Weber Go-Anywhere vs Smokey Joe: Which Is Better? (October 2026)

On this page (8 sections)

1. Weber Go-Anywhere vs Smokey Joe: which should you choose?
2. Which grill is easier to carry and pack?
3. Which cooking setup gives you more flexibility?
4. How much food can each grill handle?
5. What should you know about finish and cleanup?
6. How should you choose for tailgating or camping?
7. Is the Cuisinart 14-inch a useful alternative?
8. Which Weber grill is the better fit for you?

Choose the Smokey Joe for a lighter kettle with a carrying lid lock; choose the Go-Anywhere for rectangular packing and a coal arrangement for indirect cooking. In this Weber Go-Anywhere vs Smokey Joe comparison, the useful differences are carry weight, shape and cooking setup.

The Go-Anywhere weighs 14 pounds and has a stated 160-square-inch cooking area. The Smokey Joe weighs 8.4 pounds, and its Tuck-N-Carry lid lock secures the lid and doubles as a holder while you cook.

Both are compact Weber charcoal grills. The Go-Anywhere has a two-piece grate and char-rail insert, while the Smokey Joe has a round kettle shape and porcelain-enamel finish.

Weber Go-Anywhere vs Smokey Joe: which should you choose?

Pick the Smokey Joe if lower carry weight is your priority; pick the Go-Anywhere if its rectangular shape and coal arrangement suit your cooking plans. Think about the full trip, from the space in your vehicle to the distance between parking and your cooking spot.

At 8.4 pounds, the Smokey Joe is 5.6 pounds lighter than the Go-Anywhere. The Smokey Joe measures 16.5 x 14.2 x 17 inches; the Go-Anywhere measures 11.5 x 19.5 x 15 inches.

Those measurements describe different shapes, so the footprint that works best depends on your storage space. Measure the space where the grill will ride, then check whether you can lift it out and set it down without moving other gear.

The Smokey Joe is a good fit for someone who wants a compact kettle and expects to carry the grill short distances. Skip it if you need a stated cooking-area figure to plan around or if a round body wastes too much room in your vehicle.

The Go-Anywhere suits a buyer who can accommodate its extra weight and prefers a rectangular grill. Skip it if minimizing carry weight matters more than its shape or indirect-cooking feature.

For more options built around travel and small outdoor spaces, see our guide to portable charcoal grills for camping and tailgating. It covers designs beyond these 2 Weber choices.

Which grill is easier to carry and pack?

The Smokey Joe weighs less, while the Go-Anywhere has a rectangular body described as easy to carry, pack and store. Your storage space and carrying distance decide which advantage matters more.

A 5.6-pound difference can matter when you carry a grill from a parking area to a picnic spot. The Smokey Joe’s lid lock secures the lid for transport, while the Go-Anywhere’s rectangular form may fit more neatly beside flat or box-shaped gear.

Weight alone can’t predict how comfortable a grill will feel over a long walk. Consider the route, the other gear you’re carrying and whether you can keep the grill steady.

Does the Smokey Joe lid lock help in the Weber Go-Anywhere vs Smokey Joe choice?

The Smokey Joe’s Tuck-N-Carry lid lock secures the lid to the bowl and doubles as a lid holder. That gives the kettle a useful carry feature that also has a purpose once you start cooking.

The lid holder can keep the lid close while you work, so you don’t have to find a separate place for it. Let the grill cool before transport, and follow the manual for moving or opening it safely.

When does the Go-Anywhere shape help in this Weber portable grill comparison?

The Go-Anywhere’s rectangular design may fit a trunk or storage area where a round kettle leaves gaps. Its dimensions are 11.5 inches deep, 19.5 inches wide and 15 inches high.

Measure the space with your other gear in place. Include room to lift the grill out and set it down, not just the dimensions of the storage opening.

If you’ll carry the grill by hand, consider its weight alongside the shape. A rectangular body can pack neatly and still be a poor choice if the route is long and the extra weight is a burden.

Which cooking setup gives you more flexibility?

The Go-Anywhere has a char-rail insert for arranging coals for indirect cooking; the Smokey Joe’s standout feature is its lid lock and holder. Choose based on the cooking setup you expect to use.

The Go-Anywhere’s two-piece grate lets you add charcoal as needed. Its char-rail insert helps arrange coals for indirect cooking, which gives you a built-in option for that method.

The Smokey Joe is described for cooking for 2 to 4 people and fits 6 burgers made with a Weber burger press. Treat those as planning details, not a promise that every meal for that group fits at once.

The Go-Anywhere has a stated 160-square-inch cooking area. No cooking-area figure is specified for the Smokey Joe, so don’t assume the “14-inch” name gives an exact comparison of usable grate space.

For either grill, plan the charcoal arrangement before food goes on the grate. Keep fuel handling and vent use in line with the manual, and make sure your outdoor spot allows charcoal grilling.

What common mistakes should you avoid with Weber Go-Anywhere vs Smokey Joe?

Avoid choosing by the “14-inch” name, assuming the lightest grill is automatically the easiest for your trip, or packing before checking the full dimensions. Each can lead to a mismatch between your gear and the grill you bring.

The Smokey Joe’s cooking area isn’t specified here, so don’t use its name as a direct grate-size comparison with the Go-Anywhere. Plan around the meal and the cooking area figures that are available.

A second mistake is treating the lid lock as permission to move a hot grill. It helps secure the lid for transport, but safe handling still depends on letting the grill cool and following its manual.

Finally, don’t overlook the setup at your destination. Confirm charcoal is allowed, use a stable outdoor surface and leave the clearances required by the manual.

How much food can each grill handle?

The Go-Anywhere has a stated cooking area of 160 square inches, while the Smokey Joe is described for 2 to 4 people and 6 burger-press patties. Use those details as a starting point, then match them to the food you cook at one time.

Burgers, vegetables and larger cuts take different amounts of room. A meal with several items may require batches even if the grill is described for a small group.

If you often cook for more people, a portable model may feel limiting. Our guide to charcoal grill sizes explains how to think through cooking area and meal size before buying.

The Go-Anywhere’s two-piece grate can make adding charcoal during a cook easier. Follow the manual for safe fuel handling, and plan your coal setup before the grill is hot.

What should you know about finish and cleanup?

The Smokey Joe has a porcelain-enamel finish described as scratch and rust-resistant, plus an ash catcher that protects surfaces and makes cleanup easier. The Go-Anywhere has a painted finish and a metal frame.

Clear ash only after the grill has cooled, and use the care steps in the manual. Don’t leave ash where it could contact a surface that needs protection.

The Go-Anywhere’s ash catcher details aren’t specified here. If ash handling is a deciding factor, check its manual for cleanup instructions before you choose.

For either grill, clean up after use and store it dry between cooks. If you want to protect a grill during outdoor storage, our guide to charcoal grill covers explains how to choose a cover that fits.

How should you choose for tailgating or camping?

Choose the grill that fits your vehicle, carry distance and cooking plan. For a lighter carry, the Smokey Joe has the advantage on weight; for a rectangular pack and an indirect-cooking setup, consider the Go-Anywhere.

Tailgating often involves carrying a grill from a vehicle to a nearby cooking area. Camping can involve a longer walk and tighter storage, so weight and packed shape may matter more.

Check the destination’s fire and charcoal rules before you travel. Use the grill only in a permitted outdoor area, on a stable surface and with the clearances required by the manual.

Our small portable charcoal grill guide can help if neither Weber shape fits your plans. It covers compact grills for patios and travel.

Is the Cuisinart 14-inch a useful alternative?

Consider the Cuisinart if you want a larger stated grate and a light carry. Its 196-square-inch cooking area and 2-pound weight give you a different set of tradeoffs from either Weber.

It also has dual adjustable vents, three lid locks, a chrome-plated grate and an enamel-coated firebox. Those details may appeal if you want adjustable vents and a stated cooking area larger than the Go-Anywhere’s.

The Cuisinart is a different brand and design, so weight alone doesn’t decide which grill suits you. Consider its 14 x 14 x 15-inch dimensions, the gear you carry and the cooking surface you need.

For another round Weber comparison, see our guide to the Weber Jumbo Joe and Smokey Joe. If you already favor the smaller kettle, our Weber Smokey Joe review looks at that grill on its own.

Which Weber grill is the better fit for you?

Choose the Smokey Joe for a lighter kettle with a lid lock that also serves as a holder; choose the Go-Anywhere for rectangular packing, a two-piece grate and a char-rail insert. Start with the factor that affects your trip most.

If you’ll carry the grill farther, the Smokey Joe’s lower weight is a clear advantage. If the grill will ride in a packed vehicle, measure the available space and compare both shapes before deciding.

Choose the Go-Anywhere if indirect cooking is part of your plan. Choose the Smokey Joe if a lighter carry and its lid-lock design matter more.

If neither size or shape suits your needs, start with our portable charcoal grill guide and compare other designs.

Check Weber's Go-Anywhere grill information

Check Weber's Smokey Joe grill information

See the options:

Weber Go-Anywhere Portable Charcoal Grill

Weber Smokey Joe 14-inch

Cuisinart 14-inch Portable Charcoal Grill

Frequently asked questions

Is the Weber Go-Anywhere or Smokey Joe better for camping?

The Smokey Joe weighs 8.4 pounds, while the Go-Anywhere weighs 14 pounds, so the Smokey Joe is easier to carry by weight. The Go-Anywhere has a rectangular shape that may pack more neatly with some gear.

Measure your storage space and consider whether its char-rail insert suits the meals you plan to cook.

Which Weber portable grill has more cooking space?

The Go-Anywhere has a stated cooking area of 160 square inches. A cooking-area figure isn't specified for the Smokey Joe, so compare the food you plan to cook and the grills' overall dimensions instead of treating the 14-inch name as a grate measurement.

Can you cook indirectly on the Weber Go-Anywhere?

The Go-Anywhere includes a char-rail insert that helps arrange coals for indirect cooking. It gives you a defined way to set up that method.

Use the grill manual for the proper coal arrangement and safe operating steps.

How does the Smokey Joe lid lock work?

The Smokey Joe's Tuck-N-Carry lid lock secures the lid to the bowl for transport and doubles as a lid holder. It can simplify carrying and gives you a place for the lid while cooking.

Follow the manual when moving or opening a hot grill.

Is there another portable charcoal grill to consider?

The Cuisinart 14-inch Portable Charcoal Grill has a stated 196-square-inch grate, dual adjustable vents and three lid locks. It weighs 2 pounds, and its features and form differ from the Weber grills.