Orion Cooker The Convection BBQ Smokers (Medium- 36" H) review and price compare 2025

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Product overview

Brand	Orion Cooker
Model Name	Medium- 36" H
Power Source	Wood
Color	Stainless
Item Weight	2 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH	21 x 20 x 21 inches
Fuel Type	Charcoal

product features

This fits your .

by entering your model number.
Cooks with smoke, steam, and convection heat for fast cooking times.
Cook Times: Whole Turkey (12lbs) 1 hr. 24 min, Baby Back Ribs (6 racks) 1 hour 15 minutes, Brisket (9lbs) 4.5 hrs.
100 percent stainless steel construction.
Cooks in half the time compared to traditional smokers with the same great taste.
Comes with poultry stand, lifting handle, 3 rib hangers and three cooking grates.
Uses indirect heat to produce convection current within the cooking cylinder
Produces amazingly fast cook times

product description

Size:Convection cooker

A revolutionary way to cook out. Moist, tender meat without the wait. The revolutionary Orion Charcoal Cooker simultaneously smokes, steams, and uses convection with an extraordinarily fast cooking time. Perfect for pork tenderloin, turkey, baby back ribs, and salmon. Cooks a 20-lb. turkey in 2 hours, 15 minutes, without sacrificing succulent, juicy flavor that will melt in your mouth every time. Low-maintenance unit gives you moist and tender meat every time, with no flare-ups. Stainless steel design. Comes standard with 3 cooking grates, a poultry stand, lifting handle and 3 rib hangers. Dimensions: 19-3/4" W x 36" H. Cylinder diameter: 13". Cooking Surface: 360 square inches.

product details

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Questions about Orion Cooker The Convection BBQ Smokers (Medium- 36" H)

Could the unit be set on a countertop during use without heat damage to the countertop? I will have concrete but the sealers are heat sensitive.

Answer: The unit uses charcoal so you will want to use it outdoors. The bottom tray (while burning the charcoal) does get very hot, and it does put off some smoke. We usually set ours away from the house on our concrete pool decking. I wouldn't recommend putting it on a countertop. It does a great job--everything has turned out great. Love it.

Answer: This unit gets very hot all the way around it. I wouldn't put it on anything that could melt or be damaged by high heat.

Answer: Not sure about how much heat it would throw off but the legs are about 6 1/2 inches tall so you would get some radiant heat. I would not recommend putting it on a counter as it would be pretty high to lift the meat out. The unit is fairly tall and you have to lift up. It does an excellent job. I have only used it a couple times but was real pleased with the finished product. It seems to me that you need to add a few minutes to the cook times given. I think that is due to starting with a cold cooker and it takes a few minutes for the charcoal to heat up and really start cooking.

Answer: Probably not the best idea. Charcoal may fall out on your counter and it would be way to high. I use both of mine on the patio floor.

Answer: Are you serious? You can't be serious. Take your meds.

Answer: I would not recommend it, as it gets really hot on the bottom side.

Answer: No. Use outdoors on a floor.

cooking turkey

Answer: I have cooked 6 turkeys in my Orion, I have never been disappointed. Left one about 20 minutes too long (as based on the time limit suggested) and the only thing I noticed was it was so moist it fell into two big pieces I had to pull out separately. I have used injections and dry rubs and never been disappointed in the way this cooker does the job, I do not like to do my turkeys any other way now.

Answer: About 2-1/2 hours for 20 lb turkey, little water in drop pan. The meat will fall off the bone. Have tongs to get it out.

Answer: Yes but I have always had to let it cook longer than the directions suggest

Answer: About 7 minutes per pound, largest bird I’ve done was 30 pounds

How many minutes per pound for a brisket? Don't need a large cut.

Answer: A brisket 10lbs or less will take approximately three hours. Load it full of coal and that's about a three hour burn before the temp starts to drop. Check the meat temp at 2hrs. You want to pull it at about 195-200 degrees. I am a temp cooker not time. But should take no more than 3hrs.

Answer: Hi Fabian, I normally put a brisket that is anywhere between 10 and 14 lbs for 4 1/2 hours. If it's only 5 lbs, you might want to try 2 hours. Brisket makes delicious leftovers. I suggest buying a larger cut...you'll have enough for the week. Hope that helps.

Answer: Approx 30 mins a pound for brisket

Answer: 12 lbs is about 4.5 hrs, so I would say 1hr per 3 lbs

on the The Orion Cooker web site it sells for 149.00 bucks what makes this one worth more than twice that price? looks like you get the same items?

How is this Orion cooker different from the Orion 101 cooker offered at half the price ?

How fast will it be delivered to San Diego?

Answer: Depends on if yout prime member or not

What gauge stainless steel is it made from?

Answer: Haven't measured it but close to 16 gauge. Very sturdy.

What happens if I use regular Kingsford? I've got 3 huge babs.

Answer: Same results. i use Kingsford, Walmart, Grocery store etc...

Answer: I use regular all the time because it cheaper with no issues in cooking time. Just use the times suggested in the booklet with no worries.

Answer: We use Kingsford with no problems. Cooking times are the same. Enjoy!

Answer: Keep your big bags! Match light are just user friendly. You should soak coals very well so each one will light for even cooking. Just endure you have correct amount of coals 12 to 13 lbs.

Answer: The cooking times are based on using Matchlite. Regular charcoal will work, but cooking times will be off.

Answer: It does not mater what kind of charcoal you use, it heats from the outside in. I some times use dry branches and limbs from the woods behind my home. average time for a 8 lb shoulder butt roast is 3.5 hours or so.. just need to keep it fueled, charcoal does work the best. flraven

Answer: You can use any kind of charcoal you want. I use the cheapest stuff they sell with lighter fluid because the fumes never touch the meat.

how to you use it?

Answer:

Answer: i have used it primarly for baby back ribs it will cook from 1 to 6 racks.

Answer: Cooks great fall off the bone ribs and tender brisket.Just use the cooking times listed in the book no need to worry about over cooking

Answer: Read the directions and you should have no problem.

This is the regular or the large orion

Answer: This is the regular/Original Orion Cooker.

Has anyone had any rusting issues on the newer models?

Answer: Why do you ask?are you having a problem?I have with a older ones that are 15-18 years old .1 has a hole rusted through the bottom of top where the coal goes.I just pack aluminum in there before loading with coal.That same one the ring that holds the can itself to the smoker has split so the can is now removable but I still use it.

Answer: Yes mine came apart this year

Answer: I haven't.

The chicken skin on a whole chicken becomes rubbery, how to make it crispy in the Orion?

Answer: No matter what you smoke chicken on it will be a little less than crisp. I have a kettle bbq as well and I always transfer the coals from the orion to the other bbq. I then finish my product on that. The skin will crisp up in a few minutes. I also finish my ribs with sauce on the bbq when done on the orion. Hope this helps. Happy smoking....

Answer: Thanks everyone. I let the chickens dry out in the fridge for 48 hours, then coated it with EVOO and added my spice rub. Came out nice and a little crispy.

Answer: I use a light coating of olive oil followed by a dry spice rub. I also rub spice and place a few slices of butter in between the skin and breast meat.

I'm traveling in a motor home. what are the demensions? broken down i'm guessing i can find a spot for it.

Answer: The base is about 20 inches in diameter and it about 34 inches high. The main part of the cooking diameter is about 12 inches. Lightweight enough to move easily.

Does this unit come with the deep drip pan or the shallow drip pan?

Answer: It comes with the shallow drip pan.

Answer: The drip pan is about an inch deep But u can use other pans if you have one and it fits

Answer: It has a drip pan that is about 2” deep I think. We have had 3 Orion cookers over the years and have never had a deeper drip pan.

Answer: It is about 2 inches deep

Answer: Mine did.

I live in the Chicago and would like to do some St. Louis ribs. Any suggestions?

Answer: I visited Memphis a while back and was blown away by dry rub (no sauce) ribs from Central BBQ. So I tried a dry rub on 3 racks. I chose a rub from the on line recipes and the ribs wete delicious. There are a couple of differences between Orion ribs and those cooked other ways. Orion ribs are incredibly moist and tender - no crusty burned fat or dry stringy meat next to the bone. One of my racks was so moist that about half of it fell to the bottom. For that reason, I suggest putting one of the grills just above the bottom pan.

Which size is this one considered

Answer: This is the first one made. There is now 3 sizes, making this one the middle

Answer: The big one is what I what I ended up getting. A local home improvement store had it on clearance for $45.00 unopened new in box.

Answer: This is the Original Orion Cooker. It is NOT the Small or the Large Orion Cooker.

Does the timer start as soon as you light the fire or when the coals turn white?

Answer: Start the time as soon as you light the fire

Answer: Start as soon as you light the charcoal and use the Match Light charcoal.

Answer: My experience has been when you light the charcoal. You don't need a whole lot of charcoal. Fill up to half of rim for 3 hours of cooking. I can cook 6 racks of ribs in 3 hours total. I tried hanging and on flat racks.

Do the gates rust? Can you leave the unit outside covered without getting rusty?

Answer: We leave our cooker uncovered but in an outdoor carport/shed which has a roof. I think Orion is all stainless steel. It’s been 4 months and has not rusted so I’d say it doesn’t rust. Especially if you’re covering it.

Answer: No rust , and you can leave it outside

Unit come with a pan for drippings?

Answer: There is a pan that is placed at the bottom that will catch drippings and/or you can add liquid to it ( Like apple cider or water)

Answer: Yes it does have a drip pan but it is extremely hard to take out the pan full of hot liquid after your food is done. You can easily burn yourself trying to get it out but it can be done.

Answer: Yes. It has a shallow flat bottomed pan made from stainless steel. Make sure you add some water to the pan before lighting the coals or it will warp. Found out the hard way.

Does this cooker create a bark on the outside of the meat?

Answer:

Answer: If your looking for the bark that a traditional wood smoker creates , my answer is No, it does not do that, but I will say of you are smoking chicken with the orion and want crispy skin , rub olive oil on the chicken, I've always used a 50 gallon drum smoker , and I can say the food that comes out of the orion is on point ! Has just enough smoke flavor and very moist , I use apple wood chips or a mixture of apple and cherry , I had doubts bout this cooker , but I can say I would recommend it

Answer: Have not had that happen to the pork ribs, salmon or a 21 pound turkey I smoked so far. All of these remained moist and tender.

Answer: Not that we've had at this point because everything has come out so perfectly so far, but weren't really looking for that texture and flavor. Good question and we'll try it! LOL Meanwhile, if it doesn't you can always sear or brown on stovetop or in oven. Just another step tho and the beauty of this thing is that you load it and leave it. NOTHING like an oven or BBQ or any other contraption we've used. Good luck and sorry I didn't have a better answer.

don't have book how to use the turkey smoker

Answer: A booklet came with mine. It’s just a small one but gave some recipes and smoking times. Call Orion and ask them for the booklet. We love our smoker and the meat that we smoke turns out delicious!!!

Answer: go online to orion smoker , they have the book and several recipes on the site as well as a forum ,really easy to use put the pan in the bottom foil line for easy clean up place dry wood around pan hickory pecan ect , place meat on rack or grate spray grate with cooking spray for easy clean up put lid on load charcoal in ring large bag of match light , light and leave it alone may have to add charcoal after 2.5 hours or so

Answer: The cooker came with a book if you brought it second hand Google it

Answer: Have only smoked a 5 lb chicken. Make sure you remove package with the heart and other parts from the neck cavity. I used a salt and brown sugar brine and left the chicken in the brine overnight. I then rinsed and dried the chicken then used a basic chicken rub. I got both recipes for the brine and rub off of the internet. Put apple chips around the drip pan, put the chicken on the frame and placed on the bottom rack. The frame goes in the large cavity opening and out the neck. I filled bottom and top with charcoal and smoked for 1 hr and 5 min. Chicken was great.

Does this come with a drip pan?

Answer: Yes this does come with a drip pan.

Answer: Mine did come with a drip pan and I believe all the models do. You can also use the pan to add water/moisture to the oven and keep the food moist. One of the things this cooker does best is to keep food moist and doesn't tend to dry it out like other cookers can.

Answer: Yes there is a drip pan in the bottom of the cooker

Answer: It does with a liquid pan in the bottom. It is not the easiest to remove but if you have a steady had you can make awesome gravy with the drippings.

Answer: Yes it does but put an aluminum pan inside it and you will save yourself some clean up time

Answer: No

Answer: Yes

Has anyone found a cover that works with this cooker / smoker? The Orion Website store is sold out.

Answer: you can order the cover from the Orion Cooker website http://www.theorioncooker.com/

Answer: I picked up a Webber cover that is a little large at the top, but nicely fitted at the bottom.

Answer: Sorry, mine is from Orion.

Answer: Unfortunately, no. We tried a Brinkman one but it was too big.

can you get away with using less than the full 15lbs of charcoal and still get good results?

Answer: yes- we use a small bag of charcoal about half and mix with wood chips, a 22.5 pound turkey in 2 hours 35 mins.... it literally fell of the bone!

Answer: I can usually get at least 2-3 uses out of a bag. A lot depends on what you are cooking, temperature, and wind conditions. I made a brisket and steak a week ago and I used about a third of a bag. Hope this helps.

Answer: Yes you can however adjust the cooking time. If you use small bag of match light, add regular to it to give it some hang time. I use 2 chimney 's of regular, that's it. That gives 2 hrs heat for full 6 racks. If I do a Turkey use all u can fit in the belt. 1/2 +12

Answer: You will really enjoy it- bought ours last Christmas and it has been one of the best gifts ever! Quicker than in the oven and in the summer- the house isn't heated up in contrast with AC..... because the roast, chicken, ribs, are all being cooked outside! :) Enjoy!

Is it 36" or 21"? It says 36" above

Answer: It depends on whIch size you actually order. I ordered the 36” and received a 36” Orion Cooker.

Answer: 36 I think. It's the Medium size model.

Can you use a wired meat temperature probe on this cooker?

Answer: I use my Orion Smoker to primarily cook thick rack of ribs (four racks) and check the temp with a hand held temp probe after cooking them about 1 hr 45 min.. Having said this, I am by NO means an expert on wired temp probes. However, I have read several forums where Orion owners have used a remote thermometer made by Thermaworks, with good success and I have also read where some have use wired meat temperature probes (with equal success) ... taking special care not to overly bend the wire as it comes out of the top of the smoker. I would recommend that you check Google for Orion forums on this question. Happy Cooking!!

Answer: I’ve never tried that, but I think it would work.

Answer: I dont know. I only used it twice & then gave it to Goodwill.

Answer: I used one with no issues.

can you hot dogs &hamburgs?

Answer: I would not recommend cooking hot dogs and/or hamburgers. This is a smoker, not a grill

Answer: You can but why? It would be a waste of charcoal. The orion is best suited for larger cuts of meat, pork shoulder, Boston butt, ribs etc.

Answer: Sure, and a lot of them too. I used my Orion to cook for a baseball team party and those smoked burgers turned out amazing. No one could stop talking about them. They cook fast, so use a strong wood like hickory or misquite.

Answer: My husband says that it can be done although he has never tried. He said that you won't get the grill marks on the meat when it is cooked in the smoker but it will dry out if overcooked.

Answer: It would be like cooking them in a Oven. I would not. But it could be done. Turkey and Prime Ribs. Are off the Hook.

I’ve had my orión for 5 yrs, it’s rusting at the base of the barrel. We live in coastal area but I keep it sealed in a heavy leaf bag. Anyone else?

Answer: I've had mine for over a year and it shows no sign of rust.

Has anyone purchased a rib rack for the orioncooker? If so, which brand works best?

Answer: We just use the rib hangers that came with the cooker and it works great!

Answer: It comes with rib holders and will handle 6 racks of ribs at one time.

Lost my rib hangers. Has anybody made a replacement or found where to buy?

Answer: You can go on Orion's website and order them. Just google Orion replacement parts. They offer the rib hangers. I hope this helps and happy smoking :)

Would like to know how to smoke country ribs in the Orion

Answer: Just lay 'em on the racks after rubbing with seasonings and cook by weight for pork. I have cooked them and baby backs and they came out tasting great. I now "finish" mine on my Weber grill 'cause I like a little char. I don't use the rib hangers anymore because the ribs tend to fall of making a mess of getting them out.

Answer: This is how I do it I add about 6 smoke chips 3 on each side of the drip pan. I use apple and I add a little beer to the drip pan. Add charcoal close it let me cook. Best of luck Geary

Has anyone made jerky with this? How did it come out?

If I wanted to cook both a ham and brisket at once, can you put the meat in a tin pan to keep the juices from dripping onto the other food.

Answer: I would put on meat on top and the other on the bottom grid. You could then put a shallow pan on the middle grid to catch the juices from above. I would not put any meat in a pan. I think it would interfere with the natural flow of the smoky heat and your meat would not cook as fast as the other piece in the cooker.

other than the price increase what is the difference between this cooker and the original one?

Answer: They are the same .

Its only 199 on their website why so expensive here

Answer: There are fees associated with doing business through Amazon. That is why there is a price difference. Hope this helps.

I just need drip pan

Answer: This did not "smoke" meat like you would expect. Hardly any flavor. You might ck yard sales, goodwill, restore (habitat for humanity),1 We only used ours 2 times & gave it to Goodwill,- they may hv just the pan.

Answer: you can buy one direct from Orion on the web

Will extreme cold temperatures affect your cooking time

Answer: Customers have successfully cooked in 20 degree temperatures. Wind has more of an impact on the cooker and cook times.

Answer: Yes some. Many of us take a galvanized garbage can and turn it upside down to help retain heat and protect from winds. Great FB group with tips and tricks.

Answer: I wouldn't think so. Not by much anyway.

Where can I get parts for my Orion convection cooker?

Answer: dmk,

Answer: On line direct from Orion http://www.theorioncooker.com/

Answer: Call manufacturer. They are great people.

Why isn’t it in stock anymore?

Answer: Go to bass pro. We bought one from there as well. The price is the same

How large a turkey can it cook?

Answer: I think it can take a 20lb turkey. The turkey I cooked was 12.5 lbs and there was plenty of room left.

Answer: it will cook a 20 lb turkey in two and half hours talk about smokin! Cook it and then invite us!

Answer: I don't know, but have decided not to worry about it this year. Someone else has volunteered to cook the turkey.

Answer: I believe 20 according to the book but I think it could hold a bigger one. Use the poultry stand.

Answer: 21 pounds

Is this a good size for cooking or a family of 5 and large gatherings as well? Looking to buy for my husband for Father's Day and want the right size

Answer: Yes we have a family of 11 and can fit lots of meat inside as well as many racks of ribs, roasts, etc... I think there are some user pictures that can best illustrate daily use.

Answer: Oh your husband will love it. It will handle 6 racks of ribs easy. Turkey's no problem and pork shoulders to. Everyone raves about it. I love mine, portable and dosent take up much space either.

Answer: Yes, a whole pork but would be ideal.

Can you start this with some charcoal and then keep it going with wood?

Answer: You can use wood but I don't know why you would bother. A 12-14 pound of even the cheapest self-lighting charcoal will last up to 4 and 1/2 hours, which is more than enough to cook even the largest butts or briskets you can fit inside it. I can imagine starting it with wood and adding the charcoal, but not the other way around as wood in the size you need to fit the Orion would burn down too quickly.

Answer: Sure, but the wood would have to somewhat conform to the shape of the container. That's why charcoal is the full of choice.

Answer: the wood chips would have to be small to fit around inside the ring. the best would be

Answer: I don't see why not. Just as long as it does not generate too much heat. You can check with the orion Web site forum section and ask them as well. Good luck and enjoy your cooker.

Answer: No must use nothing but coals

To do 6 racks of ribs do i need 6 hangers or can i just use the three it came with

Answer: Use the 3 rib hangers that come with the cooker. Hang 2 racks of ribs per hanger. Enjoy!

Answer: You will use the three included hangers with 2 racks of ribs for each hanger. Thank you for your question!

Answer: put up to three racks to a hanger

Is there room to put a full size turkey on the bottom rack and a full size ham on the top?

Answer: That depends if the turkey can lay flat on the cooking grate. If it can, than yes, you can cook both at the same time. If the turkey will not lay flat----you can't cook them at the same time.

Answer: Yes, it comes with a turkey frying rack to stand the turkey up but if your going to do a ham as well, I wouldn't use the turkey rack.

Answer: I never done it before but my guess would be yes so as long as it’s not a huge turkey. I love this cooker.

Answer: We always cook our turkey in the Orion cooker. It comes out perfect. I think our turkey takes up the entire cooker.

Answer: Yes

kooking turkey

Answer: It was great, for cooking a turkey. Be careful not to over cook, will fall off the bone.

I recently purchased this cooker. I have the recipes it come with. Is there a recipe book with more recipes or an alternate recipe book that I could purchase?

Answer: i have never used a recipe book. I use the cooker for beer-can chicken(2) or roasting a turkey.

Answer: You can go to the web site or make your own recipes cooking times are true for the wears of your choice

Answer: Not sure about a cookbook but you can find recipes and ideas on youtube and pinterest.

Should I season my new Orion before the first cook?

Answer: No. There is nothing you need to do before smoking. I found clean up to be easier by removing the rings on the drip pan and then double lining the drip pan with aluminum foil. I clean the smoker after every use. There is no need to season the smoker.

Answer: No need. Just start cooking.

Answer: I did not. It's stainless steel.

Answer: Good wash only!!!

Answer: Yes

Will I be able to use the Orioncooker in Chicago's weather? This is really a continuation of my previous question.

Answer: Can you use a outdoor grill? I wouldnt see why you couldnt. Just keep it out of the wind as much as possible. The heat is on the inside not the outside.

Answer: I have cooked a Turkey at 28 degrees. You will have you use more charcoal and give everything more cook time. I hope this helps.

Answer: As long as the charcoal will stay lite it should work just fine.

Does the center part lift out of the charcoal container for cleaning, or is it attached?

Answer: The large cylinder in the middle does not come apart. Just a tip, if you will take a bar of soap and coat the outside of the cooker before you light it. It will clean up much easier. I love mine.

Answer: Ora not come out but as was said below, easy to clean

Answer: Its attached, but is easy to clean and works great.

Answer: Yes , greats come out easy to clean

Answer: Attached

Can I do beef jerky in this cooker?

Answer: No, jerky normally cooks slow, you can smoke ribs in 2 hrs. So I would say no

Answer: I've never tried to make beef jerky. I haven't seen anything in the owner's manual about it.

Product reviews of Orion Cooker The Convection BBQ Smokers (Medium- 36" H)

Hskrb : Great Smoker

If you like juicy "crock pot" style smoked meat, then this is the cooker for you. I smoked 10 pounds of pork butt to perfection in 3 hours on this baby. It would have taken 3-4 times that long on a traditional smoker. This thing will smoke a 20lb turkey in 2 hours!!

It uses a lot of charcoal per cook (about 15 lbs) but you can use the cheapest stuff they sell as the heat is used indirectly, so the quality of the coal or the amount of lighter fluid you use will not affect the flavor at all.

Some have called this the lazy man's smoker because you calculate your cook time based on the weight and type of meat you are smoking. Then you just light it and leave it alone until the time is up.

You will not regret adding this to your cooking arsenal.

Michael Ruddick : Not sure yet

Not sure yet. It’s a new way to cook and so far the Boston butt was to take 3.5 hours. Charcoal burned out at 4 hours and butt was no where near done. Trying a turkey breast today....will see. Will update if things change.

Rhino-Mite : Best ribs ever, by far!!!!!

I waited a year to try this and I don't know why. I am currently looking for more at a good price. I loved it s much and the ribs were so good, I am buying more to cook more. The cook was so easy. Tender, juicy, and so easy. Literally follow the directions and you'll be pleased. I seasoned the ribs my way with olive oil and my favorite rub and then lit the cooker and waited the time. I checked the meat and let cook a little longer to 190. Add 1/2 gallon of liquid to the pan whatever liquid you want and you won't be sorry. Best ribs ever, by far!!!!!

deeter : Quality Materials, Easy Assembly.

We haven’t used the cooker yet. I will post another review when we have. However, the cooker was delivered three days earlier than expected. It is boxed very well.

The assembly could not have been easier. All pieces are heavy duty. Overall, we are impressed with the product thus far and are eager to cook with it.

RB : Best Smoker I have ever used

My dad had one of these and told me how fast it cooked. Over the years he has used a variety of smokers including a true smoker with separate heat box. Many of those would take 6-12 hours to slow cook meat. This one will cook 9 racks of baby back ribs in 1-1/2 hours and they are super tender. It is a little unconventional, but absolutely does the job and does it fast. While the meat is separate from the charcoal the little amount of wood chips you add inside provide enough smoke and I can't tell the difference between meat cooked with this versus meat cooked on the old traditional smokers.

My only complaint is during assembly, the phillip head screws are hard to reach since you can't be straight on them when tightening. It would make more sense, due to location, to use hex head and include a wrench in packaging.

T. D. Bourque : smoker by orion

I just love it, you don't have to watch it. go about your work and come back in a couple of hours and it is done, no guess work.we placed a 8 pound brisket on the smoker and came back a few hours later and it was cooked throughout. I should have bought it a long tome ago. clean up is not bad, some soft scrub and a sos pads rinse wipe it dry and your done. and it is made out of stainless steel, down to the screws. I would recommend this smoker to anyone that wants juicy meats without the hassle of watching the bit to see when it is done.the convection process is also neat.and amazon had a better price than my local store. you want be sorry!

Amazon Customer : Great Smoker for Backyard Chefs!

So far, everything we’ve smoked has come out perfect every time! Great smoker especially for a small space.

Steve : Bullet proof

All i can say is that i love this thing! Had it for about 5 years now. Everything i had cooked in it has been amazing. I even take it out to the desert and cook perfect smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving. Ribs are fall off the bone and tri-tip is amazing in 45 mins. Uses about 12-15 lbs bag of match light charcoal per use. Very light and portable. Stainless steel does change coler with heat but doesnt affect function. I keep mine outside without a cover and no rust yet.

KMarDil : Easy to use, works great!

Hands down, the BEST smoker/convection cooker out there! Cooks food faster, and it's super easy to set up and use.

addictive : If you like moist smoked meat easy and fast this is for you.

Moist on the inside with a nice bark on the outside, smoked flavor throughout. Cooks a 20 lb turkey in 1 1/2 hours falling off the bone and pork butt in 3 1/2 ready to pull. So good ????

Amazon Customer : Anxious to use it

I can not personally rate this as it was sent as a present to a family member 500 miles away. I was told that they are pleased with the cooker but they have not had a chance to use it yet.

Mommajomma : But hubby had been turning out some pretty tastey stuff

I was skeptical. But hubby had been turning out some pretty tastey stuff. We are trying a turkey this year in it for Thanksgiving. I haven’t made turkey in at least 12 years because its so hit or miss. You literally load, light and walk away..

Ed S : Have already recommended it to about 4 other people

After 46 years on this planet I was finally able to make a beef brisket that was worth eating. 15lb brisket in 4.5hrs plus the 2 days of brining before hand. This cooker is a no brainer and it allowed me to finally get the beef brisket monkey off my back! Have already recommended it to about 4 other people. Great product!

Chris Singleton : Best Smoker!

A friend recommended the Orion smoker because it is very easy to use even for a beginner like me. Other smokers require you to watch the temperature and add wood or pellets as needed to maintain an even temp...for hours! This smoker is incredibly simple to use. I smoked 2 beer butt chickens and they turned out perfect. I assembled the Orion smoker, fished my digital thermometer wire through the hole in the bottom, added apple wood chips around the outside of the drip pan, placed the 2 beer butt chickens on the center rack, put the top on, added charcoal around the outside ring and top, lit it, set my timer for 1.5 hours, came back later, and the internal temp was 172 degrees. The chicken tasted awesome! Very juicy! The smoke flavor was throughout the meat but not overwhelming. I highly recommend this smoker to novices and experienced Grill Masters.

Amazon Customer : Great Product

I bought this for my husband for his birthday, and he has had nothing but praise for it. We've cooked chicken and a pork loin in it and both were done in a little more than an hour and were tender and juicy. He also took it to work with him and cooked 2 pork loins for the night crew, and they turned out fantastic. All you do is light the coals, put the meat on and forget it. You're not even supposed to open it and look at the meat until it's done...this is the hard part for my husband because he barbeques all the time and is used to checking on the meat periodically. You don't get the smoke flavor that you get on a pit, but you do get a charcoal grill flavor. My recommendation here is that you highly season whatever meat you're cooking, then you don't miss the smoke flavor.

I highly recommend this product for it's portability, ease of cooking and the great tasting finished product.

Tony T. : a no brainer

I received my Orion cooker a day before my b-day. I had no idea what i was doing but decided to cook a 8 lb. boston butt and three racks of ribs for my party. They were a hit, everyone could not say enough about how tender & tastey everything was. Now im getting request to cook for other parties. Not bad for someone that had no clue!

loub : STICK TO THE BOOK!

If you follow the the instructions in the book regarding cooking times you'll be okay. Seasoning and recipes will be on you, so stick with what you've used in the past and you'll be okay. I've tried brisket, ribs, and smoked my first turkey and they all were amazing. Also one back of 11/12LB charcoal is enough, don't add more than that! Good luck...you won't need it bc the Orion does all the work! WEwT

Danielle : Set it and forget it

Fantastic smoker, referred this model from a family member, cooked ribs for 4 hours nice and slow. Completely fell off the bone. Peeled potatoes and placed it the pan, soaked up all the drippings, Easy to use set it and forget it. Great buy.

Paul K Martin : Easy to use

Very good cookers

Melissa L. Faust : An Orion is a MUST for every home!

Our neighbors has had one for the past 10 years, and after borrowing theirs a couple times, we decided to buy one of our own. It was the best purchase we have made all year, as we use it almost daily because of how fast it is to cook anything we want! We have cooked ribs, turkey, brisket, pizza, and our next gilling will be a lasagna! Can't wait to keep trying all the new recipes, and we look forward to many years of enjoying this cooker.

Blake : AMAZING

Bought this cause my dad had one, wanted to try it for myself and was in no way disappointed, I love this smoker already, cooked a 9 pound pork butt in 3 and a half hours!

T. D. Bourque : smoker by orion

ChulaVistan : One of my favorite BBQ toys

Bobby Flay used to have a BBQ series where he had a huge assortment of grills and smokers. My dream is to have a backyard like that, but currently I have two smokers, a grill, a griddle and the Orion, which is in a class all by itself. The Orion Cooker is a fancier and better version of an upside down trash can bbq (google it for some fun videos). It's a metal chamber with up to three levels for food. You add charcoal to the ring around the cooker and to the top- this makes for some concentric heat waves that cook the food quickly..and because it's contained, the food is juicy as well. This Orion is my "go to" when I need to make ribs in a hurry- i've fit as many as 6 slabs of ribs and they are ready (and falling off the bone tender) in a little over an hour. I gave one to my oldest friend as a wedding present and he makes his Thankgiving turkey in it every year. It is somewhat of a pain to clean- I recommend easy off oven cleaner and some steel wool (of course, watch for loose wool threads). Also, the cylinder that holds the food is sealed, with the heat on the outside- so it's tricky to get a smokey flavor, if that's what you're after. (btw, there is a way to do- you put smallish wood chips on the inner edge of the cylinder and rely on the overall heat to burn them). Overall, though, it's fun to cook with and is especially great for cooking ribs. When you start it up, you have a ring of flames around the Orion- almost a spectacle at my parties. And you have the benefit of having a gadget that almost no one will have (I've yet to meet a fellow Orion owner.)

Melissa L. Faust : An Orion is a MUST for every home!

Pig Trapper : Old School Chef

I have been smoking pork for more than 7 years on a regular basis. I have tweaked my style many times trying to hit the "magic" meal. Just two years back I found my magic and have been happy with it. Three months back I purchased the orion and all my joy was shattered. How can this be that I can cook in half the time and get the same or sometime better? This thing is unbeliveable. It has been connsistant time after time and I have just purchased another one for a friend. Only thing missing is the time waiting for the meat do finish is no longer there. Sometime this was the most fun of the entire cook. Great cooker for anyone.

Smoker Cooker : OK Smoker, one way to save on charcoal

I've only used the Orion Smoker a few times and the initial results have been good. However, see my update below - results have been mixed, so I've changed my rating.

Reading the other reviews, the biggest complaint is the amount of charcoal recommended - a full 16 lb bag and the instant light version too. Expensive!

I noticed the Orion Smoker instructions say that if you use less charcoal you need to keep the coals up against the base of the smoker. What I did was to use copper sheathing and cut 2 pieces about 3" wide and just long enough to go 1/2 way around the cooker based where the charcoal sits and bent it to keep it so that I could use about 1/2 the space in the bottom of the smoker (a ring inside the smoker base ring) so that it keeps the charcoal pressed up against the base of the cooker.

Instead of using the instant light charcoal (which is more expensive), I used a bag of the regular charcoal and used a "Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter" to get it started. That Weber device is amazing - 2 sheets of newspaper and 1 match and fill the can up with charcoal right to the top and in 15-20 minutes the charcaol is ready to go! When the charcoal is hot, just dump it in the cavity between the copper sheathing and the base of the cooker which keeps it pressed up againest the smoker base and it turns out to stay PLENTY hot enough for the time it takes for ribs, chicken or turkey. Maybe for items that require more than 2 hours (like a brisket) you might need to add more charcoal, I haven't tried cooking anything more than 2 hours yet.

The bottom line is that I use lessed than 1/2 a bag of charcoal and getting it lit was really easy. One thing you have to remember is that you have to substract about 15 minutes from the recommended cooking times because the coals are already hot when you dump then in the smoker so there is little to no warm up time. You can see smoke coming from the cooker within 5 minutes.

As noted in the Orion manual, the amount of ambient Wind makes a big difference regarding the amount of Charcoal used. So if it's windy outside, you will need more charcoal.

Update: After a few months of usage. I've downgraded my rating to 3 stars (my original 5 stars) because I've had mixed results with the Smoker. For cooking Turkey, the result has been great. You do need to check the temperature with a Thermapen early to make sure it's not overcooked, or undercooked. However, we've had disappointing results with smoking chicken pieces and ribs racks. If your expecting "fall-off-the-bone" chicken and ribs - it's not happening. The chicken and ribs have a nice smokey flavor, but the meat is a bit tough. We also cooked a whole chicken to what we thought was the right amount of time, but it turned out to be overdone - the chicken had actually fallen apart off the holder - so you really need to check the food early, you can always recover and cook more if needed. So all I can say is that it does a great job with Turkey - but everything else we've tried is just average. So the reason for the 3-star rating.

PATRICIA W. : When I saw all the positive reviews on ...

I smoked a butt and 2 rack of ribs about a week apart. The pork is barely edible and the ribs I'm throwing out. Just can't eat them. I have an obsolete Char-Broil smoker that I've been using for years. I cook low and slow and add wood chips to my electric grill every hour because I made vent holes in the grill. The meat I cook is is so good. When I saw all the positive reviews on the Orion I thought I would try it out before giving one to my son. Now I've got a grill I wish I could get rid of. I think if you don't vent your smoker that the wood smolders and leaves a peculiar flavor. One other thing, cleaning my electric grill takes very little time but with the Orion and all other grills that use charcoal not only do you have to spend 12 bucks on charcoal but what do you do with it after you cook. Anybody want an Orion cooker at a good price?

Teresa Wasdin : Great Smoker!

The guys at work kept talking about their Orion Cookers so I bought one. I have tried the old style Brinkman Smokers and had terrible luck keeping it at temperature and just generally had bad luck. The Orion is basically fool proof. Put wood chips inside, add your meat of choice, put the lid on, add charcoal and light. For a tender and delicious turkey you let it stay in for approximately 1 1/2 hours. It can't get any easier! Well worth the money!

E. Neumeister : New Favorite Toy

Awesome cooker. I don't typically brag about items I buy, but this one I've told everyone about. I was impressed when I cooked ribs and a turkey both in one night and the turkey leg fell off as I was taking the bird out, it was just that tender. The next weekend I put in a beef brisket, and when it was fall apart tender, that just sealed the deal for me. This is my new favorite toy!!!

Mark C. : The Orion always does a great job!

This was a Christmas present for my son (mainly because he had my Orion hostage. LOL I really love these cookers and have yet to have a bad experience with one. I've had mine for 3 years now and it's still going strong. I definitely recommend them!

K. Murphy : Amazing Cooker

Bought this for my Texan husband who loves smoking briskets and pork shoulders. It works fast and makes tender, fall off the bone meats. All of our guests ask how we got it so tender. Small size so takes up a lot less space than a full size smoker and is so much easier to use. Only requires one bag of charcoal and wood chips to get the same effect as a stack of mesquite, hickory, or pecan.

Blake : AMAZING

Bought this cause my dad had one, wanted to try it for myself and was in no way disappointed, I love this smoker already, cooked a 9 pound pork butt in 3 and a half hours!

Indian Bruce : Happy diner

Awesome product make spectacular chicken in an hour less than beer an chicken. Great Smokey flavor. Fast and good

ShamRocks : Awesome

Works as advertised.

Amazon Customer : Anxious to use it

I can not personally rate this as it was sent as a present to a family member 500 miles away. I was told that they are pleased with the cooker but they have not had a chance to use it yet.

David W : Great Smoker

Great smoker! I have used mine for three years and could not bd more pleased with the grill! Bought this one for my son.

LCP : Excellent for smoke taste in meats

This is my second Orion. The first one came with a fully assembled base, this one did not, so I had to attach the feet to it, which I wasn't crazy about having to do. Overall this is a great smoker, especially for ribs... I've done as many as 9 racks at a time and they always come out tasty, moist and yummy.

rosemary : Value, quality and the best BBQ/Smoked meat ever!

I’ve had an Orion for 10 years and absolutely love it. I bought one for my son and he is also enjoying cooking on his Orion. Great quality!

jaydubbya : Easily the best piece of cooking equipment I've ever used

I went back-and-forth between this inexpensive cooker and the Big Green Egg. While the egg gets incredible reviews, I simply could not justify spending that kind of money on an outdoor cooker. Several people recommended the Orion, and, for the price, I figured I'd give it a shot. I could not be happier with it.

The first meal we cooked on it was a six pound beef brisket. We marinated it overnight in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, Coca Cola, and various spices. We then pulled the meet out of the marinade, patted it dry with paper towels, brushed with yellow mustard, and liberally applied a homemade dry rub. We used a mixture of mesquite and hickory chips for smoke, and poured some of the remaining marinade into the drip pan. Then, we simply added charcoal, lighter fluid, and fire. We patiently waited the required time and checked the temperature. We had to cook for about 15 minutes more to get the internal temp up, and the we pulled out the beautiful brisket. After letting the meat rest for about an hour, we started carving. The meat was incredibly tasty and tender. I simply could not believe how easy it was.

Since that day, we've cooked a whole pork tenderloin (incredible), a whole turkey (awesome), baby back ribs twice(fantastic), three racks of spare ribs (very good but we should have cooked slightly longer), a nine-pound turkey breast (may be the best piece of meat to come off of the cooker... we used a creole butter injectable and 100% applewood chips... it was done in 60 minutes!), and another brisket (more deliciousness). Something to consider is we've cooked all of these things in the two months since we've owned it. I simply cannot express how much I love this cooker.

For charcoal, we use the cheapest available. Our local supermarket brand is approximately $8 for a 20 pound bag. If I am cooking ribs, turkey, or any other meat which doesn't require a long cooking time, I will use less than the recommended 15 pounds of charcoal.

The only downsides to the unit are:
1. it is difficult to remove the drip pan without spilling the drippings (the handles are worthless). We generally try to remove the drip pan immediately after the meat so they don't cook down into char... that makes it much easier to clean the drip pan)
2. The top of the unit should have some sort of reinforcement to keep the circular shape true. The very edges will curl in slightly, making it slightly difficult to get the unit together. This really becomes a problem when you need to open and re-close the unit.
3. If it starts raining, good luck. The flames are all open, meaning rain very possibly could shut down your cooking day. We've rigged up a cover to use in emergencies, and I am sure my neighbors just love to see that contraption.

Even with the above problems, I cannot recommend this unit enough.

Michael Ruddick : Not sure yet

LCP : Excellent for smoke taste in meats

Denise Moore : This Orion cooker is awesome

The Orion cooker is so easy to use. You put your meat in, light the charcoal and walk away for 3-4 hrs. It is awesome!!

Amazon Customer : Everything is okay

I noticed that it's a lot bigger then the last one I got don't like using 12 pounds of charcoal be a little expensive using it a lot

B.Gin : Best Father's Day gift

Bought this for my husband for Father's Day. He had mentioned it a few months before. We've used it at home a few times and even took it camping. Love how easy and quick it is.

Ben Pope : Everyone needs one

I have only used once but I can tell you it is as advertised. I am Impressed with quality and cook time. The hardest part was leaving the top on without checking the food for the duration of the cook time.

Amazon Customer : Everything is okay

I noticed that it's a lot bigger then the last one I got don't like using 12 pounds of charcoal be a little expensive using it a lot

Angel L. Rodriguez : Great smoker

I love this smoker

I love this smoker!!! The first thing I tried cooking in it was a pork butt along with some brined turkey legs. All of it turned out perfectly! Low and slow is the name of the game. The next thing I cooked was burgers and hot dogs which again, turned out perfect. Now, that isn't obviously the grills doing, but it was easier than other smoker/grills I have used in the past.

LM : Cooks so quickly.

Cooks food in a fraction of the normal time. Ribs are fantastic this way! Soap and water cleans the inside pans. Great cooker/smoker!

Steve Bingham : Get one if you like moist, flavorful meat

Bought my first one locally in the spring of 2011. I estimate we've used it 3 times a month in the six and a half years we've had it, which comes out to roughly 225 uses, and it's finally beginning to show some deterioration where the smoke chamber attaches to the charcoal trough (stainless steel is corrosion resistant, not corrosion proof, and the resistance depends on the grade of stainless steel). I'm ordering another one so there's no downtime when my current one bites the bullet. It's hard to convey how well this smoker performs; chicken, beef, fish, and pork all come out moist with a great smoked flavor. Following the simple guidelines provided, we've never had anything not cooked to perfection. As the instructions suggest, resist the temptation to check on your meat during cooking; you will just let out steam and smoke and delay the cooking process. Set the timer on your phone and go back when it's done. As Ron Popeil says, just "set it and forget it".

Edit: received my new smoker and noticed it is constructed differently (much better and stronger) in the area the old one was deteriorating.

Paul : Meat Heaven

Wow!
I was a little leery at first.
The Orion cooker is fantastic. It cooks large pieces of meat in less time. The meat is flavorful, moist and cooked to perfection every time. Trust the owners' manual for cook times and you're set.

I recommend cooking a second round of food immediately after the initial cooking; a smaller joint of meat or a chicken. This will make full use of the 13 lb. bag of Match Light charcoal.

Upsides: Quick cook times, tender and juicy meat, great for smoking meats, etc.
Downsides: Removing the drip pan can be a bit awkward.

Overall, this is a great product that performs as advertised.

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