Old Smokey Charcoal Grills: Sizing and Hardware Breakdown

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Selecting the right outdoor cooking equipment requires balancing fuel efficiency, cooking surface capacity, and overall physical portability. When evaluating old smokey charcoal grills, buyers typically face a choice between lightweight compactness for travel, mid-sized capacity for small family meals, or replacement hardware to keep an existing barrel cooker operating safely. The classic drum-style cooker remains popular among outdoor cooks who prefer straightforward convective airflow and radiant heat over complex mechanical components or gas regulators.

The Old Smokey brand catalog simplifies this choice by grouping products into distinct dimensional tiers and dedicated hardware accessories. Rather than dividing products by electronic feature packages or tiered burner manifolds, the lineup relies on simple cylinder diameters and foundational replacement parts designed to sustain the cooker over years of use. Exploring an old smokey charcoal grill comparison clarifies which diameter fits your standard meal batch, and shoppers evaluating alternatives often compare these minimalist cookers to multi-feature units from royal gourmet charcoal grills before settling on a traditional drum design.

Criteria matrix What each model in this report is credited with

Rows are the criteria that come up in the pros and cons listed for this lineup. A check means the criterion is named in this report’s write-up of that model; a dash means it is not. Criteria that apply to every model, or to only one, are left out because they separate nothing.

Criterion	#14 Old Smokey Charcoal 9.8/10	#18 Old Smokey Charcoal 9.4/10	Regular Height Legs for 8.6/10
Rust-resistant	✓Named	✓Named	Not named
Requires	✓Named	Not named	✓Named
Compact	✓Named	✓Named	Not named
Cooks	Not named	✓Named	✓Named
Criteria named	3 / 4	3 / 4	2 / 4

Built from the wording of this report, not from a bench test. A dash is not a fault: it only means the write-up does not mention that point for that model. Scores next to each model are out of 10, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback.

Old Smokey Charcoal Grills Lineup at a Glance

The Models in Detail

#14 Old Smokey Charcoal Grill

Best for: Solo campers and compact vehicle transport

Pros

• Lightweight 8.8-pound build
• Rust-resistant finish
• Compact storage footprint

Cons

• Limited cooking surface
• Single-tier configuration

The #14 Old Smokey Charcoal Grill represents the most compact footprint in the brand lineup, designed specifically for rapid deployment and simple transport. Built by Burkhead Manufacturing Co, this unit features a basic charcoal cooking system with a single-level grill configuration and a dedicated single rack. Its entire structure weighs just 8.8 pounds, making it exceptionally easy to lift into a car trunk, stow in an RV storage bin, or carry to an outdoor picnic bench. The listing notes external dimensions of 44.4 inches deep by 14.8 inches wide by 10 inches high, emphasizing an oblong profile designed for focused, direct-heat charcoal grilling.

In terms of materials and functional performance, this portable old smokey grill incorporates rust-resistant construction paired with a non-stick surface finish. The single-tier cooking grate suspends fuel and food within a sealed drum environment, allowing rising heat to circulate evenly over smaller cuts of meat, sausages, or vegetable skewers. Busy professionals looking for quick weeknight cooking will appreciate that the smaller fuel chamber requires fewer charcoal briquettes to reach high searing temperatures compared to larger kettles or complex setups like a bbq grill weber charcoal alternative.

This compact model suits solo adventurers, couples, and day-trippers who prioritize weight savings and trunk space over multi-plate volume. Because it features a modest internal cooking surface, it excels when preparing food for one or two diners at a time. However, when dinner requirements expand to feeding larger family groups or hosting backyard gatherings, the #14 model quickly yields to the expanded surface area and taller barrel profile of the mid-sized #18 cooker.

#18 Old Smokey Charcoal Grill

Best for: Small families and weekend tailgate gatherings

Pros

• Cooks for 4 to 6 people
• Rust-resistant aluminized steel
• Made in Texas

Cons

• Bulkier for compact trunks

As the manufacturer’s recognized best seller, the #18 Old Smokey Charcoal Grill serves as the balanced midpoint of the brand’s barrel lineup. Constructed from durable, rust-resistant aluminized steel, this cooker is engineered to handle heavy heat cycling without compromising structural integrity. Proudly made in Texas, USA, the grill utilizes the brand’s proven cylinder design to reflect radiant heat from all sides. According to the manufacturer listing, this size comfortably prepares food for about four to six people, making it an optimal centerpiece for casual weekend barbecues, hunting camps, and family campouts.

The functional appeal of this old smokey aluminized steel grill centers on its straightforward utility and versatile heat management. The aluminized coating provides reliable defense against moisture and ambient weather conditions, while the enclosed barrel design traps heat and smoke to deliver rich wood and charcoal flavor. Despite offering significantly more cooking volume than the smaller #14, the unit remains light enough for mobile transport, easily functioning as a tailgate cooker before a sporting event or standing as a permanent fixture on a small back patio. Assembly remains simple, requiring minimal tool work to set up the legs and top handles.

For buyers determining which old smokey charcoal grill to buy, the #18 strikes the most practical balance between cooking capacity and manageable exterior dimensions. It is frequently considered the best old smokey charcoal grill for general household use because it accommodates burgers, whole chickens, and rack ribs without demanding an excessive charcoal load. It only gives way to larger barrel models when catering large civic events, or to the #14 when absolute minimal weight and compact trunk dimensions take precedence.

Regular Height Legs for Old Smokey

Best for: Owners refreshing unstable factory grill legs

Pros

• Genuine factory fit
• Set of 3 replacement legs
• Maintains standard height

Cons

• Requires matching model hole spacing

The Regular Height Legs for Old Smokey are genuine factory replacement hardware designed to preserve the original operating height and balance of the brand’s barrel cookers. Sold in a set of three, these formed metal legs match the original specifications of the components that ship inside the original retail box. Over extended seasons of rough transport, rocky campsite setups, or outdoor moisture exposure, factory legs can bend, lose stability, or suffer physical wear, making a dedicated replacement set an essential maintenance purchase.

A critical engineering detail highlighted by the manufacturer is that these regular height legs share an identical vertical elevation across multiple barrel diameters, but the specific hole spacing distinguishes the #18 model from the #22 model. Ensuring correct hole alignment is crucial for establishing a rigid tripod base that securely holds the charcoal chamber off the ground. The listing also notes that cooks seeking an elevated cooking stance can alternatively source long legs, but this standard set keeps the grill at its intended low-center-of-gravity factory stance to reduce tipping risks on uneven terrain.

This hardware pack is suited exclusively for existing owners of Old Smokey cookers who need to rehabilitate an aging, wobbly, or damaged base rather than purchasing an entirely new grill body. Instead of browsing new units or pivoting to alternative brands like a captiva designs grill, current owners can simply install these replacement legs to restore full operational safety and maintain the traditional ground clearance required for safe ash and heat management beneath the cooker.

Matching a Model to Your Setup

• Solo camping and compact vehicle overland storage: Choose the #14 Old Smokey Charcoal Grill for its manageable 8.8-pound weight and space-saving drum diameter.
• Backyard family dinners for four to six diners: Select the #18 Old Smokey Charcoal Grill to secure adequate grate space for multi-serving meals without overconsuming fuel.
• Weekend tailgating and hunting camp duty: Deploy the #18 Old Smokey Charcoal Grill for an optimal blend of rugged aluminized steel durability and transportable capacity.
• Restoring stability on an existing barrel cooker: Install the Regular Height Legs for Old Smokey to eliminate wobble and replace bent tripod supports on #18 or #22 units.
• Apartment balconies or tight patio nooks: Use the #14 Old Smokey Charcoal Grill where storage footprints must remain strictly contained.

Before You Buy

Before finalizing an order from the Old Smokey lineup, shoppers should note several operational boundaries and details that the product listings do not specify. For instance, the listings do not provide the exact square inches of the cooking grates, nor do they specify the exact gauge thickness of the aluminized steel. Furthermore, the listed dimensions for the #14 model cite a 44.4-inch depth, which likely reflects exterior package measurements or outer handle extensions rather than the true cylinder diameter. Buyers should anticipate basic, no-frills hardware that relies entirely on manual damper control and ambient airflow.

Additionally, these product listings do not include essential grilling accessories such as charcoal chimneys, dedicated weather covers, internal heat thermometers, or cooking utensils. When purchasing the replacement leg set, the listing notes that hole spacing differs between the #18 and #22 models, but it does not specify whether fresh mounting bolts and nuts are included in the three-piece bundle or if the user must reuse their existing hardware. Accounting for these unlisted items ensures you order the right hardware without experiencing mid-assembly delays.

FAQ

Which Old Smokey charcoal grill to buy for routine family dinners?

The #18 Old Smokey Charcoal Grill is the recommended choice for routine family cooking. Its barrel chamber is rated to cook for four to six people comfortably, offering enough grate surface for multiple burger patties, chicken quarters, or steaks while fitting neatly on small back patios.

What is the main difference highlighted in an Old Smokey charcoal grill comparison between the #14 and #18 models?

The primary differences center on overall cooking capacity, build material, and weight. The #14 model weighs just 8.8 pounds and features a non-stick finish tailored for one or two diners on the go, whereas the #18 model uses heavy-duty aluminized steel and provides the broader surface area required to feed mid-sized groups.

Are the replacement legs compatible across different Old Smokey grill sizes?

While the regular height legs provide the exact same ground elevation across different cookers, the mounting hole spacing varies between the #18 and #22 models. You must verify that your specific grill size matches the hole alignment of the replacement set before attempting installation.

How does the construction of an Old Smokey aluminized steel grill resist outdoor elements?

The aluminized steel construction combines the mechanical strength of steel with an aluminum surface coating that resists rust, corrosion, and oxidation caused by charcoal combustion byproducts and humid outdoor weather conditions.

Does the #14 Old Smokey charcoal grill require special tools to assemble?

The listing describes the cooker as a basic charcoal grilling system designed for easy setup and reliable portability, requiring standard household tools to secure the legs, handles, and internal grate supports.