Searwood first cook

[Mark Combs]

I mentioned on a different thread a friend of mine got a Searwood. He did 3 pork shoulders the other day and I was able to get a few pics to share. I am still impressed with its performance, and have come to the conclusion that I will be replacing my Smokefire. It is no longer if, but when.

I thought the grease was well managed and there was little ash in the box. While he has the smaller version, I am going larger as I do tend to do some larger cooks fairly frequently.

He had no hiccups with the cook, and the shoulders were on overnight at 230, temp was upper 30’s outside.

He has not added the griddle yet, but I do think that along with the rotisserie are extra selling points. Currently I have the large Smokefire, gas assist stainless performer 22”, a 26”, WSM in 22 and in 18. I do like my Smokefire, and while it has not been flawless, it is still pretty damn good.

The total cook was about 12 hours. At the end he still had a little more than 1/4 of pellets left it appeared. No issues with any of them feeding. Attaching some pics. The unit was in shutdown mode while I took these, but hopefully it gives some visuals.

 

[LMichaels]

Pretty impressive (for the type of cooker it is). Of course have he simply used a sheet pan under it there would not even have been that.

 

[Greg Ross-MN]

The question is; what would happen if he turned it up to 500-600 after smoking those shoulders? Would it flare up? IMO that's what caused a lot of the SF issues. Most of know you should always clean your smoker after a long cook....

I'm problem free with my Sear+ so far but the Searwood looks good. I see nothing compelling me to ditch my SF at this point.

 

[Mark Combs]

I have had some flare ups in my Smokefire when I forget to clean. I do not see that probability with the Searwood based on the diffuser. While the smoke fire only has a canopy over the fire pot, the Searwood’s diffuser really seems to distribute the heat without the flame coming out the side of the fire pot. The pics don’t really do it justice, but I would have been comfortable cranking it to 600 and would not have been as concerned with this as I would have been with my Smokefire.

 

[Bob Erdman]

I think I would still use a drip pan. I hate cleaning up greasy messes.

 

[LMichaels]

I think I would still use a drip pan. I hate cleaning up greasy messes.

Same here. Even though both of my pellet cookers handle grease VERY well, I would rather just simply vacuum out ash than wipe or scrape anything out. I'm at the stage where easier is better

 

[Bob Erdman]

I have had some flare ups in my Smokefire when I forget to clean. I do not see that probability with the Searwood based on the diffuser. While the smoke fire only has a canopy over the fire pot, the Searwood’s diffuser really seems to distribute the heat without the flame coming out the side of the fire pot. The pics don’t really do it justice, but I would have been comfortable cranking it to 600 and would not have been as concerned with this as I would have been with my Smokefire.

I don't think I would do 600F after doing 3 butts without at least cleaning out the drip tray. Why risk a fire?

 

[Mark Combs]

I don't think I would do 600F after doing 3 butts without at least cleaning out the drip tray. Why risk a fire?

Sorry, was neither advocating or contemplating doing so. It was more of a comment relative to my Smokefire; that with the grease management and the way the fire pot is constructed in the Searwood, it would seem to be less of a risk than if I were to do it in my Smokefire. I agree, after 3 butts cleaning would still be the better option.