Outdoor smoker cookware is a great way to enhance the flavor of your roasts and ribs. When holding large parties, this is a great way to increase the amount of food that you make all at once. But these also work if you are going to be cooking for only 4 people.
This Weber Smokey Mountain vs Pit Barrel Cooker comparison is for those who want a high-end smoker that will allow them to create the best tasting meat that you can make outdoor.
We have compiled a list of each of the differentiating features of these smokers so that you can decide which one you actually want to get.
Related: Pit Barrel Cooker vs Barrel House Cooker: Which Has The Best Value?
Weber Smokey Mountain vs Pit Barrel Cooker
Why Use An Outdoor Smoker
There are many reasons why cooking enthusiasts would want an outdoor smoker. It goes without saying that smoked meat tastes a lot better than regular meat. Regular meat cooked indoors can only go so far in satisfying your taste buds.
For the meat lovers out there who love the taste of smoked meat, these outdoor cookers are the best that you can get. An outdoor smoker allows you to cook your meat for several hours on end. In fact, they can cook your meat for up to 14 hours before the temperature begins to lower.
With an outdoor smoker, you simply put the charcoal at the bottom of the smoker and light it. The flavors will seep into the meat over time and your meat will come out nice and tender.
One of the great reasons to use an outdoor smoker is the fact that it creates such a nice smell outside. The scent of charcoal on meat smells awesome when you are sitting outside with friends and family. When having a party, your friends can wait while taking in the waft of the meat that they will be eating later on in the day.
You may already be aware of the advantages of having a smoker. You get delicious tasting smoked meat, and you get to cook a large volume of meat all in one go.
Weber Smokey Mountain vs Pit Barrel Cooker
When comparing these smokers, we have taken efficiency and taste into account. We have created a list of the pros and cons for each of these smokers.
What We Think of the Weber Smokey Mountain
The Weber Smokey Mountain cooker comes in an attractive package. It is basically shaped like a capsule which does have its own benefits. This cooker has a water tray that you can use to steam your meat. This allows you to make the meat really tender over time. While the Pit Barrel Cooker does not have this feature, some people feel that they can do without the water tray.
This cooker is for those who will be cooking for 4-5 people at a time. It holds less meat than the Pit Barrel Cooker, but it does have its own advantages. See below for a list of pros and cons.
Weber Smokey Mountain Pros
- Durability: The Weber Smokey Mountain is made of heavy-duty plated steel. This makes it highly durable and will withstand rough weather. We do recommend that you cover it up between uses.
- Water pan: You can steam your meat to make it tender by adding water to the bottom of the Weber Smokey Mountain. Some people don’t add water because it takes away from the charcoal flavor. Using the water pan is not as efficient in the winter.
- Accurate temperature gauge: Unlike the Pit Barrel Cooker, the Weber Smokey Mountain comes with a temperature gauge. This is a major plus for this cooker and is appreciated by many customers. It is great to be able to see what the temperature is after a few hours. This way, you can be sure that your meat is still getting cooked.
- Easy to add charcoal: It is very easy to add charcoal to the Weber Smokey Mountain. Simply lift the body of the cooker to expose the bottom part add the charcoal.
- Can run for up to 14 hours: You can cook your meat at about 225 degrees for up to 14 hours in this cooker.
- Dome-like lid: The lid of the Weber Smokey Mountain ensures that all of the greases that accumulate at the top slides down to the sides. This means that you will not need to wash the top lid each and every time you cook.
Weber Smokey Mountain Cons
- Does not get as hot as the Pit Barrel Cooker
- Does not hold hot temperature as long as the Pit Barrel Cooker
- Cannot fit as much meat inside of its chamber
What We Think of the Pit Barrel Cooker
The Pit Barrel Cooker does not look as snazzy as the Weber Smokey Mountain. However, it does have a few advantages over it that you might never have thought of unless you had used it.
Here are the pros and cons of using the Pit Barrel Cooker.
Pit Barrel Cooker Pros
- Lightweight: For those who like to take their cookers around to work or to a friend’s place, this one is the best. It is much more lightweight than the Weber Smokey Mountain cooker. You can put it in a plastic bag and take it around with you whenever needed.
- Cooks at higher temperatures: The Pit Barrel Cooker cooks at considerably higher temperatures than the Weber Smokey Mountain. It can get up to 300 to 320 degrees.
- Holds temperature for longer: The Pit Barrel Cooker holds a high temperature even in the winter. If you are going to be doing a lot of winter cooking, this one is for you.
- Holds more meat: This cooker holds more meat volume than the Weber Smokey Mountain. You can hang your ribs from the hooks at the top. There is also a special hook to hang your roasts. The Weber Smokey Mountain only allows you to cook on its racks. Some people simply dislike cooking ribs from a rack.
Pit Barrel Cooker Cons
- Flat lid: Because this cooker has a flat lid, it will need to be swiped clean more often than the Weber Smokey Mountain. This is because a flat lid accumulates grease, which then drips onto the meat you are cooking. You will not need to clean it during use, but you will need to between uses.
- No temperature gauge: This would have been great in order to keep an eye on how well your meat is cooking over time.
Weber Smokey Mountain vs Pit Barrel Cooker: Pricing
For some reason, the Weber Smokey Mountain cooker tends to be the most expensive of the two. In order to view the prices for the Pit Barrel Cooker and the Weber Smokey Mountain, please see below:
The Verdict
In comparing these cookers, you see that there may not be a clear winner overall. The choice may depend on the features that you really like in a smoker. We do have a preference for the Pit Barrel Cooker.
That is because we love cooking year-round, and feel that the Pit Barrel Cooker holds a temperature much longer. It also holds more meat, which will be great for large parties. The versatility of the Pit Barrel Cooker appeals to us the most.