Weber Smokey Mountain 18 vs Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill
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Quick take: The Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill costs $20 less; the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 offers more cooking space (481 vs 180 sq in); the Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill reaches a higher max temp (600 vs 350°F).
| Spec | Weber Smokey Mountain 18 | Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$419 | ~$399 |
| Rating | 4.8★ (1,498) | — |
| Type | Charcoal Smoker | Electric Grill |
| Cooking Area | 481 sq in | 180 sq in |
| Max Temp | 350°F | 600°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Electric |
| Build Material | Porcelain-Enameled Steel | Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron grates |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 19 x 21 x 41 in | 23 x 16.5 x 11 in closed |
| Weight | 39 lbs | 26 lbs |
| Warranty | 10 years | 5 years cookbox, lid and grates, 2 years heating element |
Pros & cons
Weber Smokey Mountain 18
- ✓It's the most-recommended charcoal smoker in owner discussions, full stop - decades of competition wins and a massive knowledge base (Virtual Weber Bullet) back it up
- ✓Once dialed in, a full Minion-method charcoal ring holds 225-275°F for 8-12 hours with barely any vent fiddling - real overnight-brisket territory
- ✓The water pan acts as a heat sink and humidifier, making it very forgiving of beginner mistakes and keeping meat moist
- ✓481 sq in over two stacked grates fits two pork butts plus a rack of ribs, plenty for a family and guests
- ✓The porcelain-enameled body is the same buy-it-for-life quality as the Weber kettle, with a 10-year warranty on the major parts
- ✓It produces genuine charcoal-and-wood-chunk flavor that pellet smokers can't fully replicate
- ✓The side door lets you add fuel and wood mid-cook without dismantling anything
- ✓Resale value is famously strong, and the aftermarket (gaskets, hinges, fan controllers like the FireBoard) can modernize it over time
- ✗It's a smoker, not a grill - it tops out around 350°F and can't sear, so you still need a grill alongside it
- ✗There's no automation - you manage temps with three bottom vents and charcoal quantity, which takes a few cooks to learn
- ✗The stock lid thermometer is famously inaccurate, so nearly everyone adds a digital grate probe
- ✗Accessing the bottom grate or the charcoal ring means lifting the entire hot middle section off - awkward with food on
- ✗The door is thin stamped metal that leaks smoke until you bend it into shape or buy the aftermarket Cajun Bandit door
- ✗Water pan management (filling, emptying greasy water) is a messy extra chore each cook
- ✗In cold or windy weather the thin steel loses heat and burns noticeably more charcoal than insulated cookers
- ✗At $399 for a manual smoker, gravity-fed and pellet units at similar prices offer set-and-forget convenience it can't match
Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill
- ✓Gives up no heat to the full Lumin — identical 1,560 W element and 600°F+ ceiling
- ✓26 lbs and 23 inches wide, light enough to carry out and store in a closet after every cook
- ✓$100 cheaper than the full Lumin for the same feature set
- ✓Same five-year cookbox and grate warranty as the larger model
- ✓Reversible steam pan and smoking reservoir come in the box rather than as accessories
- ✗180 sq in is small — about four burgers, and awkward for anything with a footprint
- ✗Still draws 13 amps, so the circuit constraint is unchanged from the larger model
- ✗No side tables, so prep space has to come from somewhere else