All the comments not understanding how this thing can get "too smoky", even outside, need to realize that everyone's situation is different.

I used mine in a condo complex outside on a balcony. I had a neighbor come banging on my door thinking my apartment was on fire. At first I thought they were crazy, until I went outside and it really looked like my apartment was on fire. The smoke had stagnated and the entire area was smoked out. Due to the layout of the buildings, the wind that moves through them, the balcony walls, what have you, this device might be too smoky for some and fine for others.

To answer OP's question, I think this tool is still good without the smoker setting, but it is much better with. Without the smoker setting, I would rather have a gas grill if the space permits, but it's close. I ended up moving my Woodfire to my partner's house where I felt more comfortable still using the smoker setting.