Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Silver Charcoal Grill, Black

I was really hoping for a larger grill but I should have read the measurements! After reading the directions, you have to put a foil drip pan in the bottom and surround this with your coals...then if you are cooking something that needs a longer cooking time, you have to keep adding coals..I don't get how you would do this if you have a grill full of HOT food..seems a little inconvenient to me. It will be okay for a few burgers and dogs but I think I'll invest in a larger grill next time.

It's a very durable grill that should last years, if not decades. At this size, it's strictly a grill -- you won't offset-cook on this.

A note: Weber grills are made to be used with the lid on, always. If you cook without the lid on, you lose temperature control, the fire often gets too hot and you get the old burned-on-the-outside-raw-on-the-inside syndrome. With the lid on and the vents in use, Webers are the best charcoal grills at temperature control in my experience...although the smaller the grill, the harder it is.

I think Weber still makes the slightly larger version of the Smokey Joe -- one with an 18.5-inch grill. That will give you a lot more flexibility while still being very portable. It's possible to offset-cook chicken for two on an 18.5-inch grill but probably not on this one.

And finally, this is not for use on your apartment balcony. That's illegal in most places and most assuredly dangerous. Even if you have a concrete balcony, sparks can waft away from your grill and set something else on fire.

This is my second Smokey Joe: The first one (about 11 years old) really only needed the charcoal grate so I figured I'd get a new grate and pass that one on to one of my children and have a new one for me. Although it's relatively small in size, I've done 7 BIG burgers or 5-6 chicken breast-quarters with smoked sausage at one time. And it doesn't require a big amount of charcoal to do the job. After cleaning the cooking grate and the housing it now looks almost new. Would I recommend it - You bet!

Unfortunately installation instructions are not very clear for this item, which results in complete harm into the grill. Be carefull

I've had one of these little Smokey Joes for probably 15 years now. It definitely has some strong points, but also a few drawbacks.

Pros:
1. Durable. Mine's been outdoors in the weather for 15 years now. When I give it a good cleaning, it looks almost new.
2. Cooks well. I've grilled steaks, burgers, dogs, etc. It does a nice job on them all. And it doesn't use a whole lot of coal to do it. I've got a 22 1/2 weber too, but sometimes when cooking for only 2 of us, I use the smokey joe to save on coals.
3. It's small and does a nice job in a small space like apartment porch or patio.

Cons:
1. It's inconvenient as a Portable grill when traveling. It's got no carry handle or way to seal it up. Also, once you've grilled and need to go, there's nothing to do with the hot coals. You've got to seal all the vents and wait for them to be extinguished. Even then I'd be nervous about dumping them out or putting the grill in my trunk.
2. The legs get bent out of shape easily. I never abused mine, yet somehow they always are bent out of shape. Sure you can bend them back again, but later on its the same story.

If I were buying a small portable grill today, I would go with a rectangular grill like the Weber Go Anywhere grill. The legs fold up and snap over the cover. Then you just pick it up like a tool box by the top handle and go. If you choose a propane version you avoid the problem of dealing with the hot coals afterward.