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Weber Smokey Mountain 18" vs Weber Smokey Mountain 22"

Short answer: the Weber Smokey Mountain 18" is a medium charcoal smoker (some tending, mid price tier); the Weber Smokey Mountain 22" is a large charcoal smoker (some tending, premium price tier). Both need some tending, so the biggest difference is capacity: the Weber Smokey Mountain 22" is large, the Weber Smokey Mountain 18" medium. Pick the Weber Smokey Mountain 22" if you regularly cook for more people.

Last verified 2026-07-27

PropertyWeber Smokey Mountain 18"Weber Smokey Mountain 22"
FuelCharcoal / drumCharcoal / drum
Size classMediumLarge
OperationSemi (some tending)Semi (some tending)
Price tierMidPremium
Best forBeginners, Authentic wood/charcoal flavorCompetition / serious, Authentic wood/charcoal flavor, Large gatherings

Choose the Weber Smokey Mountain 18" if…

  • The most proven bullet smoker ever made — decades of competition wins, a massive community, parts everywhere.
  • Semi (some tending) operation fits how involved you want to be.
  • Medium capacity matches your table.

Choose the Weber Smokey Mountain 22" if…

  • The big WSM — the same legendary design with capacity for full packer briskets.
  • Semi (some tending) operation fits how involved you want to be.
  • Large capacity matches your table.

Both need some tending. Match the smoker to how much fire-tending you actually want to do.

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch Charcoal Smoker – Outdoor BBQ Smoker with Dual Cooking Grates, Porcelain‑Enameled Kettle & Temperature Control Dampers

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch Charcoal Smoker

Weber Smokey Mountain 18". The most proven bullet smoker ever made — decades of competition wins, a massive community, parts everywhere.

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Weber® Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker, 22" Charcoal Smoker

Weber® Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker

Weber Smokey Mountain 22". The big WSM — the same legendary design with capacity for full packer briskets.

See price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Common questions

Weber Smokey Mountain 18" or Weber Smokey Mountain 22" for a first smoker?

They take similar effort (both need some tending), so pick on fuel and size: Weber Smokey Mountain 18" is charcoal / drum/medium, Weber Smokey Mountain 22" is charcoal / drum/large.

Which gives more authentic smoke flavor?

Same fuel (charcoal / drum), so flavor potential is comparable — build quality and airflow decide the rest.

What's the price difference?

Weber Smokey Mountain 18" sits in the mid tier; Weber Smokey Mountain 22" in the premium tier. We never store live prices — check both listings.

Still deciding?

If neither of these is quite right, here are the same two smokers against the rest of the field.

Weber Smokey Mountain 18" vs Pit Barrel Cooker Classic Weber Smokey Mountain 18" vs Weber Master-Touch 22" Kettle

Weber Smokey Mountain 22" vs Pit Barrel Cooker Classic Weber Smokey Mountain 22" vs Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050

Full profiles: Weber Smokey Mountain 18" · Weber Smokey Mountain 22" · best smoker by purpose · every head-to-head