That's a very convincing video. I guess I'm putting my life at risk every time I fire it up.
Video dated August 11, 2020. Not exactly a current event. I had the identical thing happen with my first pellet pooper, a Rec Tec but I had my hand on the lid handle when the explosive ignition occurred. It was my fault and not the grill but the guy that posted that video absolutely, positively has to be a credible source of information.
That's a very convincing video. I guess I'm putting my life at risk every time I fire it up.
The 700 will not disappoint you. My Rec Tec was an excellent smoker. I gave it to my son and he hasn't had one problem in 2 years. It was NOT the grill. I'm pretty sure that I can replicate that on any pellet grill at this price point. It's a flameout, then the addition of a bunch of pellets that don't burn but smolder as the pile gets deeper. With the fan blowing on it you have an extra large amount of smoldering pellets and then they all ignite. That gives you the pressure pulse that raised the lid a little. Instead of shutting it down when I saw billowing smoke I let it keep running. BTW, there's a video of a similar event with a Traeger but it blew the lid off the grill.
this one:
Tony, there is so much misinformation flying around the Internet and it's largely people that have never run the grill and just repeat stuff that they read on the Internet. To compound the problem the Weber PR people totally oversold the grill initially and then they made their grand proclamations about how much improved the Gen 2 is. That's BS. They touted the improved software in the Gen 2. It's the same software that they have improved since initial release in 2020 and every Smokefire runs the same software. They tout the improved hopper floor with an increased angle to improve pellet flow into the auger chute. They sent me that part last summer and I installed it in my Gen 1. After 4 months I removed it because I had made my original ramp slicker and never had a pellet feed problem. Grease flow is unchanged and Weber never said they had changed it. Some ditz put that out on the Internet and now thousands of folks think it's a fact. I use drip pans under fatty meat and don't have a grease management problem The ONLY significant change in the Gen 2 is the welded auger chute assembly. Weber sent me the part and I changed it out. Essentially, my Gen 1 is now a custom Gen 2.
Learning how your cooker works is the key to every grill/smoker/pellet pooper. Lew is spot on and is smart to use drip catch trays. No one grill is the world’s “best” cooker. It’s all about features, benefits and does it work for one’s goals and objectives. Well said, Lew.Tony, there is so much misinformation flying around the Internet and it's largely people that have never run the grill and just repeat stuff that they read on the Internet. To compound the problem the Weber PR people totally oversold the grill initially and then they made their grand proclamations about how much improved the Gen 2 is. That's BS. They touted the improved software in the Gen 2. It's the same software that they have improved since initial release in 2020 and every Smokefire runs the same software. They tout the improved hopper floor with an increased angle to improve pellet flow into the auger chute. They sent me that part last summer and I installed it in my Gen 1. After 4 months I removed it because I had made my original ramp slicker and never had a pellet feed problem. Grease flow is unchanged and Weber never said they had changed it. Some ditz put that out on the Internet and now thousands of folks think it's a fact. I use drip pans under fatty meat and don't have a grease management problem The ONLY significant change in the Gen 2 is the welded auger chute assembly. Weber sent me the part and I changed it out. Essentially, my Gen 1 is now a custom Gen 2.
I don't know where you are in Florida but I'm about 35 miles nw of Disney World right off I-4. If you want to see my EX6 and play with it just let me know and we can find a convenient time. This grill has warts and I know it's not right for many people. I try to give accurate information and then you can decide based on fact. You won't get a sales pitch from me.
Tony, there is so much misinformation flying around the Internet and it's largely people that have never run the grill and just repeat stuff that they read on the Internet. To compound the problem the Weber PR people totally oversold the grill initially and then they made their grand proclamations about how much improved the Gen 2 is. That's BS. They touted the improved software in the Gen 2. It's the same software that they have improved since initial release in 2020 and every Smokefire runs the same software. They tout the improved hopper floor with an increased angle to improve pellet flow into the auger chute. They sent me that part last summer and I installed it in my Gen 1. After 4 months I removed it because I had made my original ramp slicker and never had a pellet feed problem. Grease flow is unchanged and Weber never said they had changed it. Some ditz put that out on the Internet and now thousands of folks think it's a fact. I use drip pans under fatty meat and don't have a grease management problem The ONLY significant change in the Gen 2 is the welded auger chute assembly. Weber sent me the part and I changed it out. Essentially, my Gen 1 is now a custom Gen 2.
I don't know where you are in Florida but I'm about 35 miles nw of Disney World right off I-4. If you want to see my EX6 and play with it just let me know and we can find a convenient time. This grill has warts and I know it's not right for many people. I try to give accurate information and then you can decide based on fact. You won't get a sales pitch from me.
Hey Tony. I saw your post on another forum too. Smart asking around in your research
j/k 
. Figure I would use the upper grate not nearly as often and when it finally fails look for some of the replacement options we have seen here. But then...
as the body for a round pellet grill. And, if you are like me, you already have more kettles than you need
, so committing one to this use is a no-cost, no-brainer. Also an easier sell to my wife!
www.spidergrills.com
I’ll just play devils advocate. Why a pellet pooper and why not a Weber Kamado? Yes I own a Kamado but I was considering a SF when they came out and reminded myself that I hate things that have to plug in to bbq with. That’s just me. I prefer fire and coal. But I’m curious why not a coal solution for you that works just about 100% of the time as designed. Not arguing here. Just positing an idea.Every time I think it is safe to go back into the water...
If there was ever a grill that provokes more opposite reactions and experiences, I don't know what it is. We've seen some AWESOME looking cue from the SmokeFire and then we hear stuff like this...Really hard for me to sort it out sitting still on the sidelines. I am hoping to get a bonus at work that will allow me to justify to my wife that I should be able to buy a second pellet grill. I was in Lowes today and was again checking out the EX-4 as a compliment to my Recteq RT-700. Lots of good things to like, in spite of cheapo grates. I even have a set of cast iron Weber grates with the GBS insert that I am holding for that EX-4
SPIDER GRILL 22
I have recently been attracted to this product that originally started on KickStarter as the "Pella." It made it to reality and is available for only $279. It is somewhat of an alternative to Recteq's Bullseye ($399), but there is a little more to that. First of all, unlike the Bullseye, Spider has made provision for grease management. Second, although I do like Recteq's stainless body, there is still a lot to be said for using a Weber kettle
Spider-22
The Spider-22 Pellet Adapter is currently on sale! This unique adapter can effortlessly transform any Original Series 22" Weber® Kettle Grill into a pellet grill within seconds - no tools needed! From low and slow to high heat grilling, the Spider-22 gives you complete control of your kettle...
I realize that many of you already will be writing this off as a gimmick. But wait, at least check out a couple of what seem to be honest reviews. Very positive - at least within the limits of what you can expect from a 22" round pellet grill:
Since all I want is a 2nd smaller pellet grill to help out when I do one of my small bbq events - and since I have a Thermoworks Smoke to monitor with (plus plenty of extra kettles) - can anyone tell me a good reason not to go this route vs. an EX-4?
Finally, they clearly say that the Spider 22 will not work on Performers or other table Weber kettle grills. From watching, my guess is that the weight of the Spider 22 attachment rests on the ground and that the clips that attach to the kettle are not strong enough to hold it up (or may damage your kettle). I am thinking that this Spider 22 would be a perfect marriage with a modified old SSP (Stainless Performer). I would see about adding a slightly elevated ledge to the one side of the SSP for this to sit on. Eliminate the slide aside on the SSP kettle and modify the holes to use for the Spider Probe and Smoke probes. If this could work, it would make this into a rolling, one-piece unit with a nice stainless prep tray and even storage for your pellets. There are still a lot of derelict SSPs out there where the igniter and 5lb tank are shot. Those would all be eliminated. Last thing I would do is get one of those attachments that puts your kettle lid on a hinge. Have it open to the back now instead of to the side like it did with the slide aside, since that is where the Spider 22 would now be.
Think I am crazy?!!!
Brett,
.)Wonder how well this would fit on a 26” Kettle?Every time I think it is safe to go back into the water...
If there was ever a grill that provokes more opposite reactions and experiences, I don't know what it is. We've seen some AWESOME looking cue from the SmokeFire and then we hear stuff like this...Really hard for me to sort it out sitting still on the sidelines. I am hoping to get a bonus at work that will allow me to justify to my wife that I should be able to buy a second pellet grill. I was in Lowes today and was again checking out the EX-4 as a compliment to my Recteq RT-700. Lots of good things to like, in spite of cheapo grates. I even have a set of cast iron Weber grates with the GBS insert that I am holding for that EX-4
SPIDER GRILL 22
I have recently been attracted to this product that originally started on KickStarter as the "Pella." It made it to reality and is available for only $279. It is somewhat of an alternative to Recteq's Bullseye ($399), but there is a little more to that. First of all, unlike the Bullseye, Spider has made provision for grease management. Second, although I do like Recteq's stainless body, there is still a lot to be said for using a Weber kettle
Spider-22
The Spider-22 Pellet Adapter is currently on sale! This unique adapter can effortlessly transform any Original Series 22" Weber® Kettle Grill into a pellet grill within seconds - no tools needed! From low and slow to high heat grilling, the Spider-22 gives you complete control of your kettle...
I realize that many of you already will be writing this off as a gimmick. But wait, at least check out a couple of what seem to be honest reviews. Very positive - at least within the limits of what you can expect from a 22" round pellet grill:
Since all I want is a 2nd smaller pellet grill to help out when I do one of my small bbq events - and since I have a Thermoworks Smoke to monitor with (plus plenty of extra kettles) - can anyone tell me a good reason not to go this route vs. an EX-4?
Finally, they clearly say that the Spider 22 will not work on Performers or other table Weber kettle grills. From watching, my guess is that the weight of the Spider 22 attachment rests on the ground and that the clips that attach to the kettle are not strong enough to hold it up (or may damage your kettle). I am thinking that this Spider 22 would be a perfect marriage with a modified old SSP (Stainless Performer). I would see about adding a slightly elevated ledge to the one side of the SSP for this to sit on. Eliminate the slide aside on the SSP kettle and modify the holes to use for the Spider Probe and Smoke probes. If this could work, it would make this into a rolling, one-piece unit with a nice stainless prep tray and even storage for your pellets. There are still a lot of derelict SSPs out there where the igniter and 5lb tank are shot. Those would all be eliminated. Last thing I would do is get one of those attachments that puts your kettle lid on a hinge. Have it open to the back now instead of to the side like it did with the slide aside, since that is where the Spider 22 would now be.
Think I am crazy?!!!