Are You Looking To Find Out What The Best Smoker Is On The Market?
Find Out Why I Think This Is The Best Smoker Grill Available…
This year we got a new barbecue grill due to our old one finally falling apart. With the excitement of the new grill, I took it upon myself to try out the different recipes and grilling methods that were described in the user manual which led me to discovering grill smoking.
As our new gas grill is not really meant for smoking I started to look into buying an actual smoker grill that would allow proper smoking to maximize flavor and tenderness of any type of meat or vegetable which led me to the Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18.5-Inch Smoker.
This particular Weber smoker is an updated version of the popular Weber 2820 which includes many of the same features previously available with some great additions such as the built-in thermometer and wider door which allows easier access to the charcoal and water pan.
What To Look For In A Smoker Grill
From my research I found that there were some important elements that a good quality smoker should have. These are:
- tight fitting seals
- heavy duty construction
- thermometer to monitor internal temperature
- temperature control
- cooking capacity
- accessibility to firebox
- large water pan
When buying a smoker grill you could pick out the cheapest model, however if you plan on using your smoker on a regular basis then it may be in your best interest to pick out a model with some of the features listed above. Check out just why these features are so important when it comes to barbecue smoking and why we picked the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker as the best smoker grill.
Why Do You Need A Tight Seal?
If you have ever had smoked meat then you know just how good that full smokey flavor tastes. What gives your meat that full smokey flavor is the smoke and steam so you need to have a smoker that has a tight fitting seal to ensure none of that flavorful smoke escapes. If too much smoke escapes you will end up needing to add more charcoal or wood to stoke up the fire to create more smoke and steam which just costs more money.
Grill Construction
When choosing a smoker grill you need to find one that is well built. Heavy duty steel holds and evenly distributes heat better than lower quality steel. This smokers bowl, lid and waterpan are constructed with steel and coated with porcelain enamel which is a very durable glass that is fused to the metal using extremely high temperatures of around 1500°F degrees. This finishing coat prevents any rusting or burn through on the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker. Because of its durability it can also endure very high temperatures which makes it ideal for a smoker.
How Hot Is Too Hot?
The smoker top has a nylon handle which is heat-resistant as well as a built-in thermometer which allows you to monitor the internal temperature of the smoker to help in maintaining consistent temps to ensure proper cooking.
Controlling Internal Temperature
The two vents located on the bowl and lid allow for air flow which helps control the internal temperature – important because you can save money by having your charcoal last longer all while giving you true smokehouse flavored meat that is tender. It is good to keep in mind that consistent temperatures are maintained throughout the smoking process which means that you shouldn’t lift the lid more than you need to.
Hosting A Large Barbecue?
If you’ve ever had a large group of people over for a barbecue, then you know how important it is to be able to cook enough food for everyone. Because of its roomy interior, you can cook larger cuts of meat such as a whole ham along with a whole turkey on each of the two cooking racks which means you will probably be playing host to many barbecue dinners. The two nickel plated cooking racks measure 18.5″ wide in diameter making the fear of not enough cooked food a thing of the past.
Feeding The Fire
You have easy access to the firebox which allows you to quickly put in more charcoal or wood to ensure even heat during the smoking process. It may be easier to start out using briskets when you first start your grill up rather than lump charcoal. Using too many wood chips or chunks when using lump charcoal can cause your food to become over-smoked so it is best to start off with less.
All Steamed Up
This black Weber smoker grill is shaped like an egg rocket with the bottom bowl basin having a 2.5 gallon water capacity which allows steam to keep meat tender and moist.
If you like the idea of slow cooking your meal while going about other tasks then a smoker is perfect for you as it does require patience to get that perfect smokey flavor.
Clean Up A Breeze
If you’ve ever stood at the sink, scrubbing racks and pans for way too long then you will appreciate how easy it is to clean up the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker. Wash the grill with soap and warm water making sure to not use any abrasive pads or harsh powders as it can scratch the surface. To help with clean up you can either line your water pan with aluminum foil or try using a vegetable spray such as Pam on the pan and the grills as it will help stuck on food come off easier.
What Does It Include?
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker comes with the following:
- High quality barbecue cover
- Owners manual which includes tasty recipes for you to try
- Two steel-plated cooking grates
- Smoker grill
This Weber grill has a 10 year warranty against any rusting or burn through on the actual grill with other parts having a 2 year warranty.
What Other Users Are Saying:
This smoker has received many positive reviews from other users with an average of 4.8 out of 5 from reviewers on Amazon. Here are some of their comments:
- “Great improvement of a great product!”
- “Great smoker – even for newbies!”
- “Better than electric smokers! Holds temp steady for 12+ hours”
- “Great smoker, Don’t pass this one up!”
- “Very satisfied”
- “Slow Cooking BBQ has never been easier”
Looking for more reviews about the Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18.5-Inch Smoker?
Still looking for more proof that this Weber smoker grill is a great investment? Click Here To Read What Other Customers Say on Amazon.
What About Complaints?
There were very few complaints from other users of this grill. A few customers had stated that the two cooking racks included with the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker did not fit in the smoker however when customer service was contacted it was determined that a batch of smokers had been shipped out with the wrong size of racks. This was rectified by Weber who sent out the correct size of racks to the customers right away.
How Much Does This Smoker Cost?
The Smokey Mountain Cooker 18.5-inch Smoker is priced a up to $349 on other online stores however you shouldn’t pay more than $299. When checking out Amazon, you can currently get FREE shipping with their Super Saver Shipping offer.
Where can I get the best price for the Weber Smokey Mountain Grill?
At present Amazon has the best price on the above grill smoker which if you pick it up now, includes their Free Super Saver shipping which will have your grill delivered right to your door step alleviating the hassle of trying to fit the big box into your vehicle.
