Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Value, Durable Grill, October 19, 2002
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.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 non-use. 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 ahes, 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 os 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
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41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Smokey Joe Exceeds Most Grilling Needs, June 11, 2000
The smaller sized Weber kettle comes through with all the quality and performance as it's larger big brothers. For hamburgers, medium steaks, shish-kabobs, and small family get-togethers, the Smokey Joe lives up to its' family name. Food is prepared to your liking in quick order and domed cover returns heat from charcoal to cook evenly and retained heat and adjustable vents on top and bottom greatly reduces flare-up. Best way to start charcoal with this unit, is with electric starter, and only drawback we found is accumulation of ash in bottom of grill after a few uses. Cleans up easily, and 14" grilling surface is able to meet most needs.
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44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good for small patios, but not so good for travelling., April 13, 2005
I've had one of these little Smokey Joes for probably 15 years now. It definitely has some strong points, but also a few drawbacks.
Pros:
1. Durable. Mine's been outdoors in the weather for 15 years now. When I give it a good cleaning, it looks almost new.
2. Cooks well. I've grilled steaks, burgers, dogs, etc. It does a nice job on them all. And it doesn't use a whole lot of coal to do it. I've got a 22 1/2 weber too, but sometimes when cooking for only 2 of us, I use the smokey joe to save on coals.
3. It's small and does a nice job in a small space like apartment porch or patio.
Cons:
1. It's inconvenient as a Portable grill when traveling. It's got no carry handle or way to seal it up. Also, once you've grilled and need to go, there's nothing to do with the hot coals. You've got to seal all the vents and wait for them to be extinguished. Even then I'd be nervous about dumping them out or putting the grill in my trunk.
2. The legs get bent out of shape easily. I never abused mine, yet somehow they always are bent out of shape. Sure you can bend them back again, but later on its the same story.
If I were buying a small portable grill today, I would go with a rectangular grill like the Weber Go Anywhere grill. The legs fold up and snap over the cover. Then you just pick it up like a tool box by the top handle and go. If you choose a propane version you avoid the problem of dealing with the hot coals afterward.
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