Smokefire ex4 dead

[JpsBBQ]

Age and GBS Grates are the only difference between an Gen2 and the first models that have had the newer parts fitted.
I have had a Gen2 EX4 since the start of December and not single issue to be seen.

No GBS in the US to the best of my knowledge. If you want that you have to purchase it after.

 

[AHoneyman]

I have had a Gen2 EX4 since the start of December and not single issue to be seen.

Many of us have all of the updates and still have issues. Many of us have no problems. There are unidentified factors that are causing the differences.

 

[Mr. X]

Many of us have all of the updates and still have issues. Many of us have no problems. There are unidentified factors that are causing the differences.

yes this is what i am wondering as well. I think the issues i have seen so far are build quality and poor quality control. I suspect some issues are from the seals on the grill letting water in the ash and drip tray as well as the firebox (I see some black high temp silicone holds the barrel together and suspect they missed some spots) and the rush to get these to market. I bought mine from lowes last month but it was manufactured about a year ago when the push was on to get them to market. they are sending me a fully "tested" new one but I will be waiting a few weeks for it. I'm assuming the auger motor and fan as well as the original glow plug are all suspect. I wonder if a newer motor has overload protection?

 

[AHoneyman]

I do not think that the parts that you listed were that problematic. The fan - never listed. The auger motor - problem was software. Glow plug - needed major muscle to set properly. Chute - needed redesign. App/software/firmware - problems still exist.

One of the major things is that people within the Weber organization apparently did not realize how big the change from burning charcoal to pellet feed/bluetooth/wifi/temp controlled cooking is. They are really trying to get this fixed but it is a big rock to roll uphill.

 

[JpsBBQ]

No doubt some people have had issues. Some issues where more than than people were willing to bear. I have no issues with the build quality. A few minor issues with the pellet hopper which I feel is easily resolved by removal of the wire guard. I have never done a single thing to my ramp. The auger/chute redesign is a minor tweak that had big returns. Basically it is 95% software/ firmware issues. I assume some people have been or certainly deserve to be let go. I cannot imagine there weren’t some misleading that took place. This part of the cooker is pretty much all new to Weber and is likely comprised fairly new employees.

That said, the design and versatility of the cooker due to said design is unparalleled. It’s a real grill and a real smoker. Does both things very well. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I am very impressed with this product even with its issues. I know they will continue forward and improve the product as it’s basically programming.

 

[MrPhilGrillTX]

Mine had the parts incorrectly marked for installation. The firepot (I think it was) had the colored circle sticker on the wrong side, so the pot would not have aligned correctly. The text description indicated the screw holes should be closer to the front, but the sticker had them closer to the back. Aligned to the sticker, there would have been weird gaps. I wonder how many problems bad stickers would cause. (Gen2 EX6, purchased last month, not sure when manufactured).

 

[Mr. X]

Mine had the parts incorrectly marked for installation. The firepot (I think it was) had the colored circle sticker on the wrong side, so the pot would not have aligned correctly. The text description indicated the screw holes should be closer to the front, but the sticker had them closer to the back. Aligned to the sticker, there would have been weird gaps. I wonder how many problems bad stickers would cause. (Gen2 EX6, purchased last month, not sure when manufactured).

I am going to take some detailed pics before they pick this one up and then compare them to the replacement once it arrives. Sadly they said it will be 2-3 weeks and I just got a deal on some racks of ribs... I have my old smoker so we will see how motivated I get.

 

[richfleek]

Hi All,

I got my smokefire ex4 version 1 as a christmas present to me in mid-december. It has been going well except for a few of the common issues. Now I am stumped though as it will not turn on. I was cooking ribs the other night and the temp started dropping. I checked the pellets and added more and the temp still wasn't coming up. I did a shutdown and put them on my genesis to finish and then tried to use it the next day.

I turned it on and then set the temp. when i pushed the button to confirm the set temp i heard the fan kick on and then the whole smoker turned off. I power cycled and nothing. screen was out. I checked the fuse with a multimeter and it had continuity and called weber. They had me remove the controller screen to verify what lights were lit and I am only getting a single solid green in the corner of the power supply... They sent me a replacement board that i put in yesterday and we were back in business. I connected it up, screen was working and i went to set another temperature and the same thing happened. screen will not light up, only getting the green light on power supply and we are dead again. I checked the fuse, replaced it with another I had purchased and checked with a 3rd fuse just to be sure... no luck.

Tech support is supposed to be looking at it but i am stumped

Has anyone had an issue like this? My best guess is the auger motor, fan or glow plug is frying the mother boards or power supply?

Fuse?

 

[Dassman5]

yes this is what i am wondering as well. I think the issues i have seen so far are build quality and poor quality control. I suspect some issues are from the seals on the grill letting water in the ash and drip tray as well as the firebox (I see some black high temp silicone holds the barrel together and suspect they missed some spots) and the rush to get these to market. I bought mine from lowes last month but it was manufactured about a year ago when the push was on to get them to market. they are sending me a fully "tested" new one but I will be waiting a few weeks for it. I'm assuming the auger motor and fan as well as the original glow plug are all suspect. I wonder if a newer motor has overload protection?

I have never hand any of the issues you describe, and I have found the build quality “from the factory” is excellent.

Certainly never had any water or seal issues...but then again I assembled my ex4 myself out of the box, I never allow third party retailers, like Lowe’s to assemble anything I but, and there are lots of stories on this and other sites that relay issues when people purchased from them.

 

[Mr. X]

Fuse?

nope sadly- checked it with a multimeter for continuity and the replacement power supply also fried

 

[Mr. X]

I have never hand any of the issues you describe, and I have found the build quality “from the factory” is excellent.

Certainly never had any water or seal issues...but then again I assembled my ex4 myself out of the box, I never allow third party retailers, like Lowe’s to assemble anything I but, and there are lots of stories on this and other sites that relay issues when people purchased from them.

I assembled myself just like I did on my Genesis. The drip pan filling with water tells me a seal was missed- i've seen this come up a few times online so far