Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker Review: Big Space, Bigger Compromises?

There’s a moment every backyard barbecue enthusiast dreams of: the one where you’re not just grilling a few burgers, but orchestrating a full-scale feast. You envision multiple racks of ribs slowly tenderizing, briskets smoking to perfection, and a warming rack full of sausages and corn, all happening at once. The reality, however, often involves a cramped grill, a frantic juggling of cooking times, and the disappointing realization that your equipment just isn’t up to the task of feeding a crowd. We’ve been there. The frustration of needing more space, more versatility, and the ability to both grill and smoke without breaking the bank is a common story. This very challenge led us to investigate the Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker, a unit that promises a colossal cooking area at a price that seems almost too good to be true.

What to Consider Before Buying a Barrel Charcoal Grill with Smoker

A Charcoal Grill is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for achieving that authentic, smoky flavor that gas grills simply can’t replicate. It’s an investment in your outdoor culinary experience, a tool that allows for both high-heat searing and low-and-slow smoking. For those who host large family gatherings, neighborhood cookouts, or tailgate parties, a large-capacity barrel grill with an offset smoker solves the critical problem of space. It provides the versatility to cook different foods at different temperatures simultaneously, turning a stressful cooking session into a seamless, enjoyable event.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of a smaller grill, who needs to cook for 8-10 people or more, and who is passionate about traditional charcoal cooking and smoking. They are often budget-conscious but ambitious in their grilling goals. On the other hand, this type of grill might not be suitable for those with limited patio space, who cook for only one or two people, or who prioritize convenience and speed over flavor and process. For them, a smaller kettle grill or even a portable gas grill might be a more practical alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A grill of this size is a significant piece of equipment. With dimensions around 66 inches wide and 30 inches deep, you need to ensure you have a dedicated, stable, and safe space for it on your patio or in your backyard. Consider not only the footprint of the grill itself but also the clearance needed around it for safe operation and movement.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond the total square inches. The Royal Gourmet CC2036F boasts 1200 sq. in., which is massive. However, performance hinges on heat retention and airflow control. A large grill that leaks heat from every seam will struggle to maintain temperature, consuming excessive fuel and frustrating your efforts to smoke meat properly.
• Materials & Durability: This is arguably the most critical factor in this price range. Most budget-friendly grills use thinner gauge steel to keep costs down. While this makes them lighter, it also makes them more susceptible to rust, warping under high heat, and physical damage. Compare this to premium models made from heavy-gauge steel or cast aluminum, which offer superior heat retention and will last for many years.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Features like an adjustable charcoal pan, easy-access doors for adding fuel, and removable ash trays significantly improve the user experience. For long-term care, consider the quality of the paint or coating. Poor quality finishes can peel or blister after just a few uses, exposing the raw metal to the elements and accelerating rust.

Considering these factors will help you decide if a large, budget-oriented model like this is the right fit for your needs or if your investment is better placed elsewhere. While the Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker is an intriguing option for its size, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Behemoth in a Box

The Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker arrives in a single, heavy box weighing nearly 90 pounds. Unboxing it reveals a dizzying number of parts, but they are well-packaged, and the instructions are surprisingly clear. As we laid out the pieces, the first thing that struck us was the sheer scale of the main barrel and the number of grates—this thing is built for volume. The porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates felt reasonably substantial, a good sign for heat transfer and durability.

However, as we began assembly, our initial optimism was tempered. The sheet metal used for the barrel and firebox felt noticeably thin to the touch. This wasn’t the heavy-gauge steel you’d find on a premium smoker. Furthermore, the included hardware, particularly the bolts, were of poor quality. We found ourselves stripping the heads of several bolts even when tightening by hand, a sentiment echoed by numerous users who advised purchasing higher-quality hardware from a local store before starting assembly. Once built, the final structure felt a bit wobbly, lacking the rock-solid stability of more expensive competitors. It’s an imposing unit, but its feel suggests that compromises were made to meet its attractive price point.

A Deep Dive into the Royal Gourmet CC2036F’s Performance

A grill’s true worth is only revealed through fire and smoke. We put the Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker through its paces with a series of cooks, from high-heat grilling to a long, low-and-slow smoking session, to see if its performance could overcome our initial concerns about its build quality.

Assembly and Build Quality: A Test of Patience and a Trip to the Hardware Store

The assembly process for the Royal Gourmet CC2036F is a perfect illustration of the phrase “you get what you pay for.” On the positive side, the instruction manual is logical, and the parts are well-labeled. Several users noted that assembly was straightforward, and we agree—if you can follow directions, you can build this grill in about two hours. However, the experience is marred by the quality of the components. As one user bluntly put it, “the hardware is absolute garbage.” We experienced this firsthand, stripping several bolt heads with minimal torque from a simple screwdriver. This forces a frustrating choice: proceed with caution and hope for the best, or pause the build and buy replacement hardware. We strongly recommend the latter.

Once assembled, the structural integrity issues become apparent. The unit stands, but it’s wobbly. The legs lack robust cross-bracing, and the thin metal of the barrel flexes under pressure. We confirmed multiple reports of poor spot welds, some of which were already broken upon arrival. One user described how the small clips holding the entire charcoal tray, along with 7.7 lbs of charcoal, were held on by just a few tiny, weak welds. This is a significant design flaw that raises both performance and safety concerns. The entire unit feels fragile, a sentiment captured perfectly by a user who noted, “The metal is literally just stovepipe. If you set your beer down too hard on it, it’s gonna dent.” This lack of robust construction is the single biggest compromise you make for the grill’s size and price.

Cooking Capacity vs. Cooking Performance: A Tale of Two Extremes

There is no denying the epic cooking capacity of this grill. With 668 sq. in. in the main chamber, 260 sq. in. on the warming rack, and another 272 sq. in. in the offset smoker, the total 1200 sq. in. is genuinely massive. We were able to confirm a user’s claim of fitting two 15-pound briskets side-by-side with room to spare. For anyone who needs to cook for a crowd, a feature that really sets it apart is this sheer volume. You can grill dozens of burgers, smoke multiple pork shoulders, and keep everything warm without breaking a sweat. The porcelain-coated grates perform well, heating evenly and cleaning up relatively easily.

Unfortunately, this tremendous capacity is severely undermined by its cooking performance, which is crippled by poor heat retention. During our testing, we found significant gaps—some as wide as a quarter-inch—between the lid and the barrel on both the main chamber and the firebox. Smoke and heat poured out of these gaps, as well as from around the chimney base and other seams. This “ungodly” leaking, as one user termed it, makes temperature management a constant battle. Maintaining a stable 225°F for smoking was nearly impossible without constant fuel additions and vent adjustments. The grill struggles to get hot enough for a proper sear because so much energy is lost. To make this grill truly functional as a smoker, you absolutely must invest in high-temperature food-safe gasket tape and potentially some sealant to plug the leaks. Without these modifications, you are fighting a losing battle against its own design flaws.

The Offset Smoker and Key Features: Good Ideas, Flawed Execution

The inclusion of an offset smoker is the main draw for many buyers. In theory, it allows for true indirect cooking, where heat and smoke from a fire in the side box circulate through the main chamber. The Royal Gourmet CC2036F implements this with a side access door for tending the fire and a vent for airflow control. The adjustable main charcoal pan is another excellent feature on paper, allowing you to raise or lower the coals for direct grilling to control heat intensity. These are features you’d expect on a much more expensive unit.

In practice, however, these features fall short due to the aforementioned build quality issues. The most alarming problem we, and many other users, encountered was the paint. After our very first seasoning fire, the paint on the exterior of the firebox began to blister and peel off. One user reported their first rack of ribs was ruined by the smell of burning paint. This is unacceptable and indicates that a paint not rated for high temperatures was used. Furthermore, another user pointed out a critical design flaw with the firebox air vent: its low placement means it can easily get blocked by ash or coals, choking off the fire. While the concept is sound, the execution is so poor that the grill’s core functionality is compromised right out of the box. Any serious user will need to address these issues with modifications to get the performance this design promises.

What Other Users Are Saying

A survey of user feedback reveals a deeply divided opinion that hinges on expectations. On one hand, there are users who, for the price, are thrilled. One happy customer stated, “I bought this grill for two reasons. First, I needed to keep costs down… And lastly, I needed a unit with a large cooking surface area. And thankfully, this grill delivered both!” This user successfully cooked two large briskets but immediately noted they “did have to seal up areas where the smoke leaks.” This sentiment represents the positive-but-realistic camp: those who see the grill as a high-value “kit” that can be made great with some DIY effort.

On the other, more populated side, are the deeply disappointed customers. The complaints are consistent and severe. “Piece of (fill in the blank)!!” one user exclaimed after their unit began to fall apart at the welds during transport. Another called it a “pile of junk,” citing the wobbly construction and loose grates. The most common and damning critiques focus on the thin metal, peeling paint, and the immense heat leakage. As one frustrated owner summarized, “I see why it’s so cheap now. Extremely thin metal, leaks ungodly, can barely get above 200 degrees due to all the loss of heat…paints already turning white…don’t be fooled by the decent price this thing isn’t even worth 100$”. This feedback confirms our findings: the grill’s low price comes at a very high cost in terms of quality and out-of-the-box performance.

How Does the Royal Gourmet CC2036F Compare to the Alternatives?

The Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker exists in a competitive market. To understand its true value, it’s essential to compare it against other options that buyers might be considering, each serving a different need and budget.

1. Royal Gourmet CC1830FC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker

This is essentially the smaller sibling to the CC2036F. Coming from the same brand, it shares a similar design philosophy and, likely, similar build quality compromises. However, with a smaller overall footprint and cooking area (around 800 sq. in.), it’s a more manageable option for those with less space or who don’t need to cook for a massive crowd. If you’re drawn to the Royal Gourmet design but find the CC2036F’s sheer size intimidating, this model offers a similar experience on a smaller, more affordable scale. It’s a logical choice for someone who wants the barrel-and-offset style without dedicating a huge portion of their patio to it.

2. Uten Stainless Steel Folding Portable Charcoal Grill

This grill represents the opposite end of the spectrum. It is not a backyard centerpiece; it’s a lightweight, portable solution for on-the-go grilling. Made of stainless steel and designed to fold flat, it’s perfect for camping, tailgating, picnics, or for those living in apartments with small balconies. It offers none of the smoking capabilities or massive capacity of the Royal Gourmet. Someone would choose this Uten grill over the CC2036F for its supreme portability, easy storage, and simplicity. It’s for the person who values adventure and convenience over hosting large-scale barbecue events.

3. Weber Performer 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

The Weber Performer is the premium alternative for those who prioritize quality, durability, and performance over raw size. While its 22-inch kettle provides significantly less cooking area than the Royal Gourmet, what it does offer, it does exceptionally well. Made from heavy-gauge, porcelain-enameled steel, it retains heat beautifully, making temperature control precise and easy. It features a one-touch cleaning system, a sturdy cart with a workspace, and a reputation for lasting decades. A buyer would choose the Weber over the Royal Gourmet if their budget allows and they want a reliable, hassle-free grilling experience that will last for years, accepting the trade-off of a smaller cooking surface.

Our Final Verdict on the Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Royal Gourmet CC2036F Barrel Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker is a conditional one. This is not a grill for everyone. If you are a beginner, or if you’re looking for a high-quality, reliable smoker that works perfectly out of the box, we strongly advise you to look elsewhere. The thin metal, poor welds, low-quality hardware, and massive heat leaks make it a frustrating experience for the unprepared.

However, if you are a DIY enthusiast, a tinkerer who enjoys projects, and you need a massive cooking capacity on a shoestring budget, this grill presents a unique value proposition. Think of it not as a finished product, but as a “smoker kit.” With an investment in better bolts, high-temperature gasket tape, and a bit of patience, you can transform this leaky behemoth into a reasonably functional large-capacity smoker for a fraction of the cost of its competitors. It offers an enormous canvas for your barbecue ambitions, but only if you are willing to do the finishing work yourself. For those ready for a project, you can check the latest price and availability for your new backyard centerpiece.