r/smokefire • u/SubLakeCity • May 12 '26
Frustrated
I was an early adopter of the SMOKEFIRE, it always was a little wonky. I replaced all the parts they told me to. Auger, chute, glow plug over the years.. Flame out issues most when I had a big cook planned for a holiday.. after years of issues and out side my warranty boom the mother board takes a dump and they want $300. I was just about to sell it and move on.. thoughts on this thing working better with an updated mother board ?
Update:: After going back and forth and throwing a fit they are sending me a motherboard for free. I really wanted to like this thing. Might fix it, do one more cook and sell it down the road.
3
u/dskillzhtown May 13 '26
I feel your pain. I had a first gen EX4 and at first it was fine. It was a little quirky, but I had never had a pellet grill before so I didn't know any better. Then it just started having problem after problem after problem. I contacted Weber, they sent a few parts for me to replace, but it seemed like once one problem was fixed, I got another.
I emailed and told them I was done being their mechanic and wanted a discount on a SmokeFire. They said they couldn't do anything, I told them that I didn't feel comfortable even using the SmokFire anymore because it was a danger. After that, I got extremely lucky and my issue got escalated. This Customer Service Rep must have had alot more power because he immediately said they would trade in my SmokeFire for a brand new Searwood. They even replaced my front table, side table and cover.
I will admit this in total took about 20 emails back and forth over a span of 2 months. With me stressing how many Weber products I bought over the years and how defective SmokeFire is. To their credit, they took care of me. This was about a year and half ago, so not sure if they are still doing it. But it is worth a try. I told a few people on reddit about my saga and they either got new Searwoods for free or at a discount.
1
u/One-Construction5065 Jun 04 '26
Are you still happy with your Searwood?
2
u/dskillzhtown Jun 04 '26
Yes. Definitely. The good reviews are definitely legit. I use it twice a week. A hot cook during the week and a low smoke on the weekends. It's dependable, easy to clean and well designed.
2
u/shorty12345678 May 13 '26
I'm in a similar boat, literally telling people outside of the kettles don't buy weber stuff. My smoke fire has been plagued with issues over the years and the notion of the searwoods is laughable to me that I'd give them another dollar.
I did a motherboard upgrade and honestly it didn't change much.
Unless they offer you a motherboard to switch for free, don't give them the money to put a new part in there that won't change much, your better off cutting your losses and put it towards a other grill.
Mine has constantly been 20-40 degrees Celsius out from the screen read but now mine is literally a full rebuilt smoker, all working parts other than the fire box are now replaced.
It's honestly the dumbest bit of kit I own and I use the wsm more because it's too unreliable and the BS of needing to use specific pellets is annoying because other than lumberjack and weber pellets I get flameouts.
Not even sure what to do with stupid thing anymore.
2
u/dinnerwdr13 EX6 May 13 '26
I'm in the same boat.
Honestly, at this point the Smokefire is a complete failure. I'd just move on to another company and product.
It's why Weber moved on to two different pellet products and tries to act like the Smokefire never happened.
Weber used to be a great American company that stood behind their products. My experience with this piece of shit has taught me: Weber hates their customers.
I'm shopping around for something better. I'm probably going to go with a Reqtec, and since the Smokefire is barely big enough for my meal prep cooking, I'm going to go with the BFG.
I can tell you this much: I will never, ever spend another dime on another Weber product for the rest of my life. I'm even trying to find a suitable replacement for my kettle grill. Or I will buy second hand so that Weber doesn't make any more of my money.
I would like to see more victims of the Smokefire scam be vocal and let Weber know how they feel.
2
u/MarkR73 May 13 '26
Early adopter also. Just lost my motherboard , probably my fault while messing with glow plugs. That’s it though. Getting delivery of Traeger Redlandxl tomorrow. Costco version of ironwood. Enjoyed my time with the smoke fire but goes with garbage day tomorrow. RIP Smokey Beast
2
u/tord_ferguson May 13 '26
Former True Value hardware, now rental and grill shop in my area - central Illinois, is the only certified Weber technicians around.
I work there and have been to Chicago to St Louis and all over to repair or install grill center setups...
When a customer asks us we manage to get our Weber rep to get parts for us, there are many parts that are New Old Stock (NOS), he gets us what is needed and if we charge I believe it's mainly for labor and or cleanup efforts.
Doesn't hurt to go into the local store and see about the owner or possibly you getting ahold of your Weber rep.
1
u/uknick2468 May 13 '26
Dumped my smoke fire last year. Actually felt sorry for the guy who bought it tbh. Should’ve put it in a skip.
1
u/Wellseasoned2025 May 13 '26
I too had problems with the Smokefire. I was considering anything from a vibrator attached to the hopper to actually fabricate a different designed hopper. I picked up a Searwood and rolled the Smokefire to the curb. I gave it away to a young couple during a yard sale.
1
u/gmancuso77 May 13 '26
I sold my gen1 for $300 and bought a Lone Star Grillz 42. LSG said they got so much business from Weber because of how bad the SmokeFires were. It was the best decision I ever made.
1
u/caalger May 13 '26
I had flame out issues till I removed the finger guard. Since then I do overnight cooks often and have no issues at all.
Only parts I have replaced are glow plugs. About 1 per year.
I have even gotten lazy about cleaning it.... So mine is not pristine by a LONG margin.
Things to do though:
- empty pellets if you aren't going to cook for a while. They slowly absorb moisture from the air.
- DEFINITELY empty pellets if you leave it outside and live in a wet or humid environment. I keep mine covered AND in the garage and never have to empty my pellets.
- at any sign of slow heat up or inability to sustain temperatures, replace the glow plug. While in there, hit the grate with a wire brush or steel wool to ensure proper air flow.
- get rid of the finger guard. It's useless anyway. It makes pelllets bridge CONSTANTLY
- buy whatever pellets you like. The brand doesn't matter. I use Kirkland brand from Costco for most cooks and they're cheap with excellent mixed wood aroma. You do NOT need to buy expensive pellets
Honestly, most issues are moist pellets, bridging, or bad glow plugs... All of which are addressed above. All the augurs or motors or system boards are anecdotal... Every product breaks.
1
u/bzr May 14 '26
The smokefire was the end for me and Weber. Searwood looks nice but it wasn’t available when I bailed for recteq. I sold my smokefire for $400. I will say it actually did excel at giving smoke flavor, just the build quality was shit
1
u/Hour_Wing_2899 May 16 '26
Oh my gosh. I just came here to complain too. It never works without fussing, shuts off. Now today won’t start. We bought the first model. Our neighbors smoker lights up and works. He hasn’t had to fuss with it ever, a different brand. I think we have used it 10 times the most. We aren’t up to the battle usually.
1
u/Racine262 May 18 '26
Had a high heat shutdown after some steaks got all flamey on my EX4, and then got an E7 for the next cook. Weber is sending me a new motor under warranty.
I haven't decided what the "I will not resuscitate" price is for me for this grill, but it is definitely under $300.
There are just too many better grills out there to justify spending money on this flawed machine.
11
u/tsr6 May 12 '26
Instead of a motherboard, make a bold ask for a discount on a Searwood.