Most people who are looking for information about the Big Green Egg are aware of the fact that it is pretty costly. Many interested cooking enthusiasts are looking for ways to minimize expenses by looking at other cooker models. This is a wonderful idea considering that there are many cookers that are more than adequate for a price that is far less than the Big Green Egg.
The Weber Smokey Mountain cooker is an excellent choice for anyone looking to save money while having a full-fledged cooker with all of the bells and whistles.
In this Weber Smokey Mountain vs Big Green Egg comparison, we talk about the difference between these cookers so that you can make a decision. This information is based on actual customer reviews of both these cookers.
We will outline the major advantages to each one as they compare to each other in this review.
Do You Want Space Or Versatility? Learn more on our Pit Barrel Cooker vs Big Green Egg: Is More Expensive Better? article!
Weber Smokey Mountain vs Big Green Egg
Why the Big Green Egg is So Expensive
Purchasing the Big Green Egg, along with most of its accessories, will set you back about $1,400. This is four times more expensive than the Weber Smokey Mountain. The question is, do you get four times the food and taste?
The answer to this question is multifaceted. While the taste is comparable to what you would make in the Weber Smokey Mountain, there is actually less space in the Big Green Egg.
The reason why the Big Green Egg has set its price point that high is due to its thermal efficiency. Due to its efficient air control and insulation, it is better at managing the various levels of temperature that you might choose through temperature control.
With the Big Green Egg, you can control the temperature by adjusting the air vents. Most people feel like they only need to adjust the air vents once every few hours. In contrast, people need to adjust the vents on the Weber Smokey Mountain once every hour.
The Big Advantages to the Weber Smokey Mountain
It may not be clear by looking at product pages, but the Weber Smokey Mountain holds significantly more meat than the Big Green Egg. This is an important advantage if you are going to be holding large functions. This means that you will be able to cook everything all in one go. And considering that outdoor cookers on charcoal will be cooking slower than what you would cook at home, this does make a significant difference.
The other big advantage to the Weber Smokey Mountain is that it is better at smoking meat. This has been confirmed by various customer reviews on this matter.
Here are some of the great features of the Weber Smokey Mountain:
- Durability: Even though it comes at a much lower price point, the Weber Smokey Mountain is still highly durable. It is made of a heavy-duty plate that will not shatter if it is dropped.
- Ability to steam your meat: The Weber Smokey Mountain comes with a water pan at the bottom so that you can steam your meat. Not everyone uses this feature, but it does make for very succulent and tender meat turn out.
- Detachable bottom: The fact that the Weber Smokey Mountain can detach at the bottom means that you can easily add charcoal by pulling up the top portion.
- Will run for 14 hours: You can cook your meat at a slow pace for up to 14 hours if you wish. But you can also really up the temperature and cook it much more quickly, as there is plenty of thermal insulation.
Where to Purchase the Weber Smokey Mountain
While the Big Green Egg is best bought from a dealer, you can purchase the Weber Smokey Mountain on Amazon for an excellent price. The prices on Amazon are a result of competitive pricing, so you can be sure that you are getting a good deal.
By clicking the link below, you can see hundreds of reviews from people who have purchased the Weber Smokey Mountain on Amazon:
- Porcelain enameled lid, bowl, and center section retain heat and won’t rust or peel
The Verdict
If your main reason for having a cooker is to smoke meat, the Weber Smokey Mountain might be your better bet. Smoking meat is its specialty, and you will not get better-smoked meat with the Big Green Egg. The Big Green Egg will set you back $1,400. And if it falls and shatters on the ground, you’ll be out of luck.
We do have a preference for the Weber Smokey Mountain because it is plenty efficient for most purposes. The versatility of the Big Green Egg allows it to be used for baking bread and pizzas. If you enjoy having the ability to cook bread outside, the Big Green Egg could be a good option for you.