Searwood - Yea or Nay?


 
Paul M said:
I've had a WSM for some time, but I bought a Broil King pellet grill, just for the convenience.

Pellet grills are great, but just don't give that total smoky experience IMO, that charcoal and or wood chunks can give you.
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Going from a WSM to a Smokefire took us a little bit to get used to also.
Stick with the pellet cooker for awhile and once you go back to the WSM ( or similar ) you'll think its overly smoky.
Weird but certain variables like quality of pellets compared to quality of charcoal and smoke wood changes how things taste.
 
timothy said:
Going from a WSM to a Smokefire took us a little bit to get used to also.
Stick with the pellet cooker for awhile and once you go back to the WSM ( or similar ) you'll think its overly smoky.
Weird but certain variables like quality of pellets compared to quality of charcoal and smoke wood changes how things taste.
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My wife really doesn't like overly smoky foods, so she loves the pellet smoker meals. I still have my kettle so I will cook on that when it's just for me. I like having an entire slab of ribs just for me, haha.
 
If you want the flavor profile of charcoal and or wood and the convenience of a pellet pooper, you could look at a Masterbuilt Gravity. I have the 800 and love it.
 
My little Ace Hardware in Brazil, Indiana has the smaller size Searwood on display for the first time ever. I don't believe they ever had a SmokeFire on the floor. Maybe this is a good sign that the Searwood has overcome the bad reputation (not always deserved) that the SmokeFire had accumulated. I know you can sell online, but seeing one in person is pretty important to many of us for a major purchase.
 
Today I went to Rural King and, again for the first time that I have seen, they also had the smaller model Searwood for sale.

Searwood at Rural King.JPEG

I only had a little time - but at least more than when I was at Ace - to check this out. I would have to say that my Recteq feels more solidly built, but I didn't think this Searwood was junky. I definitely admire the innovative design, even if Weber did try to go to a more conventional layout than they used on the SmokeFire. I wish I could try out one!
 
Yep, honestly while no fan of chrome plated grids. Better to use porcelain coated instead as other companies do. And really disappointed in the wagon wheel/no caster design. I'd still like to give one a go and would not mind having it take a place of honor on my deck. If they simply do porcelain enameled grids and 4 casters (GOOD casters), then IMO it would be hit outta the park.
 
LMichaels said:
Yep, honestly while no fan of chrome plated grids. Better to use porcelain coated instead as other companies do. And really disappointed in the wagon wheel/no caster design. I'd still like to give one a go and would not mind having it take a place of honor on my deck. If they simply do porcelain enameled grids and 4 casters (GOOD casters), then IMO it would be hit outta the park.
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Replacing the grates would be pretty easy. I am almost certain the main lower grate is the same size as the Genesis x000/Silver/etc. I haven't looked, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone has a replacement option for the upper shelf. If I got one, replacing the grates would be a top priority along with adding a front shelf. My Recteq has an add-on front shelf, and I can hardly imagine using it without it.

Changing out to casters might be a little trickier since the legs aren't the same. It could be done, I am sure. It just depends on how important that would be to you.
 
The SW is so much better then the SF. My SF just ended it's warranty and I was able to get a Searwood. Ran it last week for 19 hours straight, smoked a lamb shoulder and my neighbor asked me to smoke three briskets for a party she was making.
Ran smooth, no pellet voids , cleanup was a breeze. This is that Weber's first smoker should have been. SF shouldn't have made it past the R&D. I am parting out my SF EX6 to recoup some of what I spent on the SW . Need a part just pm me. We'll make a deal
 
So, after taking in and appreciating all of your comments, watching countless videos, and reading any reviews I could get my hands on, I've decided to purchase the Searwood 600. I was able to get my hands on a 600 XL, Campchef Woodwind Pro, and Yoder 640S which really helped in the decision making process. Woodwind Pro - didn't like it at all. While I really like the idea of the drawer for adding wood chunks, it seemed a little clunky and there really wasn't much space to add larger chunks like I currently have, and I just didn't like the "feel" of the smoker. I liked the beefiness of the Yoder as well as the operation of the Fireboard controller, but I didn't want the added complexity of taking care of the painted finish, rust, etc. at this point (I know, probably not that big of a deal). For my first foray into pellet smoking I want to just push the button, cook on it, and clean it so I decided on the Searwood. I decided on the smaller 600 as it's a lower cost entry point, a little easier to maneuver, and will easily suit the needs of my family (which is mostly my wife and me). So, I'll see how this pellet smoking thing goes. During my research I think I found my future upgrade path in a Lone Star Grillz smoker......but I'll let my wife recover from my recent obsessive behavior before I mention that. Thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I'll post some photos soon.
 
Todd NC said:
So, after taking in and appreciating all of your comments, watching countless videos, and reading any reviews I could get my hands on, I've decided to purchase the Searwood 600. I was able to get my hands on a 600 XL, Campchef Woodwind Pro, and Yoder 640S which really helped in the decision making process. Woodwind Pro - didn't like it at all. While I really like the idea of the drawer for adding wood chunks, it seemed a little clunky and there really wasn't much space to add larger chunks like I currently have, and I just didn't like the "feel" of the smoker. I liked the beefiness of the Yoder as well as the operation of the Fireboard controller, but I didn't want the added complexity of taking care of the painted finish, rust, etc. at this point (I know, probably not that big of a deal). For my first foray into pellet smoking I want to just push the button, cook on it, and clean it so I decided on the Searwood. I decided on the smaller 600 as it's a lower cost entry point, a little easier to maneuver, and will easily suit the needs of my family (which is mostly my wife and me). So, I'll see how this pellet smoking thing goes. During my research I think I found my future upgrade path in a Lone Star Grillz smoker......but I'll let my wife recover from my recent obsessive behavior before I mention that. Thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I'll post some photos soon.
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Very cool, looking forward to seeing it in action.
 
Todd NC said:
So, after taking in and appreciating all of your comments, watching countless videos, and reading any reviews I could get my hands on, I've decided to purchase the Searwood 600. I was able to get my hands on a 600 XL, Campchef Woodwind Pro, and Yoder 640S which really helped in the decision making process. Woodwind Pro - didn't like it at all. While I really like the idea of the drawer for adding wood chunks, it seemed a little clunky and there really wasn't much space to add larger chunks like I currently have, and I just didn't like the "feel" of the smoker. I liked the beefiness of the Yoder as well as the operation of the Fireboard controller, but I didn't want the added complexity of taking care of the painted finish, rust, etc. at this point (I know, probably not that big of a deal). For my first foray into pellet smoking I want to just push the button, cook on it, and clean it so I decided on the Searwood. I decided on the smaller 600 as it's a lower cost entry point, a little easier to maneuver, and will easily suit the needs of my family (which is mostly my wife and me). So, I'll see how this pellet smoking thing goes. During my research I think I found my future upgrade path in a Lone Star Grillz smoker......but I'll let my wife recover from my recent obsessive behavior before I mention that. Thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I'll post some photos soon.
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Can't go wrong with that decision, great tasting food is your reward! 🍻
 
Looking forward to seeing your "adventure" with the Searwood. Another grill I like, is the Traeger Silverton series. Mostly because it's so "conventional" looking like a standard med to large gas grill. Seems to be well built as well
 
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