SnS Kettle
Napoleon 500 Pro gasser grill
Weber Slate 30” griddle
Gozney Arc XL pizza oven
Instant Pot Duo Crisper 8 qt
Cuisinart food processor
Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
Breville Smart toaster oven
Anova Sous vide (Pro version and Standard Version)
Cabella 15” Vacuum Sealer
Combustion Inc Wireless Probes (Gen2 upgrades)
Fireboard v2
Fireboard Spark
Fireboard Pulse (3) probes and S1G antenna
ThermoWorks RFX gateway and 2 RFX meat probes
Thermoworks IR gun
Thermoworks MK4
Thermoworks Zero
Thermoworks Signals
7 Shun knives (paring to 12" slicer)
Misen Chef's knife
Dalstrong Phantom Series Boning Knife
8-9 other knives (enough to get an eye roll from wife!)
2 Mandolins, 1 veggie spiralizer
Work Sharp E5 sharpener
Chef's Choice sharpener
Hone Rolling Sharpener
It's a funny hobby we have decided to master here, from despair at a malfunctioning unit to nailing a rib cook.
If the Smokefire has you absolutely completely dreading going out and cooking something then send it back, hopefully for a full refund.
Why bang your head against the wall and hate something, that's what's going to work is for.
If you glean a bit of enjoyment out of it that's a different story.
And who knows the next update may be the one that fixes everything.
And who knows the next update may be the one that fixes everything.
I have a knack for that actually, the fix all update will probably come the day after I return it if I do so. I bought a Traeger D2 Pro 585 when they came out. The RTD probe was not configured right in the controller software, it was close at 225, but about 30-40 degrees off at 300 and 80-100 degrees off at 450. It was a widespread problem on all the D2 Pros, but did not appear to be happening on Timberline and Ironwood. Needless to say, the Pro grills wouldn't go over 360 even though they were supposed to go to 450. I went round and round with support, followed several others that were doing the same talking to them. I finally returned the grill after about a month or so of being told I was imagining things...the next morning the firmware update that fixed the problem was released. Entire time though Traeger never admitted there was a problem and wouldn't say if or when a fix was coming.
If they will take it back then I would return it as well. I agree with others it is worth a phone conversation. Due to the duration if they do not take it back then cut your losses and sell it. There is just no need in not being happy with a cooker that you use on a regular basis. I have one Weber product in the Summit gasser that I really like and would probably get again if this one wears out. But, I am a little disappointed in their quality issues as of late.
Your write up on this product is one of the best on this forum. You can surely say that you have done your diligence.
Just to repeat what’s already been said, Weber promised your satisfaction. Hold them to their word, you’ve laid out a well documented case for wanting to return it, heck, you bought 2 of them. Weber will make it right.
On another note, having owned a Traeger for 10 yrs, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. It always did what I wanted. My brother bought a Req-tec in the last year and raves about it. He’s super anal about grills holding temp, he’s too unrealistic IMO, but he never complains about the Req-tec staying on temp.
If not cooking outdoors, I am cooking on the stovetop with my 14" carbon steel wok, 12" CI skillet, or in the oven with my two Lodge CI pizza pans, or two dutch ovens. I've also got a nifty Lodge carbon steel grill pan that rocks for veggies outdoors.
Personally, if you cannot trust it to cook your food in a predictable manner, and they will take it back, I would send it back.
What you do after that is up to you. I think you've tried every pellet cooker out there except for Grilla... hint hint. While I know its not as big, that Grilla OG sure looks cool and unique, and takes less patio space... I also do not hear anyone on the Pit having issues with either their Silverbac or OG. That says something.
I would send it back, and then wait for Grilla to come out with their Wifi controller, that is said to be in beta test in another thread. Just use the Summit until then.
Alternatively... use your Summit for all your smoking and get a gasser! Those ALWAYS come up to temp fast, haha.
Last edited by jfmorris; February 1, 2021, 03:59 PM.
Yeah, now a glitchy thread on the OG Grilla would be awesome.
While they are being very coy about what exactly the WiFi includes, it does seem like a very robust (e.g. more than just temp monitoring) package. We will see though.
LOL you two. Maybe what I need is a GoFundMe page where the Pit members can fund and choose the next grill I document experiences with for six-9 months at a time.
I actually already have my eyes locked pretty firmly on the next prize as I've been analyzing the options since the weather cooled and the last couple updates hit the SmokeFire...and if I buy it and it doesn't stick around several years, I'm a dead man.
Obviously you're not happy, and it's unfortunate. I honestly was rooting hard for Weber to kill it on their first foray into the pellet market. I think quality competition is healthy for ALL pellet owners, and the added bonus of popularity will eventually benefit all pellet owners in the form of variety and availability of pellets as well as lower prices. I'd try your hand at holding Weber accountable, I do still hold out hope for a completely redesigned highly successful smokefire in the near future though.
Heck no you are not wrong.. if it doesn't work the way it should and they can't fix it I would return it. I finally saw the local hardware store had one and was about to ask to see if the bugs had been worked out. I guess this post answered all the questions I was going to ask. Guess you saved me some cash.. what model do you have I could go look in your thread but I am to lazy. I really want one but am going to wait til they get this figured out.
I have the EX4. If you really wanted one I will make you a heck of a deal on a package ;-) I’ve been reading the next update is in beta and beta testers say a lot of issues are fixed, but that’s a small group and it seems you’re always waiting for the next release and when you finally get it, it fixes things but makes something else quirky. I’m just tired of relearning it over and over. Someday it will probably be an awesome grill, today it’s a good grill when it’s in a good mood.
I can't believe there is still this kind of chatter about the SmokeFire. I own 5 Weber products and NEVER had problems with any of them (other than upgrades to improve performance). What a shame. Like others my pellet grill has worked flawlessly for the past 3.5 years with plus or minus 10 degrees of accuracy. Get something that is proven and get yourself satisfied.
If you don't like it now, you will learn to despise it later. Then you will beat yourself up for not returning it.
They made the guarantee so send it back now. You'll feel better having that off your mind.
Then you will be able to sleep instead of waking up at 3:00 a.m. thinking about a bad product that you are stuck with.
Return it, no question. I returned my Traeger after almost a year. There are so many really good pellet grills out now, there is no point in putting up with something that is substandard and you can't trust. Especially at that price point! Besides, Weber needs to get the message.
I think it's time for Weber to be held accountable for THEIR technology that has failed to satisfy a consumer. Hold them to their satisfaction policy. They hope that the customer will decide to not hold them to their word by making it difficult through customer service or by fixes that don't solve issues. Bottom line is that it's your money and their product that is not worked as expected according to their sales promise.
What is taking you so long? I watched Harry Soo explain a grease fire is only a flare-up. Now he uses aluminum pans under the grill grates to catch the droppings. Call them flare-ups or grease fires, don't care I don't want either.
Just my take.
Happy grilling to you.
I think FireMan is right. You already know the answer, but you're letting emotion cloud the issue. This is really just a true/false question. Weber offered to make things right if you're not satisfied, so the obligation is on them to make you satisfied. Not on you to be happy with what they have provided.
If you happen to be looking for a suggestion on your next pooper, I suggest a Smoke Daddy cabinet. I know nothing about them besides what their sales pitch offers, but who amongst us is more qualified to put one through its paces. I'd really like to know if I should buy one, and it's a lot cheaper for me to have you buy it and do all the testing.
Weber's willingness to provide early adopters of the original Summit Kamado E6 grills with fully assembled replacements leads me to believe that they would probably take your SmokeFire back. Feel free to message me if you would like the contact info for their VP of Customer Experience Quality who is setting up my replacement. He's very responsive and reasonable to deal with.
Comment