Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch Charcoal Grill Review

Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch charcoal grill has heavy-gauge steel charcoal grate and 240 square inches of cooking area that’s large enough to cook for at least 2-3 people at a time. It’s relatively compact and lightweight which is why it’s advertised as a portable grill but does it work well for this purpose and is it a good charcoal grill overall?

Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch Charcoal Grill

Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch charcoal grill cooks well. The lid and bowl are porcelain enameled which is one of the reasons why Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch charcoal grill holds heat well and doesn’t use much charcoal.

You can control temperature by adjusting air flow with the damper. The air flow system is not as advanced as on some of the more expensive grills but it works reasonably well and is simple to use. You certainly won’t have any issues controlling the temperature.

One thing to note is that Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch charcoal grill doesn’t have built-in temperature gauge so you will need to buy temp probe if you want to monitor temperature precisely.

Quality

Perhaps the main reason behind Weber’s popularity is that their products typically offer great quality for the money. Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch charcoal grill is not exception to this rule.

Granted, more expensive Weber models are slightly higher quality however Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch charcoal grill is still made to last. Lid handle is a bit cheaply made but everything else should stand the test of time.

Portability

Weber Jumbo Joe 18 is one of the smaller charcoal grills so is it convenient enough for camping and tailgating? Yes, it’s.

Lid can be locked to the main body with the Tuck-N-Carry ® Lid Lock which makes the whole unit a lot more convenient to carry.

It’s also reasonably compact (19.7 inches wide by 20.5 inches deep by 19.7 inches tall) and light (it weighs 22 pounds) so carrying it isn’t too physically exhausting for most.

Other features

With the Tuck-N-Carry ® Lid Lock you can swivel the lid to the side so you don’t have to worry about where to place it when it’s hot.

Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch charcoal grill also has ash catcher for easy cleanup.

Verdict

Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch charcoal grill cooks well, is portable, will last for years and offers great value for money. It’s a great grill for its size and purpose.

Weber Jumbo Joe 18-Inch Charcoal Grill Specifications:

• Cooking area: 240 square inches
• Color: Black
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 19.7’’ x 20.5’’ x 19.7’’ (inches)
• Weight: 22 lb / 10 kg
• Features:
  • Heavy-gauge steel charcoal grate: ✓
  • Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid: ✓
  • Lid handle with heat shield: ✓
  • Plated steel cooking grate: ✓
  • Tuck-N-Carry lid lock: ✓
  • Aluminum Ash Catcher: ✓
  • Heat gauge: ✗
  • Side tables: ✗
  • Warming rack: ✗