Customer Reviews

Old Smokey Charcoal Grill #18 (Medium)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had my smokey for two years and have grilled everything from burgers to briskets and whole chickens. My neighbors' Webers collect dust in their garages-most of them have gone to gas-but I've stayed loyal to lump charcoal and think this is hands down one of the best charcoal grills you can get for the money. The grilling surface is ample--you could even do a few racks of ribs if you roll them and sent them on their ends. Like the Weber, PK, and Holland grills, Old Smokey has a small cult following. And, for good reason. The design provides the versatility to use either direct or indirect heat, so Old Smokey functions as both a grill and smoker. The 18 inch diameter grill is perfect for a small family, but if I could do it over I'd just go for the 22 inch model so I could cook for a larger crowd. You should spring for the leg extensions, otherwise the grill won't stand waist high and you'll do a lot of bending over or squatting to tend to your 'cue. Reserve the shorter legs that come with it for camping outings. As for aesthetics, I think the Old Smokey has a lot of character. It's a great conversation piece, and, unless you live in Texas, you'll be one of the only folks on your block to have one! It's a fantastic little grill for the money. The only drawback I've found is that the simple design makes it hard to add charcoal. Unlike the PK, the grill is one piece, so you have to remove the meat and grill to add more charcoal. A slight hassle, perhaps, but for a product priced at around $50, you really can't complain. If you are one of those folks who thinks, "they sure don't make things like they used to" then the Old Smokey is for you. Check out the company's web site. This is an American product made by folks whose product integrity has stood the test of time.

Got my Old Smokey this week, and after years of being a Weber man, I was just in the mood for something different. Something that you don't see at every house on the block. I was also attracted to the large clearance over the grill for things such as beer can chicken. I don't think the Weber 18" has enough clearance to do this, although the 22" Weber does, the 22" is just too big for what I need. I don't do too much smoking, mainly just grill steaks, burgers, BBQ chicken & the like, and for that, this grill is perfect. For the reviewer that said the top doesn't marry perfectly with the bottom. No it doesn't, but why would you want it to? It sits on it just fine, and you don't want an airtight seal on a BBQ anyways, or your coals would go out. Hence why you open the top & bottom vents... as far as smothering charcoal to save it for next time, the seal around the edge of the lid is good enough once you close the vents.
I highly recommend the long legs to go with this grill- the short legs that come with it only raise it to a little less than knee level.

I love this grill. It's the perfect size and it's easy to clean out the ash. I'm really glad I got the Old Smokey Long Legs with it because it raises it up to a manageable height. It's basic and simple. My boyfriend grills, not I, but he does a damn good job with this grill. So happy with this and it was so cheap too! Highly recommended!

We've had this grill for years, and love it. I've used those dinky overpriced Weber grills and spent the whole time fiddling with the dampers to get the oxygen just right...whatever. The Old Smokey cooks great and maintenance is easy. The design is squatty and sturdy, so it sits really steady (some other grills I'd hesitate use with kids and dogs running around). I recommend the Old Smokey to anyone who enjoys the flavor of charcoal grilling.

"Never fall for long legs and great looks", my dear wonderful mother told me over and over. I love my mother and her advice is good. I never listened to it, though.

I married a girl with long legs and great looks. I never regreted that decision one minute. My mom warned me about the hot ones, too. Again I didn't listen.

I got the "Old Smokey" in the mail. Wow, I never knew something so great looking with long legs could come thru the mail! I fell in love at first sight. I have not stopped looking at it since.

The style is amazing! I absolutely love the way it looks. It is really hard to explain unless you can actually see it. It really looks like a piece of art that should be in a museum. The lines just flow, it is simple, it makes sense and it works.

The Old Smokey was introduced to me about a year ago on the internet. I kept reading the reviews about it's cult like following. I do have to say, I could have very easily got a Weber at K Mart and it may have worked out.

The Old Smokey is very different, though. It actually has personality. It is something I fire up all the time just because it is so easy to get going and alot of fun to use. It never fails me and I know in the end I will be happy!

This grill is easy to get really hot (400 degrees plus), or lower temps for long, slow cooking. I have made great hamburgers, chicken and really good BBQ'ed pork ribs. My yellow lab has even taken a great interest in this grill. She will gladly drop her favorite frisbee for a hot sample.

This is the best grill I could get. (I already got the best girl!).

Note: I did get the longer legs package and the two inch temperature gauge. This is the set up that works great for me and what I recommend.

I put the temperature gauge in the front, about an inch from the bottom of the top half of the unit so it gauges the temperature at grill level. The legs package makes the unit the perfect height for you to have easy access to the grill.

This is my second Old Smokey. Previously I got the Old Smokey Electric Smoker. I found that item to be so well constructed and operated perfectly. I knew the Old Smokey grill would have to be great, too. And, it is.

The Lid does not marry perfectly with the bottom half. I am having buyers remorse. I should have paid a little more and bought the Weber 18''. I did splurge for the long legs and I was very happy that I did. After the shipping charges it was not worth it for me to send the whole thing back. The grill itself was [...] bucks and I think shipping would be about half that. Also, be careful this thing has some really sharp edges.

I can't believe the price on this grill. It is easily the best charcoal grill I have ever owned. It is easy to put together, and once you get used to it, it cooks good food.

I love my old smokey. It is everything a charcoal grill should be. I would never purchase any other brand again. The workmanship and make up of the old smokey is unique. I would recommend this product to everyone.

This is an excellent grill for the money. I have owned one for over a year now. I keep it outside and uncovered when not in use. I will have to replace the round flat grill plate that goes inside because it has warped very bad...but that is to be expected. It's only 13 dollars to replace. Why people pay hundreds of dollars for a Weber charcoal grill makes no sense to me when you can get this. I would highly recommend purchasing the legs though....unless you can put old smokey on counter top.

This is an adequate charcoal grill for the money, but American made? The parts are NOT American made. It may have been assembled in America but I also wonder if it was made by American workers, or by workers from south of the border. The Grill works well, but dents very easily and is cheaply made.