I'm going to return the SmokeFire as it's just too risky and I'm not going to modify a $1000 grill to make it work right and wait around so long I cannot return it (to see if Weber fixes it). I've really been debating what to do next. There are two things I won't tolerate on a Pellet grill, grease fires and designs that spread soot and ash over food. I've been a pellet grill user for quite a while and have had more different models than I care to admit. However, I do probably 75% of my outdoor cooking over pellets, so I need a replacement for the Weber.
I keep coming back to the Traeger Ironwood. I know it won't grill like a Memphis or Weber, but that's OK. It has no smoke stack, a downdraft exhaust system, double sidewalls, WiFi, 500 degree max temp, a pellet alarm, a quite handy little set of hooks on the back for the upper grate when not in use, and very minimized risk of grease fires. I'm not seeing much for cons other than the price...yes it's probably a 2-3 bills more than it should be. I was very upset with Traeger after trying a D2 Pro 575 when they came out because of their support of the temperature issues the Pros were having. After seeing Weber's total lack of response to the SmokeFire issues, I'm realizing companies are just very hesitant to admit problems...in the end Traeger solved the issues with a firmware update the day after I returned mine -- 90 days after the grills came out. I can pick up an Ironwood at any of a dozen different stores around me and get accessories and parts numerous places locally and online as well.
I sort of like the Rec Tecs, but I'm very skeptical of a company that heavily moderates reviews and only has direct sales for a single point of anything you need for their products. I also keep seeing reports of their stainless actually rusting and paint flaking. I have no where to see one before I buy it unless I travel to Georgia or creepily stalk people that own them to find someone with near me and convince them to let me see their horns.
Similar situation for Grilla with the direct only route and plus no Wifi on their grills.
I really looked hard at the Pitts and Spitts Maverick 850, but I would cuss every time I cooked trying to clean those stupid chicken wire grates and you have to pay another $225 for WiFi. I'm sure the grill would last forever though. Normal rod grates and I'd probably be struggling to find anything to cross of spending that much. I'd probably be $2500 in buy time I got grill, WiFi, and had custom replacement grates made.
I keep coming back to the Traeger Ironwood. I know it won't grill like a Memphis or Weber, but that's OK. It has no smoke stack, a downdraft exhaust system, double sidewalls, WiFi, 500 degree max temp, a pellet alarm, a quite handy little set of hooks on the back for the upper grate when not in use, and very minimized risk of grease fires. I'm not seeing much for cons other than the price...yes it's probably a 2-3 bills more than it should be. I was very upset with Traeger after trying a D2 Pro 575 when they came out because of their support of the temperature issues the Pros were having. After seeing Weber's total lack of response to the SmokeFire issues, I'm realizing companies are just very hesitant to admit problems...in the end Traeger solved the issues with a firmware update the day after I returned mine -- 90 days after the grills came out. I can pick up an Ironwood at any of a dozen different stores around me and get accessories and parts numerous places locally and online as well.
I sort of like the Rec Tecs, but I'm very skeptical of a company that heavily moderates reviews and only has direct sales for a single point of anything you need for their products. I also keep seeing reports of their stainless actually rusting and paint flaking. I have no where to see one before I buy it unless I travel to Georgia or creepily stalk people that own them to find someone with near me and convince them to let me see their horns.
Similar situation for Grilla with the direct only route and plus no Wifi on their grills.
I really looked hard at the Pitts and Spitts Maverick 850, but I would cuss every time I cooked trying to clean those stupid chicken wire grates and you have to pay another $225 for WiFi. I'm sure the grill would last forever though. Normal rod grates and I'd probably be struggling to find anything to cross of spending that much. I'd probably be $2500 in buy time I got grill, WiFi, and had custom replacement grates made.
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