Weber Jumbo Joe vs Smokey Joe: Which Fits Better? (October 2026)
Choose the Smokey Joe for a lighter carry and the Jumbo Joe 18-inch for more cooking room. The Weber Jumbo Joe vs Smokey Joe choice depends on how much space you need and how far you plan to carry the grill.
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Choose the Smokey Joe for a lighter carry and the Jumbo Joe 18-inch for more cooking room. The Weber Jumbo Joe vs Smokey Joe decision comes down to how much you need to cook and how far you need to carry the grill.
The Smokey Joe weighs 8.4 pounds and measures 16.5 x 14.2 x 17 inches. The Jumbo Joe 18-inch weighs 18 pounds and has a plated steel grate with 240 square inches of cooking area.
If neither size fits your plans, the Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch offers 363 square inches of cooking surface, plus all-weather wheels. This comparison covers carry weight, cooking space and features to help you pick the right fit.
Weber Jumbo Joe vs Smokey Joe: which should you choose?
Pick the Smokey Joe when lighter carry matters most; pick the Jumbo Joe 18-inch when you want more room on the grate. Both are charcoal grills for outdoor use, but their sizes suit different kinds of outings.
The Smokey Joe weighs less than half as much as the Jumbo Joe 18-inch. The Jumbo Joe has a 240-square-inch cooking area and an 18.5-inch plated steel grate.
The right choice depends on your typical meal and travel setup. A small cookout may not need the Jumbo Joe's added space, while a group meal can make the Smokey Joe feel limiting.
Is the Jumbo Joe 18-inch or Smokey Joe easier to carry?
The Smokey Joe is the lighter grill at 8.4 pounds. Its compact dimensions make it a fit for buyers who are watching storage space or carry weight.
The Jumbo Joe 18-inch weighs 18 pounds and measures 19.75 x 20.5 x 19.75 inches when assembled. Consider those dimensions if you plan to load it into a car, carry it to a picnic spot or store it between trips.
The Smokey Joe's lid lock secures the lid during transport and doubles as a lid holder. The Jumbo Joe 18-inch has one glass-reinforced nylon handle.
For more ideas about choosing a grill for travel, see our guide to charcoal grills for tailgating. If you want to compare other compact designs, our Weber Go-Anywhere vs Smokey Joe comparison weighs another portable option against the Smokey Joe.
Which grill gives you more cooking space?
The Jumbo Joe 18-inch gives you more cooking space than the Smokey Joe, and the Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch gives you the most space of these 3. The Smokey Joe fits 6 burgers made with a Weber burger press, while the Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch fits up to 13.
The Jumbo Joe 18-inch has a cooking area of 240 square inches. The Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch has 363 square inches, giving you more room for a larger cookout.
The Smokey Joe's compact build suits smaller meals and lighter travel. If you regularly cook for a group, consider whether its size leaves enough space for the food you plan to grill at once.
| Product | Best for | Cooking area | Burgers | Mobility | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch | a larger cookout | 363 sq in | Up to 13 with Weber burger press | All-weather wheels | 8.7 |
| Weber Jumbo Joe 18-inch | more cooking room | 240 sq in | 8.5 | ||
| Weber Smokey Joe 14-inch | lighter carry | 8.4 |
How do their features compare?
The Jumbo Joe 18-inch has a plated steel grate, aluminum dampers and an ash catcher, while the Smokey Joe has a lid lock and an ash catcher. Choose by the features you expect to use when setting up, grilling and packing away.
The Jumbo Joe 18-inch has a porcelain-enameled bowl and lid. Its rust-resistant aluminum dampers let you adjust airflow, and an ash catcher sits below the grill.
The Smokey Joe has a porcelain-enamel finish that is scratch and rust-resistant. Its Tuck-N-Carry lid lock secures the lid to the bowl and can hold the lid while you grill.
The Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch adds a lid hook, a heat shield on the lid handle and all-weather wheels. Its aluminum dampers and ash catcher come with a larger cooking area in a grill with wheels.
What about cleanup and setup?
Both the Jumbo Joe 18-inch and Smokey Joe have an ash catcher. The Smokey Joe's ash catcher protects surfaces and helps with cleanup.
The Jumbo Joe 18-inch also has a rust-resistant aluminum ash catcher. Its aluminum dampers give you a way to regulate airflow while cooking.
The Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch has an aluminum ash catcher designed for quick ash disposal. Its wheels can help you move it around your outdoor space, and its dimensions are 24 x 9.8 x 38.2 inches.
For a closer look at the Smokey Joe, read our Weber Smokey Joe 14-inch review. If your charcoal setup needs help getting lit, our charcoal chimney starter guide explains when a chimney starter can be useful.
Which Weber grill fits camping, tailgating or a patio?
The Smokey Joe is the clearest fit when carrying a light grill is the priority; the Jumbo Joe 18-inch suits outings where cooking room matters more. For a patio, consider both cooking area and the storage space you have available.
The Smokey Joe is a compact grill for outdoor cooking, with a Tuck-N-Carry lid lock and a design for grilling on the go. Its 8.4-pound weight makes it the lighter choice to carry.
The Jumbo Joe 18-inch is also described as portable, but its 18-pound weight and larger assembled dimensions make it a different travel choice. It gives you 240 square inches of cooking area for a meal that needs more space.
For more small-grill options, browse our small portable charcoal grills guide. If you're choosing by the room your grill needs, our charcoal grill size guide can help you match the grill to your usual cookout.
When does the Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch make sense?
Choose the Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch when you need the most cooking area and expect to move the grill around an outdoor space. Its 363 square inches of cooking surface and all-weather wheels suit a larger cookout.
Its plated steel grate, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl, aluminum dampers and ash catcher suit a larger charcoal setup. The lid hook gives you a place to set the lid, and the handle has a heat shield.
The 22-inch model measures 24 x 9.8 x 38.2 inches. Its dimensions suit a patio or deck better than a trip where your main goal is a light grill to carry.
Which Weber grill should you buy?
Choose the Smokey Joe for a lighter carry, the Jumbo Joe 18-inch for added cooking room, or the Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch for the largest cooking surface and wheels. Let your usual meal and storage space guide your choice.
The Smokey Joe weighs 8.4 pounds and has a lid lock that doubles as a lid holder. The Jumbo Joe 18-inch weighs 18 pounds and gives you 240 square inches of cooking area.
Choose the Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch if 363 square inches and all-weather wheels matter more than compact storage. For more charcoal grill choices, start with our charcoal grill buyer's guide.
Sources
- Weber Jumbo Joe 18-inch
- Weber Smokey Joe 14-inch
- Weber Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch
- Weber charcoal grills
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between the Jumbo Joe and Smokey Joe?
The main difference is size and portability. The Jumbo Joe 18-inch has a 240 square inch cooking area and weighs 18 pounds, while the Smokey Joe weighs 8.4 pounds and has compact dimensions of 16.5 x 14.2 x 17 inches.
Is the Weber Jumbo Joe easier to carry than the Smokey Joe?
The Smokey Joe is lighter at 8.4 pounds, compared with 18 pounds for the Jumbo Joe 18-inch. Both are described as portable charcoal grills, but the Smokey Joe is the lighter choice when you need to carry it farther.
How many burgers can the Weber Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch hold?
The Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press. It has 363 square inches of cooking surface, so it is the largest cooking option among these 3 grills.
Does the Smokey Joe have a lid holder?
Yes. The Smokey Joe's Tuck-N-Carry lid lock doubles as a lid holder.
It also has an ash catcher, which protects surfaces and helps with cleanup.
Which Weber portable charcoal grill should I choose?
Choose the Smokey Joe if low carry weight and compact dimensions matter most, or the Jumbo Joe 18-inch if you want more cooking area. The Jumbo Joe Premium 22-inch offers the most cooking surface here, with wheels for moving it around an outdoor space.
