The Weber Smokey Joe and Smokey Joe Premium are close enough that choosing between them can feel unnecessary at first. Both are compact charcoal grills built for outdoor cooking, both use a porcelain-enameled bowl and lid, and both are designed to travel. The difference is really in how each model handles portability and everyday grilling rather than in their basic cooking ability.
After looking at how I would use the two side by side, I see the standard Smokey Joe as the simpler, more straightforward option, while the Smokey Joe Premium adds a few practical touches that make transporting and managing the grill easier. If I wanted the lowest-cost route into portable Weber charcoal grilling, I’d lean toward the standard model. If I planned to carry the grill regularly, I’d pay extra attention to what the Premium adds.
Key Difference Between Weber Smokey Joe vs Smokey Joe Premium Portable Grill
The Weber Smokey Joe is the simpler compact charcoal grill with an aluminum ash catcher, while the Smokey Joe Premium adds a Tuck-N-Carry lid lock, heat-shielded lid handle, folding plated-steel legs, and a briquette measuring cup for easier transport and setup.
Weber Smokey Joe vs Smokey Joe Premium: Comparison Table
| Feature | Weber Smokey Joe | Smokey Joe Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Grill Type | Portable charcoal | Portable charcoal |
| Cooking Diameter | 14-inch class | 37 cm |
| Fuel | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Body | Porcelain-enameled | Porcelain-enameled |
| Cooking Grate | Plated steel | Plated steel |
| Lid Lock | No | Tuck-N-Carry |
| Lid Handle | Glass-reinforced nylon | Heat-shielded |
| Legs | Standard | Folding |
| Ash System | Aluminum catcher | Not specified |
| Air Damper | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Briquette Cup | No | Yes |
| Portability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Best For | Simple travel grilling | Frequent travel grilling |
| Check Latest Price & Deals | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review
The interesting part of this comparison is that there isn’t a dramatic difference in cooking performance. Both are compact Weber charcoal grills designed around the same basic grilling experience.
Instead, I would make the decision based on what happens before and after cooking. How easy is it to carry? How securely can I close it? How convenient is it to set up? How much help do I get when measuring fuel?
Those small details are exactly where the Premium earns its name.
Weber Smokey Joe Portable Charcoal Grill for Outdoor Cooking and Travel, 14-Inch, Black
- The Weber Smokey Joe Portable Charcoal Grill has a durable-plated, steel cooking grate, crafted from premium steel for enhanced durability; Cooking grate offers a resilient surface that stands up to the demands of frequent grilling
- Durability and Flavor Retention: Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are engineered to withstand high temperatures and retain heat; Bowl and lid combination on outdoor grill and BBQ resist rust and won't peel
Weber® Go‑Anywhere Portable Charcoal Grill | Lightweight Portable BBQ Grill for Camping, Tailgating & Outdoor Cooking with 2‑Piece Cooking Grate…
- Compact, lightweight charcoal grill for grilling on the go
- Efficient rectangular design is easy to carry, pack, and store
Design
The standard Weber Smokey Joe has a very straightforward design. Its 14-inch-class round body keeps the grill compact, while the porcelain-enameled bowl and lid provide the familiar Weber construction I expect from a small kettle-style charcoal grill.
The plated-steel cooking grate gives me a durable cooking surface without adding unnecessary complexity. I also like the glass-reinforced nylon handles because they feel appropriate for a grill that’s going to be carried around and exposed to outdoor conditions.
The standard model is particularly appealing if I want something uncomplicated. There’s no elaborate folding mechanism or special travel system to learn. It is essentially a small charcoal grill that happens to be easy to take with me.
The Smokey Joe Premium keeps the same basic concept but makes portability more deliberate.
The biggest design difference for me is the Tuck-N-Carry lid lock. Instead of simply placing the lid on top and carrying the grill carefully, I can secure the lid and move the grill as a single unit. That’s a meaningful advantage when I’m heading to a campsite, picnic area, beach, or tailgate.
The folding plated-steel legs also contribute to the travel-friendly design. They can fold up for transportation and storage, giving the Premium a more purposeful portable-grill setup.
If I’m leaving the grill in one place most of the time, I don’t think these differences matter much. If I’m regularly putting it into a car and taking it somewhere, I prefer the Premium.
Ease of Use
The standard Smokey Joe is extremely easy to understand. I add charcoal, light it, allow the coals to reach the desired condition, put the cooking grate in place, and adjust the aluminum damper to manage airflow.
Its compact cooking area works well for the foods I associate with portable grilling: burgers, sausages, chicken pieces, steaks, kebabs, and vegetables.
The supplied specifications say it can hold up to five burgers when used with a Weber burger press, which gives me a reasonable idea of its intended capacity. It’s not a grill I’d choose for a large gathering, but for a couple of people or a small group, the size is practical.
The Premium is just as easy to cook on. Where I notice the difference is during setup and transportation.
The briquette measuring cup is a surprisingly useful accessory. Portable charcoal grilling is one situation where I don’t want to guess how much fuel I need. Having a measuring aid makes repeatable setup easier.
Then there is the lid lock. Once I’m finished, I can secure the lid rather than worrying about it sliding off while carrying the grill.
For actual cooking, I’d call the two models essentially even. For the complete outdoor-cooking workflow, I give the Premium the advantage.
Weber Smokey Joe Portable Charcoal Grill for Outdoor Cooking and Travel, 14-Inch, Black
- The Weber Smokey Joe Portable Charcoal Grill has a durable-plated, steel cooking grate, crafted from premium steel for enhanced durability; Cooking grate offers a resilient surface that stands up to the demands of frequent grilling
- Durability and Flavor Retention: Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are engineered to withstand high temperatures and retain heat; Bowl and lid combination on outdoor grill and BBQ resist rust and won't peel
Functions
Neither grill is designed to be a feature-packed charcoal cooker, and I actually think that’s appropriate for this category.
The standard Smokey Joe gives me the fundamental controls I need. The aluminum damper lets me regulate airflow, which is essential when cooking over charcoal. The porcelain-enameled lid and bowl help retain heat and are designed to resist rust and peeling.
The Premium offers essentially the same basic cooking experience but adds useful portability-oriented functions.
The Tuck-N-Carry lid lock is the feature I value most. It turns the lid from simply being part of the cooking system into part of the transportation system.
The Premium’s heat-shielded lid handle is another nice touch. When I’m cooking, the handle is positioned to make lid handling more comfortable, and the heat shield adds another layer of protection from the hot lid.
The folding legs also make the grill easier to pack away.
So I wouldn’t say the Premium cooks better. Instead, I’d say it functions better as a portable grill.
That’s an important distinction.
Maintenance
The standard Smokey Joe has a useful advantage here: the supplied configuration includes an aluminum ash catcher. That makes dealing with leftover charcoal ash considerably easier than simply having ash accumulate inside the bottom of the grill.
I appreciate this after a long grilling session. Once the charcoal has completely cooled, removing and emptying the catcher is much less messy than trying to scoop everything out of the bowl.
The porcelain-enameled bowl and lid also make routine exterior care relatively simple. I would still avoid aggressive cleaning methods that could damage the finish, but normal brushing and wiping are straightforward.
The Premium’s maintenance routine is similarly uncomplicated. The porcelain-enameled bowl and lid are durable, while the plated-steel cooking grate can be brushed after cooking.
The main difference is that the Premium’s strengths are more noticeable before and during transportation than during cleanup. Its lid lock can also be useful after cooking because it keeps the lid secured while moving the grill once everything is safely cooled.
Based on the supplied configurations, I’d give the standard Smokey Joe a slight edge for ash management, while the Premium wins for transport convenience.
Weber® Go‑Anywhere Portable Charcoal Grill | Lightweight Portable BBQ Grill for Camping, Tailgating & Outdoor Cooking with 2‑Piece Cooking Grate…
- Compact, lightweight charcoal grill for grilling on the go
- Efficient rectangular design is easy to carry, pack, and store
Which One Is Better for Travel?
This is where I’d separate the two.
If I occasionally take a charcoal grill on a road trip or to a picnic, the standard Smokey Joe is already compact enough that I don’t necessarily need the Premium’s additional travel features.
But if I’m buying a portable grill specifically because I expect to move it frequently, the Premium makes more sense.
The Tuck-N-Carry lid lock changes the experience. Instead of thinking about how to keep the lid and grill together during transportation, the grill is designed to be carried as one package.
The folding legs reinforce that idea. They make storage and transportation easier while still providing a stable cooking platform when unfolded.
So although both models qualify as portable, I’d describe the standard Smokey Joe as portable by size, while the Premium feels portable by design.
Weber Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill
Weber Smokey Joe Portable Charcoal Grill for Outdoor Cooking and Travel, 14-Inch, Black
- The Weber Smokey Joe Portable Charcoal Grill has a durable-plated, steel cooking grate, crafted from premium steel for enhanced durability; Cooking grate offers a resilient surface that stands up to the demands of frequent grilling
- Durability and Flavor Retention: Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are engineered to withstand high temperatures and retain heat; Bowl and lid combination on outdoor grill and BBQ resist rust and won't peel
Pros:
- Compact 14-inch-class design
- Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
- Durable plated-steel cooking grate
- Aluminum airflow damper
- Aluminum ash catcher
- Glass-reinforced nylon handles
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Simple charcoal setup
- Good for small outdoor meals
- Excellent entry-level portable Weber
Cons:
- Fewer travel-specific features
- No Tuck-N-Carry lid lock
- No folding leg system listed
- No briquette measuring cup
- Limited cooking area for larger groups
Weber Smokey Joe Premium Charcoal Grill
Weber® Go‑Anywhere Portable Charcoal Grill | Lightweight Portable BBQ Grill for Camping, Tailgating & Outdoor Cooking with 2‑Piece Cooking Grate…
- Compact, lightweight charcoal grill for grilling on the go
- Efficient rectangular design is easy to carry, pack, and store
Pros:
- 37 cm cooking diameter
- Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
- Tuck-N-Carry lid lock
- Folding plated-steel legs
- Heat-shielded lid handle
- Briquette measuring cup included
- Plated-steel cooking grate
- Compact and highly portable
- Easy to store and transport
- Purpose-built for outdoor travel
Cons:
- Cooking performance is very similar to the standard Smokey Joe
- Small cooking surface compared with full-size charcoal grills
- Additional portability features may not matter for stationary use
- Ash-management details are less prominent in the supplied specifications
Weber Smokey Joe vs Smokey Joe Premium: Which Would I Buy?
If I were putting together a portable grilling setup primarily for occasional use, I’d probably choose the standard Weber Smokey Joe.
It gives me the essential Weber charcoal-grilling experience without adding features I might rarely use. I get the porcelain-enameled body, plated-steel cooking grate, adjustable airflow, compact size, and an aluminum ash catcher. For straightforward burgers, chicken, sausages, steaks, and vegetables, that’s enough.
The Premium becomes more attractive when I think about how often I’d be carrying it.
If I’m taking the grill camping several times a year, loading it into the car for tailgating, or moving it between different outdoor locations, the Tuck-N-Carry lid lock alone is something I’d appreciate. The folding legs and briquette measuring cup make the entire setup feel more purpose-built for travel.
I also like that the Premium doesn’t try to complicate the actual cooking experience. It remains a small, traditional charcoal kettle; it simply makes the logistics around that cooking easier.
Final Verdict
Choose the Weber Smokey Joe if you want a simple, compact portable charcoal grill and don’t need specialized travel features.
Choose the Weber Smokey Joe Premium if you regularly transport your grill and want the convenience of a locking lid, folding legs, heat-shielded handle, and included briquette measuring cup.
My overall pick is the Weber Smokey Joe Premium, but only by a modest margin.
The Premium doesn’t give me dramatically better food or substantially different charcoal performance. Its advantage is convenience. For a grill that is specifically intended to travel, I think the Tuck-N-Carry system and folding legs make a meaningful difference.
However, if the standard Smokey Joe is significantly cheaper where you’re shopping and you won’t carry the grill very often, I’d happily buy the standard model instead. The core grilling experience remains very similar, and that’s ultimately what matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Weber Smokey Joe and Smokey Joe Premium?
The main differences are portability and included accessories. The Premium adds a Tuck-N-Carry lid lock, folding plated-steel legs, a heat-shielded lid handle, and a briquette measuring cup. The standard Smokey Joe focuses on the basic compact charcoal-grilling experience and includes an aluminum ash catcher in the supplied configuration.
Does the Smokey Joe Premium cook better than the Smokey Joe?
Not significantly. Both are compact charcoal grills with porcelain-enameled bowls and lids, plated-steel cooking grates, and adjustable airflow. I consider the Premium’s advantage to be convenience and portability rather than superior cooking performance.
Is the Weber Smokey Joe good for camping?
Yes. Its compact dimensions and lightweight design make it well suited to camping, picnics, beach trips, and tailgating. The standard model is particularly attractive if you want a straightforward portable charcoal grill without additional travel mechanisms.
Is Smokey Joe Premium worth the extra money?
I’d say yes if you frequently transport the grill. The Tuck-N-Carry lid lock, folding legs, heat-shielded handle, and briquette measuring cup make the Premium easier to pack, carry, and set up. If you rarely move the grill, the standard Smokey Joe may offer better value.
Which Weber Smokey Joe should I buy?
I’d recommend the Smokey Joe Premium for frequent travelers and campers because its design is better suited to transportation. For occasional outdoor grilling, I’d choose the standard Smokey Joe and save the difference if the price gap is substantial.
