Weber Smokey Mountain vs Kamado: Do You Want Space Or Versatility?

The Kamado design is based on the Big Green Egg. What is unique above the Big Green Egg is the fact that it holds heat in like a champ. There are two popular cookers that offer the Kamado design: the Weber Smokey Mountain and the Kamado Joe.

There is a big difference in price between these two grillers. This is why in this Weber Smokey Mountain vs Kamado review, we are going to compare these two in terms of their most notable features.

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Weber Smokey Mountain vs Kamado

Preview
Weber Smokey Mountain
Weber 22-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker,Black
Kamado Joe Classic
Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series II 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart, Side Shelves, Stainless Steel Grates and 250 Cooking Square Inches in Red, Model KJ-23RHC
Title
Weber 22-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker,Black
Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series II 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart, Side Shelves, Stainless Steel Grates and 250 Cooking Square Inches in Red, Model KJ-23RHC
Price
$549.00
$1,299.00
Dimensions
24 x 23 x 48.5 in
26.4 x 26.4 x 36 in
Material
Steel
Stainless Steel, Ceramic
Total Grilling Area
726 Sq. In
256 sq. in.
Fuel type
Charcoal
Charcoal
Weight
68 lbs
250 lbs
Heat Range
200°F to 225°F
225°F to 750°F
More Information
Weber Smokey Mountain
Preview
Weber 22-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker,Black
Title
Weber 22-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker,Black
Price
$549.00
Dimensions
24 x 23 x 48.5 in
Material
Steel
Total Grilling Area
726 Sq. In
Fuel type
Charcoal
Weight
68 lbs
Heat Range
200°F to 225°F
More Information
Kamado Joe Classic
Preview
Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series II 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart, Side Shelves, Stainless Steel Grates and 250 Cooking Square Inches in Red, Model KJ-23RHC
Title
Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series II 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart, Side Shelves, Stainless Steel Grates and 250 Cooking Square Inches in Red, Model KJ-23RHC
Price
$1,299.00
Dimensions
26.4 x 26.4 x 36 in
Material
Stainless Steel, Ceramic
Total Grilling Area
256 sq. in.
Fuel type
Charcoal
Weight
250 lbs
Heat Range
225°F to 750°F
More Information

What Is The Kamado/Big Green Egg?

In case you have never heard of the Kamado or the Big Green Egg before, we will go over some of their characteristics. First of all, they are some of the priciest outdoor cookers on the market. Some people feel that it is worth paying the price for this advanced technology. But you may wonder what the advantages are of this technology.

The shape of these cookers is that of an egg. Because they are shaped this way, as well as the material that is used, they hold in a whole lot of heat. This makes them ideal for winter cooking, as well as cooking meat very quickly. They can be brought up to about 800 degrees.

Temperature control is one of the biggest advantages of these models. Although these are run by charcoal, they can be set with a dial to cook at a certain temperature for hours. Some people feel that they don’t need to check on the temperature as often as with other cookers.

Temperature control on these cookers makes them ideal for a variety of foods. It allows you to cook a greater variety of foods, such as bread or pizza.

Weber Smokey Mountain vs Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker

The fact that the Big Green Egg cookers come at a higher price means that some people are looking for alternatives. The Weber Smokey Mountain is one of the alternatives considered by many people.

But before you get caught up in comparing prices between the Weber Smokey Mountain and the Kamado, it is worth mentioning that there are two different Kamado models. The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker actually costs less than the Weber Smokey Mountain. In contrast, the Kamado Joe costs a lot more than the Weber Smokey Mountain.

In comparing the Weber Smokey Mountain with the less costly Kamado, we see that there are few differences to take into account:

  • Space: The Weber Smokey Mountain has considerably more space than the Kamado. You will be able to cook larger volumes of meat for bigger parties.
  • Temperature: The temperature of the Kamado will be warmer than that of the Weber Smokey Mountain. This is true even though this particular Kamado model is less costly.
  • Versatility: This Kamado is more versatile than the Weber Smokey Mountain. It allows you to cook more of a variety of foods, such as bread and pizzas.
  • Smoking meat: Most people agree that the Weber Smokey Mountain is better at smoking meat than the Kamado. This comes down to the way that the temperatures are regulated. The Weber Smokey Mountain can run on heat beds and lump charcoal. However, the Kamado is best run on lump only.

Weber Smokey Mountain vs Kamado Joe

Given the fact that the Kamado Joe is far more expensive than the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker, you might have guessed that it might be a little bit more efficient. But how much more efficient?

According to customer reviews, there is a marginal difference in the way that the Kamado runs as compared to its cheaper counterpart. People for looking to save money on a cooker would be better off with the Weber Smokey Mountain. Or, if they prefer the versatility, the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker is plenty enough.

Comparing The Prices

You may be surprised at just how big of a difference there is in the prices of these three models. See the links below for the best prices on Amazon:

The Verdict

We have a preference for the Weber Smokey Mountain due to its affordability. It is hundreds of dollars less than its Kamado Joe counterpart, which is only marginally better.

When it comes to features, the Kamado Joe Classic Charcoal Grill is more versatile than the Weber Smokey Mountain. However, if you are cooking for large parties, the Weber Smokey Mountain does have more volume capacity.

Which of these cookers do you feel would be best for you? Please leave your comment below.

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