New Auger and low temps still an issue

[SillyRabbit]

To follow up on my Post #25. The pastrami turned out amazing. Other than the start up temp fluctuation, the smokefire did a perfect job and made for a great lunch today.

 

[abmet]

Me too.

Mine as well when running at 225. When I‘m running 300 or 350 seems to not do this. I‘m sure the temp was fluctuating with the old. firmware but the controller was maybe equalizing it more so was less noticeable. Also think they turned the fan down possibly in an attempt to not overshoot temps when reacting to drop from lid opening. Can’t say for sure but my fan seems to not spin up to high near as often.

 

[Dadhastoomanygrills]

I don't know to be reassured or saddened to read through this string.

I'm having the same issues. My grill worked flawlessly at first. I raved about the amazing ability to sear a steak one day, and then a long low and slow cook the next. I posted on this site, and on my social media accounts. However, ever since the firmware update this grill is a nightmare. Can't hold temps, can't reach temp, etc. Like the rest of you, Weber has taken me through the same steps. Replace the auger to the welded auger and chute, install the pellet ramp slide, then they sent me a new motor (Rev F) about a week ago. I've reset the software to factory and then reinstalled all the updates. Upon a software reset I get one good cook, and then the next cook is back to complete frustration.

I've asked Weber for my money back at this point. I so want to love this grill, but I didn't pay this much money to be a beta tester. I literally look at my grill with frustration now as I walk past it to cook on my old Genisis gas, or my old Traeger (which thank goodness I didn't actually sell as I had planned to when the Smokefire arrived).

Customer service has told me that a new firware update is almost ready to release. I hope that it fixes the issues, but it highlights a fundamental issue with this grill (or any grill where software is added) it can work great one day, and then they update the software and it basically wrecks the functionality of the grill. Really thinking of going back to old school charcoal, like the Weber Smokey Mountain or perhaps since I've already spent this much on a grill I can exchange it for the Weber Summit Charcoal. The Summit has great reviews, the Smokefire as we know...not so much.

 

[Smysmy2]

Mine worked really well for three weeks since my last installation of parts and now I am having the same flameout and crappy reignition issues. Yesterday it got to 600 and stayed just long enough to o sear some flank steaks. Then, about 10 minutes into the cook it started dropping. I was going to cook marinated tofu for my daughter at 450 but the temp dropped to 125. Weber needs to get it together and help us fix this problem.

 

[tigermikie]

SillyRabbit that is some mighty tasty looking pastrami. That will definitely be on my short of things to make.

 

[Brad S]

Mine worked really well for three weeks since my last installation of parts and now I am having the same flameout and crappy reignition issues. Yesterday it got to 600 and stayed just long enough to o sear some flank steaks. Then, about 10 minutes into the cook it started dropping. I was going to cook marinated tofu for my daughter at 450 but the temp dropped to 125. Weber needs to get it together and help us fix this problem.

Just curious, did you hear a grinding sound when the temps started dropping?

 

[laketater]

Mine was good/bad for about the same amount of time. I have come to the conclusion I have to clean it out every so often (5-10 cooks). I use a putty knife to scrape the grease goop and a paint brush to brush all of the areas out and occasionally take the fire box and grate out and lightly sand the glow plug.
I have to admit, the last 5 or so cooks have been pretty flawless (still have to watch the pellet storage to make sure it has feed). I've learned you have to be patient with this grill when you see temp fluctuations, just wait and it usually recovers. I too was ready to get my money back but my stubbornness has taken over to make this thing work.

 

[Dadhastoomanygrills]

Mine was good/bad for about the same amount of time. I have come to the conclusion I have to clean it out every so often (5-10 cooks). I use a putty knife to scrape the grease goop and a paint brush to brush all of the areas out and occasionally take the fire box and grate out and lightly sand the glow plug.
I have to admit, the last 5 or so cooks have been pretty flawless (still have to watch the pellet storage to make sure it has feed). I've learned you have to be patient with this grill when you see temp fluctuations, just wait and it usually recovers. I too was ready to get my money back but my stubbornness has taken over to make this thing work.

I clean mine out after literally every cook which is a habit I developed with my Traeger. While I scrape any dust/residue off of the glow plug, I haven’t tried sanding it down. Does the glow plug operate beyond just the start up? In other words, is it used to help “stoke” the fire when it needs to recover or heat up more? I completely cleaned out my grill yesterday, even the auger taken out and cleaned, and reset the software. I was able to hit my target temp of 450 degrees, though it took a long time to get there hovering at 390 for what felt like an eternity. But once I opened the lid to put my food on the grill, it never recovered. Max temp was 390 for the remainder of the cook while the fan was blowing and the pellets were rapidly disappearing in the hopper.

I haven’t been offered the replacement controller board yet, not sure if that is the next in long steps with this grill. I did ask Weber to give me an option as far as returning it, And exchanging with a new Smokefire or giving me a credit towards a Summit charcoal. I’m at the end of my patience with this grill honestly.