Oklahoma Joe’s has gained recognition primarily for its production of offset smokers, a tradition that dates back to when Joe Davidson sold twelve smokers at the 1987 Oklahoma State Fair. In a move reminiscent of Weber, they have entered the lucrative pellet grill market with their Rider series.
I had the opportunity to own one of the first-generation Rider grills, and aside from a few minor issues, I found it to be an excellent pit.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had the chance to cook on the second-generation Rider DLX 1200. This review will explore the new features and share my cooking experience with this wood pellet grill.
Table of Contents
What Sets the Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX 1200 Pellet Grill Apart?
Oklahoma BBQ experts have known and trusted Joe’s for years, and their high-quality grills and smokers are a big part of the Fireview wood stove.
Despite the absence of WiFi, its exceptional sear zone and advanced temperature control make it a strong contender for those seeking a high-performing all-in-one grill.
Key Features Of Oklahoma Rider
Let’s look at some of it’s key features:
Large Cooking Area: The Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX 1200 has a large cooking area that’s 1,200 square inches. This is great for cooking a lot of different dishes at the same time for big parties.
Digital Control Panel: The digital control panel makes it simple to set the temperature and keep an eye on it. When you do this, you can always get the same results.
Versatile Cooking Options: This grill lets you cook in many different ways, such as healthy grill recipes, smoking, baking, and roasting. It is an all-in-one option for cooking outside.
Pellet Hopper Capacity: The 20-pound pellet hopper lets you smoke or grill for hours without having to keep refilling it.
Specs Of The Rider DLX 1200
- Cooking Area: 1,234 sq in (578 primary and 656 top racks)
- Pellet hopper capacity: 20 lbs.
- Temp range: 200°F to 650°F
- Shelves and storage: One side shelf and a solid bottom shelf on cart
- Temp Probes: Two meat probes
- Construction: Steel
- WiFi/App: No
- Warranty: 2 years
Personal Experience Of Using Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX 1200
Are you ready to hear about my personal experience using Oklahoma pellets? Let’s dive right in. Trust me, you will want to take advantage of it!
Performance
Regarding cooking performance, the Rider DLX Gen 2 excels in smoking, searing, and overall flavor. It imparts a rich, smoky flavor to your food and offers a sear zone reaching temperatures of up to 650°F, making it ideal for achieving a perfect crust on grilled steaks and other meats.
Precise Temperature Control
One notable upgrade is the PID controller, adjustable in 25-degree increments, with a display that monitors and responds to temperature changes using two temperature sensors in the cooking chamber. This system allows for precise temperature control and versatility in cooking styles.
The controller can connect up to four probes, with two included probes conveniently stored under the controller in the tool tray area.
Oklahoma Joe’s has addressed the issue of auger jams, a concern with the original DLX pits, by providing access to the auger area through a panel on the hopper’s side. Removable heat baffles assist in dealing with auger-related issues near the fire pot.
Exceptional Smoking Capabilities
The Rider DLX 1200 is a great choice if you like smoked foods. With its wide temperature range, it smokes food well, and you can get the right smoke flavor for different kinds of meat. This grill makes the meat smoky, whether cooking beef, smoked ribs, or chicken.
Built Quality
Build quality is another highlight, with the Rider DLX 1200 being a robust pit weighing approximately 256 pounds.
Despite its weight, it’s surprisingly easily maneuverable, thanks to its large rubber-coated wheels. Assembly is straightforward, but it’s advisable to have an extra pair of hands due to the pet’s weight.
Easy to Clean
Cleaning and maintenance are convenient with dual grease buckets under the main body and a removable ash cup. While cleaning the interior chamber periodically is necessary, the 20-lb pellet hopper is suitable for overnight cooks and is easy to empty.
One minor issue is that the lid tends to leak smoke, a common occurrence in grills at this price range, but it’s an aspect that could be improved by adding a gasket.
Pros And Cons Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX 1200 Pellet Grill
Pros
- Impressive sear plate for a pellet grill
- Excellent smoke flavor
- Improvements over the first generation
Cons
- Lack of WiFi connectivity
- Need to empty pellet hopper after each cook
- Smoke leakage from the lid
Why Choose the Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX 1200 Pellet Grill?
The Rider DLX 1200 boasts the classic Oklahoma Joe’s appearance with its all-black design, and the traditional wagon-style wheels have been upgraded with rubber coating and casters for enhanced mobility.
While it excels as a pellet grill regarding smoking capabilities, its exceptional searing ability truly sets it apart, which is unusual for a pellet grill.
Oklahoma Joe’s Grill offers one of the best sear zones available in the market, prioritizing searing. It provides ample cooking space, featuring a primary area of 578 square inches and a secondary area of 656 square inches, totaling 1,234 square inches.
A smaller Rider 900 model is also available if you require less space.
The Rider DLX 1200 includes a side table for convenient food placement and preparation.
Conclusion
Lastly, the Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX 1200 Pellet Grill is a great addition to outdoor cooking. It’s a great choice for serious barbecuers because it has a large cooking area, accurate temperature control, even heat spread, and great smoking capabilities.
It is well-made and doesn’t need much upkeep, making it even more valuable. You can grill and smoke food to a whole new level after buying the Rider DLX 1200.
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