SmokeFire EPX6 Stealth addition - on sale

[wbzipf]

All, I just saw that the Weber store on Amazon has discounted the SmokeFire EPX6 to $1109, which would be about $100 below the Searwood of the same size.

So is this a good deal for someone (me) who loves Weber and looking at getting a pellet smoker? Or should I wait for the new Searwood? I am kind of on the fence about this one, since it seems the only regrettable design flaw that remains with the Stealth is the rear pellet hopper.

What do you all think?

https://www.amazon.com/Weber-SmokeFire-Fired-Pellet-Stealth/dp/B09V6DYQM8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=11ZYML5SVI3ER&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aRz-a1H1G_ESS_Zu_fzKD5ctfxpkPrufv3PP4C77UB68wZXjhGVTH609WhdVM911B3Jh6xFfelsho5vMRfiS90wIFX7WxhtZlKKb3hjj431PUzAeQHltJgCMtSp-DsloM95q7JuAI6W9nFTc_KUbH0O_aTucse9b1mUG5dF6haAbj7Uh_cygLLlx7qEzsX6DcEFSjzrnwSyIUqFCGzlRJfUCPbFF3rWUjL7_-ufmbVY.x0CyQhHfLymiAUL0pT1i-UhkPkP1mbr50KP6xhI2thk&dib_tag=se&keywords=weber+smokefire&qid=1708222301&sprefix=weber+smokefire,aps,126&sr=8-2&tag=weberpellet-20

[fzxdoc]

I'm with you on the placement of the hopper in the Searwood being a plus compared with the SF.

For me, the $100 difference would be easily offset by the convenience of the side hopper design. I distrust the hopper placement/design in the SmokeFire, based solely on comments from actual users, not someone "possibly in the market for a pellet cooker" like me.

Kathryn

[ILMsmoke]

I'd expect some major Weber Smoke Fire sells soon. A local Weber rep told me the Smoke Fire is getting a complete re-design...

[fzxdoc]

Great! I hope it's worth the wait.

K.

[wbzipf]

More than just saving the $100, the thing that raises questions in my mind is the fact that the SearWood's MSRP is $400 less than the Stealth.

In this age of relatively high inflation, things aren't getting cheaper. To me, this indicates that they may be cutting corners, cheaper parts etc. If they are cutting corners, then we may look back at the Smokefire is the better built smoker. The reduction in cost could also be because of a more elegant design leads to lower production cost.

I just don't know, but I am suspicious that its due to cheaper parts.

[bmillin]

The rear hopper is kind of a PITA. I got my EX6 at 50% off, otherwise I would complain more about it. It is almost impossible to fill without spilling pellets all over. Otherwise it makes good food, it is easy to clean and the app works great. I had some issues with it today but I think it was a power issue.

[kenrobin]

More than just saving the $100, the thing that raises questions in my mind is the fact that the SearWood's MSRP is $400 less than the Stealth.

In this age of relatively high inflation, things aren't getting cheaper. To me, this indicates that they may be cutting corners, cheaper parts etc. If they are cutting corners, then we may look back at the Smokefire is the better built smoker. The reduction in cost could also be because of a more elegant design leads to lower production cost.

I just don't know, but I am suspicious that its due to cheaper parts.

This was also my first thought when I saw the SearWood's MSRP. I wondered about what they aren't telling us. When Weber rebranded the Summit Charcoal to the Summit Kamado some of the changes were easy to see like the modified deflector plate.

Pellet grills are dependent on electronics and moving parts, so it makes me curious about what they have changed in order to lower the price. I also wonder if they are discontinuing the SmokeFire entirely. @ILMsmoke's post above suggests that the SmokeFire will be redesigned. If that's true, I'd like to see it because it "feels" like the SmokeFire is more premium than Searwood.

[wbzipf]

I believe the SearWood will be made out of cast aluminum as opposed to enamel coated carbon steel. I am not sure if that is something that lowered the cost. Apparently this is a design change across other products are moving away from porcelain enamel coated carbon steel. I think mainly the gas grills.