Weber Smokey Joe Premium 14-Inch Portable Grill Review: A Reliable Compact Grill for On-the-Go Cooking
Weber Smokey Joe Premium 14-Inch Portable Grill Review: A Reliable Compact Grill for On-the-Go Cooking
Design and Portability
One of the first things I noticed about this grill is its compact and lightweight design. Weighing only a few pounds, it is incredibly easy to transport. The Tuck-N-Carry lid lock is a game changer, as it keeps the lid secure during travel and also doubles as a lid holder while grilling. This feature eliminates the common problem of placing the lid on the ground, which I appreciate when grilling in outdoor settings.
The porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are another highlight. They not only retain heat efficiently but also prevent rust and peeling, ensuring durability. I found this especially important, as I wanted a grill that could withstand frequent outdoor use without showing signs of wear too quickly.
Cooking Performance
One of the best features is the adjustable dampers, which allow precise temperature control. By adjusting the dampers, I could manage airflow effectively, which is crucial when grilling different types of food. Whether I needed high heat for searing steaks or low heat for slow cooking, this grill handled it well.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
I found the Weber Smokey Joe Premium incredibly user-friendly. Setting it up is simple, and the 3D interactive assembly instructions available through the BILT app made the process even easier. The Tuck-N-Carry handle makes carrying the grill effortless, and the compact size means it fits easily in the trunk of a car.
Cleaning the grill is straightforward. The porcelain-enameled surfaces prevent food and grease from sticking, making it easy to wipe down after use. While there’s no built-in ash catcher, I found it manageable to remove ash by simply tilting the grill and disposing of the remains safely.
Why I Like the Weber Smokey Joe Premium
Compact and portable – Perfect for tailgating, camping, and picnics.
Tuck-N-Carry lid lock – Secure transport and convenient lid placement.
Durable construction – The porcelain-enameled body ensures longevity.
Precise heat control – Adjustable dampers allow temperature customization.
Great cooking capacity – Fits up to five burgers, making it ideal for small groups.
Buying Guide: Is the Weber Smokey Joe Premium Right for You?
If you’re looking for a portable charcoal grill that is easy to transport, durable, and delivers excellent cooking results, this is a great choice. However, consider the following factors before buying:
Size and Cooking Capacity – If you often cook for large groups, you may need a bigger grill. But for small gatherings, this grill is ideal.
Fuel Type – Since this is a charcoal grill, it requires briquettes or lump charcoal. If you prefer gas grills, Weber also offers propane options.
Portability Needs – If you travel frequently and need a lightweight, compact grill, the Smokey Joe Premium is one of the best options available.
Temperature Control – The adjustable dampers allow airflow regulation, which is great for various grilling needs.
Final Thoughts
After using the Weber Smokey Joe Premium 14-Inch Portable Grill, I can confidently say it’s an excellent investment for anyone who loves grilling on the go. Its compact size, durability, and effective heat control make it a top contender in the portable grill market. Whether you’re grilling at a park, campsite, or backyard, this grill delivers great results without taking up much space. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable Weber Smokey Joe Premium, this is a fantastic choice for all your outdoor cooking adventures.
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Top reviews from the United States
- MarcoReviewed in the United States on March 26, 2011
Gold or Silver?
Color: BlackStyle: Grill OnlySpent a long time thinking before I finally decided to go with gold.
I do like the silver because:
-ash tray: convenient to dump ash, leaving the grill clean. A big plus for convenience. I hate to deal with the ash.
-ventilation at bottom: increased airflow, assurance to start the fire and reduced cooking time.
I like the gold model because:
-handle: securely lock the lid, easy to transport even with hot or warm charcoal.
I'm a little bit concerned about the ventilation on the gold model.
Eventually,I got gold and I'm happy with my choice. Here are the results:
-Portability: I realized, after a few use, that portability is why we buy grills at this size. Note that without side handles, the only way to move a hot or warm grill, is to use the handle. I've been using smokey joe on a few short trips and realized how important that it. I cannot wait a long time for the grill to cool down entirely before moving it. Even at home, with the handle, it's easier to move between my garage and backyard. The handle can also be used to lock the lid while cooking, that's also convenient.
-Ventilation: I use a weber starter anyway to start the fire. No issue at all. Cooking with the lid on and with side ventilation open works just fine, in fact, since charcoal is closer to food now, it cooks very quick. I didn't have problem in the past with a lousy cheap grill without ventilation at all, and now, with smokey joe, I'm happy enough with the side ventilation.
-Ashtray: yeah, I do miss the fancy ash tray. But on the other side, no need to worry about ash while moving it around.
Overall build: Smokey Joe is a well designed, solid build grill. It's heavier than I thought, the legs are now made of steel instead of aluminum as previously reported. Surface is well coated and easy to clean, but I still put aluminum foil at the bottom to save a little effort. While you can spend 30+ dollars to buy a wonderful grill that you will enjoy and will last, why buying the 15 dollar cheap ones from you know where. I expect to enjoy the smokey joe for the next 10+ years, so the TCO is actually lower, isn't it.
I'm now a happy camper, and hope this review will help to cut down the hours of thinking between gold and silver. - RoblimoReviewed in the United States on May 14, 2017
I've owned both and prefer the Gold. Here's why:
Color: BlackStyle: Grill OnlyI owned the Silver and Gold side by side for close to a decade. Now I just have the Gold, which has more controllable heat because of the side vents, which are WAY easier to adjust (and close after cooking to preserve charcoal for next time) than the Silver's bottom vent. You say those vents are above the charcoal? Not on mine when I'm grilling, because I have a cheapie pie cooling rack I sit on the charcoal grate to raise the coals an inch or so, which makes for better open-top grilling in either Joe.
And, of course, when I'm slow-cooking (roasting or smoking) with the top closed I don't *want* a lot of heat. I want 250 to maybe 325 degrees, with my meat in the middle and two tiny piles of charcoal on the rim, usually 90 degrees away from the vents. I like the Gold much better than the silver for this kind of cooking.
One other thing: I can grill "hot" in the Joe Gold even without my added grate because I use Stubb's all-natural charcoal (or equivalent), not the supermarket stuff. There's a BIG difference in heat, longevity, and especially in flavor, which you won't care about if (nose in air) you light your cooking fire with chemicals instead of with a chimney as God intended.
This may sound like I'm going to a lot of trouble, but I'm not. Pay the extra $10 for the Gold once, and if you store it under cover it will last for.... I don't know; mine is 10 years old. I replaced the cooking grate because my wife said the original one no longer looked good, although I personally had no problem with it. This is the same with either grill; in fact, cooking grate replacement was the reason I gave up Silver, which I first but had really stopped using in favor of the Gold. $10 one time. Raised grill piece was another one-time thing, maybe 8 years ago. Still works fine. Learning how to adjust the vents and place charcoal, another one-time thing. Once you figure it out, you're good to go about forever, no additional thinking required.
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