Abstract: A meat smoker is provided in a portable cooking unit having a fire box (14) and a smoker oven (12) vertically and laterally offset from the fire box. Smoker oven (12) defines an upper enclosed volume (94) containing meat to be cooked and a lower enclosed volume (96) which opens directly to the fire box (14). A hot pan drain wall (52) is provided to separate the upper volume (94) from the lower volume (96). An adjustable damper (62) is provided between the upper volume (94) and the fire box (14) to control the temperature and the smoke density within the upper volume (94). A top (40) may be placed over an opening in the fire box (14) and having a heating plate (28) to define an oven volume (16) for radiant heat input. An ash receptacle (34) is provided having stable lifting means for removal and replacement during operation of the fire box (14).