If you’re looking for a portable smoker that’s actually small enough to pack into your RV, won’t take up the whole trunk of your car, or even be easily stored away for apartment living, ASMOKE’s AS300 is a strong contender.
With a lower price tag than the Traeger Ranger, Scout, and GMG’s Davy Crockett, how does it’s performance really stack up?
In this ASMOKE AS300 review, we take a good look at how this briefcase-style tabletop pellet smoker performs to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you. We’ll cover everything from how much you can smoke on the AS300, to what grilling is like, how to clean it, and, what type of power it needs to run on.
Before you start reading!! – There’s an updated version of this smoker, the AS350. You can read our review of it here.
Or, if you want the cheaper option that’s still the same size, keep on reading. ASMOKE do still sell the AS300.
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Table of Contents
The Skinny on the ASMOKE AS300
Being a less-mainstream company, ASMOKE’s AS300 is priced a little lower than other similar portable pellet smokers. But, it’s low price isn’t all that this barbecue’s got going for it.
The AS300 is very well-built, making it strong and durable option for anyone looking for a portable tabletop pellet smoker. Setting it up takes only seconds, the PID temperature controller regulates the temperature very well for consistent results, and, the color LED panel with included meat probe makes it easy to operate.
As a nice bonus, the AS300 also has a slide plate flame broiler so you can actually grill and sear over the high heat of a real wood fire. It’s a perfect solution for anyone torn between wanting to smoke and grill effectively.
With 256 square inches of cooking space and a compact 4 pound pellet hopper, no you can’t cook whole brisket’s on the AS300. But, as a small and affordable pellet smoker that does what it’s designed to do very well, we definitely recommend it.
Features of the ASMOKE AS300 Portable Pellet Smoker
Construction:
- Color LED control panel
- Sturdy build with built-in legs
- Porcelain-coated cooking grates
- Decent 256 square inches of cooking space
- Compact 4 pound pellet hopper
Ease of use:
- PID temperature controller auto-regulates the heat to within 10°F of your set target
- Slide plate flame broiler for open flame grilling
- Patented air duct system ensures even temperature distribution
- Faster heating than comparable grills, reducing pellet usage
- Lid latches prevent opening during travel
- Pellet hopper clicks closed, preventing spilling while moving
Included extras:
- Programmable meat probe
- Waterproof grill cover
- Some packages also include the carry bag
In-Depth Review of the ASMOKE AS300
ASMOKE were born out of the want for a better portable pellet smoker that makes healthier and tastier barbecue something everyone can enjoy. And, the AS300 was their first model, the focus of their efforts and the ‘cue that’s led to their success.
ASMOKE promise a lot for their competitive price. So, how does it stack up against more mainstream brands with more experience behind them?
Read on to find out how this popular grill and smoker performs.
Construction
Something that was really important to ASMOKE in designing this portable pellet smoker was quality. And, they’ve done a really good job. Made form a mix of steel and stainless steel with porcelain-coated cast iron grates, the build quality really is solid and it’s definitely a sturdy setup which is very important when you might be working in less than ideal conditions.
There’s four different colors available; Cinder Black, Apple Red, Pine Green and Tahoe Blue.
The hopper sits inside the briefcase design and clips closed so the pellets don’t spill when you move it. There’s also two heavy-duty spring-loaded latches that secure the whole unit when it’s not in use.
In terms of portability, the whole unit weighs 41 pounds. It’s not super lightweight. But, for a high-quality pellet smoker, it’s not a bad weight. Measuring almost 25 inches long by 14 inches high and 18 inches deep, it’s not huge either and much smaller than most other portable pellet smokers.
Capacity
Being a tabletop style portable smoker, the AS300 can’t hold a huge amount of meat. But, with it’s double rack design, you do get a surprising 256 square inches of cooking space.
To give you a picture of what that actually looks like, you can fit about 8 burgers, 1 decent sized chicken, or, 1 rack of ribs (cut in half to fit) on the AS300 at a time. So, you can feed up to a family of 4, depending on appetite of course!
The pellet hopper holds 4 pounds of pellets. And, while that doesn’t compare to full-sized portable pellet smokers, it’s reasonably decent for a briefcase design.
How much smoke time a full hopper of pellets is going to give you will depend a lot on the temperature you’re cooking at and how warm it is outside. But, we were looking at around about 6 hours of low and slow smoking time per 4 pounds of pellets.
Not bad for a pellet smoker in general. ASMOKE do claim the AS300 uses 20% less pellets than the competitors and we did find that guide to be reasonably accurate.
Smoking Performance
Smoking on the AS300 is simple, straightforward, and, the results are legit.
ASMOKE’s precise PID-style temperature controller does a good job of regulating the heat. In general, it keeps things within about 10°F of your target throughout your cook.
Thanks to the AS300’s carefully designed patented air duct system, the heat is remarkably even throughout the grill. Even the top shelf sits at about the same temperature as the bottom. So, it’s not just a warming rack. You can 100% use it to smoke on as well.
There aren’t any especially fancy features. You simply fill the hopper, set the temperature, pop the included probe in your meat and close the lid to let it do it’s thing.
The main concern buyers have is that they’ll have to keep reloading the hopper really frequently. We’ve been able to get over 6 hours of low and slow temperatures without a refill. So, opening it every 6 hours isn’t too bad. The only real concern here is that because the firepot is small, it will fill with ash and need a clean on really long cooks.
Basically, we don’t recommend it if you’re planning on doing 12 hour + briskets (which wouldn’t fit anyway). But, it’s a portable pellet smoker. Most people (yourself included?), will be planning on doing shorter, faster cooks so they can get on with whatever it is they’re doing on the road.
If so, the smoke quality and meat you pull off the AS300 is as good as you’d expect from any other more expensive portable pellet smoker.
Grilling Performance
One of the most exciting things, in our opinion, about the ASMOKE AS300 is that it grills over the open flame as well!
Yes, you heard that right. If you want to cook a steak, you don’t just crank the temperature up as hot as it goes and hope for the best. Instead, there’s a perforated heat deflector plate that you can slide open for direct flame mode.
So, although the AS300 maxes out at 500°F, you can grill a lot hotter than that, over a real, wood-fired flame. And, the results are really what you’d expect. A good crispy skin, moist center and enough flavor without any propane or charcoal-tainted flavor.
The AS300 even heats up to max faster than you’d expect.
But, if you’re considering the AS300 because it grills as well as smokes, yes, it does a legit good job of both.
Included Extras
The AS300 comes with 1 meat probe. It hooks up to the color LED display panel so you can see both the ambient cooking temperature and the internal temperature of your meat without having to open the lid.
There’s also a grill waterproof grill cover included along with the top tier grate, detachable power cable, and of course, grease bucket.
To get started, you absolutely don’t need anything else except for a bag of pellets and some meat.
Warranty
ASMOKE offer a 5 year warranty on all of their pellet grills, including the portable AS300. It’s seriously impressive because, not only is 5 years a decent amount of time. But, industry-wide, most portable pellet smokers have a reduced warranty compared to their full-sized grills. But, not this one.
There’s the standard exceptions you’d expect like not applying to the paint or misuse, and, you need to do the regular cleaning. But, the long duration is definitely a reflection of how good a quality the AS300 is and that you can expect it to outlast the 5 years.
Optional Extras
There’s two sweet extras that you can get for the AS300.
Firstly, there’s the carry bag that not only makes it easier to pick up and move. But, also protects the smoker from collecting some dings and scratches while you’re moving it. We’d highly recommend it if you’re planning on using the AS300 for camping, tailgating, or even taking around to a friends house. It’s not expensive either.
Secondly, there’s the foldable grill table.
It’s good, it’s fairly sturdy, and, it does give you good workable space while bringing the smokers itself up to a better height. But, totally up to you whether you need it or not. Great for camping. But, if you’ve got a permanent spot to set up in your RV then it’s obviously unnecessary.
Cleaning the ASMOKE AS300
Cleaning the AS300 is very simple and straightforward. But, it’s particularly important to do after each and every cook. It’s a smaller smoker, and, it will get clogged with ash if you don’t empty it every time.
So, once cool, clean the grill grates like you’d normally do. Then, scrape off any oil and residue off the heat deflector plate, remove and vacuum out the ash from the firepot and surrounding area. The grease bucket will also need emptying. But then, you’re good to go.
Pros of the ASMOKE AS300
- Precise automatic temperature control thanks to the PID based system
- Very strong and durable build that can handle the rougher life of a portable smoker
- Fixed legs offer a more sturdy base than folding leg options
- Even temperature distribution throughout the grill so you can use all the space without worrying about meat placement
- Open flame grilling thanks to the slide plate flame broiler
- Very efficient in terms of pellet usage, even though the hopper’s small
- Comes with a meat probe so you’ll know exactly when your meat is cooked to perfection
- Also includes a waterproof cover for protection
- Long warranty, especially for a portable pellet smoker
Cons of the ASMOKE AS300
- Compact design isn’t ideal for really long smokes (like longer than 6 hours) because the firepot will fill with ash and need a clean mid-cook
- No WiFi
- Limited cooking capacity won’t be suitable for everyone
Specs for the ASMOKE AS300 Portable Tabletop Pellet Smoker
Barbecue type: Portable wood pellet grill and smoker
Barbecue material: Steel and stainless steel
Grate material: Porcelain-coated cast iron
Cooking capacity: 256 sq. in.
Pellet hopper capacity: 4 lbs
Heat Range: 180-500°F
WiFi: No
Fuel type: Wood pellets
Price guide: $
Model: AS300
Assembled size (in): 14.45″H x 24.8”W x 17.52”D
Weight: 40.1 lbs
Warranty: 5 years
FAQs About the ASMOKE AS300
Q. What type of power cord comes with the ASMOKE AS300?
The AS300 comes with a standard 110-120V power cord. If you want to run it off a car battery you’ll need an inverter. This Traeger one is really good and will work with the AS300 as well.
Q. How long do you need to let the AS300 cool down before cleaning it and putting it away?
About an hour should be enough time for the AS300 to cool down enough for a clean and to be packed away.
Q. Can you empty the pellet hopper on the AS300?
There’s no easy way to take the pellets out of the AS300 once they’re in the hopper. You can burn them through, or, store them in the hopper. It clicks shut so doesn’t need to be emptied before moving.
Q. Do I need to use ASMOKE pellets in the AS300?
No. The ASMOKE pellets are really good. But, you can use any cooking pellet in the AS300. We just recommend using something that’s high quality and low ash because of the small size of this smoker.
Our Verdict on the ASMOKE AS300 Review
If you’re in the market for a compact, tabletop pellet smoker that’s durable, easy to use, and, turns out some great food, the ASMOKE AS300 is a great choice.
With a wide temperature range plus the option to grill over the open, wood-fired flame, you can smoke, bake, broil, roast and sear. You’re only really limited by what’ll actually fit on the grates themselves.
The PID temperature controller keeps a tight leash on heat regulation so you don’t need to do a thing. Plus, the color LED control panel is a nice touch that really reinforces the premium, well-built quality of the AS300.
Priced very competitively, the AS300 also comes with a meat probe for internal temperature monitoring, and, a waterproof cover to help keep the whole unit in great condition.
Overall, it’s a great value for money option for anyone looking for a combined grill and smoker that’s got the strength and durability you really need in a portable barbecue.
