In anticipation, help me decide between a Smart Performer and a Searwood

[glitchy]

I’m trying to sell the BBQ island and Duro pellet grill I got with the camper. Haven’t had the best luck selling because of Facebook Marketplace scammers, but the future resort owner (current owner’s son-in-law) is very interested. I’m offering him a steal knowing he’ll be my landlord for a long time as this is our ‘lake cabin’ even though it’s a camper on their resort versus a solid structure. Only reason I’m selling is the thing is huge and way too heavy for the deck it’s sitting on and is warping the synthetic surface boards. I’d just give it to him, but it was a $1500-2000 package 3 years ago and less than 1/3 of that is a good chunk of a smaller/lighter replacement, plus I need to buy a deck box as well to recoup the storage I lose inside the island.

If his wife approves, I’ll need a smoker to replace it. Y’all know I’m a major pellet head, but I’ve been craving charcoal cooking for some reason. I haven’t used my WSCG in 1.5-2 years though. However, I have more time here. I don’t feel rushed constantly like I often do at home. So, I’ve been leaning into the new smart performer in my mind over the Searwood. Am I crazy or should I keep leaning that way? Should I embrace the coals or stick to my lazy pellet roots?

If you made it this far, it’s all been for moot…because in a few hours I’ll be asking if I should get a Searwood or a Hasty Bake when Huskee announces I won and the sale discount will get bigger for my future landlord, maybe even gifted.

[Lynn Dollar]

Well, that's a personal choice. But whatever you've heard about problems with Webers Smart Performer, can be disregarded.

I was fortunate to be selected to beta test Weber's new Smart Ring. I've done four cooks with it now and its been excellent. IDK what went wrong with the Smart Performer, but I'm confident they've got it fixed. The Ring is the guts of the Performer.

The Smart Ring with a snake holds a steady temp, its easy to use, I'm having a hard time finding much wrong with it.

[glitchy]

Yep, definitely been following feedback on the smart performer or it wouldn’t be in consideration. Saw they got a firmware update out that cleared up the initial concerns people were having.

[DavidNorcross]

From one pellet head to another. The Searwood really seems to be a good cooker. You can sift through the negative ones out there and everyone really seems to like it. Those here on the pit also give good reviews.

[glitchy]

Thanks David. The Searwood is the only pellet grill I’ve kept an eye on since buying my MAK. I still don’t and never had intentions to replace the MAK, but was so impressed with the SmokeFire when it worked right I wanted to see if Weber could make the perfect affordable pellet grill. However, I will want a smoker at the camper if the island sells and not spending MAK, Yoder, LSG money up here for something I’ll use a few weeks a year.

[LA Pork Butt]

I won the Searwood XL 600 and I love everything about it except for lack of smoke flavor. It is a beast so it might be that I never cook with it filled with food. You might give a call out to all Searwood owners. The smaller Searwood 600 might impart more smoke flavor.

[Purc]

LA Pork Butt I just watched this yesterday about adding more smoke with this brand of pellets. I know that Bradley Robinson of Chudds BBQ uses this brand as well and sells them on his website.

As always, YMMV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH_L9EEzAg8&pp=ygUUc21va2luIHBlY2FuIHBlbGxldHM%3D

[glitchy]

Have you tried the Weber or lumberjack branded pellets? I had really good luck with the Weber pellets producing great results and was told they were made by Lumberjack. LJ uses much less and in many cases no oak base wood.

[LA Pork Butt]

glitchy I have not tried either Lumberjack or Weber. I found Purc video post interesting. The problem for most of my cooks is that the XL is so large it consumes lots of pellets to cook a little food.

[barelfly]

If you are at the cabin, are you out having fun and away from the cooker? That is the one thing I would think about. I have a cheap, $30 Masterbuilt kettle at the lakehouse that is outstanding, but…I only use when I’m at the house to maintain. I’d like to have a cooker to “set it and forget it” cook in a way, if we are out on the water and I want something to almost be ready when we get back. I don’t know if I’ll do that, but that’s what my thought is for your situation.

I don’t know much about that Pellet cooker, but having the charcoal cooker for various types of cooks at your vacation spot is always fun to cook with!

[glitchy]

I’ve thought a little about that, but I’ve always had a hard time leaving even pellet grills burning for more than a few minutes without someone home. I’d have a harder time up here where forest fires are issues. I do most of my smoking during weekdays while working remotely.

[DTro]

I was in the market for a smart performer but not liking the what I am hearing from the hands-on reviews. I have changed my focus to either a slow and sear or an un-smart performer. I am also waiting it out a bit longer.

[glitchy]

Make sure you’re only reading reviews from just maybe the past month. Weber pushed out a firmware update to shut Tom Horseman up, err I mean fix the early issues.

https://youtu.be/unspiQtBT6E?si=jxp-a3kejDh8hFzN

[Lynn Dollar]

Did you read my post above ?

[DTro]

Lynn Dollar Yes Lynn, thank you for sharing this info. This is one of the reasons I am waiting on my purchase. With the ring and the kettle being a brand new products there are always kinks to work out.