A terrific review with lots of details, explanations and critiques. Covers all of the issues that have been raised. Agree with the rating. I'd describe the product as an excellent design concept with just a fair execution. Some of Weber's problems could have been solved by better instructions, such as a big warning sticker to upload new software before using, including a sample bag of their pellets with a warning about using other kinds, and perhaps an alignment fixture to insure the chute is properly located. SW is often a big issue for a hardware company; I had read that it was outsourced to the company that makes the June Oven.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
NEW REVIEW: Max's Review Of The Weber SmokeFireâ„¢ Is Complete!
Collapse
X
-
Founding Member
- Jul 2014
- 1238
- Papillion, NE
-
* - Weber 26.75" OTG
* - Weber 22.5" Premium cloaked in Crimson
* - Slow 'N Sear
* - Smoke E-Z - 26.75" (The Grain Silo)
* - Lodge Sportsman Grill
* - Weber Rapid Fire Chimney Starter
* - Thermoworks ThermoPop
* - Thermoworks Mk4
* - Thermoworks Dot
* - iGrill2 - 4 probes
* - Favorite Beer - the cold one in my hand (craft beers of all flavors; haven't had a blue yummy in over 6 years) my tastes change with the season so it is difficult to name just a couple. However, I will occasionally have a vanilla porter float in the summer (Empyrean Vanilla Porter w/a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream) as I usually drink stouts & porters in the colder months, pale ales & IPAs in the warmer months. I have to add Not Your Father's Root Beer to beers I use for floats.
* - Booze - I don't really have a favorite, but lean towards single malt Scotch & Irish whiskey
* - Wines - Reds: mainly the heavy stuff mixed in with the occasional pinot noir ( I have yet to meet a malbec I didn't like); Whites: German & Nebraska (hey, I have to support the home team)
* - Favorite Spice outlets - Volcanic Peppers - Bellevue, NE
* - Current butchers: Cure - Ft. Calhoun
-
Founding Member & Pit Barrel Cooker Queen
- Jul 2014
- 7136
-
My toys:
Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Center (WSCGC) aka Mr. Fancypants
Pit Barrel Cooker (which rocks), named Pretty Baby
Weber Summit S650 Gas Grill, named Hot 'n Fast (used mostly for searing and griddling)
Weber Kettle Premium 22" named Kettle Kid, eager to horn in with more cooks in the future
Camp Chef Somerset IV 4-burner outdoor gas range named AfterBurner due to its 30kBTU burners
Adrenaline BBQ Company Gear:SnS Low Profile, DnG, and Large Charcoal Basket, for WSCGC
SnS Deluxe for 22" Kettle
Elevated SS Rack for WSCGC
SS Rack for DnG
Cast Iron GriddleGrill Grate for SnSGrill Grates: five 17.375 sections (retired to storage)
Grill Grates: six 19.25 panels for exact fit for Summit S650
gasser
Grill Grates for 22" Kettle
2 Grill Grate Griddles
Steelmade Griddle for Summit gas grill
Fireboard Gear:Extreme BBQ Thermometer PackagePit Viper Fan (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Additional control unit
Additional probes: Competition Probes 1" (3) and 4" (1), 3 additional Ambient Probes. 1 additional Food Probe
2 Driver Cables
Pit Viper Fan new design (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Thermoworks Gear:Thermapen MK4 (pink)Maverick ET 73 a little workhorse with limited range
Thermapen Classic (pink too)
Thermoworks MK4 orange
Temp Test 2 Smart Thermometer
Extra Big and Loud Timer
Timestick Trio
Maverick ET 733
Maverick (Ivation) ET 732
Grill Pinz
Vortex (two of them)
18" drip pan for WSCGC
Ceramic Spacers for WSCGC in Kamado Mode: 2 sets each 1/2", 1", 2". The 2" spacers work best with the 18" drip pan. The 1+1/2 inch spacers work best with the 14 inch cake pan.
Two Joule Sous Vide devices
3 Lipavi Sous Vide Tubs with Lids: 12, 18 and 26 quarts
Avid Armor Ultra Pro V32 Chamber Sealer
Instant Pot 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot 10 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Charcoal Companion TurboQue
A-Maze-N tube 12 inch tube smoker accessory for use with pellets
BBQ Dragon and Dragon Chimney
Shun Classic Series:8" Chef Knife
6" Chef's Knife
Gokujo Boning and Fillet Knife
3 1/2 inch Paring Knife
Max Good , your review is a perfect example to all of us of grace under pressure. You did not rush to judgement; instead, you chose to thoroughly conduct your tests while trying to remain impervious to the clamor for results. I really admire that approach. Kudos to you. And thank you for such a thorough, impartial review.
KathrynLast edited by fzxdoc; March 20, 2020, 07:01 PM.
- Likes 8
Comment
-
Well Done! was hoping for medium rare to rare but guess I'll have to wait for version 2.0. Weber has been really good to me. I had some issues with my iGrill2 thermometer, which they did eventually replace. Also had an issue with my WSM grates, and they replaced them too. There a solid company for sure. I'm sure they'll eventually get this right. At that time I will probably get one.
My main question is, how good is the smoke flavor? I've had other pellet smoked meats, and well, the smoke flavor isn't there. Especially compared to my WSM.
Thanks for the through review! Looks like I might have plenty of time to get some more smoking in unfortunately.
P.S. Anyone like the Masterbuilt gravity series 560 charcoal grill/smoker? Hows the smoke?
- Likes 2
Comment
-
Thank you! The smoke quality and mahogany finish are very good, but different from your WSM. At AmazingRibs.com and of course here in The Pitmaster Club, we're getting ready to hunker down with you all. We're progressing into our tests of the new Masterbuilt gravity feed and, so far, we're very impressed. Stay tuned on both!
- 3 likes
-
Troutman, there's just something about that charcoal flavor I miss every time I try non charcoal smoked meat. But I have had excellent wood only. I may just have to settle on the 22 WSM. Need more space then the 18.
- 1 like
-
Club Member
- Aug 2017
- 9849
- Hate Less, Cook More
-
OUTDOOR COOKERS
BBQ ACCESSORIES
WOOD & PELLET PREFERENCES
SOUS VIDE
INDOOR COOKWARE
Wow that was freakin’ epic Max. Talk about thorough. That made War & Peace look like Cliff Notes. That said I believe your conclusions have been echoed. Weber needs to scuttle that ship and rethink their cooker.
Silver award, I’d consider that a mild smack down, but a fair assessment.
- Likes 4
Comment
-
Seems like they should just rip off the hopper assembly altogether and replace it with a different design.
Sounds like this thing acts and requires care more like a gas grill than a pellet smoker. I guess that makes sense given the basis of the design. They definitely have tried to hit a niche that some folks will really like.
- Likes 3
Comment
-
Club Member
- Mar 2016
- 1626
- Sunny SoCal
-
Cooking gadgets
Weber Summit Charcoal Grill Center
Weber Summit Platinum D6
Blue Rhino Razor
Dyna-Glo XL Premium Dual Chamber
Camp Chef Somerset IV along with their Artisan Pizza Oven 90
Anova WiFi
Thermometers
Thermapen Mk4 - ThermaQ High Temp Kit - ThermaQ Meathead Kit - ThermaQ WiFi - ThermoWorks IR-GUN-S - ThermoWorks Signals & Billows - ThermoPop -ThermoWorks ProNeedle - ThermoWorks TimeStick Trio x2 - and a Christopher Kimball timer - NO, I do not work for ThermoWorks...I just like their products.
Other useful bits...
KitchenAid 7-qt Pro Line stand mixer
A Black & Decker food processor that I can't seem to murder
A couple of immersion blenders, one a "consumer" model & the other a "high end" Italian thing. Yes, the Italian one is a bit better, but only marginally
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 8-qt + accessories like egg-bite & egg holders
All-Clad pots & pans, along with some cast iron...everything from 7" Skookie pans to 8.5qt Dutch ovens
Weber GBS griddle, pizza stone, and wok
Knives range from Mercer to F. Dick to "You spent how much for one knife? One knife?!" LOL
Finally had a chance to read the review...
FWIW, I don’t own a pellet cooker, and wasn’t really interested in getting one. I’ve used my father’s and decided it’s kinda "Meh." It cooks just fine, it’s just sorta missing something. A smoke tube helped, but still not quite there IMO.
When this came out though, I was intrigued. I liked the grill/searing aspect of it. And thought, "Hmmm, never say never...there could be a place for a pellet cooker on my patio yet."
And then the "reviews" & reports/videos started pouring in...some I definitely trust more than others. There seemed to be nothing middle of the road with this one. It seemed to be love or hate. But I still wanted to see what Max Good had to say. Great review that explored both its benefits & shortcomings.
I’m no closer to wanting a pellet cooker but I’m glad I read the review. It does seem like they’re on to something...and hopefully they’ll get the kinks worked out. In the meantime I think I’ll be just fine. ;-)
- Likes 4
Comment
-
Max, wow, super review. You take your time and do it right.
I have a couple of questions for you guys that maybe you can answer directly or direct me to another part of the forum. I have had several smokers over the years, the last being a gasser for about 8 years. I'm ready to part ways with it and was considering a vertical/upright pellet smoker. I like the overall ease of the PS and like the smaller footprint of the upright. But would I get the same or better smoke flavor from a PS? I've read conflicting reports. And what's your thought on these uprights; Max, have you reviewed any? Any info would be well appreciated. Love all of the honest and straightforward responses you all give. Thanks!
Comment
-
I’ve not used an upright pellet smoker, only a "grill" type. I’ve found it to have a much lower smoke profile than I prefer. Some love it...I’m not a huge fan. Whether the upright has more I can’t say. Another option (or two) to consider would be a PBC or WSM. No experience with the PBC, but they’re well loved around here. Once "dialed in" the WSM can be close to set & forget. And the PBC seems even more so, owing to it’s less moving parts. (Vents) A fan controller on the WSM is another option.
-
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Comment