We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases to cover data analysis costs. Rankings are based solely on our PatioRank Score algorithm. Full disclosure
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch vs Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch vs Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill, compared side by side using critic reviews, Reddit opinions, and Amazon data.
Quick answer: Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch wins (90 vs 77). The smoker that made backyard smoking accessible. Rock-solid temp control for 12+ hours.
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch
8 critics · 55 Reddit · 5,495 Amazon
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
5 critics · 18 Reddit · 41 Amazon
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Weber Smokey | Weber Go-Anywhere |
|---|---|---|
| PatioRank Score | 90/100 | 77/100 |
| Critic Score | 88/100 | 78/100 |
| Reddit Score | 90/100 | 75/100 |
| Amazon Rating | 4.7★ | 4.3★ |
| Reviews | 5,495 | 41 |
| Price | $419 | $89.98 |
Pros & Cons
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch
- + Holds temp for 8-12 hours with zero babysitting
- + Produces deeper smoke flavor than any pellet grill
- + Bulletproof reliability - users report 10+ years of heavy use
- + Massive online community (virtualweberbullet.com)
- − No WiFi or app - manual monitoring only
- − Water pan management is tricky for beginners
- − Limited capacity vs larger offset smokers
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
- + Dead simple and truly portable for camping and tailgating
- + Weber build quality in a compact package
- + Real charcoal flavor, not just hot-dog-warmer heat
- + Legs fold up to lock lid - doubles as carrying handle
- − Side handles get dangerously hot during cooking
- − Vent adjustments are stiff and hard to move when hot
- − Small cooking area - feeds 2-4 people max
What Reddit Says
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch
"WSM 18 is the best smoker you can buy under $500. I've had mine for 7 years. Briskets, ribs, pulled pork - never let me down once."
"Sold my pellet grill and went back to the WSM. The smoke flavor isn't even comparable. Pellet grills are glorified ovens."
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
"Took the Go-Anywhere on a 4 day camping trip and it was perfect. Real charcoal flavor, fits in the trunk next to the cooler, and it's built like a tank for $90. Just bring gloves because those handles get HOT."
"People overthink portable grills. Go-Anywhere plus a chimney starter and you're eating real food at the campsite in 30 minutes. No propane tanks, no batteries, no app. Just fire and meat."
Verdict
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch takes this comparison with a PatioRank Score of 90/100. The smoker that made backyard smoking accessible. Rock-solid temp control for 12+ hours.