I’ve officially pulled the plug

[SmokeMeister]

Mine finally shows up tomorrow. I’m debating whether I keep it in the box in the garage for 29 days to stay within my return window or just ride this thing with some barbecue in my belly... what do you guys think?

I apologize I can't remember where you said you ordered it from, but if the return policy allows for returning a used item, I say go for it! At this point, I think we're all aware of the major issues, hopper feeding, grease management, poor app, etc. Those can be managed with a little attention, patience, and some $1 aluminum trays. Should you have to do that? No, but I am hoping that Weber will step up and solve most of the issues over time and we'll end up with an excellent cooker.

If you aren't able to try it before returning, it gets a little gray. I have firsthand experience that Weber will step up and take care of any warranty-type issues. However, you could get a perfectly working grill and still not be happy with how it operates.

Maybe it depends on if you are ok being an early adopter. Having to deal with some issues that are likely to be ironed out over time.

I will say that it is very frustrating that I can't give it my full recommendation. I don't envy your decision, but I think the best thing you can do is evaluate your situation and all the available information and try to make the best decision you can while trying not to get caught up in the "kid on Christmas morning" feeling. Good luck, and keep us updated one way or the other!

 

[DanaM]

The Rec Tec 700 was on my planned list to purchase when Weber announced the SmokeFire last year. A couple of things that stood out with Weber over the Rec Tec is 1 - flame searing. Rec Tec uses a drip pan so no flames can ever get directly to the meat so they recommend those expensive grill grates for searing. 2 - Rec Tec only goes up to 500 the Smokefire up to 600.

 

[BarreBQ]

I apologize I can't remember where you said you ordered it from, but if the return policy allows for returning a used item, I say go for it! At this point, I think we're all aware of the major issues, hopper feeding, grease management, poor app, etc. Those can be managed with a little attention, patience, and some $1 aluminum trays. Should you have to do that? No, but I am hoping that Weber will step up and solve most of the issues over time and we'll end up with an excellent cooker.

If you aren't able to try it before returning, it gets a little gray. I have firsthand experience that Weber will step up and take care of any warranty-type issues. However, you could get a perfectly working grill and still not be happy with how it operates.

Maybe it depends on if you are ok being an early adopter. Having to deal with some issues that are likely to be ironed out over time.

I will say that it is very frustrating that I can't give it my full recommendation. I don't envy your decision, but I think the best thing you can do is evaluate your situation and all the available information and try to make the best decision you can while trying not to get caught up in the "kid on Christmas morning" feeling. Good luck, and keep us updated one way or the other!

Thanks for the response.
I ordered mine through Weber directly. Their verbiage says unopened but it also has verbiage regarding defective so I may be safe there.
I have a lot of patience and feel the same as you that we will end up with a great cooker in the long run.

 

[FredSC]

Mine finally shows up tomorrow. I’m debating whether I keep it in the box in the garage for 29 days to stay within my return window or just ride this thing with some barbecue in my belly... what do you guys think?

I've only done 3 cooks on mine so far, and I only had issues with the low and slow cook, and that was with the pellets bridging or forming a cavity and not falling into the auger. I plan on doing so more cooks this weekend. The app is crap, definitely not up to where it should be. The grill makes delicious food. But there are issues, I have to admit I expected better from Weber. Higher temperature cooks of 375 for a turkey breast and 500 to grill steaks went well with no issues. I will do another low and slow and a high temp searing cook this weekend and post results.
If you do unbox yours make sure to let the update download through the app first before setting a temperature and starting the burn in. Wait and see is a good strategy, but nothing wrong with putting it together and start figuring out what is going on either, that's up to you. Other makes of pellet grills have issues as well, but maybe they are better ironed out.

 

[CaptRedBeard]

Thanks for the response.
I ordered mine through Weber directly. Their verbiage says unopened but it also has verbiage regarding defective so I may be safe there.
I have a lot of patience and feel the same as you that we will end up with a great cooker in the long run.

Per my conversation with Weber yesterday, if it’s used I cannot return it. They actually suggested that I cancel my order in lieu of accepting delivery and using the grill if I had any doubt of not keeping it... Not trying to sway your decision, just sharing the same information I received.

 

[FredSC]

Per my conversation with Weber yesterday, if it’s used I cannot return it. They actually suggested that I cancel my order in lieu of accepting delivery and using the grill if I had any doubt of not keeping it... Not trying to sway your decision, just sharing the same information I received.

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Based off that response, I would leave it in the box or just send it on back. There are other pellet grills out there. Weber may have just ruined their brand if they don't take back cookers if someone is not happy with them after trying them out.

 

[Dubs]

Mine finally shows up tomorrow. I’m debating whether I keep it in the box in the garage for 29 days to stay within my return window or just ride this thing with some barbecue in my belly... what do you guys think?

I'm keeping mine in the box, I bought it from Lowes, so I have 90 days, but I may only wait a couple weeks before probably sending it back. I don't want to deal with having to bring in a used grill for return and deal with any hassles. I'd rather just drop off the unopened box.

 

[Dubs]

He y’all,

After careful consideration, I’ve decided to pull the ejection handle on the smokefire. I was scheduled to receive my Ex6 on Friday of this week. Called Weber today and canceled. Funny, when I told the rep on the phone why I was canceling, he actually admitted that he has been canceling a fair amount of these units within the past few days. Far too much negative publicity on something that hasn’t been out on the street for no more than a couple of weeks now. I have had and do currently own other Weber products that have been outstanding. I think they just rushed to get their production units to the market prematurely. My guess was trying to get the money grab by spring. Too much money to be a guinea pig. I wish you all good luck with your cookers. After I get my reimbursement, I’m leaning towards a camp chef woodwind. Seems like similar money with less hassle. Capt Red Beard, out!!!

Everyday BBQ does a good YT review on the SmokeFire, and at the end of the video he recommends the Camp Chef Woodwind Wifi. The Camp Chef looks like a pretty good grill and I'm not seeing people having a lot of issues with that one.

 

[Brian Vallotton]

The Rec Tec 700 was on my planned list to purchase when Weber announced the SmokeFire last year. A couple of things that stood out with Weber over the Rec Tec is 1 - flame searing. Rec Tec uses a drip pan so no flames can ever get directly to the meat so they recommend those expensive grill grates for searing. 2 - Rec Tec only goes up to 500 the Smokefire up to 600.

Yes, that is a big difference. I would still be willing to spend another 80.00 and get the grates IF I felt I really needed them. 500 is pretty good! I just don't know for sure.

 

[abmet]

Got mine built today, updated and got to 600 in 15 min(20 degrees outside) held strong for 30 minutes no issues, will be doing my first cooks this weekend . I was very worried watching all the videos and hearing everyone’s negative feedback, but so far impressed. I’ll keep everyone updated how it goes fingers crossed for me!! I hate to see how bad it’s been going for everyone when we were all so excited for the release?

I’d recommend cleaning out the ash and scale from the burn-in. At least for me the hour long burn-in left decent amount of ash in the bottom of the cooker plus some large chucks of “scale” off the fire pot shield. Big enough they could potentially have clogged the drain holes. I did an 8 hour pork shoulder and 3 hour turkey breasts cook last weekend and only issue was potentially a pellet void. I say potentially because temp dropped from 250 down to 215. When I went out to check I heard pellets dropping and it started climbing back up. I went ahead and stirred the pellets but maybe was just a temp swing that took controller a bit to account for. I have an EX4.

 

[CoonassBBQ]

I pulled the plug as well. It performed really well as a high temp grill and with some ribs. But most of what I do is brisket and pork butt, and I’m not willing to chance a grease fire. I’m moving to either a timberline 1300 or a Pitts and Spitts 1250. A guy I sell to for work is a true value store and sells Timberlines and has been using one since it came out and swears by it.

I decided to pull the plug last night. I emailed my contact at the local distributor this morning. No response yet. It seemed that the more people that had these grills in their hands, the worse the news got. I couldn't justify going through with my purchase. I'm still hanging around here because I want to see how Weber handles this debacle and how they treat the folks here who stuck with their purchase. I think that they should refund people's money and go back to the drawing board. (or don't do a pellet grill at all)

I'm also curious about what grills people move to instead of the SmokeFire if they chose that route, plus I met some terrific grilling enthusiasts.

 

[CaptRedBeard]

Everyday BBQ does a good YT review on the SmokeFire, and at the end of the video he recommends the Camp Chef Woodwind Wifi. The Camp Chef looks like a pretty good grill and I'm not seeing people having a lot of issues with that one.

that’s the video that tipped the scale for me.

 

[FredSC]

.
Based off that response, I would leave it in the box or just send it on back. There are other pellet grills out there. Weber may have just ruined their brand if they don't take back cookers if someone is not happy with them after trying them out.

Mine finally shows up tomorrow. I’m debating whether I keep it in the box in the garage for 29 days to stay within my return window or just ride this thing with some barbecue in my belly... what do you guys think?

Based off what another member said about Weber not accepting returns of used grills, and all the trouble everyone is having, I believe I would just return it, and look for something else. Tough to say since I like Weber grills, but if they are not going to make owners of this product happy, then I sure wouldn't encourage anyone to sit on one when they could be using another make if you're still interested in a pellet grill.
Edit: 2/20/20 Weber support told me on the phone today I had 30 days to decide on returning it or not. So I'm going to give my EX 6 a good workout before I decide on keeping it or returning it.

 

[Brian Vallotton]

Based off what another member said about Weber not accepting returns of used grills, and all the trouble everyone is having, I believe I would just return it, and look for something else. Tough to say since I like Weber grills, but if they are not going to make owners of this product happy, then I sure wouldn't encourage anyone to sit on one when they could be using another make if you're still interested in a pellet grill.

I emailed Weber going on 4 days ago and have yet to receive a reply. I refused shipment, told SEKO I was not accepting delivery, and that I had emailed Weber on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. It is acknowledged on my SEKO tag that I have refused shipment. In the meantime Weber is SILENT. So a few minutes ago I informed them that I will be dealing with VISA from this point forward and that at first I felt sorry for them, and NOW I just don't care.

 

[Dubs]

Ok, what does anyone know about the Cuisanart Woodcreek pellet grill? Is this another too good to be true grill?