Char-Broil Bullet 16-Inch Charcoal Smoker
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The Char-Broil Bullet is the budget version of the Weber Smokey Mountain — same bullet shape, same vertical charcoal-smoking concept, same two cooking racks. At $179, it's $230 cheaper than the comparable WSM 18.
What We Love
- +$179 is the cheapest real charcoal smoker
- +Bullet shape gives excellent temperature stability
- +370 sq in across 2 chrome-plated racks
- +Porcelain-enameled charcoal pan and water bowl
- +Holds 225°F for 8+ hours on one load of charcoal
- +Lid thermometer included
Watch Out For
- −Build quality is noticeably lighter than the WSM
- −Door seal isn't as tight (small temperature leaks)
- −Chrome racks rust faster than the WSM's plated ones
- −No grate-level thermometer port
- −1-year warranty (vs WSM's 10-year)
Specifications
Cooking Area
370 sq in (2 racks)
Diameter
16 in
Material
Porcelain-enameled steel
Fuel
Charcoal
Water Bowl
Yes (porcelain)
Warranty
1 year
The Full Review
The Char-Broil Bullet is what happens when you reverse-engineer a Weber Smokey Mountain to hit a $179 price point. Same shape, same concept, same cooking method — just lighter steel, looser door seal, and a shorter warranty.
For the price, the food quality is genuinely excellent. Bullet smokers work because the shape creates natural convection — hot air rises evenly from the charcoal pan, past the water bowl, around both racks, and out the top vent. The Char-Broil Bullet does this just as well as the WSM. Temperature stability is comparable.
The build quality difference is real but mostly cosmetic. The Char-Broil's steel is thinner — you notice it when you pick the smoker up. The door doesn't seal as perfectly, so you get small heat leaks that don't really affect cooking but feel less premium. The chrome racks rust within a year if you don't oil them religiously.
For a beginner or budget-conscious smoker, the Bullet does 90% of what the WSM does at 45% of the price. The trade-off is genuine but acceptable. If you smoke 5-10 times a year, you'll never notice the difference. If you smoke weekly, you might wish you'd spent the extra $230 on the WSM.
How Does It Compare?
At a glance against its closest charcoal smoker rivals.
| Grill | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Char-Broil Bullet 16-Inch Charcoal Smoker (this) | 4.1 | $179 | The budget answer to the Weber Smokey Mountain — bullet-shaped charcoal smoker for $179. |
| Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Smoker | 4.2 | $249 | The affordable entry into vertical offset smoking — big capacity, budget price, and room to learn the art of stick burning. |
| Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker | 4.2 | $249 | The set-it-and-forget-it electric smoker — plug it in, set the temp, walk away. |
Who Is It For?
Budget-conscious smokers who want real charcoal cooking. Beginners testing whether smoking is for them. Apartment grillers who want quality without spending $400+. Anyone who wants a backup smoker.
Final Verdict
The Char-Broil Bullet at $179 is the best budget bullet smoker on the market. The build quality compromises are real but minor. For most backyard smokers, the $230 you save vs the WSM is better spent on charcoal, wood, and meat.
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