Okay, it's official: I'm OUT! (But still happy to be here!)

[Brian Vallotton]

I did Lol! I went back and forth on what to do. I am definitely not opposed to owning one in the future either.

I can only imagine the issues they are dealing with at Weber this morning. I know that the people there must be suffering. I am pretty sure that this was not what they had envisioned. I knew that the software would not be very useful out the gate... but my biggest disappointment was the auger issues and all the stoppages that have been happening in the middle of many peoples cooks.... going beneath the set temps and not letting people know that their cook was going sideways on them... grrr.

 

[SoCalMan]

Yeah, both of Justin's videos were a little disheartening, even if we've been hearing the same from other people. His enthusiasm and that of the others at the Chicago reveal really swayed my purchase decision, even though I've been a Weber fan for years looking to purchase a pellet grill. Now, even if my issue is fixed I'm wondering if this is something I want to live with long-term. I can put a drip pan under the grates during long cooks. I can go out every few hours to push the pellets down. It's just not what I signed up for. Maybe I had unrealistic expectations (clearly I did), but with the amount of R&D that went into this product you'd think that the most basic things would be working. I (and a lot of other people) have tough decisions to make.

Justin’s video speaks volumes about the actual quality of the SmokeFire units at this time. Between the grease and ash not separating in the barrel, the grease fire and the hopper issues, I really have to wonder how much R&D and real-world testing actually went into these grills.
Sadly I will be cancelling my order at Lowe’s. Don’t know yet if I’ll wait to see what comes next on the Weber pellet front or if I’ll grab a Traeger.

 

[Brian Vallotton]

Justin’s video speaks volumes about the actual quality of the SmokeFire units at this time. Between the grease and ash not separating in the barrel, the grease fire and the hopper issues, I really have to wonder how much R&D and real-world testing actually went into these grills.
Sadly I will be cancelling my order at Lowe’s. Don’t know yet if I’ll wait to see what comes next on the Weber pellet front or if I’ll grab a Traeger.

My experience with this has sent me back to wanting to learn more about using charcoal and wood. I had a Traeger Texas Elite 34 that I was happy with for almost 4 years until the auger went out. Costco gave me a full refund even though it was out of warrantee. The same one still sells at Costco today for 599.00 in the store. The one with the bronze door. Costco's return policies make it a safe bet to try one out. But like I am saying, I find myself not wanting to worry about software and augers and such. All I have now is my little Weber Kettle (20 plus years) and we get along fine. Time will tell... I still want the stupid thing!!! Haha

 

[depends]

My experience with this has sent me back to wanting to learn more about using charcoal and wood. I had a Traeger Texas Elite 34 that I was happy with for almost 4 years until the auger went out. Costco gave me a full refund even though it was out of warrantee. The same one still sells at Costco today for 599.00 in the store. The one with the bronze door. Costco's return policies make it a safe bet to try one out. But like I am saying, I find myself not wanting to worry about software and augers and such. All I have now is my little Weber Kettle (20 plus years) and we get along fine. Time will tell... I still want the stupid thing!!! Haha

I'm unfortunately also leaning towards returning mine to Lowes. I have a good gas grill, and mainly want a pellet grill for low and slow cooking - where pellet feed and grease fires are the biggest concerns. While it is extra $ - I am beginning to think the Yoder might best meet my needs.

I'll second Costco return policy - I returned a Traeger Texas Elite yesterday after using it for a couple weeks. It was wildly inaccurate with temps and I was replacing it with the Weber. They took it back with no box, etc, no questions asked. There was a woman next to me returning an opened bottle of aspirin that she had purchased 5 years ago, and they took that back and gave her a refund.

 

[Brian Vallotton]

I'm unfortunately also leaning towards returning mine to Lowes. I have a good gas grill, and mainly want a pellet grill for low and slow cooking - where pellet feed and grease fires are the biggest concerns. While it is extra $ - I am beginning to think the Yoder might best meet my needs.

I'll second Costco return policy - I returned a Traeger Texas Elite yesterday after using it for a couple weeks. It was wildly inaccurate with temps and I was replacing it with the Weber. They took it back with no box, etc, no questions asked. There was a woman next to me returning an opened bottle of aspirin that she had purchased 5 years ago, and they took that back and gave her a refund.

Yes, let's hear it for Costco! In between my fiasco with the waiting on the Weber I went to the Costco roadshow and bought the Century Model of the Traeger... It looked good and was 799.00... with all the goodies and a cover too. Take it home, put it together and the stupid thing would not smoke! It would get to heat, and I could swear IF I told someone it was a gas grill they would have believed me! So back it went! I am going to look at the Yoder too. I just don't know now. I was so excited about getting the SmokeFire.

 

[Jesse749]

Yes, let's hear it for Costco! In between my fiasco with the waiting on the Weber I went to the Costco roadshow and bought the Century Model of the Traeger... It looked good and was 799.00... with all the goodies and a cover too. Take it home, put it together and the stupid thing would not smoke! It would get to heat, and I could swear IF I told someone it was a gas grill they would have believed me! So back it went! I am going to look at the Yoder too. I just don't know now. I was so excited about getting the SmokeFire.

The Rec Tec also seems to be another good option. I am seeing a lot of good reviews on it.

 

[Brian Vallotton]

The Rec Tec also seems to be another good option. I am seeing a lot of good reviews on it.

Is that the 700? I hear a lot of people talking about that one on YouTube... I just went and looked at the Rec Tec site. They call it the RT700 or the Bull. I like how it looks! Worth spending some time checking out.

 

[Jesse749]

Yes, that is the one I am looking at.

 

[Brian Vallotton]

Yes, that is the one I am looking at.

I think it looks really cool! I mean hot! hehe

 

[GreyMouser]

I put off buying a RecTec 700 for the Weber to replace my failed GMG DB. Wish I had just pulled the trigger on the RecTec. Not sure how Amazon is going to handle returns; I'm definitely not putting this monster back in the box, but since mine won't even start up correctly, I'm not any better off than I was before.

 

[depends]

I put off buying a RecTec 700 for the Weber to replace my failed GMG DB. Wish I had just pulled the trigger on the RecTec. Not sure how Amazon is going to handle returns; I'm definitely not putting this monster back in the box, but since mine won't even start up correctly, I'm not any better off than I was before.

I think that's where I'm at - I don't feel any better off (or at least not $1200 better off) with the Weber than with my stick burner. If I have to tend the hopper every couple/few hours, and watch for grease fires, it doesn't seem to really make my life much easier.

As far as other companies, I am looking at Yoder, Rec Tec, Blazin Grills, and Pitts and Spits. There is the possibility I just reach for a Memphis, but I haven't convinced myself to spend that kind of money. A lot of people also recommend Mak's, but to me at the price point I think I'd prefer Memphis.

 

[GreyMouser]

I think that's where I'm at - I don't feel any better off (or at least not $1200 better off) with the Weber than with my stick burner. If I have to tend the hopper every couple/few hours, and watch for grease fires, it doesn't seem to really make my life much easier.

As far as other companies, I am looking at Yoder, Rec Tec, Blazin Grills, and Pitts and Spits. There is the possibility I just reach for a Memphis, but I haven't convinced myself to spend that kind of money. A lot of people also recommend Mak's, but to me at the price point I think I'd prefer Memphis.

Yeah, this was the biggest thing for me. I could let my GMG go all night on a brisket smoke and not have to worry. Never had any pellet feed problems. This thing just isn't reliable, and I can't trust it. (I can't even trust it to start!)

I just submitted my return to Amazon, and the freight company has a pickup appointment for Friday. In the meantime. I'm deciding which package I'm going with on my Rec Tec 700 (I've done a TON of homework on this, and decided that the Rec Tec is my best choice of an upgrade from my GMG DB, with killer customer service.)

I just wish I hadn't wasted most of my President's Day break dealing with a grill that doesn't work.

 

[Brian Vallotton]

I put off buying a RecTec 700 for the Weber to replace my failed GMG DB. Wish I had just pulled the trigger on the RecTec. Not sure how Amazon is going to handle returns; I'm definitely not putting this monster back in the box, but since mine won't even start up correctly, I'm not any better off than I was before.

I am sorry to hear that. I emailed them Sunday to let them know I would not be taking receipt of it. Now Tuesday almost Noon and no word. I cannot imagine how many people made return requests after this 3 day weekend. I do believe they will make it right for you.

 

[Brian Vallotton]

Yeah, this was the biggest thing for me. I could let my GMG go all night on a brisket smoke and not have to worry. Never had any pellet feed problems. This thing just isn't reliable, and I can't trust it. (I can't even trust it to start!)

I just submitted my return to Amazon, and the freight company has a pickup appointment for Friday. In the meantime. I'm deciding which package I'm going with on my Rec Tec 700 (I've done a TON of homework on this, and decided that the Rec Tec is my best choice of an upgrade from my GMG DB, with killer customer service.)

I just wish I hadn't wasted most of my President's Day break dealing with a grill that doesn't work.

I am leaning toward that unit too. If I buy another pellet grill.

 

[Billybo]

If Traeger, Rec-Tec and others are smart, they'll start advertising sales on their grills immediately. There is a lot of pissed off SmokeFire people out there.