Smokefire owners fall into two groups - frustrated and pissed-off over a smoker that doesn't work and customer service that can't help, or happy as a clam with a smoker that works like a charm. I'm sorry you're in the first and very happy to be in the second. I piddled around for two years researching smokers, from stick burners to barrels to pellet rigs and finally decided I wanted set-it-and-forget-it convenience, and something made in USA, so it came down to the Yoder YS640S or the Smokefire EX6. I went with the Smokefire because I didn't want to spend twice as much for the Yoder, because I could buy the Smokefire locally from a friend who owns an Ace Hardware, and because I've been a Weber kettle guy for forty years. But if I experienced the same crap you did I would definitely hesitate to put my trust in a Weber pellet rig again, even if it was a brand new model. Unfortunately there aren't many pellet rigs made in America that aren't really $$$$. Lone Star Grillz, Yoder, Pitts & Spitts at <$3000 and Blazn Grill Works and Smokin' Brothers at <$2000 all made my short list but not available locally.
FWIW, after two years and hundreds of cooks I recently spent $250 to upgrade the casters on my EX6 and add a bottom shelf from KZL Fabrication, which really stabilize the somewhat wobbly legs and are good investments in a rig that I hope continues to be reliable. The one issue I've had is that about every 6-8 cooks it won't start when I turn it on, but it starts right up every time after unplugging and re-plugging the power cord. Anyway, good luck with your search and read the reviews. As frustrated as you must be with your Smokefire experience, it's always fun shopping for a new cooker.
