Grills & smokers · owner-verdict comparison

Kamado Joe Classic II vs Weber Smokey Mountain 18: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 75% of 32 Kamado Joe Classic II owners recommend it, vs 76% of 339 for the Weber Smokey Mountain 18.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Kamado Joe Classic II

75%of 32 owners recommend
75% recommend · 13% neutral · 12% don't
Owners praise
  • Built like a tank and lasts for years in all weather
  • Excellent heat retention and precise temperature control
  • Outstanding customer service and support
Owners complain about
  • Ceramic heat deflector cracks easily and replacements are hard to get
  • Expensive, premium-priced cooker
Full owner report →

Weber Smokey Mountain 18

76%of 339 owners recommend
76% recommend · 12% neutral · 12% don't
Owners praise
  • Easy to use, forgiving, and beginner-friendly
  • Holds steady temperature for hours, nearly set-and-forget
  • Solidly built and lasts for many years
Owners complain about
  • Too small to fit large briskets or full racks of ribs without trimming
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Kamado Joe Classic II if
  • ✓Buy-once buyers wanting a cooker that lasts
  • ✓Both low-and-slow smokers and high-heat grillers
  • ✓Year-round outdoor cooks in all weather
  • ✓People who value fuel efficiency and heat retention
Skip it if
  • Cooks needing large grill or smoker capacity
  • Beginners wanting zero temperature learning curve
Get the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 if
  • ✓First-time smokers wanting an easy, forgiving charcoal smoker
  • ✓Backyard cooks feeding a family of four
  • ✓Cooks wanting rock-solid temps for long overnight cooks
  • ✓Buyers prioritizing durability and simplicity over gadgets
Skip it if
  • Cooks doing full untrimmed briskets or big-batch ribs
  • Anyone needing more capacity (step up to the 22")

What Kamado Joe Classic II owners say

“We switched about 1.5 years ago to the kamado joe classic ii’s and I can assure you those things are WAY better engineered in almost every way.”
— ImNotClever_Sorry on Reddit
“The food in it turns out great.”
— @fawzye22 on YouTube
“the heat deflector cracked. On to the shop to buy the replacement. Ordered 6 months ago and still not received. Rumour tells me that the heat deflectors are now discontinued. What? This thing cracks so easily but discontinued? People who wants KJ, think twice.”
— dDerDol M. on ProductReview.com.au

What Weber Smokey Mountain 18 owners say

“the 18 is an engineering masterpiece for several reasons”
— @Hoosier-Dave on YouTube
“Best $40 I've spent”
— @chriscooper1657 on YouTube
“I usually find a slight acrid taste to the food so I'll give this approach a try (assuming cleaner smoke).”
— @ants7075 on YouTube

Kamado Joe Classic II vs Weber Smokey Mountain 18: frequently asked questions

Is the Kamado Joe Classic II or the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 75% of 32 Kamado Joe Classic II owners recommend it, vs 76% of 339 for the Weber Smokey Mountain 18.

Who should get the Kamado Joe Classic II?

Owners point the Kamado Joe Classic II at buy-once buyers wanting a cooker that lasts, and both low-and-slow smokers and high-heat grillers.

Who should get the Weber Smokey Mountain 18?

Owners point the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 at first-time smokers wanting an easy, forgiving charcoal smoker, and backyard cooks feeding a family of four.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Kamado Joe Classic II is ceramic heat deflector cracks easily and replacements are hard to get. For the Weber Smokey Mountain 18, it's too small to fit large briskets or full racks of ribs without trimming.