Weber Slate 30 vs Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22
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Quick take: The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22 costs $100 less; the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22 offers more cooking space (726 vs 540 sq in).
| Spec | Weber Slate 30 | Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$649 | ~$549 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (325) | — |
| Type | Griddle | Charcoal Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 540 sq in | 726 sq in |
| Max Temp | 500°F | — |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Rust-resistant pre-seasoned carbon steel cooktop, steel cart | Porcelain-Enameled Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 3 | — |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 70.8 x 23.5 x 39.5 in | 23 x 24 x 48.5 in |
| Weight | 140 lbs | 68 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 10 years on bowl, lid and center ring; 2 years on remaining parts |
Pros & cons
Weber Slate 30
- ✓Rust-resistant hardened cooktop genuinely reduces upkeep vs bare rolled steel
- ✓Very even heat across all 540 sq in - fewer hot/cold zones than Blackstone
- ✓36,000 BTU across 3 burners preheats fast and holds sear temps over 500F
- ✓Front-corner grease trap is simple and mess-free
- ✓Heavy, rigid cart with side tables, wind guards, and locking casters
- ✓5-year warranty is the best in the griddle category
- ✗Twice the price of a similar-size Blackstone
- ✗Base 1500014 trim lacks the premium model's digital temp display
- ✗Cooktop rust is excluded from the warranty despite the rust-resistant pitch
- ✗Weber Works accessories add up quickly
- ✗Still requires seasoning and oiling like any carbon-steel griddle
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22
- ✓22.5-inch grates take a full untrimmed packer brisket flat — the single biggest practical gain over the 18-inch
- ✓726 sq in across two racks handles roughly six pork butts or four slabs of ribs in one load
- ✓The larger charcoal ring supports 12-plus hour unattended burns at 225–250°F, so overnight cooks do not need a refuel
- ✓Grates share the 22.5-inch diameter of the Weber kettle line, so kettle accessories and replacement grates drop straight in
- ✓Porcelain-enameled bowl, lid and center section carry a 10-year no-rust-through warranty
- ✓Bolt-on temperature controllers from the aftermarket are designed around this exact body, making it the most upgradeable bullet
- ✗At 68 lbs and 48.5 inches tall it is not something you move alone once it is assembled
- ✗$549 is $130 over the 18-inch, and the 18 covers most home cooks' volume needs
- ✗The stock lid thermometer reads the dome, not the grate, and is often 15–25°F off
- ✗No probe grommets from the factory — wires have to run through the door gap or be drilled for
- ✗Water pan needs refilling on long cooks and the pan is awkward to reach with both racks loaded