Weber is known for manufacturing high-quality products which are well-built and durable. They have been producing gas grills, charcoal grills, electric grills, and portable grills for decades. While their products have different sizes and purposes, they all have useful innovative features and come with warranties.
Charcoal grills and smokers are the best choices for people who are looking for quality products which are cost-effective and user-friendly. They are reminiscent of the traditional way of preparing food which is why they remain a user favorite.
The weber smokey mountain 18 is an excellent example of an affordable and long-lasting smoker. It provides you with the original savory flavor while retaining that old-school cooking feel. This type of food preparation is easy to grasp and is more cost-effective than its gas grill counterparts.
It is convenient to use and maintain. The product can be easily transported and set up in your backyard as well as further away. What is more, high temperatures can be reached with ease making your job less stressful.
Check out our review below for more helpful information on this product. Find out all the useful features it offers as well as detailed guidelines on how to use it properly.
Info
This product is an 18-inch charcoal smoker by Weber.
Features
- Steel-plated cooking grates
- Built-in thermometer
- Metal legs (resistant to rust)
- Aluminum dampers (resistant to rust)
- Porcelain-enameled water pan
- Steel charcoal grate
- Fuel door
Why Get It?
Most people look forward to a product like this for several reasons. One reason is that it is a Weber product – meaning it is undoubtedly up to specific standards of quality. Another is that it is a convenient size and can be easily transported.
Lastly, this product offers some helpful features for both amateurs and culinary experts. It has a user-friendly design and durable build.
Size and Build
First of all, it is the right size for small groups of people or large families. It can easily hold food for eight adults. The size of the cooking area is sufficient to prepare a meal for a larger family.
The total dimensions of the unit are 21 x 19 x 41 inches, while the cooking area itself offers 481 square inches of space. There are two separate grates which can be used to divide and arrange the food. You can simultaneously prepare several chickens, a whole turkey, and along with spare ribs or pork butts.
Materials which are used for manufacturing this product are all durable, stable, and designed to retain temperature well. Most of the materials used won’t rust over time. This will prevent any malfunctions and lengthen the overall life span of the smoker.
The three cooking grates are done in steel. The legs are made out of metal, and the dampers are aluminum. The lid and the water pan are porcelain-enameled.
The unit comes with a thermometer built in the lid. You can easily read and control the temperature without having to open the smoker. This helps keep the smoke and heat unaltered and consistent.
The water pan is a crucial feature of the design as proper smoking wouldn’t be possible without it. It adds moisture to the air and keeps the food from drying out. Given that the water pan is porcelain-enameled, it is sure to last a long time and be efficient for years to come.
The charcoal holder is cleverly designed to make the heat move upward without having to need interference. The unit itself has several holes which let in enough oxygen to keep the heat circulating upward. This keeps the charcoal hot and the smoke and heat going in the direction of the food.
Portability
Another reason why users tend to love this Weber smoker is because it easy to move around. The machine has three main elements which can be separated making the process of transportation even more carefree. The unit can, therefore, be taken apart and set up in record time.
Fuel
The fuel door is done in aluminum and designed to keep the heat from escaping. It provides you with a safe way to reload charcoal when needed. This is a particularly helpful feature when there is a more extended cooking session, and you need to refuel time and time again.
What is more, this product is much more cost-effective than its gas and wood counterparts. It is easier to use, charcoal lasts longer, and it is the cheapest fuel as it is used in lesser amounts.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Sufficient cooking area
- High-quality materials
- Durable
- Sturdy build
- User-friendly
- Easy to set up
- Portable
- Comes with warranty
- Overall 61%
CONS
- Thermometer could be more precise
Testimonials
“As a beginner, I have to admit that this product has become my favorite choice for preparing food. First off, it was easy to assemble, and you can transport and set it up practically anywhere. The only thing which required my additional attention is the temperature reading as it is off sometimes. Once I’ve mastered that everything else is a piece of cake.”
What to Watch Out For
Steps for Using a Smoker
If you are a beginner make sure you choose the right area for your smoker. It has to be on a flat surface and further away from any traffic or housing.
Next is charcoal. It needs to be placed in the center of the grate in the bottom section of the chamber. Then you need to light the charcoal and wait for it to become somewhat disintegrated. You can tell the coals are ready when they have a slightly ashy surface.
The remaining two grates are for the food. You can arrange the food according to the temperature and heat required for its preparation.
Don’t forget to fill the water pan with hot water. This vital step will release moisture and make the air damp. This system makes the food juicy and evenly prepared.
Types of Charcoal
An important factor when preparing food is the type of charcoal you choose for your smoker. This will influence the overall taste of your food
Hardwood Charcoal
This type of charcoal is also known by the name of lump charcoal. Lump charcoal is made entirely out of hardwood which is further treated. It is characterized by lighting quickly and maintaining a variety of different temperatures.
This is a good choice if you are looking for that additional aromatic flavor to your food. The final flavor will depend on which type of hardwood the charcoal is made out of.
Briquettes
Hardwood charcoal briquettes are dense and burn for a more extended period. They are, therefore, more cost-effective than lump charcoal. They also burn more evenly which is essential for meals which require slow and even smoking.
Measuring the Temperature
The lid of this Weber smoker does have a thermometer incorporated in the design. However, the thermometer can read the temperature somewhat precisely. Sometimes the temperature the thermometer shows can differ from the accurate reading as much as 10 degrees.
The old-fashioned way to check the heat is to take the lid off. This can cause further complications as it releases a significant amount of heat and smoke from the chamber and the smoker will need to make up for that loss. Nevertheless, some people enjoy this process just for the fun of it.
It is better to arrange the charcoal evenly and keep the temperature consistent. This way you won’t have to check a lot of times, and you can let your food cook slowly and steadily. This method will guarantee some finger-licking results.
Verdict
Any Weber product is an excellent choice as it will give you your money’s worth. This smoker is helpful if you are a beginner as it has user-friendly features and setup. On the other hand, it is a budget-friendly product if you are looking for a practical and durable appliance.
Its best features include the built-in thermostat, the sturdy build, and the fact that it runs on charcoal. All of these features will save you time, money and energy, and are proven to be cost-effective in the long run.
