You’re at the beach, sand between your toes, sun on your face, and the unmistakable aroma of sizzling burgers wafting through the air.

But wait, how the hell did you manage to drag a full-sized grill all the way out here?

Plot twist: You didn’t.

Meet the Weber Jumbo Joe, the portable charcoal grill that’s a great option for outdoor cooking.

But is it worth the hype?

Here’s my experience.

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First Impressions

I stumbled upon this Weber when my apartment balcony started feeling like a prison cell during lockdown. The need for flame-kissed meat and a semblance of normalcy led me down a rabbit hole of portable grill options.

First firing it up was like watching a miniature volcano come to life.

The Jumbo Joe holds heat like a champ, quickly reaching temperatures that would make lesser grills weep. My initial cook – a simple spread of burgers and hot dogs – left me grinning like an idiot. The flavor was spot-on, with that unmistakable charcoal essence that gas grills can only dream of replicating.

But here’s where things get interesting: This little bastard can handle way more than your basic cookout fare. I’ve pushed its limits with everything from beer can chicken to smoked ribs, and it keeps surprising me. The 18-inch cooking grate provides enough real estate for most meals, striking a sweet spot between portability and capacity.

One early gripe: The lack of a built-in thermometer. It’s not a deal-breaker, but for temperature-obsessed grillers (guilty as charged), it means either guessing or buying a separate probe. Consider it an opportunity for customization, I suppose.

Overall, my first impressions were overwhelmingly positive. The Jumbo Joe delivers on its promise of big grill performance in a travel-friendly package.

Key Features

Portability: At just 18 pounds, the Jumbo Joe is light enough to toss in your trunk without herniating a disc. The Tuck-N-Carry lid lock is a stroke of genius, keeping everything secure during transport and doubling as a lid holder while you’re grilling.

Cooking Capacity: The 18-inch diameter cooking grate holds up to eight burgers, which is plenty for most gatherings. Unless you’re catering a competitive eating contest.

Heat Retention: The porcelain-enameled lid and bowl lock in heat like a maximum-security prison, which means consistent cooking temperatures and that great smoky flavor. It’s also rust-resistant, so you won’t be replacing this bad boy anytime soon.

Temperature Control: Dual dampers on the lid and bowl give you surprising control over the heat. Want to slow-cook some ribs? Close ’em down. Need to char the hell out of a steak? Open ’em up and let the inferno rage.

Build Quality: This is a Weber, for fuck’s sake. The brand has a reputation for durability, and the Jumbo Joe lives up to it. Every component feels solid and well-engineered. It’s the kind of grill you’ll be passing down to your grandkids (assuming we haven’t switched to some dystopian soylent green diet by then).

Pros

Flavor Town, Population: You: Charcoal grilling imparts a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. The Jumbo Joe excels at infusing food with that smoky goodness.
Portability Without Compromise: Many portable grills sacrifice cooking quality for convenience. Not this one. The Jumbo Joe grills like its bigger brothers but can still tag along on your adventures.
Easy Cleanup: The removable ash catcher is excellent. No more scooping out ashes like you’re panning for the world’s least valuable gold.
Fuel Efficiency: Despite its appetite for heat, the Jumbo Joe is surprisingly efficient with charcoal. A little goes a long way, especially if you’re using quality briquettes or lump charcoal.

Cons

No Built-in Thermometer: As mentioned earlier, the lack of a lid thermometer is a minor annoyance. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it would’ve been a nice touch.
Limited Workspace: The compact design means there’s not much room for prep or placing utensils. You’ll need to get creative with your space management or bring a separate table.
Wind Sensitivity: On blustery days, the Jumbo Joe can be a bit temperamental. The lid can blow closed if you’re not careful, and maintaining consistent temperatures requires more babysitting.

Final Thoughts

After months of grilling, smoking, and generally abusing the Weber Jumbo Joe, I can confidently say it’s earned its place as my go-to portable charcoal grill. It strikes an almost perfect balance between size, performance, and versatility.

That said, if you’re primarily a backyard warrior with no need for portability, you might be better served by a larger, more feature-rich grill. And if you’re the type who breaks into a cold sweat at the thought of lighting charcoal, stick to gas (but know that you’re missing out on flavor town).

For everyone else, the Weber Jumbo Joe represents the Goldilocks zone of portable grilling – not too big, not too small, but just right.

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