News Flash, To Me, Smokefire Has Auto Relight.

[Bradley Mack]

Man, I kept thinking about grabbing an EX-4 while the $200 off was in effect. And, I see both EX-4s and 6s lightly used and for sale for even less. I get tempted (other than having to get more fallout at home), but then I keep reading what you guys post...I have never had ANY of these issues with my Recteq, and just the other day before doing some bbq chicken I looked over the insides. Everything looks so solid, nothing like what Bruno sadly posted.

Why couldn't Weber have followed through on their innovative design ideas with adequate testing, simpler software that just lets you cook, and, most of all, solid materials that will last more than 2 or 3 years?

I still want one, but I have trepidation, and my eyes are open wide .

+1

I demo’d one from my local BBQ shop for a week and it was awesome. Then I read about all the issues and opted for a Pit boss, which had a faulty controller and thus- I returned it instead of waiting for a new one with no ETA in sight. Like Lew has stated, each pellet grill will have it’s quirks and issues.

I’m not really sure what I want to do at this point. I am a Weber guy like most of us. The Smokefire would be purely for convenience, but my WSM is as dialled in as I could hope for. While it doesn’t have any tech to malfunction, and I never have to worry about a power outage- there’s something about not having to run outside as often during our -40º C winters here in Winnipeg, while I monitor from my phone.

I suppose I could always opt for a Billows, but part of the charm of the WSM is the hands on experience… for me anyhow.

I think I‘ll end up waiting to see if Weber comes up with more changes (probably not) to the Smokefire. In the meantime… WSM and WSK (E6) it is.

 

[C Lewis]

Charlie,

Good to hear that report! I think everyone here would appreciate another honest assessment with lots of pictures, especially of the components with which some are experiencing early corrosion.

No problem Jon. We're in the middle of deer season right now, and juggling a basement remodel, so it may be a while. I've been writing the review for a while now though, adding to it as the cooks progress, just need to clean it up and add some pics. Quick summary, 2 times got a fail-to-light, caused by either the glow plug connection, or a dirty glow plug (still on the original), and one of those was during a "torture test" where I hadn't cleaned it in about 30 or so cooks. I had 1 1/2" of ash in the bottom along with caked on grease, and the drain holes were still clear. A little rust on the internal components, but not enough that I'm worried about, though I truthfully haven't inspected them super close. Hasn't been 100% completely flawless, but nothing that I have ever owned has been. Only drawback is that my Performer and WSMs are now lonely and depressed.
Purchased as a Gen 2, this past April.

Charlie