Weber officially is entering the pellet smoker field

[schlotz]

Weber embraces modern grilling with a WiFi-enabled pellet model

WiFi-enabled pellet grills are having a moment, and rightfully so. They allow you to control and monitor your grill from afar, which is very convenient, especially you're smoking a piece of meat for eight hours or more. Several companies have already jumped on the bandwagon, with Traeger...

www.engadget.com

Wood Pellet Grill | Weber

The Weber Wood Pellet Grill series includes the best wood pellet grills for every grill master. Explore the wood pellet smoker bbq grill series today.

www.weber.com

 

[sandyut]

interesting for sure. I am curious to hear / read some reviews.

 

[jcam222]

I saw an ad of theirs aelwhile back teasing something new was coming. Figured it was this. They have deep pockets to compete with Traeger for sure.

 

[sandyut]

they are definitely not starting at the lower end either. $1200 for the bigger one with no accessories or cover. I would like to see one used weekly in a year and see hows its doing.

 

[chef jimmyj]

Looks pretty nice. I really like the gravity fed fire pot. Looks like it could use a better direct sear set up. Will be watching this one...JJ

 

[Hawging It]

Tell me ain't so!! Well, knowing Weber, they won't manufacture a dud product.

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

they are definitely not starting at the lower end either. $1200 for the bigger one with no accessories or cover. I would like to see one used weekly in a year and see hows its doing.

where did you see the $1200 label?

 

[chef jimmyj]

The Weber website lists the prices...JJ

Wood Pellet Grill | Weber

The Weber Wood Pellet Grill series includes the best wood pellet grills for every grill master. Explore the wood pellet smoker bbq grill series today.

www.weber.com

 

[kelbro]

Weber was once the top manufacturer of grills. When the competition cranked up, they (like most companies) started cutting costs here and there and backing off their warranties. They still make a decent product but nowhere near what their reputation was built off of. Hopefully they now understand that people will pay for quality and that social media shows no mercy for sub-standard products.

 

[gmc2003]

I'll hold off on my judgment for a year or so. I know their gas grills are starting to get more negative reviews. This is a new product and may have unforeseen issues that have to be worked out - or maybe not.

Chris

 

[SmokinAl]

Yea they definitely don't make Weber grills like the old ones, especially the gas grills. I think the kettles & WSM's are still a solid product, but am a little weary about a pellet grill. Like Chris I'd like to hear how they are doing after a couple years of use.
Al

 

[Little-m]

Interesting for sure. As I am rapidly losing patience with my PB I will certainly keep an eye on this.

 

[sandyut]

I feel there will be a learning curve for Weber on a mass produced pellet grill. the competition at the price point is pretty hard to beat. they will definitely need to prove themselves here... year or two at least to see if they have engineered a winner or not.

 

[mustardsauce]

Here's a full write up from AmazingRibs. Looks like Weber brought them into their HQ for a sneak peek at it. Sounds like they've fixed (or attempted to at least, we'll see how it holds up) a lot of the quality and performance issues people complain about with pellet grills. Good searing, no burn back, easy swapping/dumping of pellets, and improved control system. I'm not sure if it's worth double the price of a Pit Boss or the new OKJ, but it looks like a solid unit based on this writeup.

https://amazingribs.com/ratings-reviews/pellet-grill/weber-smokefire-pellet-grill

 

[sandyut]

interesting review. the ash grease catch looks handy, but they mention that some incompletely burned pellets were seen missing the pan, which sounds like some are going into a pan of grease. and that the bottom of the unit would be covered in grease... I could be misunderstanding the engineering...but thats my take given the pics and rev.

 

[mustardsauce]

interesting review. the ash grease catch looks handy, but they mention that some incompletely burned pellets were seen missing the pan, which sounds like some are going into a pan of grease. and that the bottom of the unit would be covered in grease... I could be misunderstanding the engineering...but thats my take given the pics and rev.

I thought the point about "tiny red embers falling onto the floor" was interesting. It could be that they just tested a prototype, but if that's happening on production models, it sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

 

[mike guy]

Interesting approach on the sear part of the grill. Smoke daddy makes a third party sear product for pellet grills that works using a similar approach. Expose the firebox to enable direct heat. I've not used it with the rec tec because I will just either sear using lump charcoal in another grill or on a cast iron. But for those wanting a true all in one solution, it's a step in the right direction. Personally I still think 600f is still on the low side to be searing steaks, but it's better than 450.

 

[Little-m]

Frankly, I'm surprised it took this long for them to enter the fray. Kind of reminds me of Microsoft and this little known phenomenon called the Internet.

 

[schlotz]

Some of us were there for that...

 

[sandyut]

Kind of reminds me of Microsoft and this little known phenomenon called the Internet.

those were the days before the internet, cell phones and bike helmets.