Do cheap offset smokers actually work?

They can, but with caveats. r/smoking threads repeatedly note that budget offsets like the Royal Gourmet CC1830S and even the Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn benefit from sealing leaks, adding a baffle plate, and extending the smokestack. Verified-purchase reviewers report good results once those mods are done; out of the box, thin steel means more babysitting and bigger temperature swings.