Tepro Wichita

What the Wichita is, and where our information comes from

On the title page of the manual the appliance is called Smoker Wichita, with “Holzkohlengrill” (charcoal grill) beneath it; the item number is 1038. The word offset does not appear there. We still classify it as an offset smoker because the design shows it: in the product photo a small chamber sits on the side of the large one, and the exhaust stack stands at the other end. The manufacturer’s UK site describes it as a small Western-style smoker. Direct grilling happens there on the cooking surface over the flame, smoking uses the smoke of a wood fire from the smaller firebox, and the cooking chamber allows indirect cooking. You can find more smokers from our comparison in the smoker category.

According to the manual, the grill is intended for heating, cooking and grilling food, exclusively outdoors and for private use only. Any other use counts as improper and can lead to damage to property or injury; the manufacturer is not liable for this.

The current company has no German product page. In the manual (2019 edition, German and English, 28 pages) the distributor is given as tepro Garten GmbH in Rödermark; today the brand describes itself as TEST RITE tepro GmbH in Hamburg. Our manufacturer sources are therefore the manual and the Wichita page of the UK site tepro-uk.com, whose English text we reproduce in translation. One number supports that the Amazon listing refers to this appliance: the catalogue lists model and part number 1038. The reference value on our page is approx. €134; the Amazon catalogue showed €125.18 on 5 October 2026.

Chambers, grates, paint and wheels

In the photo the large chamber rests as a horizontal cylinder on four legs. On the left sits the smaller firebox, on the right stands the exhaust stack, and a flat shelf lies in front of the large chamber. The lid carries a chrome handle and a round dial.

The large firebox is the main chamber. According to the manufacturer’s page, its fire pan measures approx. 62 × 30.6 cm and holds two enamelled fire grates of approx. 27.9 × 19.8 cm each; above them lie two enamelled cooking grates of approx. 26.5 × 30.5 cm each. The manual and the manufacturer’s page give approx. 54 × 30 cm as the main cooking area. We do not calculate an area in square centimetres from this: in the photo the body is a cylinder, and the picture does not show how the rectangles sit inside it. Whether a particular piece of meat fits is best checked by holding it against the grate dimensions yourself.

The small firebox has a fire pan of approx. 30.5 × 30.5 cm with one enamelled fire grate, plus an enamelled grate of approx. 22.5 × 30.5 cm and a steel lid with a chrome handle. The manufacturer’s page lists no thermometer for this lid. According to the manual the chamber is intended for smoking only and may be filled with no more than 0.5 kg of charcoal. The manufacturer’s page and Amazon nevertheless list the grate; for grilling, the manual refers to the large chamber.

According to the German manual, the steel paint finish is heat-resistant up to 350 °C. The delivery includes a holder for a grease container (item 23), in which a collecting container you source yourself, such as a tin can, can be hung; the container itself is not included.

Assembled, the Wichita measures approx. 112 × 63 × 116.5 cm (W × D × H) according to the manual and weighs approx. 21 kg; the working height is approx. 78 cm according to the manufacturer’s page. The front shelf lies in front of the large chamber; according to the manual it may carry a maximum of 5 kg. The parts list shows two supports for the shelf, while the manufacturer’s page mentions three slats. The smoker is moved on two wheels. The parts list also shows four feet and a wheel axle, the UK site describes the wheels as plastic, and in the photo they sit on the side of the exhaust stack.

In detail: how heat and smoke move through the Wichita

Two cooking routes share one body. For direct grilling, the charcoal lies on the fire grates of the large chamber and the food on the grates above; the manual describes only this route. The small chamber is there for smoking. The wood fire burns there, and according to the manufacturer’s page its smoke is used for smoking. Following the offset principle, the smoke then passes through the large chamber and leaves it via the exhaust stack (item 17), which in the photo stands at the opposite end from the small chamber. For the Wichita the manual does not describe this: steps for smoking, temperature targets, cooking times and damper settings are missing.

For airflow, the parts list shows two dampers: the air damper of the small firebox (item 4) and an exhaust damper (item 16). Technically, the intake air determines how much oxygen reaches the fire and therefore how fiercely it burns; the exhaust and stack slow down or speed up the draw. Warm air rises in the stack and pulls fresh air through the firebox, which is the chimney effect. Anyone who turns a damper therefore changes temperature and smoke volume at the same time, and the chamber reacts with a delay.

We assume that fuel is added during long cooks, because the manual permits considerably less charcoal in the small chamber than in the large one. The manufacturer does not state how long one fill lasts or how much charcoal a barbecue evening needs. Heat retention also depends on the steel thickness: thin steel stores less and loses heat faster in wind. No manufacturer source gives a thickness for the Wichita.

The thermometer sits in the lid of the large chamber, shown in the photo as a round dial. It shows the temperature at its position in the lid, and that can differ from the temperature at grate level. Our assessment: if you smoke for longer, plan on a separate probe for grate level.

Can the Wichita go on the balcony?

Whether you may operate it on a balcony is decided by your tenancy agreement and house rules, not by the manufacturer: the manual does not mention the balcony. It permits operation exclusively outdoors and requires distance from highly flammable materials.

Amazon’s text names garden, terrace, veranda or camping as places of use, likewise without a balcony. The manual sets several conditions for the location. The grill belongs on a level, horizontal, safe, heat-insensitive and clean surface, outdoors on firm ground. On distance it becomes specific: “at least 1 m away from highly flammable materials”, with awnings, wooden decks and furniture named. Grease splashes can soil floor and wall, so the ground must be adequately protected. You should not set up the grill near entrances or busy areas, and you light charcoal only in a wind-protected spot.

This distance comes on top of the dimensions from the section above. For the legal situation and which grill types cause the least dispute on a balcony, see our guide Grilling on a balcony.

What else comes into question?

At approx. €196, the Biloxi costs about €62 more than the Wichita at approx. €134, the Highland at approx. €469 about €335 more, and the Weber at approx. €599 about €465 more. The prices are the reference values from the price boxes of our reviews and were not all checked on the same day. The rating is our editorial assessment based on manufacturer and catalogue data; we have not had any of the four smokers in our hands.

When the Wichita fits and when another smoker does

For anything that cooks directly over the embers, the Wichita is the route the manual lays out; Amazon’s text names steak, sausages, chicken, pork steak, cheese and vegetables as food to grill. Before first use comes the prescribed burn-in with several hours of burning, after which there are few steps: charcoal on the fire grates, grates on the supports, food on the grates.

For smoking over hours it is an appliance where damper handling and refuelling rhythm depend entirely on your own experience, because the manual says nothing about it. If you are new to smoking, read our guide Smokers for beginners first. If you only want to smoke anyway, look at the Weber Smokey Mountain 57, whose design is built for that.

On quantity, what counts is whether your food fits on the grates. If the grate dimensions are not enough for you, the tepro Biloxi has the larger main chamber according to the catalogue.

Weight and mobility speak for the Wichita. At approx. 21 kg it is the lightest of the four smokers in the table; according to the catalogue, the Highland weighs almost four times as much. If you roll the smoker away after grilling, you are in the right place here. If, on the other hand, you have a fixed spot and prefer to run the fire in a separate side chamber, look at the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland.

Besides the smoker at approx. €134, the budget has to include the cover, charcoal, fire starters and the equipment from the safety section. The documents give no price for the cover or the tongs. At approx. €134 the Wichita is the cheapest smoker in the table, with the Biloxi next at approx. €196; for a shortlist by budget and space, the Grill finder helps you.

The Wichita is the wrong advice for anyone who wants to plan cooks of several hours at fixed temperatures and times. There are no manufacturer figures for this model for that.

Assembly, lighting and first use

Assembly takes 14 steps, shown only as drawings. The screw connections can gradually loosen in use; before every use you check that they are tight and retighten all screws if needed. Before the first grilling, the manual prescribes the burn-in. After that, grilling in the large firebox runs like this:

1. Take the cooking grates out first.
2. Place 3 to 4 solid fire starters in the middle of the fire grates (follow the notes on the packaging) and light them with a match.
3. Pile no more than 2.3 kg of charcoal around the fire starters.
4. Once the charcoal has burned through, spread it evenly over the fire grates using a fireproof tool with a long, fireproof handle.
5. Place the cooking grates on the supports in the large firebox.
6. Only put food on once the charcoal is covered with a light layer of ash.

Neither methylated spirits nor petrol may be used for lighting or relighting. Only dry fire starters or special liquid grill lighters complying with EN 1860-3 are permitted. Charcoal pieces soaked in lighter fluid also never belong on the embers: they cause flare-ups or deflagrations.

Care, accessories and safety

After grilling you let the fuel burn out: excess fat and grilling residues burn off in the process, which reduces the cleaning effort. It is best to clean after every use. Ash comes out only when the fuel has burned out completely and gone out. You take off the grates, clean them thoroughly with soapy water and dry them thoroughly. Loose deposits you remove with a wet sponge; inner and outer surfaces you generally clean with warm soapy water and dry them with a soft, clean cloth without scratching them.

Strong or abrasive solvents and scouring pads are off limits: they attack the surfaces and leave scouring marks. To remove stains, the manual forbids paint solvents and thinners because they are harmful to health and must not come into contact with food.

Once a year the grill is to be treated with vegetable oil before grilling, and it is to be protected from constant exposure to the weather. The manual recommends a protective cover when the grill is not in use. It may only go on a cooled, clean and dry grill; on a warm, wet or dirty one it can cause severe corrosion, especially before longer periods of non-use such as over winter. As a cover, the manual names the universal cover with tepro item number 8606, suitable for the Wichita 1038 and not included in the delivery: polyester fabric 300 × 250D, water-repellent PVB coating on the outside, 100 % polyester on the inside, UV-resistant, with side ventilation openings and hook-and-loop fastener. The manufacturer’s page lists it as Cover Small in four colours: 8106 black, 8406 anthracite, 8606 beige, 8706 taupe. Further accessories in the manual are stainless steel tongs, item no. 8512, approx. 38 cm long. On disposal: the packaging goes to local recycling points, and the grill does not go in household waste but to an approved disposal company or the municipal disposal facility.

The safety notes are on pages 5 to 7 of the manual. We reproduce them in substance; the original wording is what counts. Location, lighting and fill quantities are covered in the sections above.

• Carbon monoxide: burning charcoal and briquettes produces carbon monoxide, which is odourless and deadly in enclosed spaces. The grill runs only outdoors, not in enclosed or inhabitable spaces; buildings, tents, caravans, motorhomes and boats are named.
• Fire hazard: have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit ready, and never leave the grill unattended while in use. Some foods produce flammable fats and juices, which is why regular cleaning is part of it. The appliance gets very hot and must not be moved or transported during use. It should not start rolling by accident: flat surface, wheels blocked. Do not heat above 350 °C.
• Burns: grill, charcoal and food become so hot that any contact can lead to severe burns; keep sufficient distance. Wear grill or oven gloves (heat protection category II, for example to DIN EN 407, which applies in Germany), use only long-handled tools with heat-resistant handles and no clothing with wide sleeves. The grill cools down completely before cleaning or putting away.
• Children and other people: children and pets stay away, which the manual repeats several times. The appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or a lack of experience and knowledge; they are to be made aware of the dangers and supervised by a person responsible for their safety. Children must not play with packaging film (risk of suffocation) and must not put small assembly parts in their mouths.
• Concentration: great care is needed when grilling, because distraction can lead to loss of control. Do not grill when you are unfocused, tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication.
• Injuries and modifications: the grill and individual parts have some sharp edges; wear protective gloves if necessary. Any modification to the product is prohibited and a major safety hazard; for damage, repairs or problems you contact the service centre or a local professional.

What the manufacturer does not state

These points are not clarified by the manual or the manufacturer’s page, and in part not by the Amazon catalogue either:

• Steel thickness and steel grade of chambers, lids and fire pans
• Type, scale, measuring range and accuracy of the thermometer
• Heat-up time, burn time per fill, charcoal consumption and temperature behaviour in wind
• An operating temperature range in the manual
• Assembly time and number of people needed
• Capacity in people or amount of meat
• Warranty terms: start, scope, exclusions and warranty provider
• Country of manufacture
• Availability of spare parts for grates, wheels and handles
• Locks or brakes on the wheels; the manual requires blocked wheels but describes no device
• Test mark from a testing body; the manual states conformity with DIN EN 1860-1 (which applies in Germany) as a manufacturer’s declaration
• Prices for the cover and the stainless steel tongs
• Dimensions of the ash drawer and capacity of the grease container
• Range status in 2026 and a newer German manual than the 2019 edition: whether the Wichita is still in the current manufacturer catalogue we could not clarify, because the catalogue (around 100 MB) could not be evaluated

The sources also contradict each other in several places. The manual and the Amazon title give a width of 112 cm, the manufacturer’s page and catalogue dimensions 115 cm. On weight, the manual says approx. 21 kg and the manufacturer’s page 20.65 kg, with 22.53 kg additionally given there as packed gross weight; the Amazon catalogue comes to around 21.05 kg when converted. The working height is approx. 78 cm on the manufacturer’s page and approx. 77 cm in the Amazon text. Tepro calls the grates enamelled, Amazon calls them stainless steel. For the side firebox, Amazon gives 0.7 kg of charcoal besides 0.5 kg, which neither the manual nor the manufacturer’s page supports. An ash catcher tray is listed only in the Amazon text; it is missing from the parts list and the manufacturer’s page, although the manual mentions an ash tray in one place. And the step graphics of the assembly show screws of sizes M3×8 and M5×10, which do not appear in the materials list.