Same old S..............

[7un47im3s]

So there I am last Saturday, attempting to install the latest and greatest firmware update on my EX4 when I went back outside to check on update status I got the failed to download msg at which point I tried to re-install only this time around I couldn't complete bluetooth pairing. I shutdown the EX4, restarted phone (android) turned on bluetooth, powered up EX4, opened weber connect and while it saw my EX4 it wouldn't allow pairing. The App did provide some new feedback however with a strange sounding ping from my phone when I tried to pair. I followed all weber support recommendations including the dreaded "factory re-set" and nothing solved the pairing issue. At this point I shut thing down, shrugged and called it a day. The next day, (Fathers Day) I had half a pork shoulder ready to throw on the EX4, powered up, set the temp to 275*, let things come up to temp and stabilize, inserted a probe into the butt (EZ), and threw it on the upper rack with a drip pan below at 0800. Checking on it periodically through the day things went well enough until they didn't. Close to 1600, I went to check on things when I noticed that while the butt probe said 198*, the EX4 temp read 135* with the fan humming along, not a care in the world. I didnt hear any pellets dropping and I stirred the hopper a bit but things looked fine. I then pushed the temp control and re-entered 275*, pulled the butt from upper rack, wrapped it in foil and took it inside. I didnt hit my internal temp of 203* but this was as far as I was taking for the day. In the meantime, 15 minutes or so, the next thing I know, the EX4 is pumping out clouds of smoke. I try to clear the air so I can see the controller but all I got for my initial approach was face full and eyes full of smoke until I was finally able to see well enough to select shutdown mode. About 5 minutes later I get the SF version of breaking the smoke barrier, which consists of a muffled b00m, slightly lifting the lid and if there would have been any dents or indentations in the smoke body they certainly would have been punched out to their original profile. Having had this occur on a previous smoke a year ago, all I can say is this is gettin to be re-goadamdiculous. I don't care if this is hardware, firmware, or software related. Why do these updates seem to never go as planned for all those who attempt to follow Weber recommendations? I had never had problems pairing or installing previous versions, now it seems like I'm back to square one. May be time for a stick burner............. just my $02.........

 

[Goneincognito]

So you had a pellet void that cleared?
Do you still have the finger guard in?
What pellets were you using?

 

[7un47im3s]

So you had a pellet void that cleared?
Do you still have the finger guard in?
What pellets were you using?

No pellet void was observed in the hopper and it had run nearly 8 hours on this cook w/ no issues.
Finger guard removed a couple of years ago.
Don't remember the exact brand, same brand I've run from Lowes the last half dozen cooks or so.

My biggest gripe is with the latest firmware update and the problems it has created with pairing. I'll give it another go this w/e but for cryin out loud, it isn't freakin rocket science.................is it?

 

[Goneincognito]

You aren't alone with the firmware issues.
Quite a few people have had issues recently.

You can have voids further down that you can't see.
You said you didn't hear pellets dropping so you stirred the hopper and then it all happened.
That to me sounds like you cleared the void which caused a dump of pellets as it was rushing to achieve the set temp.
This choked the fire and "broke the smoke barrier".

Just a theory but what you described is a textbook example.

 

[TimA]

This is why I leave well enough alone and don’t update...

You don’t have to see a void for there to be one.

 

[SteveSpy]

OP: one of the most important things when performing the firmware update is to babysit the process on your phone in the app. When you started the firmware update you said you walked away, but with or without your phone? I had to painfully leave it by my EX4 last week when I updated. It worked flawlessly…

 

[EasyE]

Have you called Weber? Did mine and it took 2 tries but they customer service was able to help me through the process.

 

[Differentdrummer]

So there I am last Saturday, attempting to install the latest and greatest firmware update on my EX4 when I went back outside to check on update status I got the failed to download msg at which point I tried to re-install only this time around I couldn't complete bluetooth pairing. I shutdown the EX4, restarted phone (android) turned on bluetooth, powered up EX4, opened weber connect and while it saw my EX4 it wouldn't allow pairing. The App did provide some new feedback however with a strange sounding ping from my phone when I tried to pair. I followed all weber support recommendations including the dreaded "factory re-set" and nothing solved the pairing issue. At this point I shut thing down, shrugged and called it a day. The next day, (Fathers Day) I had half a pork shoulder ready to throw on the EX4, powered up, set the temp to 275*, let things come up to temp and stabilize, inserted a probe into the butt (EZ), and threw it on the upper rack with a drip pan below at 0800. Checking on it periodically through the day things went well enough until they didn't. Close to 1600, I went to check on things when I noticed that while the butt probe said 198*, the EX4 temp read 135* with the fan humming along, not a care in the world. I didnt hear any pellets dropping and I stirred the hopper a bit but things looked fine. I then pushed the temp control and re-entered 275*, pulled the butt from upper rack, wrapped it in foil and took it inside. I didnt hit my internal temp of 203* but this was as far as I was taking for the day. In the meantime, 15 minutes or so, the next thing I know, the EX4 is pumping out clouds of smoke. I try to clear the air so I can see the controller but all I got for my initial approach was face full and eyes full of smoke until I was finally able to see well enough to select shutdown mode. About 5 minutes later I get the SF version of breaking the smoke barrier, which consists of a muffled b00m, slightly lifting the lid and if there would have been any dents or indentations in the smoke body they certainly would have been punched out to their original profile. Having had this occur on a previous smoke a year ago, all I can say is this is gettin to be re-goadamdiculous. I don't care if this is hardware, firmware, or software related. Why do these updates seem to never go as planned for all those who attempt to follow Weber recommendations? I had never had problems pairing or installing previous versions, now it seems like I'm back to square one. May be time for a stick burner............. just my $02.........

I always suspect fuel itself or fuel delivery issues when these types of things happen…

 

[7un47im3s]

OP: one of the most important things when performing the firmware update is to babysit the process on your phone in the app. When you started the firmware update you said you walked away, but with or without your phone? I had to painfully leave it by my EX4 last week when I updated. It worked flawlessly…

No. I left my phone, fully charged on the side shelf in front of the control panel the entire time, checking in to monitor update progress.

 

[7un47im3s]

I always suspect fuel itself or fuel delivery issues when these types of things happen…

Agreed when it comes to a smoke out, not likely the culprit when update issues are involved.

 

[7un47im3s]

Have you called Weber? Did mine and it took 2 tries but they customer service was able to help me through the process.

Honestly, I've given up calling Weber CS, after reading their latest investor guidance they're losing money faster than they can make it and offering negative guidance..........

 

[Goneincognito]

Honestly, I've given up calling Weber CS, after reading their latest investor guidance they're losing money faster than they can make it and offering negative guidance..........

I would just sell the grill and get a Traeger if that's there you are at.

 

[Differentdrummer]

Agreed when it comes to a smoke out, not likely the culprit when update issues are involved.

Not to debate the cause but - If it was running, it had software. No version ever “caused” what you describe?
I’d look at the gaskets down around the bottom of the barrel - leaking, gone? Affects air delivery.

 

[TimA]

Honestly, I've given up calling Weber CS, after reading their latest investor guidance they're losing money faster than they can make it and offering negative guidance..........

Sounds like you’re not remotely interested in getting it working, what in the world customer service has to do with investing isn’t remotely on the same radar.

Probably not the grill for you.

Maybe a troll? You wouldn’t happen to work for a competitor, would you? Hear that’s a thing these days......

Or maybe just stick to the stove.