inch Steel Charcoal | 18.5″D x 18.5″W x 32.28″H | 11.8 pounds | Alloy Steel | 2 access doors |
| Outvita Vertical 18.8 Inch Steel Charcoal | 18.8″D x 18.8″W x 46.8″H | 28.2 pounds | Alloy Steel | 1 access door |
Outvita Vertical 17 Inch Charcoal BBQBest for Compact Backyard Cooking
Best for: Compact patios and mobile camping barbecue
Pros
- Dual front access doors
- Built-in lid thermometer
- Triangular base stability
- Detachable three-layer body
Cons
- Lightweight 12-pound build
- Narrower 16.1-inch width
The Outvita Vertical 17 Inch Charcoal BBQ is engineered as a space-conscious, three-in-one cooker that serves as an agile multi-tier smoker, a roaster, and a standalone fire pit. Measuring 18.9 inches deep, 16.1 inches wide, and 31.5 inches tall, this compact barrel smoker fits effortlessly onto narrow townhome patios, modest decks, or into the cargo hold of a vehicle for weekend camping trips. Despite its modest exterior profile, the cooker provides 400 square inches of total cooking surface spread across two cooking racks, offering adequate space for whole chickens, multiple pork ribs, or batches of burgers. The interior is also furnished with an elevated iron support bar equipped with two sturdy hanging hooks, which allows cooks to suspend sausages, chicken legs, or poultry vertically directly beneath the lid. Because vertical hanging keeps meat surrounded uniformly by upward-rising smoke, cooks can achieve consistent bark formation without continuously flipping cuts on the grill grates.
Thermal monitoring and fuel maintenance on this outvita vertical 17 inch charcoal bbq smoker are handled through practical mechanical features built directly into the metal body. The lid houses a built-in thermometer featuring a detailed scale, providing clear temperature visibility without forcing cooks to crack open the lid and vent critical heat during prolonged cooks. Airflow is regulated from the top via an adjustable outlet damper, which allows pitmasters to fine-tune draft velocity and maintain steady smoking temperatures. Crucially, Outvita equipped this model with two dedicated access doors along the front barrel sections. This dual-door configuration allows you to inspect meat resting on the lower cooking grate through the top door while adding fresh charcoal or wood chunks through the lower door without disturbing the upper cooking chamber. Families looking into portable outdoor cookers like a portable bbq grill weber will appreciate how this multi-tiered design maximizes cooking volume across a tiny exterior footprint.
Structurally, the unit weighs an agile 12 pounds, making it exceptionally simple to disassemble and clean after a long weekend cookout. Its body connects securely via an integrated latch locking system, ensuring that the stacked tiers remain stable when assembled while remaining easy to detach for storage or travel. Raised feet organized in a triangular formation provide a steady foundation on grass, stone, or gravel surfaces. This model is ideal for smaller families or mobile campers who want genuine charcoal smoking capability without hauling an unwieldy steel barrel. However, cooks who want a squared footprint with slightly higher lateral clearance may prefer the 18.5-inch variant, while those planning large-scale neighborhood gatherings will likely outgrow its 31.5-inch height in favor of the heavier 18.8-inch edition.
Outvita Vertical 18.5 Inch Steel CharcoalBest for Lightweight Outdoor Mobility
Best for: Backyard cooks wanting lightweight alloy steel
Pros
- Alloy steel outer frame
- Lightest in lineup at 11.8 pounds
- Dual front access doors
- Included meat hanging hooks
Cons
- Low 32.28-inch standing height
- Lightweight build requires wind shelter
The Outvita Vertical 18.5 Inch Steel Charcoal builds upon the modular barrel framework by introducing an alloy steel outer construction paired with a balanced, squared footprint measuring 18.5 inches deep by 18.5 inches wide by 32.28 inches tall. At just 11.8 pounds, it stands as the lightest vertical smoker in Outvita’s catalog, optimizing portability for tailgate enthusiasts, beach trips, and backyard cooks who frequently move their smoker between storage and the patio. Like its sister models, this outvita 3-in-1 charcoal smoker divides neatly into three operational tiers. The lowest basin holds the charcoal fuel bed and can be operated separately as an open-air fire pit, while attaching the center barrel and domed lid creates a full-scale convective smoking chamber with two cooking heights.
Capacity remains substantial, offering 400 square inches of cooking space across two stainless steel cooking racks alongside an iron hanging support with two heavy-duty hooks. This dual-tier arrangement makes it simple to smoke a pork shoulder on the lower grate while roasting vegetables or side dishes on the upper rack. To preserve heat during fuel adjustments, Outvita retained the dual access door design on this unit. Opening the lower access hatch allows cooks to stoke briquettes or slide flavored wood chunks onto the coal bed without opening the upper food door or lifting the main lid, preventing sudden temperature drops. Heat management is supported by a built-in thermometer mounted into the alloy steel dome and an adjustable top air damper that dictates chimney draft. Backyard cooks assessing various charcoal setups like an sns kettle grill will find that this dedicated vertical barrel configuration offers dedicated low-and-slow smoking capabilities that stand apart from traditional shallow kettle bodies.
Where this model shines most is in its combination of alloy steel durability and ultra-light physical weight. The latch locking mechanism firmly ties the three modular sections together, while the triangular base footing keeps the cooker elevated and planted securely on uneven ground. Because it weighs under twelve pounds and completely breaks down into separable drums, storing it inside a car trunk or a compact garden shed takes minimal effort. This model is best suited for families who demand genuine alloy steel construction without the cumbersome weight of traditional heavy drum cookers. On the other hand, shoppers who want a permanent, stationary patio centerpiece with thicker metal heft and greater overall height will find the taller 18.8-inch model a more rugged match.
Outvita Vertical 18.8 Inch Steel CharcoalBest for Heavy-Duty Backyard Cooking
Best for: Larger family gatherings needing tall capacity
Pros
- Heavy-duty 28.2-pound frame
- Tall 46.8-inch elevation
- Sturdy alloy steel construction
- Upper meat hanging bar
Cons
- Single access door configuration
- Heavier frame reduces travel ease
For pitmasters seeking a substantial, permanent presence in their outdoor cooking space, the Outvita Vertical 18.8 Inch Steel Charcoal represents the heavy-duty tier of the brand’s modular lineup. Constructed with a rugged alloy steel outer shell and stainless steel interior components, this unit tips the scale at 28.2 pounds—more than double the weight of the two smaller Outvita models. It also boasts an impressive height of 46.8 inches on an 18.8-inch by 18.8-inch base, standing tall enough to provide comfortable, upright working ergonomics without requiring the pitmaster to stoop over low grates. This height differential provides extra vertical clearance inside the cooking barrel, giving the internal iron support bar and its two sturdy meat hooks ample hanging room for whole turkeys, full racks of ribs, and large cuts of poultry.
Like its brand siblings, the cooker operates across three distinct tiers, allowing you to run it as a high-heat charcoal grill, a multi-grate convective smoker, or a low-profile fire pit by removing the upper drums. It provides 400 square inches of cooking space distributed across two cooking grates, accompanied by an adjustable top exhaust vent and a precision built-in thermometer on the lid for monitoring thermal equilibrium. Those looking into dedicated vertical options such as a dyna glo smoker will appreciate how vertical alloy steel barrels maintain natural convective airflow from the coal grate upward. However, there is a notable operational distinction on this larger model: the listing specifies a single access door rather than the dual doors found on the shorter versions. With one centralized door, managing coals and inspecting food requires slightly more intentional timing, but the thicker, heavier alloy steel framework compensates by offering superior physical stability in wind and weather.
The latch locking system on this 18.8-inch model firmly secures the stacked cylindrical body sections, working in tandem with the reinforced triangular foot structure to keep the 28.2-pound barrel completely stable during long smoking sessions. This heavy-duty cooker is built for home cooks who prioritize structural heft, greater cooking elevation, and robust alloy steel materials for regular backyard cookouts. While its heavier mass means it is less suited for spontaneous car camping than the portable outvita vertical smoker variants, it offers the reassuring permanence and solid build quality that dedicated home smoking demands.
How to Choose the Right Outvita Charcoal Smoker
When conducting an outvita vertical smoker comparison, choosing the right model comes down to balancing mobility against physical stability, overall cooker height, and the layout of the access doors. Every Outvita 3-in-1 cooker utilizes the same modular philosophy: a three-tier separable cylindrical barrel, an interior hanging rod with two hooks, a built-in dome thermometer, and an adjustable top air vent. However, the physical dimensions and structural materials dictate how each model performs in specific backyard scenarios. Understanding which outvita charcoal smoker to buy requires evaluating your available cooking space, how often you travel with your cooker, and how you manage charcoal fuel over multi-hour barbecue sessions.
The first primary consideration is cooker height and working ergonomics. The Outvita Vertical 17 Inch Charcoal BBQ stands at 31.5 inches tall, and the Outvita Vertical 18.5 Inch Steel Charcoal stands at 32.28 inches tall. These heights make both models compact and easy to pack away, but they sit closer to the ground, meaning cooks must bend down slightly to access the lower cooking grate. In contrast, the Outvita Vertical 18.8 Inch Steel Charcoal reaches an expansive 46.8 inches in height. This extra vertical dimension provides comfortable standing access to the top grate and gives the hanging hooks substantial drop clearance, making it easier to smoke whole turkeys or long sausage links without the ends touching the lower charcoal grate.
Weight and portability represent the next critical decision point. If your cooking routine frequently involves tailgating, camping trips, or seaside barbecues, the 11.8-pound Outvita Vertical 18.5 Inch Steel Charcoal and the 12-pound Outvita Vertical 17 Inch Charcoal BBQ are undisputed winners. Both models can be disassembled in seconds, packed into a car trunk, and easily carried by one person. Conversely, the Outvita Vertical 18.8 Inch Steel Charcoal weighs 28.2 pounds. While still detachable, its substantial alloy steel frame is built more for semi-permanent backyard placement where high winds or rough outdoor conditions require a heavier, sturdier cooking foundation. Cooks exploring electric or cabinet alternatives like a masterbuilt slow smoker will note that vertical charcoal barrels offer distinct simplicity, since they require no electrical cords or heating elements to function.
Finally, fuel management ergonomics should guide your selection. Both the 17-inch and 18.5-inch models feature two front access doors. This dual-door configuration offers a genuine advantage during long brisket or pork butt smokes, as you can swing open the bottom hatch to add fresh charcoal briquettes or wood chunks without letting heat and smoke escape from the upper cooking chamber. The heavy-duty 18.8-inch model features a single access door, meaning you access the interior through one central portal. While the 18.8-inch model’s heavier alloy steel build retains steady thermal momentum, cooks who like frequent, fine-tuned wood management may prefer the dual-door convenience of the 17-inch or 18.5-inch units.
FAQ
Can you use an Outvita vertical smoker as an open fire pit?
Yes. All three Outvita models featured here feature a modular three-tier design where the bottom section houses the charcoal grate and ash basin. By detaching the upper barrel sections and removing the lid, the base can be operated independently as an open fire pit for warmth or casual campfires.
How do you regulate the temperature in an Outvita charcoal smoker?
Temperature control is managed using the adjustable air outlet damper on the lid in combination with the built-in thermometer. Opening the top vent increases airflow, feeding oxygen to the burning charcoal and raising the internal cooking temperature, while partially closing the vent restricts airflow to lower the heat for low-and-slow smoking.
What are the internal hanging hooks used for?
Every Outvita vertical smoker includes an iron support bracket equipped with two sturdy hooks mounted inside the upper lid area. These hooks allow you to suspend large cuts of meat, such as whole chickens, poultry legs, racks of ribs, or sausages, directly above the heat source for uniform 360-degree smoke penetration.
How does the latch locking system improve smoker stability?
Because Outvita vertical smokers are built from separable barrel sections, the latch locking system clamps the tiers firmly together during cooking. This prevents the tiers from shifting accidentally when opening access doors or adjusting the top damper, while still allowing fast disassembly for cleaning and storage.
Which Outvita smoker is easiest to transport for camping?
The Outvita Vertical 18.5 Inch Steel Charcoal is the most portable model, weighing only 11.8 pounds while offering an alloy steel outer build. Together with the 12-pound 17-inch model, its lightweight detachable frame makes it simple to pack into standard vehicle trunks for camping trips, beach outings, or tailgates.
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