Customer Reviews

Weber 51020 Smokey Joe Platinum Charcoal Grill

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Weber Jumbo Joe is a very good charcoal grill. It is well built, has some nice features and cooks delicious food. I really like the "lid lock and handle" feature. It makes it easy to bring the grill with you to tailgate or to just pack it up to put away after use. My only word of caution is that the grill is relatively large. It's meant for cooking more than just a couple of burgers. So, there is a sizable charcoal commitment every time you use it. So, if you typically feed four or less people, the 14.5 inch regular Smokey Joe Grill (or Tuck and Carry) may be a better choice. If you feed more than four on a regular basis, "Go for the Jumbo". You won't be disappointed!

I've had a Jumbo Joe (now called Smokey Joe Platinum)for about 10 years. Its seen heavy use and its always been stored outside. It ought to be a basket case by now, but I have yet to replace any part of it, though the grates are rusty. In contrast with the previous review, I find the little Joes too small for two people. This model will easily handle a roaster and sides, plus it fits in my trunk with the lid upside down. I'd buy one again in a minute.

This is the best tabletop grill you can buy. Having an apartment where space is limited, I wanted a tabletop grill for small parties and the 18.5 inch grill was the perfect size. Also, it packs up neatly to transport on outdoor adventures. This grill will easily handle several burgers or kabobs at a time. It is so easy to use and the included guide makes it even easier with clear instructions and even a cookbook of simple recipes to try on your own. Get this grill.

If you like the big Weber grills but need a small one for tailgating, this is a Great choice.
I have no problem putting 3, 4, or even 5 steaks on this grill with no problem.
It's tight and well built.
The only thing I don't like is the kind of cheap side went covers. They come flat so they don't conform to the shape of the grill. You have to kind of form them by bending them around your knee or something and then they fit fine.

I give this grill 9 out of 10 Brats.

EDIT, ONE YEAR LATER: They made a big mistake moving the vent holes from the traditional place on the bottom of the kettle to the sides. It completely changes the air flow and the result is a consistently cold fire. My three minutes per side burgers on the normal Webber are more like five or six minutes per side on this little grill.
The bottom line is that this grill is ok for tailgating and camping, but I don't use it nearly as much as I thought I would and if I HAD to have just one grill, I'd get one of the other Webbers with the vents on the bottom. This grill has been a disappointment for me.

This is an excellent little grill for home or the road. The lid lock is a godsend and the side benefit is that due to the construction of the piece, smokey joe is an apt name. the carry handle is awesome. The side vents direct air such that I almost always have beautiful smoke filling my little grill and infusing my meal with fabulous flavor. I've had mine for over a decade and while I've gone through another big Weber kettle and now a huge smoker, this little number is still in the race and I have NO intentions of giving it up. I'm taking it camping with me next weekend. It's a no-brainer. Buy it and be happy.

I purchased an original Smoky Joe back in 1984. With the exception of replacing the grate, it still looks brand new. My in-laws gave us a gas grill and after trying really hard to like it, we ended up back to charcoal in less than one season. I'm so impressed with the product, I bought a 2nd one to keep out at my hangar and planning on purchasing a Weber Performer for those times when size matters. You can't beat the product for durability and taste.

Weber seems to have stopped producing this awesome grill. I'm so very disappointed that this great grill is discontinued.

the smaller 14" smokey joe simply does not have the depth between the charcoal grate and cooking grate to hold enough layers of charcoal to reach a consistent high heat. This is the only portable charcoal grill that does it.

If you want a portable grill that's actually useful, this size is a must. I have tried them all. Smaller grills cannot retain consistent high heat, and you can forget about heating zones, indirect grilling with the smaller portable grills.

What Weber may not understand is that many people have need for a good portable grill. City of Chicago, for example, forbid any charcoal grill on the porch. So we have no choice but to carrry the grill outside. Not to mention the big picnics, outdoor trips, parties in the park... small grills just doesn't do it.

There's no open ash tray, meaning you can just shut the vents, snap the grill shut (with whatever in there) and wait 45 minutes, the grill will be cool to touch and ready to sit in the car - no worries about ash coming out of it. The charcoal can be reused next time. It's awesome.

I tried other brand portable big grills, and the design is so horrible, hard to clean, doesn't retain heat, etc. that just makes me miss this grill even more.

I finally got this grill back after letting my friends use it for a couple of years. That's two years of abuse and it still looks shinny. I've missed this grill every summer since I parted with it, and I don't think I'll part with it ever again.

Though this is a portable grill, it is terrific for at home use if you're single, or have a small balcony apartment. It takes very little space, and is easy to maneuver when cleaning time comes.

We took ours to a picnic this weekend and grilled two packs of hot-dogs at once (16 thick dogs). Because the grill is small, things get hot quick, and you will need to be careful with easy to burn foods that should take longer to cook. Burgers do well, steaks do fantastic. Chicken needs a a watchful eye.

I've used this gem for years. My apartments, on the whole, mandated the simplicity and efficiency offered up by the Smokey Joe.

A great feature is the rounded top. This enables better smoking, as air and smoke circulates more fluidly.

The downsides:
The legs aren't as sturdy as they could be. Given time, a bit of bumping around and general abuse, and the screwed on legs might turn askew. If you notice this while the grill is hot, you've a problem. The solution is to keep them tight during nonuse.

The air intake at the bottom gets clogged with ashes. A key to good charcoal grilling is the manipulation of air flow. The intake might be open, but stopped up. If you are diligent to clean the ashes, you'll be OK.

Because the grill is so close to the ground, you need to be careful. Unlike most of Weber's grill, this one is also apt to getting kicked over, run into by dogs, cars and children.

I fully recommend Weber's Smokey Joe. Now, I'm hungry. Time to stir the coals and pop on a few brats.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

I love this grill just last night i made pizza on it for the first time it's got a awesome amount of cooking space for such a portable grill. it's great we use it on our patio all the time.
the build quality is great and it's very easy to clean
i think they even added some vents into the design so the airflow is awesome...
and with amazons free shipping you cant find a better deal anywhere.

Weber discontinued it and Amazon no longer has it. My pal has a condo with a balcony (not large) this is the Weber for her - equip it with ONE charcoal rail and you get lots of indirect heat for smoking.

Usually the 14 inch Smokey Joe's are too small, often my 22 inch Performer is too big, but this Jumbo Joe is just right.

Weber - Bring it back!!!