Cheap Napoleon Apollo AS300K 3-in-1 Smoker

Customer Ratings:

The Apollo 3-in-1 Smoker does a good job as a smoker but when compared to the Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM) it comes up short. I struggled over which to purchase. I was attracted to the Apollo because it has features that the WSM does not. The Apollo comes with handles in each of its sections. The sections also have clips that hold the sections together. Each cooking section has a hole so that a temperture probe can be placed through to measure the temperture of the food. Unfortunately, the Apollo has drawbacks that out weigh the features it hasover the WSM. The Apollo's is not near as well put together as the WSM. There are many leaks between the sections and doors. The clips that hold the sections together are cheaply made and I expect that they will break very soon. The clips are fastened via rivets so replacing them will be close to, if not impossible, to replace. The metal used in the construction of the Apollo is much thinner that the WSM. The welded seams of each section were not finished well and are very evident. The handles are cheap and I expect them to give out as well. The good news about the handles is that they are bolted on and could be replaced if needed. The Apollo has two small doors, one for each cooking area, for which to monitor the food and add water and charcoal. They too are very very cheaply done and leak quite a bit. In this case, the door metal can be bent to help seal them better but they leak nonetheless. Unlike the WSM, the Apollo does not come with a heat shield at the bottom so caution needs to be used as to where you place the Apollo when in use. Also, unlike the WSM, the Apollo does not come with a cover. The cover is purchased seperately and cost around $30. The cover had a mesh strip about 2 inches wide all the way around. The first night I had the Apollo it rained and water entered through the mesh opening and ended up pooling at the bottom of the base. I imagine that over time the water would rust out the base of the Apollo if allowed to stand for any length of time. The Apollo is warranted for one year. The WSM warranty is much longer depending on the part in question. The temperture gage in the cover is a good feature but is off about 25 degrees. So far, I have smoked pork ribs, beef ribs, chicken, pork butt, and beef brisket. All have turned out great. The Apollo gets the job done but is not as well constructed as it should be if it wants to compete at the same price point as the large (22 1/2 inch) WSM. When the Apollo breaks within the next year I will be purchasing the large WSM.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

I bought this in May 2011 and have been very satisfied with it. I considered WSM's but the 22.5" was just way too large for my needs and the 18.5" was way too small. I cook mostly baby back ribs and spare ribs which are ~16"-18" in length and the 20" diameter of the AS300K works perfectly for these. I can lay the ribs flat, put them in a rib rack, or in coils held by kabob skewers. I have also cooked pork butts and brisket, but not often as this is more meat than my family can eat!

The nice thing about this unit is you can pull a section out to cut down on the volume of oven you are trying to heat. This extends the life of your charcoal.

This unit seems to me as well made as the WSM's. I think early versions were not though, and may have given these a bad rap. But the unit I received is the same guage steel and finish as the WSM.

Modifications/tips:

-Before seasoning the unit I went to the local hardware and bought a tube of food grade silicone caulk http://www.amazon.com/Red-Devil-Industrial-0809-0I/dp/B000H5Q5VG and ran a bead between each segment/section/can of the smoker. While moist, I screeded the caulk with a penny. Once dry, this sealed the cans tight when latched together, I would have done this had I bought a WSM too.

-Sprayed the entire inside of the unit with veggie oil spray before the first cook.

-With all 4 vents (3 lower, 1 in dome) wide open, water in the water pan will give you steady 240ºF temps throughout your cook. Omit the water and drop a 16" diameter clay flower pot saucer (bought at Home Depot, about $15) and you will get steady temps in the 300ºF range. Since I bought the saucer I have not used water since. I smoke the ribs an hour exposed to heat and smoke, then wrap them in foil to retain moisture and cook another 2-2.5 hours until done. Then let them rest 15 min. Figure 3lbs of charcoal (I use Stubbs from Lowes) per hour of cook using the Minion Method (I pour one chimney of hot charcoal over fresh charcoal and pecan chunks).

-The Apollo has thermocouple probe holes pre-installed at each grill level. Using a Maverick 732 I monitored a cook at both levels using the clay saucer, there was only about a 5ºF-10ºF difference between the two grates, which surprised me, I figured the lower grate directly over the clay saucer (which in turn is directly over the charcoal) be 25-50º hotter, not so. Clay saucer cooking made a believer out of me.

-The hardware, latches, rivets, etc look fine to me. I own a rivet gun and so am not concerned as another reviewer was if the hardware plays out.

I also own a Tejas 2040 offset smoker but use the Apollo almost exclusively now, I can configure the sections exactly as needed to match the amount of meat I am cooking. I would definitely buy this unit again in a heartbeat.

Best Deals for Napoleon Apollo AS300K 3-in-1 Smoker

I love this smoker. It is the most versatile BBQ I have ever owned. I have cooked pizza, whole chickens, pork shoulders, hamburgers, and steaks. With a little practice it will produce the best meat you have ever tasted. It is better than the Weber Smokey Mountain because it has a larger water pan which means less fill ups and a more steady cooking temp. The coal basket is all one piece which is a sturdier design. I have been very impressed with this smoker. I have owned is for 18 months and still looks almost new. I do not work for Napoleon or any other BBQ company I am just a BBQ enthusiast who loves smoked meat.

Honest reviews on Napoleon Apollo AS300K 3-in-1 Smoker

I went back and forth between the Apollo and the Weber Smokey Mountain and I'm glad I chose the Apollo. I'm sure the WMS is a fine smoker but the Apollo is more capable of being multi-functional. I wanted a smoker that easily converted to a charcoal grill and back into a smoker. I know you can jerry rig the WSM to do the same but the apollo was built for it. Also, each segment of the smoker can be broken down and each has handles for easy handling. I've only used the smoker 4 times so far but temperature control is very solid. Low and slow 220 degree temp is easily achieved and maintained. Smoking at a hotter 350 degrees requires a little more tending to but cooking at those temps usually doesn't take that long anyway. The only reason I rated it 4 stars is the latches used to lock each segment together could of been aligned better. They seem solid enough but a little more attention to detail during manufacturing would of been nice. Overall I love the smoker and plan on honing my bbq skills over the next 10 years with it.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Napoleon Apollo AS300K 3-in-1 Smoker

I cook outdoors around 2 times a week all year long.I have used and abused this unit for almost 2 years, with no problems. Well OK I did wear out the fire grate but I am still using it and just now looking for a new one.All latches still work and the unit as a whole is in great shape. I expect to use it for at least 2-3 more years, if not more.

A steady temp is easily maintained for 5-6 hours on one load of coals. For grilling pull the water pan and top ring. For a fast smoke pull the just the water pan.I even use a pizza stone on it for great pizza. It is just has more options than other brands, right out of the box.

I have worn several grills out in under 2 years, this grill/smoker is class A quality. If I had to buy a new one today, I would buy this unit again without hesitation.