Our Story

From perfecting the fundamentals to innovating new products, Oklahoma Joe's believes good things come with time.
We've always gone further for flavor. Joe Davidson knew that in order to succeed, he'd have to build smokers that far exceeded expectations. So when he saved up $2,000 to design and manufacture twelve meat smokers, he poured his heart and soul into them.
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The result? People bought up all twelve at the 1987 Oklahoma State Fair, and Joe received orders for over 100 more. He hit the road and sure enough, the smokers were a hit everywhere he went. This spark grew into the flame where Oklahoma Joe's was first forged.
Someone's got to be the best in the world,
so why can't it be us?
-Joe Davidson
By the time 1994 rolled around, Joe and his team had slowly and steadily grown too big for the original factory. They built a brand new facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma and expanded to 150 employees with the capacity to craft 100,000 smokers a year. Like pouring a fresh batch of hot coals in the smoker, things really started heating up.
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In the midst of this growth, Joe was smoking butts and taking names at barbecue competitions all over the country. Starting in the 1980s and continuing for decades, Joe has won more than 300 competitions, including impressive victories at the Jack Daniel's World Championship, the American Royal World Championship and the Memphis in May World Championship.
Barbecue competitions are something
the whole family can gather up and do as a team.
-Joe Davidson

WORTH the WHILE

At Oklahoma Joe’s®, we believe everything is more valuable when you go the extra mile and that extra effort isn’t extra at all; it’s essential.

Note-Taking to Perfect Your Craft

A simple step that takes smokers from good to great.

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