A grill smoker apparatus provides a container and a cover. A carrier is disposed in the container. The carrier is configured to store smoke producing material such as wood chips. The carrier may be removable from the container for filling the container, for emptying the container, for replacing the container or for cleaning the smoker apparatus. The carrier includes an outer dimension smaller than the inner dimension of the container. As such, a carrier gap is defined between the inner container wall and the outer region of the carrier. The carrier gap may form a uniform, annular gap in some embodiments. Alternatively, the carrier gap has a non-uniform radial dimension around the perimeter of the container. The carrier gap provides enhanced airflow to the smoke producing material in the carrier for improving smoker performance. A heat concentrator also focuses heat to the smoker apparatus for igniting the smoke producing material.
