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 Spirit E-310 Gas Grill
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch vs Weber Spirit E-310 Gas Grill, compared side by side using critic reviews, Reddit opinions, and Amazon data.
Quick answer: These are neck and neck (90 vs 87). Pick Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch for holds temp for 8-12 hours with zero babysitting, or Weber Spirit E-310 Gas Grill for built like a tank - weber quality and durability.
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch
8 critics · 55 Reddit · 5,495 Amazon
Weber Spirit E-310 Gas Grill
10 critics · 40 Reddit · 292 Amazon
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Weber Smokey | Weber Spirit |
|---|---|---|
| PatioRank Score | 90/100 | 87/100 |
| Critic Score | 88/100 | 92/100 |
| Reddit Score | 90/100 | 82/100 |
| Amazon Rating | 4.7★ | 4.5★ |
| Reviews | 5,495 | 292 |
| Price | $419 | $449 |
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 Spirit E-310 Gas Grill
- + Built like a tank - Weber quality and durability
- + Even heating across all 3 burners, minimal flare-ups
- + Dead simple grease management system
- + Snap-Jet ignition works every time
- − 3-burner size limits capacity for big cookouts
- − No sear station or infrared at this price
- − Some feel it's overpriced vs competitors with same BTUs
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 Spirit E-310 Gas Grill
"Weber tax is real but so is Weber quality. My Spirit has been on the patio for 4 years through rain, snow, and Texas heat. Still fires up first try every time."
"If you just want to grill burgers, dogs, and steaks without thinking about it, gas is the move. Spirit E-310 is the Toyota Camry of grills. Boring but it just works."
Verdict
These two are neck and neck. The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch edges ahead slightly with a PatioRank Score of 90 vs 87, but both are solid choices depending on your priorities.