ProQBBQ Smoker (Frontier V4) – 4in1 Charcoal Meat Smoker Grill – Outdoor Smokers and Grills

Honestly this is the best combination bbq and smoker that I’ve owned. The built quality is great, nothing flimsy about this unit. The modular design provides options for direct grilling over high heat, or low and slow. There is also the option to hang large joints or several fish from the horizontal bar that is fixed into the roof of the top lid/dome. Great for slow cooking/smoking whole chickens or whole fish.The two access hatches allow wood chips to be added or additional fuel. I’ve found it fairly straight forward to maintain a ~ 100c temperature for several hours by forming a line of good quality charcoal piled quite high straight down the centre of the coal grate, leaving space either side. Then light one end with a blowtorch. I start with the three base vents left 50% open then usually close two of them a bit more when approaching 100cHighly recommended.

Please bear in mind this review is based on getting it just out of the box. I've not used it yet. What qualifies me to give 5 stars so early? This is an upgrade to my previous ProQ smoker, which simply wore out!In terms of 'bang for your buck' this one represents great ease of use, a proven track record i know from using the bullet/stacking system before and improvements on my last version. (build quality is better/heavier, more temperature controllability and with doors that open in the right positions to add wood chips, charcoal and water). The parts can be added to make it bigger or smaller, even a kettle style BBQ system.I'd recommend a digital thermometer as well so you KNOW when your food is cooked to perfection, particularly useful for poultry! 'Remember with this you can almost fire and forget it (apart from water top ups) even on rainy days and your thermometer will tell you when your food is cooked from your armchair if you need to.I cannot find fault with this item or the seller. I've made 2 Christmas dinners on my last one (fed 17 no less) and I can trust it to give me great results.Get one, seriously, just get one.

Good bits:It's brilliant to cook with! Easy to use, easy to control the temperature (by adjusting the vents and doors), feels pretty solid, loads of cooking space inside, great results.The use of the vents to control the temperature takes a bit of practice, but they're really responsive - just a small adjustment to a vent can let you see a near-instant change in the temperature recorded by the top probe.So far we've done a whole smoked chicken, smoked duck, hot smoked salmon and even made some fantastic bread in it.Less good bits:I'm being picky here...1. The legs bolt on, with only a tiny diagram to show the arrangement of washers. When you tighten the bolts up to what you think is about right, the enamel coating around the bolt holes splinters off... Then, when you use it, the heat cycle means the bolts work loose, so you need to retighten them every time you empty the ash out.2. There is no waterproof cover included (there is a cover, I understand, "coming soon", but as yet not in stock) and there is no drain hole in the base. It's not waterproof itself, obviously, due to being made of various sections and having doors, temperature probe holes, vents, etc. Therefore, when it's been raining, the base part becomes a hidden pond that you'll only find the next time you come to use it. Really, this smoker should have a cover included - yes it'll push the price up a bit, but it's something you're almost certainly going to buy anyway, at greater total expense and hassle than if it was included. Also a small drain hole in the base would be a plus... I'd drill one myself, but, see comment about the enamel splintering off when tightening the legs up. I don't want to cause more damage!3. The fire basket is not rustproof. There must be a reason the basket isn't stainless, when the grilling racks are - cost, I imagine - and to "prevent" rust it's painted or coated in something. Unfortunately that something is something that completely falls off the first time you use it, meaning the fire basket then goes rusty before the second time you use it, because, see above about not being waterproof or supplied with a cover. This seems a false economy as it gives a poor impression of attention to detail, in what is generally a really nice product.

This is a great smoker/BBQ a great design, sturdy and well made and not flimsy as with cheaper options.Have had this for a month now and have cooked smoked brisket, beef chuck, beer can chicken and spatchcock chicken all with great results.I love the design with the large water bowl which keeps the meat moist and temperature low for smoking. When a higher temperature is required have the bowl empty (tin foil lined) which keeps an indirect heat but higher temperature.I have noticed that sometimes need to keep the lower door open to keep the temperature up high but this could be due to the fact that I was using restaurant grade charcoal rather than briquettes.So far loving this machine and smoking most weekends subject to weather.

The smoker comes ready assembled apart from the legs which only take a few minutes to fit. The instruction manual is well written.Would recommend getting a chimney to start the coals to cut down on the time it takes to get to temperature for cooking.There's plenty of space to cook and the modular design makes it easy to switch from smoking to grilling.

Screws and washers missing from assembly, and one metal clip badly bent out of shame. Repaired it myself as it will work as a smoker, but beware that you might need to DIY to fix build defects.